The Basics to Learning an Instrument

Learning an instrument has become such a popular pastime in the pandemic – to stave off loneliness and finally learn how to play that instrument you always said you would – that it significantly increased instrument sales across the world. If you are one of those buyers and are looking for a way to teach yourself how to play, the pandemic is the right time, and the internet is the right place. Here are the best tips for self-educated instrument lessons, no matter the choice of instrument.

Why now?

Well, the most obvious answer is: because you have the time. Many people across the globe are working from home and have reduced their social engagements, even outside of lockdowns. They are now sitting at home looking for ways to keep themselves entertained. Many of their usual hobbies have fallen away since venues had to start closing.

The second answer is: because it is beneficial. The pandemic has been a huge source of anxiety and depression for many. We are stressed by the state of the world, the fear of the disease, worry for our loved ones and the constant barrage of negative news. Many programs and studies, such as Music for Veterans, have noted that playing an instrument can have a big impact on humans suffering from stress and psychological disorders. It:

improves self-image
increases motivation
reduces muscle tension
improves emotional release
decreases anxiety & agitation
improves communication and verbalization skills

As a result, playing music has enhanced mental wellbeing, physical rehabilitations and personal relationships. These same benefits that have helped war veterans can be just as useful for the stress we feel during the pandemic.

Where to start?

If you haven’t already decided, there are some things you should think about. The first step, naturally, is which instrument you are choosing to learn. Depending on it, the following steps can differ. You will have a much easier time finding guitar chords (an online service like this allows you to generate chords to just about any song on the internet) than you will for a kalimba. Here are some other factors to consider:

Instrument Choice

Two questions to ask yourself are: What do I want? and What is realistic? You might have always wanted to learn how to play the harp, but do you have the time and money to make this dream come true? Look at the commitments in your life and how much room you will have to dedicate to learning. For a beginner, an easy instrument such as a ukulele might be the best choice. You can always build on that knowledge later.

Get an Instrument

You can buy, lend, or rent an instrument. Many people own guitars but might not be actively using them. Ask a friend if they would lend you theirs. If you are just starting out, it is definitely smarter not to invest into a high-end instrument immediately. Look for available rental services or buy used instruments.

Gather Materials

There are many resources online or in print that will help you learn an instrument. Look at YouTube, music websites, or something like the mentioned web-service for chords. Some might want to learn by doing, but it helps to learn the basics, such as how to read sheet music, to find a starting point.

Set Realistic Goals

Playing an instrument is a skill, and most musicians have honed it for years. Don’t expect to be on their level just because you have dedicated a month to the instrument. Setting unrealistic expectations will frustrate and demotivate you. Instead, think smaller, such as learning a few bars of a song first.

Regular Practice

This might seem obvious, but you won’t get better without practicing. Practice works best if it is repeated regularly. Anything you learn will be short term memory at first, but it will settle when you repeat the lesson soon and often enough.

Don’t go for hour-long practice sessions. Chances are you will just play yourself sore and exhaust your enthusiasm. It’s better to choose smaller lessons, even just 15 minutes at a time, but to repeat them frequently, maybe even every day. It makes sense to turn the songs you learn into chunks as well, and start the next bit after perfecting the previous one.

Play What You Love

You will be more motivated to learn an instrument if you are learning the songs you like. It will make you want to be able to play them much more passionately than the stuff that bores you. You will also have an easier time keeping rhythm and knowing when you are messing up, because you know how the song is supposed to sound like. Even if that does not help you read sheet music quite as much, it will train your muscle memory.

Conclusion

Learning how to play an instrument has been a dream for many, who haven’t quite been able to bring it to fruition just yet. The pandemic has helped many to finally see things through. Whether you are just bored or want to benefit from the positive effects of learning how to play an instrument, it is a great choice to start now. The internet gives us many materials and instructions we can use to self-educate in the safety of our own home. With the right goals in mind and a lot of practice, you will quickly find yourself playing some of the songs you love.

SHARE ON FACEBOOK SHARE ON TWITTER

About the Author

Dr. Jerry Doby Editor-in-Chief of The Hype Magazine, Media and SEO Consultant, Journalist, Ph.D. and retired combat vet. 2023 recipient of The President's Lifetime Achievement Award. Partner at THM Media Group. Member of the U.S. Department of Arts and Culture, the United States Press Agency and ForbesBLK.