With 2021 in full swing, we are confident that those who made New Year’s Resolutions would have made good progress with them if they have stuck to them this far! While it can be challenging to stick to a resolution at the best of times, we recognise that it has undoubtedly been made a lot more difficult due to the pandemic.
If you are someone who made a resolution but has fallen off the wagon a little, we have all been there, so you needn’t panic! Mainly, if your resolution was to learn a musical instrument during 2021, while we still have extra time on our hands, you have found yourself in the right place.
Detailed below are some of our top tips when learning an instrument, or simply, ways that you can adapt to your instrument playing, in order to improve your abilities.
Whether you are a complete musical novice or have been playing on-and-off for some time, we are confident that you will find a suggestion here to suit you. Read on for more!
Tricks for Guitar Players
The prospect of learning to play the guitar is one that could be daunting to many, particularly when considering the different factors that need to be remembered. Knowing how to hold the guitar properly, how to hold a guitar pick if you are using one, and where to put your fingers when creating the chords and notes. It can be a little overwhelming that we are sure of.
However, like many other things in life, practise does make perfect, and you are not going to be the next Elvis Presley overnight, unfortunately. By regularly practising your grip and the strumming of the guitar, you will gradually progress.
What’s more, many guitar teaching experts suggest that it is best to teach yourself how to read chords from music, to make playing a little more comfortable in the future; you won’t need to change what is on the music sheet and is quite a valuable skill to have when wanting to learn other instruments too.
Furthermore, using a guitar pick is undoubtedly helpful for beginners, as that constant guitar strumming is sure to hurt your fingers after a while! By using the guitar pick while first learning how to play the guitar, and then transitioning to using a combination of your fingers and the pick, you can rest assured that you will be able to play songs in the future, that use either technique.
Tips for Playing the Drums
While some parents out there will be cursing themselves for buying their child such a loud instrument – sorry neighbours! – this is undoubtedly an instrument that appeals to many people and can be quite fun to play.
While that is the case, much like starting to learn other instruments, it can seem daunting to get to grips – quite literally – with how to hold drumsticks, learn about the numerous different drums that make up a kit how best to play them all. It can be quite a lengthy process.
However, there are facilities and resources available when learning to play the drums, with guides and other tips and tricks available from experts in that field, like drum instructors and music producers from Pirate Studios.
Whether you are interested in learning the best way to hold a set of drumsticks or want to discover more about using an electric drum kit, there is something available for you. Check out their website for more, and rock on!
Guidance for Playing the Keyboard or Piano
If you are in search of becoming the next great piano composer, this one is for you! Much like learning to play the guitar, learning the chords of a piano or keyboard can seem somewhat monumental, mainly as there are so many of them!
While this is undoubtedly the case, there are easy ways that you can ease yourself into this process, and many keyboard and piano instructors suggest starting with just the black keys and transitioning into using both the black and white keys.
Like learning other instruments and hobbies, going slow in the beginning is vital, and does not mean that you are bad! Starting slow while learning, and gradually increasing the speed with time, allows you to fine-tune any areas of improvement. Not to mention, there are some fun songs to play along the way, both slow and fast!
By practising chords and scales, in tandem with playing songs of differing difficulties, you will be well on the way to playing more difficult songs in no time.
While these are but some of the tips and tricks for improving your abilities when playing an instrument, we hope that they have been insightful and of some help to you. Having patience with yourself and your abilities will positively contribute to your progression as a musician.
Most of all, have fun! This is supposed to be a fun process for you; if you feel stressed out during your practice, remember to take regular breaks.