Playing an instrument can be a pleasant addition to your list of hobbies and passions. Listening to music can be a source of calmness, enjoyment, and other positive moods, so what better way to incorporate it into your lifestyle than by knowing how to use an instrument? Learning how to play an instrument comes with several benefits that go beyond having an additional skill. It serves as a form of self-expression that can help boost your confidence, relieve stress, and give you a sense of achievement.
While all the benefits of playing an instrument may be loud and clear, there is no denying the difficulty of picking out what instrument you want to learn, especially if it is your first one. The moment you walk into a musical instrument store, you will likely be greeted with a collection of guitars, pianos, drum sets, violins, and other instruments. The question now is: How should you choose your first instrument? Check out these tips and considerations to help you make such a decision.
Music Preferences
First, you can think about your taste in music. What type of music or songs do you typically enjoy listening to? Do you enjoy the upbeat sounds of a drum or acoustics or the more calming tone of the piano? Take as much time as you need to think about your answer to this as it can influence your experience in playing your instrument of choice. A musical instrument can also be a big investment, in terms of cost and time, so as much as possible, it is best to choose one that adheres to your preferred music style.
Space Limitations
Another important consideration is how much space you have to practice your instrument. Pianos and drums tend to take up much room, but a few string instruments like the double bass may also require a larger space. Guitars tend to be easy to squeeze into your room, but if you are extremely limited in space, you can opt for smaller instruments like a flute or clarinet. Additionally, you must also think about things like whether your walls are thick enough to block out sounds while you are practising or whether it will disturb other people in your compound.
Time Investment
How much time do you want to, or are you willing to put in to learn how to play your instrument? When you step into a musical instrument store, you will find several options, including some you may have never seen, and it can be easy to get carried away with your choice. However, before you make any purchase, think about how much time you can commit to learning. Instruments like the violin and harp, for instance, are some of the more difficult and challenging, so they require much more time than a guitar, which you can learn yourself.
One important thing to remember with learning how to play an instrument is that it takes time, so do not feel bad if you do not get it immediately. Setting realistic expectations is essential because every instrument comes with a learning curve, and each person has different learning paces. With that said, it is never too late to start in your journey, so do not hesitate to pick up an instrument at any point in your life if you suddenly feel like learning one!
