what kind of education do you need to be a musician

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Being a musician is and so much more than playing notes on an instrument. Learning to pick the right musical instrument for yous and start making music can exist a life-changing feel for a lot of people. It'due south more than a hobby, a skill, or a talent. If y'all want to become a musician, you lot can learn to build the skills necessary to be the kind of player you want to be and make the kind of music yous want to make, with exercise.

1. 1

   Choose an instrument that suits your interests . If your goal is to become an on-stage rocker in a scruffy punk band, it's true that you lot could learn a lot about music playing the oboe, simply it probably isn't the all-time way to form the ring you want to form. If you desire to play classical music and become a virtuoso, there's picayune room for synthesizer, unfortunately. Pick a category of musical instrument that fits your ambitions for being a musician.^[i]

   • If you just desire to learn to play something, start on piano, violin, or guitar even drums can also help. These instruments by and large take the well-nigh teachers in a given area, making it easy to find lessons and acquire the basics of the instrument.
   • If yous'd similar to somewhen play classical, fine art music, or jazz, it'due south of import to selection up an instrument in the classical string category, a woodwind, contumely, or percussion musical instrument. These players generally dedicate lots of time and scholarship to learning their instrument.
   • If you desire to write your own songs and play pop music, it'southward normally best to choice upward a guitar, bass guitar, piano, or acquire to play the pulsate kit. While information technology's bang-up to take lessons, lots of pop and folk musicians are self-taught, using DIY books, YouTube videos, and good old-fashioned trial and error.

2. 2

   Consider starting on piano . Fifty-fifty if y'all don't envision yourself being a concert pianist doing recitals in a tux, ane of the best means to build a adept foundation every bit a musician is to learn pianoforte. Because all the notes are laid out in front of you, pianoforte makes an excellent first instrument, popular with young children and beginners. It's too i of the most versatile instruments, played in classical, pop, and many other styles of music.

   • Real upright or concert pianos can be expensive, but electric keyboards come at a diversity of prices, from affordable to very professional and expensive. The great thing near piano is that yous can learn the necessary fingerings and fundamentals regardless of the quality of the piano you're playing.

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3. 3

   Learn nearly the classical instruments. Used in concert music, jazz, pop bands, swing bands, and other types of sheet-music played by instrumentalists, classical instruments refer to the many different varieties of instruments played in organized professional person bands that play something other than pop music. If you beloved complicated, artistic, and sophisticated music and history, learning 1 of these instruments would be appropriate for yous.^[2]

   • While they're not actually made of brass anymore, brass instruments are made of winding metallic tubes that you blow through to create a tone.
   • Woodwinds are made of blended materials and are played by vibrating a reed that'southward held in a mouthpiece. Producing a distinctive warm and woody audio, woodwinds are used in classical music and jazz, and saxophones are used oftentimes in pop music.
   • Pick up a classical string. Used in orchestras, cord quartets, and other types of professional ensembles, violins, violas, double-basses, and cellos grade the foundation of the classical strings. Guitars could likewise exist considered a classical string, depending on the mode of music.

4. four

   Consider pop or rock instruments. While all these instruments can be used to play a variety of styles and sounds, when we recollect of playing popular music or starting a ring of our own, we unremarkably recall of guitar, bass guitar, drums, and keyboards or pianoforte. If you're less interested in being the kind of musician who plays in a tuxedo at a concert hall and more than interested in beingness in a garage band that tours effectually in a van, these might be the correct instruments for you.

   • Guitar
   • Bass guitar
   • Drums

5. v

   Consider playing percussion. Percussion is and then much more than than background. Good percussionists drive the music forward in every multifariousness of music, from folk to classical, from jazz to stone and ringlet. There's nothing more versatile and essential to a group of musicians than a talented percussionist keeping time.

   • One of the best things virtually percussion is that you can starting time building the skills without whatsoever kind of instrument at all. If you lot have an internal sense of fourth dimension and the ability to proceed a steady beat with your hands, consider learning percussion.

6. 6

   Play an electronic instrument. From digital DJs to synth wizards, the traditional definition of what it means to be a "musician" is much larger than it used to be. Only as much complex and artistic music can be made by pushing buttons on a laptop only as information technology can by operating the valves on the trumpet, and just every bit legitimately.

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1. 1

   Practice constantly . Even if you lot have a natural talent for a sure instrument, at that place'south a difference between "playing an instrument" and "existence a musician." That divergence involves practice. Musicians are dedicated to better their skills and learn new techniques and more than complicated music on the instrument they've called. The only way to exercise that is regular and serious practice.^[3]

   • Develop practiced practise habits and routines for yourself. Ever exercise using good posture, warm up beforehand, and attempt practicing for at least 20-forty minutes each 24-hour interval. Practice a mixture of techniques, skills, and fun activities. For every calibration you learn, take the time to mess around learning the Star Wars theme or some other fun vocal.
   • Like when y'all practise your body, consistency is very important. Try to practice every day, and then yous can maintain the good habits that you lot're building and develop them.

2. 2

   Find a skillful instructor. Information technology's very difficult to acquire music from a book alone. While written tutorials tin can be helpful, in that location's no substitute for in-person, one-on-i instructions that come up from lessons with a skillful teacher. A teacher tin can help to correct your technique and build the fundamentals necessary to exist a great player, whatsoever instrument you play.

   • If yous want to get a musician, information technology's very of import that you be teachable. Hard-headed people who can't accept criticism don't take much of a future as musicians. Listen closely to what good players say, follow directions, and larn everything you can. Make it your goal to become better.
   • If you lot don't accept the fourth dimension or money to have a formal instructor-pupil relationship, find musicians who are better than you to play with. Evening jam sessions on the porch with a couple of guitars can exist a corking way to better your skills. Watch and learn.^[4]

3. iii

   Consider learning to read music . While you tin play by ear, information technology can be practiced if you tin can larn how to read sheet music, and is absolutely essential for certain instruments and styles. If yous desire to play classical music, it'southward almost impossible to learn past ear and rote memorization.

   • Likewise, learn musical history and some theory if you promise to etch your ain music one day. Learning why sure notes audio skilful together, how to make a chord, and how music actually works is the best way to improve every bit an instrumentalist and equally a composer, whatever instrument you play.

4. iv

   Listen to everything. Developing your own taste in music is critical for musicians. Just like a novelist has to read a wide variety of novels and learn virtually the history of literature to write something worth reading, a musician needs to listen to a wide multifariousness of music and learn to capeesh different styles of music, if you lot e'er want to write something worth hearing, or play music that deserves to exist heard.

   • Listen to classical music, starting with one-time courtroom-based consort music and moving your way up through the romantic composers like Mozart and Beethoven. Try listening to the 20th century avant-garde composers similar Penderecki and Cage to challenge your conceptions of what music is.^[5]
   • Listen to rock music, of all strains, even if it's not your cup of tea. Cheque out early punk, rockabilly, and psychedelic nuggets. Heed to what'southward pop and what's non. Endeavor to notice something worth listening to and ignore the rest.
   • When y'all find something y'all like, look back to the influences. If you similar Katy Perry, you might find out that Cher and Madonna are huge influences on her style and sound. When you listen to Cher, you might work your way dorsum to Etta James, and eventually work your fashion back to Bessie Smith, one of the greatest early blues singers of all fourth dimension. Observe the roots of your favorite artists.

5. five

   Commencement writing your own compositions . To grow equally a musician and to take your skills to the side by side level, it's a great idea to requite composition a shot. Whether yous play classically or play pop music, writing your own songs tin can help you see the difference between playing notes and making music much more than quickly than almost anything else. Take the responsibility to write the notes yous play.

6. 6

   Find your own phonation on your instrument. Miles Davis could never nail the horn technique of vibrato while learning to play his horn, so he built a whole career effectually a singular, sonorous, clean tone that never wavered. When asked why his band played so chuggingly, like a freight railroad train, Johnny Cash responded, "We'd play faster if we could." Recast your supposed weaknesses as individual quirks and strengths and use them to become an private player.

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1. i

   Consider joining an established band. Playing with other instrumentalists and musicians tin can give you the skills you need to improve, learning their specific tricks of the merchandise, besides as giving you the opportunity to answer to play as a unit, making music as one.

   • If you want to play classical music or organized concert music, it's important to join a community band, a school ring, or some other organized music grouping.
   • Playing with others is also a good way to go on your ego in bank check. David Hood, part of the Musculus Shoals recording studio and one of the greatest session bass players of all time, was once asked how he got such a great reputation every bit as reliable actor and he said, "My gear always worked and I was ever on fourth dimension." Humility serves musicians well.

2. two

   Play in front of people when you lot're prepare. If you lot've been practicing your instrument on a regular ground and desire to take information technology to the next level, it might be time to take your testify public. Start by playing your best material in front end of a few close and forgiving friends, or your parents, and outset playing for other people. If you desire to be a performer, you crave an audience.

   • Coffee shop open-mics are a great way to notice a forgiving audience who'll be warm and accepting. About open-mics are full of hobbyists who desire to get started and most crowds are friendly and piece of cake-going. It'south a swell way to crack in.
   • Alternatively, just play for yourself. There'southward nowhere information technology says you lot have to ever play in front of anyone. Learn to play and relish the sounds you brand for yourself.

3. 3

   Endeavour starting your ain group . Having problem finding an established group or band to play with? Start your ain. Don't wait around for other musicians to come to you, become out and notice them. Put an ad upwardly on Craigslist with your biggest influences and your want to play with a group that plays a particular kind of music and vet the other players who get in touch on. Hang around the local music shops and put up ads for players. Go to open-mics and make contacts with other local musicians who can play.^[6]

4. four

   Record your music . Getting a recording of yourself playing tin be one of the nigh rewarding and fun things for a immature musician. Beingness able to really hear yourself playing over the speakers? Nil libation. And these days, it's easier than ever to record yourself quickly and easily at home, and to have it sound great.

   • Invest in a few inexpensive microphones to get started and record yourself directly to your computer using GarageBand or Audacity. Ready the levels like you lot like them and burn CDs for your friends, or put them on your iPod.
   • If you're feeling really aggressive, yous tin share your recordings with the globe. Tape your best stuff and start a Bandcamp page or a Soundcloud account to give out quick links to your tunes.

5. 5

   Commit to the long haul. Even if y'all're talented, fifty-fifty if you're a hard worker, fifty-fifty if you're the best banjo picker in your town, information technology's possible that you'll struggle to exist heard. Beingness a musician can be a slog for a lot of people, and information technology can have a long fourth dimension earlier the fruits of your labor first to pay off, both in terms of skill building and getting any kind of recognition, much less coin. The more dedicated you are, however, the bigger chance you requite yourself for success.

   • Consider going to music school if you want to make contacts and receive individualized training on your instrument. ^[7] Fifty-fifty if you don't want to play classical, learning the skills of music production and history can give you lot an edge in the music business.

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Add New Question

• Question

  Can I yet be a musician if I only play i instrument?

  

  Yes, of course! Anyone who plays music at all can be considered a musician.

• Question

  Can I go a real musician if I am a teenager?

  

  Of course. Practice a ton and go yourself a good agent.

• Question

  I play guitar and sing well, merely tin can't find a group. How should I proceed?

  

  You could exist a soloist. Proceed practicing at both and start sharing your talent. Play for your friends and family showtime, and then aggrandize out and play in talent shows and local festivals and establishments.

Come across more answers

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Video

• Never give upwards your music simply because some idiots telephone call you a geek because you play 5 instruments. Music is ane of the best forms of arts and you lot should never surrender.

• Don't worry out when y'all see how expensive the instruments are. You can rent them, or hear virtually expert deals from friends. Also, you don't have to buy a g pianoforte before you acquire! Try a keyboard instead.

• Get involved in school musical programs; organize a band; be function of a musical community. Savor your music!

• It's okay if you get frustrated, information technology's all role of learning.

• Think musically. This is probably one of the hardest things in being a musician. Always know every unmarried annotation that you're playing. Sometimes people memorize 10 pages of music and play it without any mistakes (by ear) while they have no idea what they're playing. Practice and you'll get there!

• Practise, practice, and practice!

• Also hiring some teachers, buy some songbooks and larn to play past yourself.

• Brand sure you're learning from someone who already knows how to play your instrument. It may save you money not to take lessons, but in the long run it will assistance you lot.

• Musical instruments can nearly always be found at music shops. If you take a friend that has a decent knowledge of the musical instrument y'all play, ask him to go with y'all so he tin help spot the good deals. Craigslist has over 12 1000000 visitors a calendar month with big amounts of musical equipment always bachelor.

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• Try not to fall into bad habits. They may non seem of import at present, just later it is a dissimilar story and it will exist difficult to get rid of them.

• Endeavour not to exist "hater" of other kinds of music. Just appreciate all forms of music.

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Article Summary X

If yous think you lot want to become a musician, start by listening to a wide variety of music in club to develop your own taste in music. Additionally, cull an musical instrument based on your personal and professional person interests. For example, if you want to be in a rock band, pick something like guitar, piano, or drums. If you lot envision yourself playing in an orchestra, choose a classical instrument like violin or flute. Then, do your musical instrument for at least xx to twoscore minutes each twenty-four hour period, and make sure to do a mixture techniques and skills. For more advice, including how to start your own ring and tape your music, continue reading.

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