To coincide with the online publication of “Learning to Read Music” – a book providing advice on reading music – HowTo.co.uk takes a look at how anyone can pick up an instrument and play…
Teaching yourself how to read music and play a musical instrument can be an intensely rewarding experience. At least that is what I keep trying to tell myself when I botch this chord or misread that note, but with no one to monitor and guide your progress but you, the experience can sometimes feel isolating and frustrating.
But have heart, teaching yourself how to play can be can be great fun, and not as lonely as you think. You’ve got your basics down – now what?
Practice, practice, practice
The biggest motivator is the desire to play music you love. Who wants to play “When The Saints Go Marching In” over and over? If that is all you had to look forward to every time you started to practice I doubt anyone would continue to play.
But luckily for all of us there are some great sites available that offer sheet music for just about musical mood you are in or any instrument you want to play, such as Sheet Music Plus and Music Notes.
Get involved with an online musical community
Piano Files is an online community for people who love to play the piano and share their sheet music. Each member posts a list of sheets they have and can search the database to see who has sheet music they want by artist or song. When you find someone, email them and ask for the file. The idea is that in the process of requesting sheets you meet and connected with other pianists.
Play for your friends
One of the real distinctions between being a beginner and an intermediate player is the ability to play in front of other people.
Once you feel moderately comfortable playing a piece, invite your family in to listen, or offer to play it for your friends. Practicing a piece in front of an audience builds your skill as a performer as well as boosts your confidence.
If the idea of playing in front of people who know you well makes you anxious, try bringing your instrument out and playing in public (if it is portable) like in a park or in the subway station. Just be wary that different cities have different laws about playing in public (especially if you are collecting money) and a permit might be required.
Whatever audience you choose, be prepared for some butterflies, some anxiety, and some serious nerves. But keep asking for an audience, and those paralyzing jitters will turn over time into excited twitters and improve your nerves and ability to improvise if you make a mistake.
Learn from others technique, style and presentation
Aside from dancing cats and candid camera moments, YouTube has some great videos of people sitting in front of their computers and playing their instrument. Check those videos out and observe how someone else plays it. The great thing about internet video is you can pause, rewind, and watch as many times as you need.
Remember that it is called “Play” for a reason
The worst thing a player can do while practicing – especially a player teaching themselves – is forget that the main goal of playing is to entertain and communicate. This applies just as much to yourself as it does to your audience. Every musician, amateur or professional, should remember the energetic power that their music holds and actively try to use it to radiate positive emotions and energy into the world.
Happy playing!
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-Ends-
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