Are You Taking the Right Approach to Learning Music

Are You Taking the Right Approach to Learning Music Suzy S. https://www.youtube.com/user/takelessons/ Can you learn to sing on your own? Can you learn piano  with online videos? Find out what works and what doesnt when it comes to learning music, in this post by guitar teacher  Kirk R... Dreaming of playing an instrument, or learning to sing? These days, there are many different ways to get started with music. You could take  private  lessons. You could play in groups, whether thats  in school, group classes, or just jamming with friends. You could even start learning on your own through observation, or search for  prerecorded video or audio lessons. But whats the most effective way to learn? You might be surprised to learn that its NOT  the options listed above. That is, not on their own. Let’s take a look at each one, and the benefits and drawbacks they present. Learning On Your Own Spending time with your instrument on your own is essential to getting better. Anyone you ask about learning music will surely support your own private practicing and desire to learn new things outside of classes,  lessons, and  rehearsals. I recommend reading books  and  blog posts (like you’re doing now, good job!) and listening to other musicians, even those from other instruments or styles.  Doing so will help you recognize  what you like and what you dont like. However, if youre not  around other musicians regularly, it becomes very easy to let your playing get way off track. Your brain can trick you into thinking  the sound youre  making  or hearing  is the same as the sound you tried  to create, even if its not. And if this  goes unchecked, it can lead down a long path of mistakes until one day you play for someone and they don’t recognize the song at all! It’s important to have a regular “check-up” for your playing. Even professional musicians get together regularly to play for someone else! As a beginner, working with a private music teacher is key. Consider This: Is it Possible to Teach Yourself to Sing? While learning notes or chords on your own on the guitar can be a great starting point, singers trying to learn on their own tend to struggle. Whys that? Learning how to use your instrument (your voice!) is a whole-body experience, which often requires the instruction of a teacher, whether online or in-person, who can easily identify the root issues whether thats poor posture, unsupported breathing, or something else. “Canned” Music Lessons The internet is a huge part of our society now and I think it is a huge advantage to musicians everywhere. You can find tons of videos and online courses, and these types of lessons are a great way to  gain some knowledge. However, its important to keep in mind that prerecorded videos dont tell you  if youre  doing something  wrong, let alone what it is. Similar to learning on your own, mistakes can easily become habits. I have had guitar students who learned chords on their own, and in their first lesson actually played all the chords upside down. Needless to say, it didn’t sound great, but they were used to hearing it  and didn’t even  notice the mistake. If you want to learn the notes or chords for a specific song, YouTube is a great option. But if youre looking for lessons with substance, steer clear of prerecorded lessons. The reason? These videos  assume your  prior knowledge of music, which isnt always effective. Learning music is not a linear process; in fact, teachers dont always agree on  the order certain things should be taught. Often, it depends on the particular student and their goals. This is why working with a teacher who can create personalized lesson plans for you makes a huge difference. Consider This: Can you Really Learn Piano Online? Many students are leery of online piano lessons. After all, how can a teacher properly see what youre doing with your fingers and if youre placing your hands correctly? Fortunately, the answer is yes and online lessons are a great option for many students. Experienced teachers know how to angle their camera so you can see their hands clearly, and will direct you to adjust yours so they can provide feedback.  Just remember the advice above: dont rely on canned video tutorials alone! Group Music Classes Learning to play music with others is essential for any musician of any style. Collaborating with  other musicians will force you to pay attention to details, like precise rhythms and a careful balance in volume,  which  may sneak past you when playing on your own. Many beginner students get their start in band or orchestra, and many adult students flock to group music classes because its less daunting than private lessons. However, I dont recommend relying on group sessions alone if you really want to improve. The reason behind this is that with group classes, you will receive little, if any, individual help. Likewise, more advanced musicians shouldnt rely on jamming with friends to improve their skills. Other musicians may be able to share some skills, but even good players often make terrible teachers! Learn from them, but be cautious not to pick up bad habits or get frustrated if you’re not able to pick up something right away; perhaps your friend took a subtle skill for granted and didn’t think to explain it as an experienced teacher might. Consider This: How to Find Musicians Near You If youre taking private lessons, but missing the group component, dont fret! Younger students, consider attending band or orchestra camps in the summer to get ensemble practice. Older students, try a free membership at TakeLessons Live where you can access online music classes led by live instructors in a variety of subjects.   Private Music Lessons Individual lessons are a great starting place (and continuing place!) for almost any musician. Since your teacher is right there observing you, youll get feedback in real-time. And that can save you a lot of time searching on your own. In the midst of trying to get the right pitches, rhythms, and articulations, identifying when  something is going wrong on your own can be nearly impossible, even for more advanced players. The only drawback  to individual lessons, however, is that you only receive one perspective on your playing: your teachers. However good the teacher is, as a musician and a teacher, they have only one perspective of many. Consider This: How Do I Find the Best Music Teacher? A simple search on TakeLessons can pull up tons of teachers for guitar lessons, piano lessons, and more. But how do you find the right teacher for your needs, goals, and schedule? Weve got you covered. Check out our tips here. So, How SHOULD You Be Learning Music? Now that weve reviewed these four options for learning music, heres my point: to really improve your skills, you need to combine all of the methods above. Heres what I recommend: If you’re a part of a group class at school or in the community, sign up  for private lessons as well to get individual help. Same goes for if youre working your way through a prerecorded course or relying on videos. Take some time each week to meet with a teacher, to make sure youre on the right track.  With online music lessons, you dont even need to leave your house! Review what youve learned in your course, and get their feedback on your technique. If you’re already taking  private lessons, see if your teacher can connect you with other students to get some group experience. Most teachers will be thrilled to hear that you’re interested in collaborating with other students! Keep practicing and learning on your own, too. Treat practice like a lesson that you give yourself. If you’re not sure what to do to improve something, try searching online, or simply experiment! Ask yourself, “What if I use this finger? Or if I breathe here, instead? Have you been playing music for a while now? Wed  love to hear what ways you went about learning. Leave a comment below and share your story! Post Author:  Kirk R. Kirk is a classical, bass, and acoustic guitar instructor in Denver, CO. He earned a bachelors degree in guitar performance  at The College-Conservatory of Music in Cincinnati and is currently pursuing a masters degree in performance.   Learn more about Kirk  here! Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher Photo by: Daniel Davis