The past year has seen many of us pick up new hobbies and activities to help ourselves occupy our time throughout the coronavirus and Covid-19 pandemic. With government restrictions encouraging us to spend more time in our homes and away from people who do not live in the same household, we’ve grown bored and are looking for productive and enjoyable ways to spend our time. By now, chances are you’ve already made it through most of the films and programmes you’ve wanted to watch on streaming services. You may have mastered the art of making bread. You could be sticking to home workouts well, building your health, stamina and strength. But if you’re running out of things to do, why not consider learning how to play an instrument. Now, many associate this skill with children, but it really is never too late to get started. Here are some steps that will help you along the way!
Choose an Instrument
The first step you need to take if you’re going to learn to play an instrument is actually choosing an instrument that you want to learn to play. There are countless options out there, but chances are, there’s already something that you’ve considered learning and that you will be leaning towards. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself when making this decision. You don’t have to commit to this instrument for the rest of your life. If you get started and realise you’re not that into it, you can always change and try something else. Some common instruments that people learn to play include guitar, piano, violin and more. But there are also alternative instruments out there that you can try out too – ranging from the banjo to an organ, accordion or perhaps even something as obscure as a theremin.
Book Lessons
If you are starting entirely from scratch, chances are you’re going to benefit the most from some proper lessons. These will help to introduce you to the basics and get you started out with good technique and practice. There are plenty of tutors out there who can teach you – from Guitar Tutors to piano tutors. So, take a look around, read some reviews from their other students and find a quality and reliable teacher. Many will also offer online lessons if you are reluctant or unable to leave your home during these times. They will be able to recommend what start instrument you may want to invest in to practice and learn on.
Try Free Learning Resources
If you don’t have the funds available right now for professional lessons – many of us are being financially hit by the pandemic – remember that there are plenty of free learning resources online too. These won’t be as personally tailored to you, but they can prove effective when it comes to showing you how to play your instrument. From books to video tutorials, there’s bound to be something out there that meets your learning requirements and matches your learning style.
Learning to play an instrument takes time and patience. So take it easy and avoid putting any pressure on yourself. Hopefully, some of the above guidance will start your journey out in the right direction!
