It will likely come as no surprise to you that music is one of the most popular hobbies and interests worldwide. And, whether you love live music or spend time curating the perfect playlists for all of your friends, there’s always room for a little more music in your life!
For example, instead of listening to music – you could try making your own. Not only is this a great way to learn a new skill, but many studies have also found that playing an instrument is a great way to boost your mental health.
This is because playing “an instrument requires all your concentration, which gives you a sense of calm. That sensation helps shift negative thoughts into something more positive.”
With this in mind, here are some simple tips you can follow to explore your passion for music.
Buy a second-hand instrument.
Learning to play an instrument can quickly get expensive, which is perhaps why you have not participated in this kind of hobby before. However, buying a preloved instrument is a great way to make music on a budget. Furthermore, if you find that you truly love the instrument and this is not just a ‘phase’, you can always buy a new one at a later date.
Remember practice makes perfect.
In an ideal world, you’d be able to play the perfect melody the moment you first pick up your instrument of choice. In reality, however, you’re going to need to put the work in if you want to become a competent instrumentalist.
While some experts argue it takes 10,000 hours to become ‘good’ at something, others argue that the time frame is much shorter – but they all agree that consistency is key. As a result, you should try to practice as often as possible, for around four hours (or more) each week. When you are struggling, remember how far you have come!
Invest in tools and equipment.
Once you feel more comfortable with your instrument, it’s time to think about other tools and resources you can use to advance your skills. For example, if you wanted to make (and record) your own music, you may have to invest in further supplies, such as the Best Loop Station from Singular Sound. This way, you can explore your creative ideas with professional-quality equipment to hand, meaning anything you produce will sound that much better.
If you’re practicing a lot at home, you may also want to invest in sound-proofing tools and equipment.
Perform at an open mic.
Part of the joy of music is that it’s best when shared with others. For example, think about how much you smiled the last time a friend sent you a song they thought you’d enjoy. As a result, once you’ve put in a lot of practice, you may want to sign up to a local open mic night.
While this may seem daunting, putting in the prep ahead of time means that you will make the best impression at night. It’s also important to note that smaller, community events tend to be incredibly supportive environments to try out new things. The audience wants you to succeed just as much as you do!
Remember that comparison is the thief of joy.
As humans, it seems almost naturally wired within us to compare ourselves to others – and thanks to Instagram and other forms of social media, we can do this with just a few clicks of a button. As a result, when working on your new hobby, try not to compare yourself to others.
When somebody uploads a video of them performing or playing an instrument online, they do so because it’s the ‘perfect’ shot. What they don’t post is the hours of prep that went into learning the instrument or the times when they missed a note, messed up, and had to start again.
Final Thoughts
Remember that you are just starting out on your journey, and you have time to grow and learn. Alternatively, you could try to view the success of others as a motivator. For example, if someone posts a video of them playing a particularly challenging riff on their guitar, you could set yourself the goal of mastering that riff in the future. This gives you something to work toward, as opposed to being dissuaded.
Either way, keep your head up and remember why you started playing in the first place. Playing music should always be about having fun – and that should be your sole focus every single time you pick up your instrument.
