Learn How to Play a New Instrument

Whether you’re picking up a new hobby or are simply interested in learning how to play an instrument, it can be very nerve-wracking. However, with the right amount of dedication and time, you’ll master the new instrument and start playing beautiful music.

Before you can learn, you have to know which instrument to play. A good tip is to experiment with different instruments before fully committing to one. You may not know how to play the instrument yet, but see if you can get your hands on one before deciding. Does it feel good in your hands? If it’s a hand-held instrument, is it uncomfortable when you lift it?

Here are some of the many instruments available.

Piano

The piano is one of the most common instruments for people to start out on. Because you can see the notes in front of you, the piano helps you to build knowledge on how to read music and how music works. Once you’ve mastered the piano, you can try out the:

* Organ
* Accordion
* Synthesizer

Guitar

Other than the piano, the most popular instrument is the guitar. When learning how to play guitar, you get a good foundation for other types of folk or rock instruments:

* Banjo
* Bass guitar
* Harp
* Mandolin

Brass Family

These instruments fit perfectly into a jazz band and marching bands. They get their names from the fact that the instruments are long metal tubes, bent into intricate shapes, with valves or keys that change the pitch. Some instruments in the brass family include:

* Trumpet
* Trombone
* Tuba
* French horn

Learning the Basics

Once you’ve chosen the right instrument for you, you have to learn the fundamentals of that instrument. It’s important that you get the right-sized instrument for your body. It’s common that people with long fingers play string instruments and people with bigger hands tend to play brass instruments because they’re usually heavier.

After you’re sure the instrument fits you, you need to know how to hold it. It’s very easy to develop bad habits while playing your instrument, so developing the right technique is key.

Ask a teacher, tutor, or a store clerk at an instrument store to help you if you have questions on the certain way to hold your instrument. After these steps, you can move onto learning music notation. Music notation may seem like it’s in a different language, but learning how to read music will expand your musical horizons.

Make sure that after you know all the basics of your instrument, you practice daily. If you don’t practice, you may not remember all the notes and songs you worked hard to remember.

Lastly, be sure that you take care of your instrument. Without the proper care, your instrument will get dirty and may start to not work properly.

Once all the fundamentals are learned, you can play music on your own. Now that you know the basics, you might want to consider joining a band.

Have fun with your new hobby. Show it off once you’ve learned and you’re confident in yourself. There will be times that you get frustrated. However, just loosen up and know that everyone makes mistakes and gets frustrated when things don’t go their way. Remember to have fun with it. Don’t expect too much and go at your own pace.