Music Madness Challenge: Trying to learn an instrument?

Hi everybody! In this blog post I'm going to be helping you find your perfect instrument, and give you a couple of tips, and a rough guide to how costly things will be, so consider this blog post as your very own ✨Music Shop✨, (except without the part where you actually buy the instrument...).

What genre do you like?

When finding your first instrument to play, its nice to have an idea of which genres you like. If you don't already know what type music you are into, then take a look at one of my previous blog posts labelled "Music Madness Challenge: Pop, rock, dance, which genre is me?" to find out!

If you are still reading this, then I am assuming you know which genre/genres you like to listen to. Knowing this is certainly going to help in the long run, to decide your music instrument, and songs to play.

Pop: If you are quite a poppy person and enjoy pop artists, electric guitars, guitars, drums, keyboard, piano, maybe even things like bass and synthesisers, might match your vibe.

Rock:

If you love a bit of rock or metal, then electric guitar, bass guitar and drums are perfect for you. You may also like a bit of acoustic guitar or other various percussion instruments.

Hiphop/Rap:

If you love hip hop or rap, then going down the technology route is for you. Samplers, keyboards and drum machines all play a vital part in modern day hip hop and rap.

Dance:

If you enjoy dance music, then maybe you don't want to learn an "actual instrument" and instead make your own music by using synthesisers, drum machine, audio effects etc. Maybe you want to be a DJ?

R&B:

If you like R&B music, then drums, bass, guitar, piano a saxophone is the best route for you. If you find yourself leaning towards the saxophone, you can also then take a look at some other brass and woodwind instruments like flute, harmonica, cornet, trombone etc.

By the way, don't worry if none of these float your boat, because there are so, so, so many more music genres and instruments out there, but this is just a rough guide. Maybe you are into country and folklore music? Therefore try guitar or the banjo!

Now, lets explore the actual instruments.

Percussion: A percussion instrument is any instrument which makes a noise when hit, scraped or shaken. I bet you can already think of a few! How about...drums, tambourine, Congo drums, timpani and xylophones? Now, percussion instruments are very different to lets say, a keyboard or guitar or violin etc, this is because drum sheet music appears in its own form of notation, which is called, drum notation. On a keyboard and guitar and many other instruments, they all have the same notes, allowing them to tune together in harmony, common notes you have probably heard of are C, D, E, F, G, A and B. And then you go into more complex notes like B flat, and A sharp. On drum music however, the music still has a 5 line music staff like any other instrument, but the actual notes themselves are a lot different, so instead of representing different pitches, they represent the different drums and cymbals around the kit.

Are percussion instruments hard to learn? Like anything, with a bit of practice you can achieve anything! But some percussion instruments may take years to master fully, for example the drums. It can take less than a week or so to learn a basic beat or a very easy drum fill, but if you are serious about drumming and want to lean towards grades, bands and awards, then you are going to need to put in a lot of dedication, as you would with anything. It's easier when you train your muscle memory, because the hardest part about drumming is getting all four limbs to cooperate doing different things around the kit. Ever tried patting your head a rubbing your tummy? Its basically like that, expect with two extra limbs, and a lot harder, which is probably why drummers have so much respect, and not many people stick with it. However, once you have taught your muscle memory to almost program your limbs to do what you want without them hesitating, its a piece of cake!

Do percussion instruments help with health?

You've probably seen a fair share of videos of guitars being flung across stages, people accidentally breaking a string out of anger, and then they have to pay for new strings or a new guitar. Other instruments like brass and woodwind, and keyboard, and guitars (even though guitars are probably a bit more robust) are fragile and expensive, (not to say that guitars can't be expensive, but its easy to replace a string than say, breaking your trombone and having to replace the whole thing). Drummers however, tend to take their anger issues out on the drum, considering its almost impossible to break it. However, this doesn't mean you can't break it, but drums are obviously designed to withstand powerful hits, and can't easy be damaged, I mean, probably not best to be throwing a cymbal or two out the window....... (just a word of advice).

Advice from the expert:

I am a fellow drummer and I can give you some tips from my own experience (if you are really interested in drumming then I am starting a few drumming lessons on the blog, which will tech you basic notes, drum beats, kit setup, equipment, what to do and what not to do and a few drum fills, and how to get started on grade books).

I started drumming when I was about 5 or 6, so I have been doing it for quite some time now! My kit isn't full sized, considering I need it to be the size which is comfortable and right for me. I am grade 3, leaning towards grade 4, and excited to do my exam. If there was one tip I could give to all the eager drummers out there then it's this:

"Things don't happen overnight, and although the basics are boring you have to do them. But I found that when I learnt a song that I actually enjoyed, and was by one of my favourite bands, I was even more proud of myself than if I were to learn a song by a band I didn't know. My point is, drum the songs you like because then you will like drumming even more."

Keyboards and Piano

Keyboards and pianos (not to be mistaken for the same thing) are amazing instruments, by only striking one key, you can determine what type pitch you would like. On pianos, by pressing a pedal, you can determine how long you want to hold the note for. Keyboards don't have this, however by pressing a range of different buttons, you can record your music, make the keys sound like different instruments, and bend the pitch (which is great for a laugh and if you want to make some wacky sounds!).

Despite having the same overall sound, pianos and keyboards are very different, inside a piano's frame, strings run across a soundboard. When the pianist presses the keys, felted hammers strike the strings, causing the modern day piano sound we hear today.

Keyboards however, are not as traditional and complicated, they don't have the hammers or string, the sound is produced in a lot more technological way rather than a mechanism.

Are keyboards/pianos hard to learn?

As mentioned before when I was talking about percussion, everything is difficult when you first try, and it depends how dedicated you are. If you are only willing to learn the basics, then consider keyboards and pianos as an easy instrument, but if you want to be learning more advanced things, of course it will be hard, but with enough practice you'll get it! An important thing to note, is that how popular learning a keyboard or piano is, most beginner musicians tend to start of with learning either a keyboard or piano.

Do keyboards and pianos help with health? Research reveals that playing keyboard or piano can calm the mind, and relieve stress. People who struggle with depression and anxiety, find themselves at ease and relaxed when playing, so my answer is yes, keyboards and pianos do help with health! But on the downside, note that before learning the instrument, you must look at tutorials on how to sit and how to place your hands, to reduce the chance of getting back ache and finger cramp. Make sure to adjust the chair and keyboard to your comfortable height.

Advice from the expert:

I only play keyboard a little, so I don't have any advice, but just don't give up, and don't get upset if you don't play something first try!

Stringed Instruments: Stringed instruments consist of bass, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, ukuleles, and many more*, however they are the main ones which you are probably most familiar with.

Acoustic guitars and ukuleles, simply work by splaying or strumming a a string with one hand, on in the other hand, you hold the neck of the instrument, and press your fingers on different gaps called "frets", when held in different positions, the string makes a different sound. Right at the end of the neck, are tuning pegs, this adjust how lose or tight a string is-be careful, tighten it too far and it will snap! Bass guitars and electrics are exactly the same, except you have to plug them in with a lead, into something called an amp. What makes electric guitars a bit more cooler, is that you can change things such as the distortion and make those famous "wahhh, wahhh wahhhhh" sounds.

*stringed instruments may also include cello, double bass, viola and violin

Are stringed instruments hard to learn?

Once again, all instruments are hard to learn for the first time, but its said that stringed instruments are indeed very difficult. You have to make both of your hands cooperate whilst one is rapidly strumming, and the other is moving up and down the frets. Many guitarists experience "finger dents" from where the sharp strings are denting into their fingers causing pain, so a top tip: buy finger protectors , which are basically little rubber things you put on the end of your fingers, to stop yourself from getting indents, and also, you should by a pick, which will make it easier when strumming.

Do stringed instruments help with health?

All musical instruments are great for mental health, but playing guitar is said to enhance the player's creativity, and also gains strength in both hands.

Advice from the expert:

Once again, I don't play any stringed instruments, but don't give up, and don't get upset if you don't play something first try!

Wind and Brass Instruments:

Woodwind instruments are made out of either wood (hence the name) or metal. Don't get confused with woodwind and brass. Brass instruments are made out of...well...metal and...brass! Woodwind instruments e.g. flutes, clarinets, etc, are played by blowing into them, and pressing different keys. Brass instruments follow the same idea, using wind to create a sound, however the technique is slightly different. When playing a brass instrument, you need to form your lips to make a "buzzing sound".

Are wind and brass hard to play?

Different wind and brass instruments have different difficulties, with the recorder from the woodwind family being considered the easiest, and the flute being slightly more difficult but still easy, and things such as oboes increase a little more in difficulty. Brass instruments also vary, with some being easier to get to grips with than others. However, this doesn't mean you should cancel wind and brass instruments from your bucket list, everything takes practice!

Do wind and brass help with health?

Yes! As do all instruments, more specifically, wind and brass instruments help make your lungs stronger!

Advice from the expert:

I don't play wind or brass instruments, but don't give up and don't be upset if you don't play something first try!

So, overall, are there any instruments popping out to you? Fancy giving one a go? If you are unsure or still have any questions, feel free to ask me in the comments down below, or if you would like to send it to me privately, then go to the ecowarriorjc.com homepage and send me some private feedback. Thank you!

PS: Interested in drums? Stay tuned for some drum tutorials which will be posted soon. They are aimed at beginners but people from any level are welcome, you'll learn the notes, the names of the drums and cymbals, kit sizes, drumstick recommendations, additional accessories and of course, how to play basic beats, drum fills and maybe even a song!

Thank you!

-Jasmine :)