Learning a New Instrument

learn-an-instrument

Try this today

• Think about what kind of music you enjoy listening to and would like to produce. Research the instruments that bring that music to life.
• Identify an instrument that excites you, whether it’s the shape, the sounds or the way that it’s played.
• Think about the environment you would practice and play in (by yourself, with a group, at home, with a teacher) and about other considerations, such as the ease of transporting the instrument.
• Determine your budget for the instrument, if you can afford weekly or biweekly lessons, and how much time you can devote to music.
• If you do not feel ready for a classroom setting, experiment with online learning, whether through tutorials, websites or apps. 
• If there’s no teacher in your area, try out video-chat lessons with a qualified instructor who uses the webcam to teach and give feedback. Several sites — such as Lessonface, LiveMusicTutor, Musika and TakeLessons — offer private lessons at varying prices.
• You can even get free instruction for beginners through YouTube videos. Check out Marty Music for guitar and Coen Modder for piano. These instructors allow you to dive right into playing without needing to read music. 
• Even if you do it at a casual level, playing an instrument can be a surprisingly satisfying hobby.

Why

• Pick a winner. Determine which instrument most excites you.
• Set a budget. Factor in the cost of the instrument and private or group lessons. (Online is also an option.)
• Find an instructor. Consider getting free instruction through YouTube videos.
• Keep it casual. Whether or not you ever perform for an audience, playing an instrument can be surprisingly satisfying.

 

Shakespeare called music the “food of love,” but it’s also food for your brain. One of the few things that researchers agree on is that there’s no greater brain exercise than learning something new — and learning to play an instrument is especially worthwhile. Typically, playing an instrument requires each hand to do something different, which engages every major part of the central nervous system, along with giving the brain abundant sensory input to process.

 

And don’t let age be an obstacle. Research shows that although older adults may learn more slowly than younger people, they are just as able to learn new musical instruments and skills. Another study, of people who started to play piano between the ages of 60 and 85, suggests that music practice has the potential to transfer to nonmusical spheres, too. The study found that after six months, the group who received piano lessons demonstrated more gains in memory, verbal fluency and planning ability than those who had not received lessons.

 

If the thought of learning to play an instrument keeps flitting across your mind, why not see for yourself what the (musical) score is? This activity aims to help you identify an instrument that matches your interests and lifestyle.