Often people receive a banjo, mandolin, fiddle, guitar or some other musical instrument as a birthday, Christmas or special occasion gift. There's glee and joy everywhere. The giver of the gift knows how much the receiver of the gift wants to learn this instrument and the receiver of the gift is ACTUALLY holding the coveted instrument in his/her hands instead of lusting for it down at the corner store or through the shop window. NOW WHAT?
Finding an instructor that fits into a busy work schedule is hard enough?but once you decide on a lesson plan, then the student must calculate the practice time, how to practice, what to practice ? and let's face it?not all people learn something the same way. We have math-wizard types that write everything down, social butterflies that strictly learn by only talking to others about it and yet others that envision a categories and divisional compartment-style strategy for a problem and logically devise a plan to solve the problem in a completely different way than there next door neighbor! So?in order to learn a musical instrument, how much practice time is enough and what kind of practice is right for you?
First the student must identify some goals:
1. What is the desired gain? Do you want to be a virtuoso or a hobbyist?
2. How much discretionary time is available to invest in the learning process
3. Is the student really willing to invest the time for the ultimate gain
4. Would the student be satisfied with a more social/casual study of the instrument
5. Identify why the student wants to learn 'this specific instrument"
There is no set amount of time that anyone should practice a musical instrument. When I was enrolled in programming classes, I could have studied nightly for 5 hours each night. It would have taken me years to learn the art and craft of computer programming. Though I'm intrigued by the systematic logic of it, my aptitude is towards another genre all together. However, on the other hand, if I spent an hour every couple days with a passionate hobby like playing the violin, not only would the time fly quickly?I'd also be learning at a much greater pace since the built-in passion is the motivation for advancement.
So as much as it's important to practice, a step back from that strategy is to first find the compatible instrument that fits you as a person; as an extension of your personality. If you're learning the guitar because it's cool and every guy can snag chicks if he plays guitar?.- & obviously that's the modern-day hip-factor mindset, however, you might not be actually aligning your highest aptitude for musical fulfillment with your most creative advantages you have to offer.
It's been my experience that every person has a certain level of musical talent. My enjoyable challenge has been to assist them in this adventure and actually locate their best abilities as quickly as possible. Then and only then can we match student with instrument and truly begin a fun and exciting Zen-walk down the road of happiness and contentment; where music, aptitude, personality and soul all congregate. Once this piece of the mystery puzzle is in place, I've never had to work at motivating a student to practice?.
Lee Tribbey is the marketing manager for http://www.LessonsAnytime.com, a totally online music lesson emporium and instrument teaching resource.
Many students want to create music that has a certain... Read More
They're everywhere, and not only are they everywhere, they look... Read More
A debate rages on in the drumming world! You might... Read More
It's no secret that virtually everyone loves music in some... Read More
After months of email and posts, we've finally compiled and... Read More
The lyric writing side of songwriting is known to create... Read More
The new competition package available for the BMW M3 is... Read More
To avoid any sort of injuries when playing guitar a... Read More
For most of us, making any major purchase, such as... Read More
One of the Appalachian Mountain region's greatest contributions to the... Read More
Dierks Bentley is more than meets the eye, but what... Read More
When most people hear the word composer, they automatically think... Read More
A student wrote me an email about the lesson "Ocean... Read More
When Clear Channel controls the radio and the monopoly newspaper... Read More
Performance anxiety is not something that only happens to musicians,... Read More
The previous two Tech Tips took a look at eight... Read More
Piano improvising and arranging is an art but definitely not... Read More
Meet the 12 Major Notes:1. C (do)2. C# - Db... Read More
As a vocal coach, I hear it all the time.... Read More
Canadian Indie bands are dominating the music scene and it... Read More
Have you ever done any of the following?1. Made excuses... Read More
When I first began playing the piano and improvising, there... Read More
Before the internet, unsigned music artists couldnt make a living,... Read More
Digital Music Download. Ever since file-sharing programs entered the hard... Read More
G-Units 50 Cent , was born 6th of July 1976... Read More
Frustrated in a gridlocked?Job got you stressed out?The children have... Read More
"For optimum amp tone onstage, plug your amp into your... Read More
Back in the 90's we had a local Southern Gospel... Read More
Most new guitar players and even some experienced ones have... Read More
These practice tips were written for fiddlers. I've used them... Read More
When memorizing music there are several things you can do... Read More
"Turn it down!"How often have you heard that command in... Read More
A student once asked me; "How come sometimes the music... Read More
When you first learn how to use a mixing console,... Read More
Your first drum set purchase is very exciting! You have... Read More
The gong is one of the oldest musical instruments in... Read More
Often people receive a banjo, mandolin, fiddle, guitar or some... Read More
A lot of new age piano music consists of repeating... Read More
In what way do the kinds of music (rock, rap,... Read More
Most people look forward to the summer months because they... Read More
Today's technology for the recording musician has been getting better... Read More
Like starting with any instrument, beginning clarinet is a process... Read More
For many years I have supplied music for and played... Read More
As you probably know, there are thousands and thousands of... Read More
All through the age's music and spirituality as served hand... Read More
What in the world is "naked music?"You know it when... Read More
Do you remember the movie, Groundhog Day? In this wonderful... Read More
Ostinato means "repeating pattern" and is used frequently in all... Read More
When a painter is getting ready to paint, a color... Read More
Everyone has a talent. For Miami, Okla.'s, Brian Beauchamp, it's... Read More
If you're a fan of New Age piano, no doubt... Read More
Every searching artist wants to get there. It's that magical... Read More
The previous two Tech Tips took a look at eight... Read More
Performance anxiety is not something that only happens to musicians,... Read More
Gibson guitars have been around forever. It's funny, but although... Read More
If you or anyone you know wants to learn to... Read More
Three times in the last month I've been asked the... Read More
I will be honest. I am addicted to music recording.... Read More
Movie and record producers alike are saying file-sharing networks that... Read More
Guitar amplifiers are a major part of your tone. Some... Read More
In 1994 Daniel Johns and his group Silverchair were catapulted... Read More
Music downloads are highly compressed audio files transferred onto a... Read More
Congratulations! Your singing has become amazing, and it's time the... Read More
If you are outraged by the prices software giants demand... Read More
It is no secret that over the past couple decades... Read More
Ann Powers said: "Don't censor the music and artistic... Read More
Music & MP3 |