Let me tell you how I started:
Standing on assembly in year 7 at the start of the year - the music teacher address all the school and asked those interested in learning the violin to see him after the assembly. My two mates and myself went and put our names down. Like Cobbitty Public School we practiced during class time.
Why did I go to see the teacher, Was it a dare between a trio of mates? I didn't have a burning desire to learn an instrument, but I though, "why not give it a go." That is the only reason I went to the front of the assembly - I'll Give it a go. By the way, there were no musicians in my immediate family, some aunties and uncles played organ and piano in church but I never new this until much later in life. I was the only one to play an instrument at that time in the family. I receive encouragement but no real musical help. I knew nothing about music except The Beatle where at the top the charts.
So off to class and at the end of the first lesson the teacher said, "Practice these things at home. Have them ready for next week." I never doubted the teacher, after all he wants me to learn and get better. Would he tell me something that would hinder my opportunity to play well. He said, "you may find the song difficult today but practice it as we did today in class and you will be able to play the song next week."
I didn't know how long to practice for but I knew what to practice and to do it with the knowledge and practice skills we learned in class. I just knew I had to practice long enough to have it ready for next week. So I did.
What did I quickly learn: PRACTICE UNTIL YOU GET IT RIGHT - I thought, "Yes I can do that, seems pretty simple."
The next week came and yes I had achieve the goal, I was pleased and so was the teacher. The same thing happened for a couple of weeks and I was able to achieve the set tasks.
The teacher said, "practice each day if you want to progress quickly." I was doing that anyway. You see, I am no genius but I did learn quickly that consistent effort was the key.
What did I quickly learn: PRACTICE EVERY DAY IF YOU WANT TO CONSISTENTLY PROGRESS QUICKLY. - I though, "Yes I can do that, seems pretty simple, just miss a TV show or two, no great loss." So I did.
It wasn't too long before I was better than most in the class. It felt great to be able to play and even help others who were struggling. I found that I was able to play the set weekly class tasks with ease. In fact because of the daily practice I was getting a little bored. So what did I do, I turned the page and began having a go at the next lesson in the tutor book. I began steaming ahead of the class. This is easy, not really the music was harder but because I had a good practice routine I found it challenging and exciting to learn something new. Did I have to spend more time practicing. Of cause I did, but it was great fun and so rewarding as I turned the page to learn new things about music. Everyone at home were ok with me learning the instrument. Mum and Dad even bought me a violin for my birthday. Now I realise what a sacifice they made in buying this for me.
What did I learn Quickly: MY BEST TEACHER IS ...... ME - I thought, "Am I big-headed, no. I just realised that by taking control I could progress at the pace i wanted."
The teacher was never too far away to help and keep me on track with technique. When you come to think of it I had the teacher for one hour each week in a group lesson with 30 other students. At home I spent about 4 hours each week on top of the class lesson in private practice. If only he could be with me but that was impossible so, Yes I can and did teach myself amazing things about music and I still do to this day. You can never stop learning.
Remember I practiced every day, that is what the teacher said in the beginning and I maintained that effort. Yes we went on school holidays, went to Motor Cycle racing events even to the famous Easter Bathurst races. Guess what, I took my instrument and practiced each day. Not sure how the bikies on the mountain thought of it but I still did it.
I began to play the trumpet in Year 9 and because of the understanding of music reading and all the things I learned on violin, especially about practice I found the transition really good. I taught myself from a Euphonium tutor book my brother had. Yes he began learning when he came to high school. He still plays today. Within a term I was better that the trumpeters in the school band. That was the beginning af the most amazing musical journey for me. That is another story but one thing I hold to this day is that Practice, Practice, Practice is the key.
I remember my trumpet tutor Ray Gallagher, a most accomplished musician, conductor and tutor relayed this story to me on day.
Our famous opera singer Dame Joan Sutherland said in response to a media question, " Why are you able to maintain such a high standard of performance?" to that she replied, " Practice, Practice, Practice. You see if I don't practice for a day, I know it - If I don't practice for 2 days, my critics know it - If I don't practice for 3 days, my audience knows it."
I hope that you have chosen to learn a musical instrument because it appeals to you. You know the real reason. So "Give it a go", "Practice until to get it right", "Practice every day", "You are your best teacher".