Playing an instrument is a great solo skill to learn because you are in control of everything. From what instrument to choose, how many hours you practice and what genre of music to play, there are endless paths to follow. When choosing your instrument it might help to let your own music taste influence this decision. If you are interested in Jazz… try the drums or saxophone! Or maybe you love Indie music… how about guitar or keyboard? When starting out, you don’t need the most expensive instrument around! Second-hand or used instruments that you can find on eBay are perfectly fine. In the beginning it will be challenging no matter which instrument you choose, however it’s important to consistently practice. Even if you play casually a few times a week, as long as you have the drive, you’ll be able to see progress within a few months!
When I started playing the drums a few years ago, I had only briefly played the violin and flute when I was younger. I had no interest in picking up a new instrument for 10 years, and had completely lost the ability to read music. Although I wasn’t able to read sheet music I could still progress on the drums, just by listening to music and watching YouTube videos. You can always teach yourself to read music, alongside learning how to play. However if that isn’t for you, then there are plenty of videos, lessons and tutorials online for beginners to help you along the way!
There are many benefits of learning an instrument, one of the most important being gaining a sense of achievement. From learning a chord or beat, to playing a whole song, you are constantly achieving, which also helps you to grow in confidence. Playing an instrument is a great way of decreasing your screen time, and developing your resilience and concentration skills. Overall, it is an awesome skill to teach yourself and gives you the opportunity to play with others or just play for friends and family!