Millions of people found out how easy or difficult it was to play a new musical instrument during the pandemic. Indeed both 2020, and this year, have been bumper years for all manner of instruments, with guitars leading the way.
Sales during Covid had The Rolling Stone magazine asking whether everyone had bought a guitar during the pandemic, or what? Or what indeed as it wasn’t only guitars that were headed out of the doors of music shops.
Demand rose for typically popular instruments such as the violin, flute, and piano. But there was also unprecedented demand for less common instruments such as the harp.
Lockdown boredom led a huge chunk of the population to seek out new hobbies including music. The question is, how many of those people kept up their new hobby, and how many found it too difficult?
How do you choose your first musical instrument?
Perhaps the biggest key to whether you would find learning a musical instrument difficult is which one you choose.
The harp is notoriously difficult to master and consists of 47 strings and 7 pedals. This makes it considerably more complicated than, say, the ukulele.
One key to learning an instrument is to pick one that you have a desire to study. You are likely to find learning easier if you are enjoying it. Choosing a violin over a guitar because you think it is more academic could lead to a rapid lack of interest. Whereas if you genuinely want to learn the harp you might find it easier than another instrument that you have no desire to play.
Finding an instrument that is comfortable may make learning easier
There will be many things that no one has told you about learning a musical instrument, and one of them will be how different they can all be.
Take the acoustic and electric guitar for example. To hold and play they are physically very different, and comfort should be a factor in your choice of instrument.
Younger or smaller players will find some instruments much easier to use than others. The heavy strings on an acoustic guitar may be too difficult for children just beginning to play. However, the opposite may be true for dainty ukuleles and big adults, although Dwayne Johnson seems to manage ok.
Are some instruments easier than others?
There is absolutely no doubt that some instruments are far easier to play than others. Some people will though learn an instrument easier than another person. Learning curves will differ between students.
However, some instruments such as the harp are inherently difficult.
Guitars are extremely popular because they are accessible to almost anyone. A new student can pick up an affordable instrument and learn some easy guitar chords without too much difficulty.
The violin is classed by some as one of the hardest instruments to learn, along with the French horn and the oboe. Some instruments though are far easier.
How long might it take to get skillful with an instrument?
Every instrument has a different learning curve, and each student will find that more or less difficult than another individual.
Perhaps the mistake some people make when learning a new instrument is setting themselves time limits to reach certain levels. Learning an instrument for fun is more likely to lead to a long-term hobby, which will, in turn, lead to improved skills.
The answer to learning an instrument is plenty of practice. Music teachers can help to improve any student’s playing if they are given time, but regular practice is a must.
Which is the easiest instrument to get into?
Back in 2015, The Atlantic reported on how the ukulele was enjoying another one of its resurgences. Well, it is doing so again and has possibly never been so in vogue.
Australia imports more ukuleles than they do acoustic guitars. This is an incredible statistic when you consider that guitars are by a long way, the most popular musical instrument on the planet.
One of the reasons for the ukulele’s popularity is because they are simplistic to learn. Their size makes them suitable for children and adults alike regardless of their stature.
There are only four strings to a ukulele which makes them simpler than guitars. They are also small and light, and affordable making them an ideal beginner's instrument.
If you are looking for the simplest instrument to learn though, perhaps the harmonica beats the ukulele.
How can you speed up the time to learn an instrument?
Attending music classes, whether in groups or with a private teacher is certainly a good way to learn an instrument. However, you should understand that with many instruments you will be on a continual journey of improvement.
Professional guitarists in some of the biggest bands in the world still put in hours of practice every week. Guitarists can learn new techniques and improve their playing skills throughout their lives.
When it comes to the initial learning curve, however, there are ways to help. The first choice if you can afford it is to take some lessons. Even a few lessons initially can really help a musician to get started.
And there are heaps of other resources and tools available too. Choosing the right instrument for you will also determine how quickly you progress.
Is the guitar a good choice to make?
For millions, the guitar is the only choice when it comes to learning an instrument. Guitars are accessible due to their availability in town centers or from the internet, and they are largely affordable.
There are plenty of reasons to learn how to play an instrument, and one of them is for sheer pleasure. Therefore there is no reason to throw fistfuls of dollars at a guitar at first. All major guitar manufacturers have low budget ranges to attract younger players, or people that are curious, to make a purchase.
Progress can be swift on a guitar at first, and some songs are fairly easy to pick up. This is useful as progress helps with confidence and continued interest. It should be said though, that many guitar players find they hit a plateau at some point and find it hard to move on.
How can you make your progression easier?
Depending on what instrument you have chosen, you may find that after a while your progress begins to slow. This isn’t your fault and it happens to many new players.
At this point, you might return to your music teacher and receive more lessons. They may correct your technique or give you pointers. A teacher will also test you regularly which will lead to improvements and observations about your playing.
You can also use online resources to help move you forward. There are music education services online that will show you how to play chords from your favorite songs. These services may help you to progress through the more difficult chords, and continue improving.
Summary
Learning an instrument can for some be difficult. Depending on the student and the choice of instrument it could be quite a chore to learn, or fast progression may be made.
Playing music is a great hobby, and one way to make it easier and more enjoyable is to try with an instrument that is less difficult than others. A good starting point for many would-be a ukulele. From here, you may find progression to a guitar easier, and therefore more fun.
WRITTEN BY
Brand Voices