How and Why To Start Learning an Instrument

Music has always been a cornerstone of faith and worship. The songs of the Psalms have inspired Christians to create beautiful art for centuries.

Be a part of something great by choosing your first instrument today, and take up a hobby that lasts a lifetime!

Why Should You Learn An Instrument?

There are so many reasons why you should learn an instrument at any age. The emotional intelligence, resilience and creativity you’ll develop will teach you so many lessons about yourself, and help you become a better follower of Christ.

Emotional Intelligence

One way we can be better followers of Christ is in how we treat others. Music develops emotional intelligence in a unique way. It helps us understand the full spectrum of human feelings and relate to them. A simple change from a major to minor key can shift the tone of a piece dramatically.

Emotional regulation is a key skill to learn at any age, and one that will prepare you for the twists and turns life will throw at them. As we are taught, A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger quiets contention. - Proverbs 15:18 (ESV). The first step towards controlling your emotions is to understand them and how others feel. Music activates regions of the brain involved with processing emotions and enhancing mood.

Developing Discipline, Perseverance and Resilience

Learning any skill is hard. Learning to play a musical instrument is no different. It is by far one of the most rewarding things that you could ever undertake. Sure, it’ll be frustrating at times - just like many rewarding activities. Raising children, going for that promotion, or making the perfect Sunday dinner can leave you frustrated. But the payoff is completely worth it.

We grow through adversity. As James 1:4 (NIV) teaches us: “Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete”. The discipline learned through your musical journey will prepare you to face the trials which life throws at you.

Forge Creativity

Creative problem solving skills will take you far in life. From improving your performance at work to finding new ways to apply the lessons of the Bible to your life, the ability to think outside the box that comes with learning a new instrument can help you achieve things in life you previously thought impossible!

Indeed, the Bible encourages us to pursue creative endeavours, and to do so with passion and enthusiasm. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters - Colossians 3:23 (NIV). These creative endeavours set you to navigate life with left-field thinking, and find new ways of applying your faith.

If all that sounds like self development you’d love, then check out our range of musical instruments!

How To Take Your First Steps On A Musical Journey

So, you’ve made the choice to start learning an instrument? That’s fantastic! But how should you start? Such a daunting task ahead can feel overwhelming, but I’m going to break it down into simple steps. By the time you’re done reading, you’ll have a clear idea of how to begin.

People often ask if there is an optimal time to learn an instrument. The only perfect time is now! In 5 years time, you’ll be 5 years older than you are now, whether you start learning an instrument today or you don’t.

Instrument Of Choice

The next thing to do is choose which instrument you want to play. How do you do that? Pick the instrument you react to the most when you listen to music. Why did I start playing bass? Because my Dad is a Fleetwood Mac fan, and the punch in The Chain excited me more than any Pink Floyd guitar solos. Maybe the orchestra always inspired you more than the rock n roll on the radio. If you’ve always wanted to play the violin, then buy a violin.

If you’ve fancied yourself as a singer-songwriter at an open mic night, get yourself an acoustic guitar. Remember, the best instrument is the one you’ll want to pick up and play the most. That’s what will bring you the most joy and progress.

Baby Steps

The key to starting out is to set realistic expectations, so you don’t discourage yourself early on. You won’t be composing anything to rival Beethoven’s Fifth within your first year. It’s the lessons of the journey and making mistakes that will help you grow. Set small goals to learn the notes, some basic scales, followed by simple melodies and songs. You’ll find yourself progressing in no time.

Learning and Progressing

This next step is up to you. I had a couple of friends to lean on and show me the ropes when I started out. If you have this opportunity I’d recommend it. However, most of my learning came from YouTube videos and free online tutorials. You might prefer to pay a local or online tutor to give you one-to-one guidance. And that’s a fantastic way of navigating your way through this journey.

However you decide to proceed, make sure you are always looking to improve in small ways. How you learn should fit in with your preferences and lifestyle commitments. If you have young children, it can be hard to find the time or money to go and see an in-person tutor. In this case, 30 minutes with a free YouTube lesson may be the perfect approach for you.

Remember, there are no right and wrongs when it comes to learning a musical instrument. It’s a journey of creative freedom and personal expression. No one can tell you that your preferred approach is wrong, so long as it works for you. Find your instrument, find your voice, and find a new way to worship.