For many people, learning to play an instrument is a daunting goal on their bucket list, both revered and feared. It’s something that takes a lot of time, devotion, and energy, and it will probably empty your bank account. But if you feel like you are ready to start learning an instrument like Joan of Arc is ready to spill some blood, there are many routes to take. Some are easier than others, some are harder than others. In this post, I’ll share the best way to start learning your instrument on the right foot.
1. Choose a Well-Known Instrument (To Begin With)
Obviously, in order to learn an instrument you have to choose an instrument. Piano is by far the easiest instrument to learn, and covers everything you’ll need to learn other instruments in the future, from theory to key signature to the most common clefs. If you’re unsure, go with that. String and wind instruments tend to have a steeper learning curve and are in fact the exact opposite of piano – a good sound is hard to produce, but once you’ve got it, you’re all set, whereas in piano sounds are easy to produce but each piece you learn you must start from almost rock bottom. Really, there’s no way to mess up this step unless you choose an obscure instrument no one knows about, thus making finding a good teacher (see step two) harder.
2. Find a Teacher (Doesn’t Have to Be an Actual Person)
One of the many hurdles beginner musicians encounter is acquiring proper instruction. You can get this in a variety of ways, whether online or in person. My advice is that you find a private teacher, as they will be able to more accurately point out your mistakes and help you with your repertoire, but a good website is always a better source of advice than a bad private teacher. The biggest risk of not finding a private teacher is developing a mistake that can be hard to correct later on that could have been avoided with one-on-one time, and the biggest risk of having a private teacher is if the teacher does not fit your learning style. Most private teachers will go at their preferred pace and teach only what they deem important, so if you prefer to hold the reins yourself, seek a good, quality online source where you will be able to do just that.
3. Practice. It Shouldn’t Be A Chore.
Did you expect to look forward to practicing your instrument every day? Did you expect to be practicing for six hours straight like someone who has been playing for dozens of years more than you? HA! Perhaps someone should have told you that practicing is a harder commitment then it sounds, and that to many musicians it’s a meaningless chore they would rather not have to do. Indeed, practicing should not be just another boring thing you do every day, even if you do it every day, because boring practice sessions mean that something is wrong with the way that you practice. If the only thing you do is mindlessly play through your pieces, is it any wonder that it is boring? Listen to the way you sound every time you play and make it a goal to improve each time after that. Pretend every breath, bow stroke, etc. you take will be your last. Each session needs to be unique and stand out from all the others.
4. Develop A Love For Your Instrument
The first few months will be rough, even if you have followed the first few steps. Your instrument is not shaping up to be what you thought it would be and your initial excitement on learning something new will have waned after week or so. At this point, the biggest goal is not to get good at your instrument, but too develop a passion for it. If you are able to practice for hours and devote yourself to your instrument without caring whether you are good at it or not, the actual improvement part will come naturally. Then, in the future, you will love your instrument and music in general, actually practice, and therefore get better. If you do not start loving your instrument or go into your practice sessions expecting to sound like a professional all the time, over time you will start harboring resentment for music and never get better.
5. Avoid Letting Comparisons Affect You
One of the things that I always hear from people who quit their instruments is this: “Everyone on YouTube was so talented and I sounded like such [insert elaborate vocabulary words here], I stopped believing I would ever improve.” Comparing yourself to others is one of the most toxic habits musicians have, and it doesn’t even have to come from the internet. Your friend, your sibling, your coworker who plays better than you will cause you to compare yourself. The key is not to prevent comparisons (which is impossible), but to not let them affect you. So what if you don’t play as well as them? They’ve been playing for two times longer than you have, and besides, there are plenty of things you do better than them. Allow yourself to learn from them, but do not let their brilliance dim yours, when someday you will be just as good as them if you persist.
6. You Are Under No Pressure to Take This as More Than a Hobby
I feel as though I have to write this on my forehead in Sharpie to really get this point across. You are under no obligation to enter a competition or join a prestigious orchestra. You do not have to participate in fancy music conventions or even play in front of others if you are not comfortable doing so. If music is just your casual hobby, so be it. If you plan on making good money off it, that’s fine too. Don’t trample on others who may not view music the same way you do, or force people who clearly are not as passionate/serious about music as you are to do things they don’t want to do. Remember: music should be a no-pressure, no-judgement outlet for a multitude of things, from relieving stress to winning awards.
And that concludes this week’s post! Next up is a bookish post full of unhelpful sagely advice! If you live in the US like I do, Halloween is almost here! What are favorite spooky pieces to play during this time of year? 🎃
