Choosing the right Musical Instrument to Play
Step 1 - Expose yourself or your child to the different instruments
in the families of strings, woodwinds, brass and percussion. Step 2 -
Attend local band or orchestra concerts with a knowledgeable friend.
Bring your child. Talk afterwards about what was seen and heard. Step
3 - Listen to the timbres of different musical instruments and the
different musical pieces and styles in which they are featured. Step 4
- Consider your physical restrictions when choosing an instrument. Some
instruments, such as the sousaphone, may be too heavy or too large for a
petite person, and some instruments may require longer fingers or
certain facial dexterity. Step 5 - Have a professional music
instructor help you analyze your potential. A professional will be able
to assess facial, physical and even personal characteristics that may
affect your choice of instrument. Step 6 - Set a budget for your
musical instrument. Some instruments, such as French horn, tuba, bassoon
and oboe, may be a bit on the pricey side, but school instrumental music
departments usually have a small number of these instruments in their
inventories. Step 7 - Try playing a few instruments by borrowing one
from a friend, relative or acquaintance. Aptitude can be discovered this
way. Step 8 - Keep your lifestyle in mind. If you intend to move
around quite a bit or have very little space in your apartment, a grand
piano or harp is not the best choice, whereas a guitar, clarinet or
trombone is portable. Step 9 - Consider the social aspect. Band and
orchestral instruments allow a person to participate in small and large
performing groups. Piano can be rather isolating. Make a choice that
gives you pleasure. Step 10 - You can also try out the Playstation
band game - Guitar Hero,
Guitar Hero 3 or the latest
Guitar Hero World Tour
Game (Guitar Hero 4). These
allow the whole family to take up a musical instrument and generally
encourages music in the house. Below are some of our favorite online
sites to learn a musical instrument:
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