Want to learn music
- Can't decide on an instrument?
This is not as big a problem as you might think. Many musicians that you know and love started on a different instrument from the one you know them for. In addition to that, many musicians learn to play other instrument even after they find the instrument they love for many reasons.
I remember having a conversation with a bass player who was originally a guitar player. He was in a band that had two guitarists and no bassist. So, he filled that spot and stayed because he loved it. Marcus Miller started out on the clarinet. Teddy Pendergrass was a drummer before he became a famous RnB singer. As for me, I was given the choice, at age 8, between a violin and a triangle. So, there you have it. I played it all the way through high school, really wanting to play something else (flute to be exact). I bought myself a flute in my sophomore year with money saved from a summer job. I used what I knew from reading violin music, and began to teach myself flute. I asked one of the music teachers in my school which books I should buy and I was on my way. That was the second step in what has turned out to be a lifelong quest.
Somewhere along my childhood (through teens) I found out I had a voice people liked. I did that for a while and decided to keep that. But, I still wanted to play instruments. So, I switched to bass since it was very similar to violin. Same thing; get books learn the layout of the instrument, start playing. I took a few lessons, asked a few questions. But something told me I would learn more by joining a band and seeing what they wanted me to do. Most people don’t take that route. I understand why, in hindsight. I ran into the wall of my limitations. What was missing? More understanding of music theory the tools of playing music was needed.
Don’t get me wrong. There are many, many famous and excellent musicians who play amazingly but don’t write or read music. I found myself learning the music verbatim without totally understanding what it was, so I found myself doing a lot of hit and miss attempts at improvisation. I don’t doubt that, eventually, I would have landed on and remembered lines to play. But, I wanted to be able to think about it another, more deliberate way. I eventually returned to taking music classes (with more regularity this time). I made a commitment to paying more attention, asking more questions and repetition until I understood it. I have to say I am pleased with the results.
I am saying all of this to say one thing. Learning music has its own merit. Once you know it you can apply it to any instrument. Music theory is the alphabet and the toolbox of the musician. And just for the record, learning music and learning to play an instrument is a lifelong journey. You never GET IT DONE. You're always in the process of getting it.
