5 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Learning to Play an Instrument
Did you know that playing a musical instrument makes your brain healthier and happier? People who play instruments have better cognitive function and experience less depression and anxiety.
Despite the health benefits, learning to play an instrument can be frustrating. It helps to take a step back and learn about the common mistakes people make and how to avoid them.
Keep reading to learn about five mistakes to avoid when you’re learning to play an instrument!
1. Not Having Realistic Goals
When you’re learning to play an instrument, you must set realistic goals so that you don’t put certain expectations in your head. It’s not easy to learn something new, and you need to start small when setting goals for what you want to learn during your first few practice sessions.
For example, if you’re learning to play the guitar, don’t expect you’ll master an entire song in just a week. Instead, set a more realistic goal of mastering a few scales on the guitar first.
2. Playing Too Fast
Many people make the mistake of playing an instrument too fast when they first start out. When you play too fast before getting a good handle on things, you’ll make the same mistakes repeatedly and not make as much progress.
Remember, learning music isn’t a race; speed comes with time and practice. Start your songs slowly and let your speed build naturally over time.
3. Not Getting Familiar With Music Theory
Music theory teaches you how music is written, how to interpret musical notes, and how to comprehend melody and harmony. It also helps you learn the importance of keys, scales, and pitch, which helps you understand the music you’re trying to play.
Unfortunately, many people skip learning music theory and go straight into playing a musical instrument. So, it’s essential to slow down and take the time to learn the basics.
4. Always Starting a Song at the Beginning
When you consistently start a song from the beginning, every time you mess up, you end up playing the beginning multiple times before you can practice any other parts of the song.
As a result, the parts you practice the least will be at the end of the song, and it will ultimately take longer to master each song you play. A good idea is to break up the song into sections, isolate the problematic parts, and put it all together at the end.
5. Quitting Too Soon
One of the biggest mistakes you can make is quitting too soon because you’re frustrated. Remember, learning a new hobby takes time and patience, so you need to commit right from the beginning.
If you’re thinking about quitting, it’s important to take a step back and consider the reasons why you started in the first place.
If you have things like family issues or an illness to deal with, then it may not be the time to keep playing. However, if you’re having trouble mastering new skills, it may be time to enroll in music lessons.
To enroll in music lessons and get tips on different instrument options, check out https://sloanschoolofmusic.com/best-instruments-for-beginners/.
Learning to Play an Instrument
Learning to play an instrument isn’t easy for anybody at first, but if you take your time, you’ll be playing the right notes before too long.
Remember, don’t be afraid to do your research, and get professional music lessons if you’re struggling. Many times it only takes a few lessons to get you where you need to be.
For more tips, check out our blog for more health, business, and lifestyle articles to boost your knowledge!
