The music equipment industry has grown a lot over the years, and the sales of guitars, amps, as well as various instruments designed for beginners, average, and professional players have skyrocketed. What’s the explanation for this phenomenon?
Well, to put it simply, people need to relax. Most folks have a favorite tune or a favorite band, and it’s very likely that they’ve daydreamed about being a musician or part of a band themselves. Instead of having to change their entire lives and devote their existence to playing gigs at the local bar, most individuals out there decide to work from Monday to Friday and then on the weekends, play their favorite instrument as much as possible.
However, learning to play an instrument isn’t all that easy. It calls for the right gear and a whole lot of patience, as well as a commitment to the cause. The commitment part is what’s lacking in most beginning musicians because some studies suggest that it takes just two weeks for a person to quit the endeavor of learning to play entirely. On top of that, classes taught by a professional musician can undoubtedly cost a pretty penny, and the expense might not be something that most people can afford.
If you have been trying to learn to play the guitar or any other instrument, you might find the resources below quite helpful.
Start with yourself
As we’ve noted above, people often set goals that are highly unachievable. Did you know that 70% of those who get a gym subscription in January quit it by the end of March? So, the first way of going about things would be to set realistic goals. If you work full-time, you’re not going to have enough time at your disposal to learn an instrument fast.
It’s better to practice every day for fifteen minutes so as to create a routine instead of practicing two whole hours every Sunday and then forgetting what you’ve learned until the next Sunday rolls around.
What about YouTube?
Believe it or not, YouTube has a plethora of beginners’ classes that you can use both to select the right instrument and to find out about several tips and tricks you can apply. Sure, some of these videos might not be professional, but they are capable of providing you with several basic pieces of advice.
Your instrument matters a lot
If you like the sound of the piano, that doesn’t mean that it will be easy for you to take up playing it. Very few people are a natural when it comes to playing the piano or the violin, for example.
Besides, this type of instrument is way more expensive compared to others, such as the guitar. If you are in the market for such a product, though, do consult a list of the most appreciated weighted keyboards before deciding to spend your money.
Free online resources
Take the time to harness the power of Google. Simply search for ‘free online X classes’ where the X is the instrument of your choice. You will come across a myriad of websites that are devoted to teaching you how to play. You can use the BBC Learning Website if you’re having trouble telling what you’re supposed to do.
Paid online resources
Another way of achieving your goal would be to pay for courses. Sites like Lynda and Coursera are popular with online learners, and for a good reason, too. They have highly skilled educators, most of which are professional musicians.
While it might cost you more to hire a teacher in the city you live in, you could use something like Skype or Minutizer to get online lessons from teachers abroad, for example. Even websites like Freelancer or Upwork can get you started in this sense.