Everyone would probably agree that music has huge power in our lives. It can change your mood, it can bring people together, and it can even give you a whole new level of awareness. Though to listening to others’ music can be incredible, being able to experience and express yourself through music on your own can be even more rewarding. By taking on the challenge of a new instrument, you can open yourself up to a whole new world!
I strongly believe that anyone can play music. If you have ever been told that you can’t, then keep on trying. Talent is only an extremely small part of the equation, while determination and hard work is the biggest. I have been playing piano for about eight years and violin for less than a year. I also like to diddle around some with guitar and singing. There are heaps of options when it comes to deciding on an instrument. Here are some of the infinite possibilities: accordion, agogo bells, bagpipes, banjo, baritone, bass drum, bassoon, bell, bongo, bugle, castanets, celeste, cello, chimes, clarinet, clavichord, conga drum, contrabassoon, cornet, cowbell, cymbals, double bass, dulcian, dynamo phone, euphonium, flugelhorn, flute, flutophone, french horn, glockenspiel, gongs, guitar, harmonica, harp, harpsichord, jaw harp, calliope, lute, mandolin, maracas, marimba, metallophone, musical box, oboe, ondes-martenot, orchestra bells, piano, piccolo, recorder, ride cymbal, saxophone, scraper, shawm, snare drum, sousaphone, steel drums, tambourine, tenor drum, trumpet, timbales, timpani, triangle, trombone, trumpet, tuba, ukulele, vibraphone, viola, violin, voice, xylophone, and zither. Things called “rules” are only subjective when it comes to playing music. Your possibilities are endless. If you have already learned to play an instruments(s) than learning a new one will most likely come easier for you. You’ll have more experience with musicality, reading, theory, interpretation, etc. depending on what you’ve already learned. If it is your first time learning an instrument, then all the more adventure is welcome for you!
When you start a new instrument, the first thing to do is explore the instrument and learn it’s physical mechanics. You may ask, “How do you explore an instrument?!?” Bang on it, blow into it, bow it, pluck it, scream it, or whisper it in any way imaginable. Some things in music cannot be taught by a textbook but merely by experimentation. Next, learn the parts of the instrument and how they function, learn how to do simple things that when practiced, can go into muscle memory. For example: with piano, learn scales and how to position your hands. For violin, learn how to bow. For voice, learn warm ups and scales, etc., etc. Basically learn the parts of the instrument and how they work, but in simple and realistic steps. Learning the mechanics of your instrument is key to being able to express yourself in sound.
One of the most useful attributes a musician can have is the ability to read. It allows you to not only play practically anything, but also to understand the subtleties that the composer intended. This is generally when you would need someone like a teacher to pass on this language to you. If you’ve already learned to read music for one instrument, then relating that knowledge to your new instrument will help you read faster. Often different instruments will have some new markings that are related to the instrument. The more you read, the more you can read. For example, one Summer my dad and I spent hours and hours rocking out and sight-reading tons of simple Beatles songs. After hours of practice, I could suddenly play more (not all) music right off of the page. It doesn’t matter exactly what you’re reading as long as you keep on trying. On most occasions, practicing is the one and only way to enhance and expand your musicianship skills. The more you do something, the better you become at it – simple as that. According to conductor and music scholar Benjamin Zander (see video link below), the longer you have worked on a musical piece, the less you will have conscious impulses. The impulses become subconscious, rather than focusing on every single little detail. You gain the ability to make not only notes on a page or single movements of your fingers, but true expressive music.
Something to help you become a well-rounded musician is music theory, which gives you a better understanding of the behind-the-scenes science of music. Learning music theory can help you understand what is being expressed by a composer (which later helps you express yourself in many ways), it teaches you the mechanics of how music works and how it’s come to be, and it helps refine your listening skills.
Last and most importantly, you must enjoy your music. This will keep your passion alive and keep you determined. You can even make goals to be able to play your favorite songs. It is an incredible feeling to be able to play what you’ve always loved to hear.
Through much open mindedness, experimentation, practice, determination, passion, and enjoyment, you can learn to speak the universal language of music. You have the potential to possess everything that makes music so fantastic.
Check out this great video of Benjamin Zander:
http://www.ted.com/talks/benjamin_zander_on_music_and_passion.html
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Great post! I like that you mention theory as well. Being a pianist, theory always came easily to me and, maybe I'm odd, but it always fascinates me. I also like what you say about experimenting with an instrument apart from teachers, theorists, etc. The well rounded approach has much to offer. Great Ted Talk link too :)
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