Learning to play an instrument can be an exciting challenge, no matter whether you are new to the musical world or your home is filled with vinyl and CDs. However, there are a number of facts that you should know beforehand that can get you started and can ensure that you do not come across any barriers before you are able to achieve the rank of musical genius. Here are just some of them.
Less Than a Quarter of Americans Can Play An Instrument
Even if you only pick up an instrument and learn the basic notes, you will be doing better than a vast proportion of the American population. Even though music lessons are part of the school curriculum, only less than a quarter (24%) of Americans can play an instrument of any sort, and far fewer can play an instrument at an expert level.
There was. However, an increase in the number of people who could plan instruments during the pandemic as more people looked for a creative outlet for themselves and their families, and more young people are now exposed to instruments as they grow up.
Playing an Instrument Has Health Benefits
Although you might want to learn to play an instrument so that you can achieve fame and fortune and be the world’s next rockstar, playing an instrument can also offer you health benefits. For instance, playing an instrument can calm your mind and give you a purpose, as well as a sense of achievement as your skills grow. You might find that you feel less stressed when you are playing an instrument and that it can ward off conditions later in life, such as Alzheimer’s, by improving the flexibility of your mind and memory. It can also give you more physical flexibility and improve the strength of your lungs- and even your muscles.
You Do Not Need to Know How to Read Music
Many people panic that they will not be able to play an instrument because they cannot read music. Although reading music is a useful skill that can be learned through practice, it is not essential if you want to crack on with playing an instrument. For instance, you can use guitar tabs without knowing how to equate notes to symbols on paper.
You just need to have some understanding of the instrument before you can start creating melodies. This means that you should consider investing in tabs if you want to play guitar notes with minimal hassle and stress.
It Can Be Expensive
Although you can learn how to play an instrument on a budget, teachers, classes, and instruments can be expensive, and it is sometimes not worth scrimping and saving on these elements. For instance, most guitar lessons will cost between $30-$50 and guitars can cost around $200 for a basic option. This means that you might want to save up some money before deciding that playing an instrument is the right course for you, or you might consider renting an instrument when you are still trying to work out whether learning an instrument is something that you want to commit a few years of your life to.
