No matter your reasons for wanting to learn a new instrument, know that it can do wonders for you. If you are someone who is taking it on as a hobby, learning a new instrument can reduce stress, cultivate creativity, and improve brain function, among other benefits. If you are someone who wants to learn a new instrument for professional purposes, then you also get the added value of increased income. Amongst the instruments of the orchestra, the brass instrument family can be particularly interesting, due to the very unique sounds they produce and how they stand out among other instruments. So if you are someone who’s chosen to learn a new instruction from the brass section of the orchestra, here is how you can get started.

It is All About You

Before you jump right into making the decision, you need to be aware of what it takes to learn a new instrument. Commitment is the key to mastering a new instrument, certainly, one pertaining to the brass family. Committing to learning a new instrument means that you are ready to devote a lot of your time to studying it, and it also means making considerable financial investments, starting with purchasing the instrument and all the way through to taking private lessons.

Patience is also essential for the journey you are about to embark on, as it can take some time to get the hang of your instrument, and years to truly master it. If you already know how to play another musical instrument, then your patience will be needed more, as it can be frustrating to experience difficulty in expressing the ideas in your head through a new instrument.

Know the Different Types

A well-rounded understanding of the different types of brass instruments is necessary before you can decide on the one you prefer. Some of the most popular and easier brass instruments to learn to include the trumpet, the trombone, the tuba, and the french horn. Familiarizing yourself with a more comprehensive list of brass instruments, and identifying the important differences between them may require a deep dive into the internet. It is important to note that different brass instruments also have different requirements, which are points you should look for in your research.

Some instruments, for instance, are larger than others, so they require more physical demands of the player, such as hand size and the ability to carry it around. You may also consider looking at videos and listening to music played by the different types of brass instruments, which would give you a better sense and feel of what they sound like and their different styles.

Take Lessons & Practice

Once you have decided on the instrument of your choice, it is time to start the learning process. The best way to get you started on how to use your new brass instrument is to start taking private lessons; the deciding factor when picking these private lessons should be how great the teacher is. Private lessons with a good teacher will ensure that the right foundation is laid out and that you have the support you need during your learning journey, inside and outside of class.

As the saying goes, “practice makes perfect,” which is why private lessons on their own are not enough. Between one class and the other, you should be dedicating time to taking what you learned and working on it some more, to ensure that you master the technique. You can also take practice further, by employing the skills you learned in class to try out new music notes.

Go the Extra Mile

How far you go in mastering your new instrument, and the speed with which you do so, is only determined by how much time and effort you are willing to put into learning your new instrument. You can go the extra mile, where your instrument is concerned, by making proper use of your time outside the classroom. As soon as you get a hang of your instrument, you can start checking out video tutorials and acquire more skills, in conjunction with your private lessons.

Studying music theory is another way you can do more with your time, as it strengthens your knowledge of your new instrument, and music overall, which can make learning other instruments easier in the future.

Getting to learn a new instrument is a very fun experience, but it is similarly demanding. The first few years can be full of ups and downs, but you will get through it, with the right guidance. Always remind yourself of why you started, keep yourself motivated, and set for yourself realistic goals you can follow. And by following this guide and practicing regularly, you can become an expert on your new brass instrument in no time!