Are you interested in music but nervous about getting started? We will show you the benefits of learning to play an instrument, which instrument to choose and ways in which you can learn! Don't worry, sit back, relax and enter the musical world with me!

Why Play an Instrument?

Playing an instrument has a lot of positives! It can enhance your abstract reasoning skills which are used in maths and science so in turn increases intelligence. There’s research to suggest playing an instrument decreases stress levels, increases confidence, increases creativity and can also increase your listening skills. You can achieve all of this and make more friends whilst having fun! That’s a win-win if you ask me!

Which Instrument?

You may have studied music at school and forgotten all knowledge that there are categories for instruments. Don’t worry – I’m here to help! We have 6 main categories and I’ve listed them below with some examples:

The String Family: Violin, Cello, Viola, Double bass The Woodwind Family: Flute, Recorder, Clarinet, Saxophone The Brass Family: Trombone, Cornet, Trumpet, Euphonium The Percussion Family: Glockenspiel, Tambourine, Maracas, Drums The Guitar and Folk Family: Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Ukulele, Classical Guitar The Piano and Keyboard Family: Portable Keyboard, Acoustic Piano, Digital Piano

How to choose an instrument?

There are so many musical instruments around the world we can see why you’d have trouble picking one. Instruments get created every single day! In order to help you make this decision I’ve listed my top picks of instruments when starting out in your musical journey.

Something A Little Traditional

First up, an instrument that is great for children or for adults who have soft hands (aren’t you lucky!), is the Classical Guitar! The strings on the guitar are coated in nylon which is softer on the fingers and means you can begin to play without needing the use of a pick! Simple! Most noteworthy, you’ll also be able to find a large amount of self-help guides and tutorials for this instrument due to its popularity. Within the brass family, the Cornet is a good starter instrument for beginners. It is more curved within itself which makes it easier to play and to learn the positioning of your fingers! This instrument has a very cheerful and lively sound, making it a popular instrument to listen to. Then we have the Flute from the woodwind family. A pure sound is produced by the flute which is often very relaxing. Therefore, it is great for beginners or for anyone getting back into playing an instrument. Beginners may also be interested in the Piano. Pianos can sometimes seem intimidating as a first instrument but you will find a great satisfaction in learning to play. Pianos also offer the most musical self help guide literature, so there are a lot of resources right at your fingertips! I would recommend a budget keyboard to begin your musical journey, as they are less expensive than a piano and you will experience an extremely similar sound. The string family has a rather popular instrument called the Violin. This instrument is perfect for beginners to professionals, making it a safe option to learn and develop with! It is the smallest and highest pitch instrument in the string family, and can be easily tuned.

Something A Little Off-Beat

First there's the Harmonica. This instrument is the least intimidating instrument and is a low cost option. You can look at a harmonica here. Don’t have the most delicate of hands but fancy learning an instrument a bit more heavy handed? That’s okay! I’d recommend the Drums! Here’s an instrument to accommodate everyone, so really, everyone in the world could play a musical instrument! Exciting right? As a result, did you know the drums can improve your concentration and coordination skills whilst relieving stress! I’d recommend this blog for more information on benefits of playing the drums and top tips! Finally, we have a popular instrument called the Ukulele. The Ukulele has become the must have instrument and with only 4 strings, it’s a simple for a complete novice to pick up. They’re a small size, with a great sound and affordability! Ukulele’s are made in many different colours and designs so you can choose a traditional design or be daring and play a flamingo ukulele!

Now the learning part…

Especially relevant, you’ve selected your instrument and you’re ready and raring to go, it’s time to learn! There are many ways you can learn how to play your instrument and with technology constantly advancing, music lessons are becoming more accessible via a YouTube tutorial, self-help guide or even a one-to-one call. If you’d prefer, find your local music school or freelance teacher and inquire about lessons. Another thing that will also help, is if you have any family or friends who play a musical instrument, then talk to them and share your learning – you’ll pick up lots of tips!