By Ruth Williams
Playing an instrument is a great skill. We can all appreciate the skill involved, but few of us actually learn to play. If you've always wanted to learn, there is no time like the present. But what's the best way to learn an instrument - expert guidance or teaching yourself?
Expert Guidance
Enlisting the help of an expert is one of the more common ways to learn an instrument, but why? Let's look at the pros and cons of this method of learning:
Advantages
Taking professional lessons is the quickest way to learn the basics of your chosen instrument. As you improve, your teacher can begin to move on to the more technical side of things. This will help you master every technicality quickly and easily.
Not able to grasp it? Music teachers are never too far away, and can help you out when you get stuck. By following this kind of instruction, you can practice at home and have as many classes as necessary.
Cons
Expert Guidance
Enlisting the help of an expert is one of the more common ways to learn an instrument, but why? Let's look at the pros and cons of this method of learning:
Advantages
Taking professional lessons is the quickest way to learn the basics of your chosen instrument. As you improve, your teacher can begin to move on to the more technical side of things. This will help you master every technicality quickly and easily.
Not able to grasp it? Music teachers are never too far away, and can help you out when you get stuck. By following this kind of instruction, you can practice at home and have as many classes as necessary.
Cons
Music lessons can be expensive. With many people struggling to make ends meet, is this really a luxury you can afford to be paying for? And depending on the instrument you want to learn, you may end up paying even more,
Many people also struggle to find the time to attend regular sessions. Relying on someone else is also a turn off for many people. If you have a full time job, it is often a challenge finding a time that sits you and your instructor.
You often have to learn what you're told to learn. More often than not, you will be restricted when it comes to what you actually learn. Some people then find their skills are limited, and can't adapt them to playing naturally.
Teaching Yourself
What about learning at home? Is this a more viable option? Here are some things to bear in mind:
Pros
If you teach yourself, you can do so on your own terms. It means you can spend as much time as you need to on mastering your instrument. You can also learn in the way that works best for you. You have the freedom to choose to learn note by note or song by song.
This freedom also transcends into how you teach yourself. YouTube videos are a great way to teach yourself how to play, for example. Video tutorials make learning easy as you can repeat them until you have them mastered. Renting or buying DVD and book tutorials are also really easy and affordable ways to teach yourself.
Cons
However if you're struggling, where can you turn? When you teach yourself, it can be challenging to pick yourself up after a mishap. This is often the time that DIY learners, give up.
When you teach yourself, there's a chance that you'll miss out on something. For example, the tutorials you use may not cover tuning your instrument. If you do, you risk damaging your instrument beyond repair.
What's the Answer?
There is no real right answer to this conundrum.
Many people also struggle to find the time to attend regular sessions. Relying on someone else is also a turn off for many people. If you have a full time job, it is often a challenge finding a time that sits you and your instructor.
You often have to learn what you're told to learn. More often than not, you will be restricted when it comes to what you actually learn. Some people then find their skills are limited, and can't adapt them to playing naturally.
Teaching Yourself
What about learning at home? Is this a more viable option? Here are some things to bear in mind:
Pros
If you teach yourself, you can do so on your own terms. It means you can spend as much time as you need to on mastering your instrument. You can also learn in the way that works best for you. You have the freedom to choose to learn note by note or song by song.
This freedom also transcends into how you teach yourself. YouTube videos are a great way to teach yourself how to play, for example. Video tutorials make learning easy as you can repeat them until you have them mastered. Renting or buying DVD and book tutorials are also really easy and affordable ways to teach yourself.
Cons
However if you're struggling, where can you turn? When you teach yourself, it can be challenging to pick yourself up after a mishap. This is often the time that DIY learners, give up.
When you teach yourself, there's a chance that you'll miss out on something. For example, the tutorials you use may not cover tuning your instrument. If you do, you risk damaging your instrument beyond repair.
What's the Answer?
There is no real right answer to this conundrum.
If you teach yourself, you can do so on your own terms. It means you can spend as much time as you need to on mastering your instrument. You can also learn in the way that works best for you. You have the freedom to choose to learn note by note or song by song.
This freedom also transcends into how you teach yourself. YouTube videos are a great way to teach yourself how to play, for example. Video tutorials make learning easy as you can repeat them until you have them mastered. Renting or buying DVD and book tutorials are also really easy and affordable ways to teach yourself.
Cons
However if you're struggling, where can you turn? When you teach yourself, it can be challenging to pick yourself up after a mishap. This is often the time that DIY learners, give up.
When you teach yourself, there's a chance that you'll miss out on something. For example, the tutorials you use may not cover tuning your instrument. If you do, you risk damaging your instrument beyond repair.
What's the Answer?
There is no real right answer to this conundrum. The choice is all down to what will work best for you. If you already have experience, you could consider the teaching yourself and picking up where you left off. The best advice is to try both methods and find out which works best for you.
About the Author:
This freedom also transcends into how you teach yourself. YouTube videos are a great way to teach yourself how to play, for example. Video tutorials make learning easy as you can repeat them until you have them mastered. Renting or buying DVD and book tutorials are also really easy and affordable ways to teach yourself.
Cons
However if you're struggling, where can you turn? When you teach yourself, it can be challenging to pick yourself up after a mishap. This is often the time that DIY learners, give up.
When you teach yourself, there's a chance that you'll miss out on something. For example, the tutorials you use may not cover tuning your instrument. If you do, you risk damaging your instrument beyond repair.
What's the Answer?
There is no real right answer to this conundrum. The choice is all down to what will work best for you. If you already have experience, you could consider the teaching yourself and picking up where you left off. The best advice is to try both methods and find out which works best for you.
About the Author:
We've shared our expert tips on this website for those thinking about taking up a musical instrument or perhaps progressing.