You’re
never too old to learn to play a musical instrument, but finding a tutor and
the time for lessons is another matter. If working with a personal teacher
isn’t an option for you — or your interest in noodling around on a guitar, a
piano or another instrument is still at the casual level — turn to your laptop
or mobile device to learn the basics in your own time and space. Here are a few
ways to get started.
Step
1: Find Your Hardware
Obviously,
you’ll need an instrument to play. If you’re not ready to commit the cash to
buy, check your local listings for rental options. Music Rental Central is one
national site that leases a wide variety of band and orchestra instruments;
prices depend on what you’re playing, but a starter violin rents for less than
$16 a month.
Buying
a used instrument can save you money over a new one, but check the return
policy. If you can, try the used instrument before you buy it to make sure the
sound and feel suit you. In addition to eBay and Craigslist, you can search and
buy used gear on Reverb.
Should
nothing but new do for you, fresh gear is only a web search away. If you want
detailed buying advice, check out the Musician’s Friend site, which has a
Beginner’s Store area.
Step
2: Explore Music Instruction Apps
If
you want the flexibility to take your music lessons anywhere, your app store
has plenty of options. Most have a free lesson and then charge a subscription,
although old-school Windows and Mac software like eMedia Music instrument
training programs are complete by download or disc for about $60.
For
keyboard instruction on a mobile device, Simply Piano (for Android and iOS)
takes a student from finding middle C to playing along with on screen guides
and gamelike animations. The program is free with in-app purchases, and you can
start the lessons with an onscreen keyboard. Eventually, though, you’ll need to
get your own external keyboard; the software provides performance feedback by
listening to you play.
Yousician
(for Android, iOS, Windows and MacOS) uses videos, animations and performance
feedback to teach guitar, bass, piano, ukulele or voice; monthly plans start at
$20 a month; cheaper annual plans are also available. Fender Play for Android
and iOS ($10 a month) has similar instructional videos with “bite-size” lessons
for learning guitar, bass or ukulele. And, in addition to apps for specific
instruments, you can find instruction for specialty styles — like Tunefox for
bluegrass.
Step
3: Get Free or Inexpensive Video Lessons Online
If
you don’t want to invest in an app and just want to learn a specific song or
technique, a quick search of YouTube or Vimeo can reel in homemade video
lessons made by players sharing their knowledge.
You
can get more structured video lessons from the pros on the ArtistWorks site.
For as little as $24 a month, for example, you can learn French horn from
William Caballero of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra or, mandolin from Mike
Marshall, a longtime recording artist.
Got
a Mac? Apple’s free GarageBand software is another outlet for guitar and piano
lessons through video and onscreen graphics, and you can download lessons from
within the program. (The lessons are not available in the iOS version.)
Step
4: Take Live Lessons With Real People
If
you learn better with immediate feedback from a human teacher — but don’t have
one in your area — you can get video-chat lessons with a qualified instructor
on the other side of the webcam. Sites like Lessonface, LiveMusicTutor, Musika
and TakeLessons let you search by instrument or browse the instructors. Prices
vary, and some teachers offer a free sample lesson.
Step
5: Study Further
Most
recorded instruction demonstrates how to play the instrument through video or
animation. You may also get chord diagrams or tablature (notation that shows
where your fingers go on the strings) as a reference. Sites like Guitaa
provides you free chord diagrams or tablature of many songs like chords of sa
mga bituin na lang ibubulong, or emma soran
chords, etc. But if you want to study music theory, train your
ear or learn how to read music, search for an appropriate app.
EarMaster
(for Windows, Mac and iPad; prices vary) is one option. You can also dive into
a theory class or study an instrument on LinkedIn Learning for $25 to $30 a
month. Among others online, the Open University site has a free introductory
music-theory course.
Once
you have found the app, site or online teacher that works best with your life,
you just need to do one more thing: Fire up that calendar app and schedule time
to practice, practice, practice.