10 Quick Tips for Aspiring New Musicians

Have you been thinking about taking up an instrument? You can learn to play at any age, so it’s never too late. It’s not always easy to learn music, but follow these ten quick tips for aspiring new musicians to help you learn music and be successful.

One of the most important things you can do when learning an instrument is learning to read music.

1. Learn to Read Music

One of the most important things you can do when learning an instrument is learn to read music. Many musicians learn to play by memory, but you’ll serve yourself so much better if you learn to read music.

When you read music, you can quickly figure out how to play any song you want. Although playing the song properly may take practice, knowing which notes to play will be much easier. It’s also easier to learn a second or third instrument if you can read music.

2. Get Some Help

While many musicians are self-taught, it never hurts to get some help. Whether you go to someone in person or take lessons from someone online, you can learn a lot from someone who has already mastered the instrument.

A teacher will be able to share their expertise with you and has developed teaching strategies to make learning easier. They can also make sure you don’t miss any essential skills and can correct you as you make mistakes.

3. Set Goals

Before you get too far into learning an instrument, you need to set clear goals for yourself. What do you hope to accomplish once you learn to play? Maybe you only want to learn as a hobby and only plan to play for yourself. Perhaps you just want to learn to play as a way to entertain your family and friends.

You may have slightly higher aspirations. If you’re hoping to make it as a professional musician, learning to play an instrument will take on a more serious tone. You’ll need to be much more dedicated if you want to make money as a musician, and you’ll have to commit much more time.

Going professional also requires a lot more work. You’ll have to spend time hustling to get gigs and get yourself moving forward in the industry.

4. Learn the Appropriate Techniques

When beginning to play an instrument, everyone dreams of playing their favorite songs. While playing songs is one of the most fun parts of playing an instrument, you need to spend time learning the specific techniques for playing on that particular device. You’ll need to learn scales and do exercises to grow as a musician.

Even though you may find learning techniques to be monotonous, you’ll be glad to know them when you begin to tackle more difficult songs. Many musicians say they’re happy they learned the techniques because it helped them be much better musicians.

5. Have Fun

While it’s important to learn techniques it’s also essential that you have fun. Playing music is about having a good time. Your energy will come through the music you’re playing.

Learning an instrument is hard work. If you’re not having fun and enjoying it, you’re going to be less likely to put in the work. Try to find a happy balance between learning and making it an enjoyable experience.

In between learning scales and techniques, be sure to learn to play some of your favorite songs. It’ll make your journey much more interesting.

6. Make Connections with Other Musicians

Even if you plan to be a solo act, it’s a good idea to network with other musicians. You can have friends to help you on your journey and offer support when things aren’t going well. You may even be surprised what doors will open when you know the right people.

There are lots of ways to meet other musicians. You can often make new friends by going to jam sessions and open-mic nights. You can reach out to local musicians on social media or even ask your music instructor to introduce you to some people.

7. Develop a Thick Skin

If you’re sensitive to criticism, it’s going to be difficult to make it as a musician unless you only plan to play for yourself. You’ll get criticism everywhere you go into the industry, from fans to music venue owners to agents to record labels. Even if you’re just learning to make music as a fun hobby, people around you may be overly critical of your growing skills.

You need to get used to hearing no because you’ll likely hear it a lot. You need to be able to keep moving forward, keep hustling, and keep practicing no matter what others tell you.

8. Focus on Social Media

Social media can be a powerful tool when trying to make it as a musician. When you’re trying to find gigs, you’ll often be told no. But that’s just one person’s opinion. If you set up social media accounts like YouTube, you can build a fanbase.

Use social media to post your music, including a mix of originals and covers. Engage with people who like your videos. You may be able to build up a decent fan base. Having a large social media fan base can open up all sorts of doors for you.

9. Look to the Masters

You can learn so much from the masters of your instrument. Identify the musicians who are the best at your instrument and study them. Watch their techniques and look for things you can emulate. YouTube is a great place to find recordings of performances.

10. Practice

Learning a new instrument is a challenge, especially if you start with one of the more challenging ones. It’s going to take a lot of practice, and you have to be consistent. You may be tempted to give up, but you have to keep going. The more you practice, the better you’ll get.

Parting Thoughts

Now you’re ready to begin your journey to becoming a musician. These tips can help you take yourself from amateur to professional. Remember to keep working hard and never give up. You’ll be playing like a pro in no time. Check out Amphy for even more tips and courses to boost your music skills and take your playing to the next level.