10 Things Every Beginner Musician Should Know

Starting out as a musician is a moment full of dreams. You pick your instrument and already imagine how you play on the big stage in the light of stroboscopes. However, as a beginner, you may feel overwhelmed by what is expected. Whether you’re a trumpeter, a guitarist, a pianist or play orchestral strings, you need some guidance to help you navigate the world of music. In our article, we’ve prepared a list of 10 essential things every beginner musician should know.

1. Progress Takes Time — Be Patient 

There’s no success overnight unless you are a superhuman who can magically wake up with all necessary skills to become a star. For all mortal human beings it takes time to master the instrument, and it’s the same for guitars, brasswind, and others. You will likely devote months to getting used to it and refine techniques. Learning music is not about rushing to your dream but rather enjoying the journey that you make step by step. If you’re just starting out, patience is the first and foremost quality that you need. You can and will become a virtuoso, but you will also face a lot of challenges on your way and it’s okay. Just keep going until you get it right. In the end it will pay off with your dream coming true. 

2. Practice Regularly 

Progress is impossible without consistent practice. You should find time to play your instrument or practice vocals every day. However, it’s not only about playing or singing your favourite songs, but also about repeatedly working on your technique. Every musician who wants to become successful repeatedly goes through scales. Trumpeters typically work hard on their embouchure and excessive mouthpiece pressure. Pianists play with a metronome to develop a solid sense of rhythm. Drummers train coordination between hands and legs. Vocalists devote time to diaphragmatic breathing, and so on. Practice helps musicians maintain their abilities and learn something new with each step. Of course, you will hit wrong notes and lose rhythm, but it happens to everyone. Even your favourite musicians have faced it. That’s normal. Don’t let fear hold you back. Take mistakes as an opportunity to continue.

3. Find A Teacher Who Inspires You 

As a beginner you will definitely need a professional mentor who will guide you and support you during your first steps, and especially when you hit the obstacles or feel like losing faith in yourself. A good teacher will help you refine your old techniques and learn new ones.

You don’t necessarily need to have big money to get professional advice or workshops. Today you have the entire YouTube with free lessons created for you by the best masters in their field. You can learn from the thousands of YouTube videos on piano, saxophone, and other instruments.

4. Learn Basic Music Theory

It’s not about becoming a theory genius, but understanding the basics—like scales, chords, time signatures, and key signatures. This knowledge will make it easier for you to learn and remember basic rules, and later compose your own music. Music theory is the foundation of all music, so as a beginner musician you should start there. Again, learning music theory is not as boring as you may think, especially if you find your perfect style of learning. On YouTube, you can find thousands of videos focusing on the basics, which you need from the start. 

5. Listen to Different Music 

Similar to beginner writers who should read books, as a musician you should listen to different genres of music. It will broaden your musical horizons and become a powerful instrument to inspire your own musical ideas. In addition to music theory and exercises, you can incorporate your favourite songs into your practice routine to make it more inspiring.  It will not only bring more fun but also remind you why you started playing your instrument and what your goal is. 

6. Take Care Of Your Body 

Whether you’re a drummer, a flutist, or pianist, a proper posture, proper technique, and warm-ups are essential to prevent strain on your back and damage to your health. Similar to your instrument, which needs regular care and cleaning, your body also needs care and attention. It matters even more if you play for hours or use the heavier instruments such as baritone saxophones. Remember that you need not only work hard but also be smart. Take a break every 30 or 40 minutes, do physical exercises to relax your muscles, have a walk and visualize only positive outcomes. 

7. Don’t Compare Yourself to Others

It may happen when you scroll your social media network and see all those happy faces of people holding awards or having their pictures with big stages in the background. You may feel envious and frustrated if people of the same age as you already can play your favorite pieces, while you’re still hitting the wrong notes. It’s okay. Remember that you’re unique and your own journey is also not like the journey of others. Everyone learns at their own pace. Don’t compare yourself to others. Instead, focus on your growth. 

8. Set Clear Goals 

Start with setting small goals such as learning a certain scale by heart by the end of the week or play the whole piece from the beginning to the end by the end of the month. This will help you stay motivated and focused. Ensure your goals aren’t vague like just “becoming a perfect double bassist” or “achieving success”. Make your goals as specific as possible. And make them time-bound to track your progress. No matter if you’re learning a new song or mastering a new technique, achievable goals will help you come closer to your dream step by step. You can start with goals such as practicing for 40 mins with 10 mins breaks each day. By seeing your small progress you will learn to have faith in yourself and feel more motivated to grow as a musician.

9. Find People Who Support You 

Your friends can become your first fans. Moreover, it’s useful to learn to play in front of the crowd, even if it’s limited just to your friends or family. They will always provide you with useful feedback on what you should improve or even encourage you that you do everything better than you think. You can also search for support from other beginners. It will be interesting to share experiences and discuss challenges together. This will help you see that you’re not alone both in your happiness and difficulties. You can even join or form a band as playing with others is a great way to improve your skills. 

10. Invest in Quality Accessories 

It’s difficult to produce a good sound if your instrument is not properly cared for or even damaged. As a beginner you don’t need to spend thousands of dollars on your gear or follow every novelty. However, there are things that should definitely be in your collection. For instance, your brass instruments will need special guards on areas where you hold them with your hands to protect the surface from oxidation. As a beginner drummer you will need a reliable drumstick pouch for your pair of sticks. Regardless of the instruments, you also need a storage bag and cleaning kit to protect it from damage and maintain its playability.

Conclusion 

Your journey as a musician can be both exciting and challenging. But with patience, regular practice, knowledge of music theory, and support from friends and teachers you will definitely make your dreams come true. Don’t lose faith in yourself, don’t compare yourself to others and have fun. 

Are you a beginner drummer? Learn about Essential Drum Accessories from our article.