Music History and Music Theory questions? Ask Mike!

You’ve always wanted to do more than just listen to music. You want to play a musical instrument yourself. Now you’re going to take the plunge. You’re going to organise music lessons and set aside time for practice. One question remains: which instrument will you choose to learn?

Maybe you’ve always had a secret hankering to be a pianist. In that case, go with your gut feeling and realise the dream. If you’ve no definite or strong leanings one way or another, here are three key questions for you to consider. The answers will help you make your choice.

How to choose the right instrument to learn to play

What style of music do you enjoy listening to?

You’re an orchestral buff, turned on by Beethoven, Tchaikowsky and all things classical. Choose from the plethora of orchestral instruments available. From brass, through woodwind to the string section, there is a wealth of different options. Listen to chamber music (string quartets and wind quintets for example) in order to hear specific instruments in action more clearly.

You’re a jazz fanatic, never happier than when the mellow sounds of Louis Armstrong, Count Basie or Miles Davis issue forth over the airwaves. Again, dig out your favourite recordings. Look on the cover to see which instruments are featured. Listen carefully. Pick the different instruments out in the sound and decide which one takes your fancy.

Music starts for you in the 1960s, with the advent of the great electronic pop revolution. The instruments are different, but the same advice pertains. Fish out the old CDs, check out the instrumentation, then listen carefully to the individual roles of the guitar, bass, keyboard and drums in the sound. Decide which instrument you would really fancy taking on.

Do you want to make music with other people?

Think ahead to the benefits you hope to gain from your musical endeavours. Do you want to make music with others? From community orchestras, through brass bands, steel bands, samba bands, folk bands and jazz bands, there are lots of opportunities available.

In an orchestra, for example, there are plenty of violins, violas and ‘cellos, spread out in different sections of varying difficulty. A beginner can slip in at the back, performing the simplest part, supported by others playing the same line.

In comparison, however, only a tiny handful of flutes or clarinets is included in a full concert orchestra playing in the Albert Hall. Not much room for a beginner, unfortunately!

If community action is the name of the game, you might choose a steel band or a samba band that offers weekly group sessions, and opportunities to to gain performance experience as part of a large training band.

Is self-fulfilment the aim of the mission?

Your desire for involvement goes no further than playing for yourself in your bedroom at home. In that case, you might consider a chordal instrument which creates a complete harmonious musical performance in itself.

The guitar or piano/keyboard immediately spring to mind. Both of these instruments are to be found (in different forms) sitting comfortably within the majority of the different styles of music described above, providing ample opportunity for hours of pleasurable doodling and experimentation at home in the evenings as your expertise develops.

Listen to different musical instruments and styles in action

Not sure which style of music really turns you on? Take a look at Hop Till You Drop wedding and party music shop. From steel bands, through string quartets to African drums there are examples of many different stylees of music in performance. Download the soundfiles and take a listen to what’s on offer in order to help you make your choice.

Choose a musical instrument that will enable you to play the style of music you love. If you want to make music with others, think ahead before making your choice. Make sure that there will be opportunities for beginners learning to play your particular instrument to gain experience in order to become established as performers.