great resources for learning to play a musical instrument

If you have ever found that you are passionate about music and for one reason or the other, you might not have had the chance to learn how to play an instrument, then this article is for you. Fortunately, anyone can learn to play nowadays thanks to the many resources offered by the Internet, be they free or paid.

There are many courses available out there, and we’ll go through some of the most critically acclaimed ones so that you know how to go about things.

Paid classes

It goes without saying that one of the most effective methods of learning to play a new musical instrument is to get taught by a professional. Unfortunately, such courses can cost quite a hefty sum, and let’s face it -- most budding musicians can barely afford to spend their money on the instrument per se.

Online music courses are far more affordable compared to the live lessons you might be able to get from a musician. Some of the best learning websites you could consider in this field are Udemy, Lynda, and Coursera. All of these options also come with mobile apps, so you can watch courses even when you’re commuting to school or work. None of these suggestions is necessarily better than the other, and that’s because their teaching methods are varied.

Free courses

There are a plethora of resources that are free of charge, and we suggest considering one of these before you decide to invest in a paid alternative. Why is that? Unfortunately, the truth is that learning to play a musical instrument requires time and effort, as well as a lot of commitment.

The rate of abandonment among those who start to learn to play an instrument is more than 50% in the first couple of weeks after they have begun. Therefore, it is best to wait and see whether you truly are committed to the cause.

You can check out some free channels on YouTube, but some of them might not be as good as you might think. Of course, there are many musicians who teach for free, but the fact of the matter is that most of the videos you’ll find on your favorite instruments are made especially for beginners. So, if your skills are a bit more advanced than those of a newbie, you might find some YouTube classes to be unsuitable.

There are other sites, though, and one of the best that you can give a shot to is the BBC Learning Hub.

Some instruments are easier to play than others

Compared to an electric cello, a digital piano, or an accordion, an acoustic or electric guitar is far easier to learn how to play. Sure, you’ll have sore fingertips and a sore wrist for a while, but the same will happen in the case of the other instruments.

However, the neat thing about choosing the guitar over the others is that some chords are easier to learn and as such, they might provide the incentive you need to remain committed to your learning schedule. Several rock songs like Nothing Else Matters by Metallica or Scar Tissue by The Red Hot Chili Peppers can be played even by a beginner.