How to Start Playing a Musical Instrument

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SleepyGamer from our live community is a musician. He wants all of us to realize that learning to properly play an instrument takes work and dedication. There are “right” and “wrong” ways to learn. Here are his tips to get you started.

• When buying an instrument for the first time, don’t buy a really expensive one. It’s a lot smarter to buy something cheap, so that if you decide it’s not for you, you haven’t wasted a ton a money on something that you will never use! If the instrument doesn’t play very well (like a guitar or bass), have the shop assistant set it up for you, they might do this as part of the buying deal, or at a minimal extra fee.
• Get a teacher. This isn’t necessary, but some people respond to a teacher better than others. Some private teachers offer a free first lesson, so that you can see how you like it and get along with them.
• Learn at your own pace. There’s no need to blaze ahead and try and start playing things that you just aren’t ready for yet. I remember trying to learn how to sweep pick on guitar after just playing for a few months! It gave me a really bad technique that I had to shake off before learning it properly.
• Learn songs that you like. If you start to learn songs by artists that you like, you will develop your technique, and it will give you insight into how to compose music for yourself. But remember not to advance along to songs that you aren’t ready for yet, and start off by playing them slowly. This way, when you speed it up to the original speed, your fingers will already know what to play, and will be better prepared for playing it, than if you had started at full speed!
• Develop your own style. You don’t want to sound exactly like another artist, otherwise people just might say, “Oh, you sound a bit like so and so…” and look past you. Whereas if you sound new and original, you will be more likely to become popular!
• Don’t get GAS! GAS is Guitar Acquisition Syndrome. This is a terrible disorder that forces your hard earned money out of your wallet, purse or bank account, and converts it into a few pieces of wood that are cleverly stuck together in a nice way, with some metal bits and strings attached!

Here are some more tips, sent in by saxophonemaniak:

• Choosing your Instrument When you consider buying an instrument, the most important thing is not to buy what most people consider the easiest or most popular. Choose the instrument that you have heard being played and have always wanted to try. However, such obstacles as price can become something that might stop you from buying an instrument. So, you must consider whether you really want to work on the instrument, or if it is just a hobby. For a hobbyist, there are cheaper models known as “student models”. These instruments are usually less than 600$, but are not as good as professional models. For enthusiasts or people that really want to work on their instrument, you should consider professional models later on. Professional models are usually $800-$40,000, depending on what you want. An important thing to know is that instruments will last a long time, be lots of fun to learn and won’t have to be upgraded within the next year.
• Lessons? Learning to play an instrument without lessons is definitely possible. You will learn faster and more efficiently with a teacher. A teacher can help you learn difficult techniques that are required to play an instrument. For instance, the trumpet requires the buzzing of the lips to produce sound. A teacher can also supply you with proper learning materials based on your skill level, and slowly make things harder as you progress. Teachers can also show you how music works. If you do not have any experience with music notation, a teacher is required. All in all, if you want to get a good start into learning your instrument without the migraines, get a teacher.
• Why don’t I sound like Coltrane? (the famous Jazz musician) Usually when you first play your instrument for your friends or family, they will almost 100% of the time will gasp or cringe. Keep in mind they are used to hearing professionals play. They will assume that’s how you will sound at first. Don’t let this get you down. Have them give your instrument a try, so they can see for themselves how hard it is.
• Ugh Practicing! Possibly the most hated part of learning to play an instrument would be practicing. Nobody likes to do anything repetitive, and that is what practicing is essentially. However, practicing is required to get better at any instrument. To make practicing fun, you have to have a passion for the instrument and want to get better at it. Even sitting down for 15 minutes to play your instrument would be considered practicing. When you practice, you should always warm up with scales, which are basically organized notes. The main thing about practicing is that you should want to do it and not be scared that other people might hear you.
• Fine Tuning Your Skills Just because you know the fingerings (specific finger positions to change the pitch) or have a good embouchure (mouth position to play instrument)… doesn’t mean you’re finished learning the instrument. There are several things that you must master before you have become a “pro” at the instrument. Such things as Tone ( the sound of your instrument), air control ( how long you can blow into your instrument) or Speed can be important factors that could dramatically change the way you play, if you improve on them. These skills take time though, so much practice is required. These skills are worth the effort.

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