Violin and piano are indeed the most popular solo instruments in classical music. I won't stretch it too much if by saying that some of the best classical piece

Violin and piano are indeed the most popular solo instruments in classical music. I won't stretch it too much if by saying that some of the best classical pieces are piano and violin concertos. At least 7 years of piano education were almost unavoidable growing up in former Soviet Union as well. There were free music lessons for everyone. Most people never touched the instrument after they were done. However some ended up switching to guitar or being able to play piano/keyboard for friends' entertainment. So overall I am glad I grew up in a country where music education was so universal.