We’ve all daydreamed about it at one point in our lives – standing on the big stage under bright lights with a roaring crowd chanting our names. For some, this dream dies as soon as we’re old enough to realize the limelight isn’t our thing and that we’d much prefer being the roadie than the star. For others, the dream never dies. If you still find yourself drawn to thoughts of touring the world with your band, then maybe it’s finally time you do something about it.
If you can’t play a lick of music, then the chance of your name ever being mentioned in local music news & events is very low, and you can completely forget about the international music scene. The only way you’ll get anywhere is if you pick up the guitar or sit before the ivories. The sooner you start learning your chosen instrument, the faster you can start playing your favourite music, and maybe – one day – get a chance to play in front of a crowd.
But before you can do that, you’ll first need to know what kind of music you want to play. The genre of music you prefer, as well as the role you expect to have in a band, will affect the instrument you should take up. Are you a solo acoustic guitar songstress like a Millennial Joni Mitchell or would you rather play the banjo in a bluegrass band like Noam Pikelny of Punch Brothers? Consider your options wisely. While the banjo is a specialized instrument meant to play only specific styles of music, other instruments are more versatile. The guitar, for example, is the star of the band whatever the genre, whether it’s punk rock, jazz, or country music.
Once you’ve decided on your preferred instrument, it’s time to hit up your local musical instrument store. Unlike online classified ad websites or local community boards, a music store guarantees quality products. They’ll carry the best names in music, including Audix, Boxx, Dunlop, Fender, Gibson, Marshall, Roland, and the list truly does go on. They also come with performance warranties and guarantees to protect you against wear and tear and more extensive repairs.
Once you leave your music store with a Fender guitar and the appropriate warranties, you can start practicing. It’s the most important part of learning an instrument, so set aside some time each day to get to know you instrument better. Complement a dedicated practice time with beginner music lessons, and you’ll learn the basics even faster.Before you know it, you can be playing your favourite songs. You may even find yourself ready to start penning your own in preparation of your time on tour.
