Learning a musical instrument can be a great thing for anybody. It will allow you to step into a new environment and also provide you new skills. It might seem like a daunting task at first, especially if you’re starting from scratch or you’re picking one up that you haven’t touched for quite some time. Though don’t let this stop you from learning.
Well, it might be easier once you have a musical background, but don’t worry about this! Here are simple and easy tips for you to help you through this journey.
- Don’t go overboard in choosing an instrument
Daily practice is crucial when you want to master an instrument. So being able to have your instrument at home can make a huge difference. However, don’t go overboard right away and buy a high-end instrument off the bat. Second-hand markets and online classified sites are a great place for getting those pre-loved pianos or guitars.
You may also check out Craigslist for bargains. And here’s another tip – it is much easier if you pick an inexpensive and widely used instrument to learn. For example, you’ll have an easy time finding a keyboard, harmonica, or guitar. Moreover, there are also local shops you can check around you selling second-hand instruments. Those stores may have a few musical instruments on hand at a reasonable price that are perfect for practicing.
- Start slow and be patient
When starting, you might feel pressured and think of getting proficient right away. Maybe you’ll feel frustrated in executing the ideas in your head or from what you’re following on. In this scenario, the instinctual response is to try and force beliefs out and push to play beyond your limits on an instrument. This is not the right approach; you’ll develop bad habits, and worse, you could develop performance injuries that might restrict your ability to develop on learning to play an instrument.
Take things slowly, there’s no deadline for this. You’re a beginner, and you should be kinder to yourself.
- Look for video lessons online
If you think that maybe music lessons can get pretty expensive, don’t think about it that much! With all the technology we have right now, we have easy access to the internet. And the internet is full of wonders such as musicians posting free tutorials for beginners. Most of them have put up introductory lessons, and if you’re lucky, there are advanced lessons too.
This is an excellent opportunity for you to watch many videos and figure out which ones click with you. Different people tend to learn things better from different styles. For example, some learn well from rote memorization, while others learn from better experimentation. Try different online teachers out there for your instrument and see what works best for you.
- Keep on practicing but don’t exhaust your enthusiasm
This might feel like the most cliche tip when learning a novel skill, but it’s factual. Spare minutes in practicing every day or even just for five days in a week, there is progress guaranteed for you to see. Even 30 minutes a day is advisable. But practice can get addictive, and you might find yourself at it for hours. Embrace it like a new hobby.
Although it is excellent for you to practice and practice, don’t forget to sometimes break. Learning a new skill is as much physical as it is mental, and overextending yourself is risky. So, if you feel like you’re practicing past the point of exhaustion, or if you’re having a bad day and nothing seems to be working out, breathe. Take a break. Sometimes pushing through the frustration is necessary, but knowing your limits is just as needed.
Conclusion
Nothing comes easy at first, and we will surely encounter a lot of setbacks along the way. That’s how things work when learning a new instrument. There will be times wherein you’ll feel discouraged and just feel like giving up. When those times come, always remember why you started. Practice for as long as you can, but don’t push yourself too much; this is supposed to be fun. If you’re trying to learn now, good luck, and I hope this has helped you!