Taking music lessons is fun, and when you think about where music can take you in life, you might feel a sense of great expectation from yourself. No matter what instrument you are playing, or if you are taking voice lessons, these six tips for getting the most from your music lessons apply to you. Follow them, and you will enjoy music more plus you’ll have greater odds of success.
1. START AT THE BEGINNING
It’s important that whenever you are learning something new, you start at the very beginning, even though you might feel a great sense of excitement about the music lessons you are taking. Over the centuries, musicians have developed methods and techniques that work, and these provide a solid foundation for musical success.
Another reason you’ll want to start at the beginning, no matter what you are doing, is that the muscles in your hands, arms, and the rest of your body will need to develop along with your musical knowledge. Whether we’re talking about the muscles in your throat, mouth, and abdomen for singing, or the muscles in your hands for playing piano, proper development is essential. Give yourself time to succeed!
2. LEARN MUSIC THEORY
Learning at least a little music theory, even if you want to play only the most modern, cutting edge music available, will enable you to understand the fundamentals of music so that you develop the necessary skill to succeed. You don’t have to know everything, but devoting at least a little time to this will help you greatly in the future.
3. STUDY MUSIC HISTORY
Music history is very important! Not only will you learn how your favorite instrument developed over the years, you will gain a greater passion for your studies and you’ll encounter many famous stories about musicians who, like you, started at the bottom and worked their way up.
4. LISTEN TO THE KIND OF MUSIC YOU WANT TO PERFORM
It’s very important that you listen to the music you wish to perform so that you hear the way it sounds when professionals play or sing the notes, with all the nuance and style that takes time to develop. If you play a certain instrument, bass guitar for example, listen for the sounds of that instrument within the texture of the music. Listening helps you gain greater appreciation for music, and it helps you to duplicate the sounds you admire, too.
5. PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT
No matter how talented professional musicians are, they all have one thing in common, and that’s practice! Practice every day, even if you can only practice for a few minutes at first. As you progress, you’ll find that you need to practice more, both by yourself and with other musicians, to develop your abilities. If you find that you lack the desire to practice, you should question whether you are playing or singing the right kind of music, and you should question whether you might want to change instruments. After all, music is meant to be enjoyed.
6. QUALITY INSTRUCTION IS KEY
At the beginning of your lessons, you can learn the basics from just about anyone, but as you gain greater skill, you should seek out the best teachers possible so that you can learn as much as you can. Be prepared to pay for quality instruction, but at the same time, expect that investment to pay off for you.
