Learning an instrument is never easy at first, but once you’re over that initial hurdle of feeling clumsy and ‘sounding bad’, playing an instrument comes just as naturally as riding a bike. Still, it’s better to start off at the easiest level at work your way up.
If you approach the world of music in the right way, you’ll find that learning an instrument can actually be incredibly easy. You just have to start off at a beginner’s level and not demand too much of yourself too quickly. If you’re wondering where to begin and how on earth the mammoth task of learning an instrument could ever be ‘easy’, then here are some steps to follow to help you along the process.
Choose the instrument wisely.
The first thing you’ll need is an instrument itself, believe it or not. Choosing the ideal instrument and the ideal model requires a little thought, of course. You may be buying an instrument for yourself or perhaps even for your child, and it’s important that you choose something which suits the age and level of ability of the aspiring musician in question. Picking amongst numerous options can be exhausting, so you might want to consider review sites such as the box tiger music to help give you an idea of the best guitars or pianos on the market.
This doesn’t have to be a difficult task, but you also shouldn’t rush into choosing the first piano, guitar or flute you find. You don’t want you or your child to be put off learning an instrument because you started off with something as difficult to master as a grand piano, for example, when perhaps the guitar or a smaller digital keyboard would’ve been better suited to your tastes and level of ability.
You won’t be a musical genius straight away.
Unless you are. In which case, well done. For the majority of learners, however, it’s going to be a learning process full of stumbles and bumps in the road, much like trying to master any new skill. This shouldn’t be discouraging, however. You need to focus on your improvements. If you couldn’t play Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star before you sat down and watched a YouTube video, but you could ten minutes later, then that’s proof that improvements can happen.
Choose your learning style.
For some people with academic mindsets, entering a class is the ideal way to learn an instrument. You’ll move methodically through the different grades and come to understand your specific instrument inside and out. Of course, perhaps you never liked the methodical approach, and theory may make your brain hurt. In that case, perhaps the self-taught method would help you. Many people find that simply reading online tabs or watching tutorials teaching all the chords and their favourite songs can help them to learn the guitar or perhaps even the piano. This may be more difficult for advanced instruments, of course.
The point is that you shouldn’t be pushing yourself too hard. Learning an instrument should be fun, and it won’t come to you on day one. Just improve over time, and you’ll find that it becomes even more enjoyable once it’s effortless.
