It seems that adults who want to play an instrument are interested because they never had the opportunity to do so when they were children. Adulthood allows for the freedom to pursue and experiment with various hobbies and interests. Medical staff, friends, and family may also recommend learning to play an instrument.
Human beings live longer and are allowed the luxury of time to indulge in more hobbies and leisure interests.
Benefits of playing:
- Playing an instrument is mentally advantageous for learning, memory, and concentration.
- Music helps relieve mental stress.
- relax the muscles
- Emotionally nurtures creativity and imagination.
- Spiritually, music rewards you with freedom, comfort, and a feeling of oneness with the universe.
Learning to play a musical instrument provides many of us with leisure pleasure, the means to share our talents with others, and widens our social circle. There is no reason to experience loneliness as music lightens the soul and welcomes friendships.
There are four categories to choose from. Select from percussion, strings, brass, and woodwind.
- Percussion refers to instruments that must be struck with the fingers, the hand, or an object. Drums, piano, and tambourine are three examples.
- Stringed instruments usually have metal strings and produce sound with the fingers or a plectrum. The guitar and the banjo are two examples.
- Brass instruments are made of brass and have a brass mouthpiece. Two examples would be the trumpet and the saxophone.
- Woodwind instruments are made of metal. The mouthpiece is made of wood and is called a reed. The clarinet and the flute would be included in this group.
How to select:
There are many different instruments within each category. If you’re not interested in American or European musical instruments, check out instruments from around the world. They will have different names but will fit into the four categories or families.
- Select the instrument that represents your style of music.
- The instrument must fit your lifestyle.
- You need to consider space, storage, and maintenance.
- Try different instruments before you buy them.
- Talk to others about your musical experiences.
- Borrow from a friend or family member before you buy.
- Rent before you buy.
- Consider the practice schedule.
- Is there a good teacher available?
personal example:
I’m not a musician, but I respect people who are proficient at playing one. The main importance of your selection is that you love it and enjoy it.
I chose the piano as a child.
I tried a flute my friend liked and found he didn’t have the lungs to play it.
As an adult I tried the guitar, but the strings cut my fingers.
Afterwards I enjoyed drumming because I wanted to learn different rhythms.