How can I learn music by myself?
Define your musical goals
Setting clear, focused goals is one of the most important first steps when learning music on your own. As Clarity about your goal drives everything underneath. Without knowing what you’re aiming at, how can you hope to get there? Let alone choose the quickest path? (https://playinthezone.com/clear-goals-music-progress/). Having clear musical goals means you progress much faster. Once your mind knows … important to have clear overall musical goals and practice targets each week (https://www.essential-music-practice.com/musical-goals.html).
When starting out, pick 1-2 focused goals to begin with. Do you want to learn an instrument like guitar or piano? Do you want to learn music theory and composition? Focus your initial goals on learning the basics of your chosen path. As you progress, you can expand and refine your goals.
Having a specific, measurable goal like “learn 10 songs on guitar in 3 months” will help drive your motivation and give you something concrete to work towards. Don’t take on too much at once or you may get overwhelmed. Narrow your focus and commit to your musical goals.
Get the right equipment
To learn music on your own, it’s important to have the right equipment. This includes getting an instrument, books or sheet music, apps, and more. The equipment you need depends on your musical goals. For example, if you want to learn piano, you’ll need either an acoustic piano or keyboard. If guitar is your instrument of choice, you’ll need an acoustic or electric guitar and accessories like picks, extra strings, and a tuner.
When starting out, focus on getting quality, affordable equipment. You don’t need the most expensive professional gear right away as a beginner. Do your research and get recommendations from experienced musicians. Music stores can also help guide you. Get the essentials for your instrument and upgrade later as you progress. For piano, start with a weighted 88-key digital piano. For guitar, choose a decent beginner acoustic or electric model.
Aside from your instrument, invest in method books, sheet music, apps like Yousician, and other resources suited for your skill level. Quality materials designed for self-teaching can make a big difference. Building a library over time is worthwhile. With the right foundation of equipment tailored to your goals, you’ll be set up for music learning success.
Make a schedule
Create a weekly routine for practice. Be consistent, but start realistically. For beginners, it’s recommended to practice 15-30 minutes per day to start. This allows you to gradually build skills and endurance over time according to How Often Should You Practice an Instrument.
It’s better to practice a little bit every day, rather than long sessions a few times a week. Regular daily practice helps cement skills over the long-term. If you miss a day here and there, don’t sweat it. Just get back into your routine the next day according to How Long Should You Be Practicing?
Most experts recommend no more than 45 minutes of focused practice per session. Beyond that, fatigue sets in and you get diminishing returns. Shoot for multiple short sessions throughout the day if possible. Quality is more important than quantity when learning an instrument.
Learn music fundamentals
To start learning an instrument, it’s important to first understand some basic music theory and fundamentals. This provides a foundation that will make learning songs and techniques much easier down the road. Some key concepts to study include:
- Notation – Learn to read sheet music and understand notes, time signatures, key signatures, etc.
- Rhythm – Be able to keep steady beat and understand note durations like whole notes, half notes, quarter notes, etc.
- Scales and keys – Study the patterns of major and minor scales and how keys work.
- Chords – Understand how chords are built from scales and how chord progressions work.
- Ear training – Work on matching pitches and identifying intervals to improve musical hearing.
There are many beginner theory books and online lessons to choose from. Musictheory.net is a free and interactive way to start learning the basics. Apps like Tenuto can help drill music reading and ear training. Going through even 30 minutes a day of theory will make a big difference when starting out. Don’t feel like you need to master everything before playing your instrument. But cover the basics of notation, rhythm, scales, keys, and chords to build a good foundation.
“Music Theory: Basics and Fundamental Concepts.” AVID, 6 Oct. 2023, www.avid.com/resource-center/music-theory.
Pick a method or curriculum
There are many options for selecting a structured curriculum to guide your independent music learning. Books like the Hal Leonard Guitar Method provide step-by-step lessons and instructions. Apps like Music Theory Helper or Complete Music Reading Trainer offer interactive lessons and exercises. Or you can find instructional music videos on sites like YouTube that teach everything from basics to advanced techniques.
If you prefer more personal guidance, many music teachers now offer remote lessons over video chat. This allows you to get customized feedback and coaching at your own pace. Find a teacher experienced with remote instruction to design a personalized learning plan.
Following a step-by-step curriculum can provide structure and solidify your knowledge. Make sure to pick materials that align with your goals, skill level, and preferred learning style.
Learn songs you love
Study pieces you enjoy to stay engaged. Analyze how they work. Choosing to learn songs you love keeps you motivated and having fun while you practice your instrument and musical theory. Learning the theory behind your favorite songs helps train your ear and deepen your understanding. Songs, especially those with lyrics, can teach you different musical arrangements. Learning songs from a variety of genres expands your musical vocabulary. Over time, you will discover what types of chords, rhythms, and progressions you gravitate towards.
Seeking varied selections enables you to have a broad repertoire and exposes you to diverse techniques. When studying a new song, devote time to actively listening, memorizing, and playing along. Examining the theory behind cherished songs fosters your love for music while expanding your instrumental abilities.
According to Reddit user u/SBassGuitar, “I feel like playing along with songs is a great way to learn because it improves your ear, your timing and forces you to be creative rather than just doing scales or chords”(1). Learning beloved songs immerses you in the theory and practical application of your instrument.
Sources:
(1) https://www.reddit.com/r/Guitar/comments/hu37tc/discussion_why_you_should_be_learning_songs/
Record your playing
One of the best ways to accelerate your learning is to record your practice sessions. Use your phone to record practices. Listen back to improve objectively. As Musical U explains, “There are three big reasons to record your music practice but it can be scary! Fortunately you can make it easy.”
Recording yourself helps identify areas for improvement you may not catch in the moment. As Play In The Zone advises, “Recording yourself can massively boost the progress you get from your music practice… Recording yourself also helps you get used to playing under pressure.”
Review recordings to pinpoint specifics like rhythm, timing, technique, tone, and expression. Be your own constructive critic. Celebrate successes too! Over time, you’ll hear clear progress from recording to recording.
Perform for others
One of the best ways to build confidence and get objective feedback as you learn music is to perform for others, especially friends and family. As the article “The Importance of Performing” on The Catoctin School of Music website explains, “Performance time is always a good time for family and friends to show their support and encouragement.”
Play for parents, siblings, roommates – anyone who will listen. Ask them for honest feedback on your playing. What did they enjoy? What could be improved? Use their constructive criticism to get better. Recording your performances is also helpful to track your progress over time.
Performing for familiar faces in a low-pressure environment boosts confidence and makes performing for larger crowds less daunting. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Learning an instrument takes patience and persistence. With regular practice and performing experience, your skills will continue to grow.
Join a community
Finding a community of fellow musicians can provide inspiration, accountability, and opportunities to collaborate. With the rise of social media and online forums, connecting with other musicians is easier than ever before. Here are some great options to find and join music communities:
Online forums like Reddit’s r/WeAreTheMusicMakers and WATMM enable you to connect with fellow musicians, ask questions, and get feedback. These thriving online communities are full of working musicians at all levels happy to help.
Platforms like Vampr, Bandmix, and Soundstorm make it easy to network and collaborate with local musicians. You can find bandmates, session musicians, producers, and more based on location, genres, and instruments.
Facebook groups like Real Musicians and I Am A Musician enable networking and knowledge sharing between musicians around the world. Join conversations, ask for feedback, and make connections.
Attending open mics, going to local shows, and finding nearby jam sessions are great ways to connect with musicians in your area. Nothing beats in-person collaboration and learning from those around you.
Stick with it
Learning an instrument takes years of dedicated practice. Mastery does not happen overnight. While timeframes vary by instrument and individual, experts estimate it takes 500-1000 hours or 1-3 years of daily practice to truly master an instrument.
The key is consistency. Set small, achievable goals and celebrate your progress. Learning an instrument requires patience and persistence. There will inevitably be plateaus and periods of slow improvement. Don’t get discouraged. Stick to your practice schedule as much as possible. Even 15 minutes a day will lead to progress over time.
Joining musical groups and performing for others provides motivation and accountability. But ultimately, learning music requires discipline and an internal drive. Remember your passion for music and the joy it brings you. Focus on the journey, not just the destination. With regular practice and dedication, you’ll be amazed at how far you come.