Playing a musical instrument is one of the most rewarding and difficult things you can do. It takes a lot of patience, hard work, and dedication to get where you want to be, but it’s worth it in the end. These tips on what you should know if you’re an aspiring musician will help get your career on track!
1. Invest In Yourself And Your Instrument
If you have been playing for over two years and are at least 16 years old, it may be time to upgrade from your starter instrument. Used instruments can still work well for many people, but there are some disadvantages that come with them as well – they typically don’t produce the same sound quality as new ones, which could hinder progress later down the line. Do your research and invest in the instrument you think will help you play to your full potential.
2. Get Various Sheets for Different Genres
Different sheet music is designed for different genres of music, so you want to get specific ones to the type of genre you are playing. Some sheet music includes lyrics, while others don’t – it’s important to get one that matches your ability level and the song you plan on performing in order to maximize your experience. You can also download some from the internet to practice with if you prefer to use online resources.
3. Practice Your Instrument Every Day
Like anything, the more you practice playing your instrument, the better you’ll get at it. You can just play around with it for fun or try to learn new tunes every day – even if it’s only 15 minutes a day! Practicing not only helps you to learn new things, but it’s also a great way to improve your overall talents. The more and more you practice, the closer you’ll get to your goals. You can make a schedule for when you want to practice, and try to follow it. For example, try practicing for 30 minutes every day after school or job.
4. Keep Your Instrument in Tune
Keeping your instrument in tune will help you produce the best sound possible while playing it, and will allow you to get used to playing at different pitches. Make sure to know how to tune your instrument before you begin playing it, and do so regularly. If you don’t know how, check out some tutorials on YouTube for help, or ask someone if you need help finding the correct pitch for each string. There are also mobile apps that you can use for this!
5. Attend Conventions & Conferences
Attending conventions and conferences is a great way to get exposure for your band or music label, meet new people who share the same interests as you do, learn about upcoming releases in the music industry, see live performances by bands you admire, and much more. They are also a great way to get feedback on your music, share it with others, and make connections.
You can also find some competitive music festivals or auditions that will help your career as a musician.
6. Get Your Music Noticed!
Getting someone to notice your music can be difficult – but don’t give up! You want potential agents, producers, record labels, managers, etc. to sign you as soon as possible – this is how you become famous! You can submit your music to various magazines, create a Tumblr or Youtube account for them to see your videos, and do anything else you’re able to think of. You could even start with smaller venues before moving on to bigger ones so that you have more experience performing. It’s important that you build your style and that your YouTube account is unique and represents you and your music in the best possible way.
7. Be Resilient
Being resilient is very important, especially when it comes to playing in bands and performing live. What this means is that if you make a mistake during your performance, like hitting a wrong note or forgetting the words to a song, don’t give up! Keep going and try again – it happens to everyone, even people who have been playing for years. Instead, try learning from the mistakes you’ve made so that you can prevent them from happening again. Practice makes everything perfect!
8. Study Other Musicians’ Styles
You will never stop learning new things about music and different styles of playing. One way you can do this is by studying other musicians’ styles and learning about their techniques. You could also study the sheets they have written or what effects they use when playing – whatever you’re interested in learning about! That being said, don’t copy them exactly, but rather try to incorporate some of their techniques into your own playing.
9. Record Yourself
This may be something you already do, but recording yourself is a great way to see what you need to work on. It’s also good for getting feedback from your band members or family and friends who will gladly give you their opinions! You can record yourself playing an entire song or just certain parts and then listen back to pinpoint your mistakes and improve on them. This way, you’ll be able to see what you need to improve and what you’re doing right.
There is no denying that becoming a musician can be one of the most rewarding and difficult things you could ever do. However, it’s worth it in the end if you’re willing to put in the hard work! That being said, there are some steps you should take as an aspiring musician to help get your career on track for success. These include practicing daily, keeping your instrument tuned regularly, attending conventions or conferences where bands interact with others who share similar interests, getting feedback on your music from fellow musicians and fans alike by recording yourself or playing live performances so you know what needs improving before performing again – these tips will help pave your way towards fame! So whether this article has inspired you to pursue a musical career or not, keep these tips in mind and you’ll be well on your way to becoming a successful musician.
