11 things they didn’t tell you about learning a musical instrument

11 June 2020, 11:34 | Updated: 11 June 2020, 11:44

Taking up an instrument? Great! But be warned - it’s not as easy as you might think...

Don’t say we didn’t warn you. 🤷‍♀️

1. You will not be able to play perfectly immediately

   You’re better off starting off with the basics. One step at a time...

2. Everyone will expect you to play perfectly immediately

   No matter how hard you protest, everyone you know will assume that just because you’ve started learning an instrument, you’ll be a prodigy from the beginning. In the eyes of everyone else, you’re the Von Trapp children.

   ... or doing a party piece on demand, just like this:

   

   Watch this incredible duet for one flute, two mouths and four hands

3. No matter how young you start, there's always someone more prodigious than you

   You really think you’re making progress, you’re mastering the scales and arpeggios, maybe even a few little Grade 1 pieces under your belt... and then you see something like this:

   

   6-Year-Old Piano Prodigy Wows Ellen

4. There are lots of rules to learn

   Just because Jimmy Page uses a violin bow on a guitar doesn’t mean you can too. And don't think you can get away with a bare chest on stage either. See also: Nigel Kennedy’s concert attire.

5. Your practising will sound terrible at first

   Everyone wants to sound amazing from the moment they pick up a new instrument, but don't get too excited. Practise is hard. It takes a lot of effort and dedication. Most of the time, especially at the beginning, it sounds bad. It makes Britney Spears do this:

6. Learning the guitar? Maybe the violin? Strings in general?

   Your fingertips will never be able to feel anything ever again. Except pain. 

   

7. Oh, you’ve taken up the trombone?

   What a chance to show your friends just how versatile an instrument the trombone is! It’s not all about comedy noises and the theme tune from Jonny Briggs, right? Wrong. All people want from you is this sound:

   

   Trombone in slow motion

8. Learning an instrument can alter your appearance

   Is that a love-bite on your neck? No, you’ve started learning the violin.

9. You will suddenly find yourself with extra luggage

   Any dreams of cycling home or taking the scenic walking route will be quashed the moment you strap that contra bassoon or double bass to your back. Oh, and if you're of schooling age, you might want to think about preparing some witty answers to the question, “What's THAT?”

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   A post shared by Classic FM (@classicfm) on Apr 23, 2020 at 11:27am PDT

10. Eventually you will join an ensemble of some kind, and that’s when the fun really starts

    “Want to come for a drink tonight?”
    “Can't. Rehearsal.”

11. It’s easy to give up

    But really, you shouldn't. Harness your sticktoitiveness. Keep going up and down those scales and doing those exercises. Like anything, practise makes perfect, and the joy you give to others with your playing will ultimately make the whole endeavour completely worthwhile.

    

    Flight of the Bumblebee played extremely quickly