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Which Musical Instruments Are Hardest To Learn?

June 12, 2013 by Chris

Such is the beauty of music that anyone can play any instrument.  You or I could pick up and instrument, and get started right away. Of course, there is a world of difference between playing an instrument and using an instrument to produce an amazing sound that people want to listen to and will pay for.

Which instruments are the most difficult to learn to play well? Will you dare to take them on? On the other hand, will you avoid them at all costs?

Violin

No one who has ever looked at a violin will likely be shocked to see it appearing on this list. To most people, the violin can actually look like a deceptively easy instrument to play at first. If you’ve ever picked one up, however, then you’ll know that it is something that takes a long time to master. That is, if you found the resolve to forget the initial frustration you probably felt when you first tried playing and it sounded less than great.

As one of the hardest instruments to master, the violin is also one that gives you a great feeling of reward when you start to plat to a good standard,

Piano

This is probably the perfect example of an instrument where most people could easily learn a tune or two themselves, butMusic when it comes to more complex sounds and improvising, even pianists who have been playing for years find it a challenging instrument to play.

One of the biggest challenges posed by the piano is that there are few reference points to other instruments, as it is so unique and unlike any other. Like the violin, however, if you are able to train yourself to become an accomplished pianist, the sense of achievement will be huge.

Saxophone

MusicIn terms of technical music, the saxophone is actually one of the more straightforward instruments to pick up and play. However, the difficulties come in all of the intricacies that are involved with the sax.

From the way you hold the instrument to your movements when playing each note, not to mention the type of reed you use, everything needs to be perfect in order for you to get a definitive sound. That is before you even start to think about mastering techniques such as circular breathing – breathing in and out at the same time. However, saxophone lessons are great fun, and they will help you to pick up everything you need to know in order to become a decent level saxophonist.

Drums – From a Band Perspective

Drums are reasonably straightforward to learn, which is why they are the instrument of choice for parents buying for their children, even when they are fully aware of the noise they will make.

However, if you’re a solo drummer, making the transition into drumming in a band situation can be very difficult. Now, you’re not just the drummer, but the leader and pacemaker of the whole band. One mistake, especially in a live situation, can make a whole track sound like an awkward mash-up, making it a much-pressured role.

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Robert is an accomplished guitarist who is more than happy to stick with one instrument. Robert has a lot of admiration for anyone who can play more than one instrument, as well as people who play difficult looking instruments, such as the saxophone and violin, to a competent standard.




Filed Under: Instruments, musical instruments, Playing Styles Tagged With: drums, Hard, learn, musical instruments, Piano, Saxophone, violin

Things To Know When Beginning A Career In Music

June 3, 2013 by Chris

The internet has not only impacted the way people shop and find information but also the way people pursue careers. The internet began to make a slight change to the music industry just a few years ago when Justin Bieber, now a global superstar, as we all know, was discovered. Bieber decided that posting videos online and getting thousands of views was going to be his best opportunity of success. Thankfully for Bieber, one of those viewers happened to be a musician’s manager.

Beginning a career in the music industry is difficult and might even seem impossible to some artists.

However, as with everything else, the music industry is always evolving, thus resulting in the process and road to success many aspiring musicians will face.

It Takes Time

Whether you are a solo artist or a member of a band, getting involved and seeing success in music can take a lot of time. The key is to be patient, however, as it is very easy you may lose motivation and stop practicing or meeting up with band mates. Patience doesn’t just consist of waiting around for something to happen and not doing anything about it.

You must be and stay active; every day should consist of an effort to better improve yourself as a musician. Just have belief in what you are doing and keep moving yourself forward. If you’re good, you will be discovered.

Have an Open Mind

Whether it is about your strategies or even music genre, focus on looking at your position and even strategies from another point of view. When putting together ideas to promote and market yourself or band, an open mind will allow you to expand your resources.

If you are a solo artist and play an instrument, consider teaching kids or adults on how to play an instrument. This will allow you to gain some publicity and more people will hear about your solo career.

However, make sure you tell all your clients about your side career and in fact, if you have a gig or performance, be sure to invite them and kindly ask if they wouldn’t mind spreading the word a bit.

The Internet

Whether you are experienced or just a newbie looking to get started, make sure you turn to the internet. As an experienced artist, you would be able to post videos of your music, or even you performing live in front of the camera.

While YouTube might seem like the obvious choice, building a following on Twitter or Facebook, for example, will help you to reach the best possible audience. In addition to this, produce some t-shirts featuring the URL of your pages, and whenever you start to play gigs ensure that your social media is featured heavily on flyerr and posters at your gigs. If you want to be creative, you can even put your hashtag on your drum kit!

However, if you are new, then why not try to learn guitar online or even another instrument. The internet offers numerous resources for both newbies and existing artists.

Robert is a professional musician. At a very young age Robert decided to learn guitar online by watching various videos and as he became older he received professional training.

Filed Under: Musicians Tagged With: Artist, band, Beginning, career, gig, instrument, internet, Know, Music, Open Mind, performance, time

Suicidal Tendencies Still Rocking After All These Years

May 29, 2013 by Chris

It did not take long for the excitement to start rumbling again. When Mike Muir and Suicidal Tendencies released their first album in nearly 13 years, they were ready to rock all over again. The new album titled 13 is nothing short of amazing with all the harshness, edginess and thrash still firmly in place. The difference between then and now? The band is more accomplished and certainly more varied.

Don’t misunderstand me..they are still the same Suicidal Tendencies they always were when it comes to thrashing it out. The album shows that from the first track through the last. Despite this, the album allows for some new sounds as well. There are hints of funk, jazz and even a little bit of progressive metal mixed into the tracks. Like usual, the band has seen plenty of changes since the last album way back in 2000. Despite this, or perhaps because of this, the band has now morphed into a perfect version for the current stage of thrash. Nobody is questioning what their roots and pedigree might be.

The change in sound started in many ways when they released Suicidal Tendencies – Light Camera Revolution. This was the album that truly brought the controversial band into the limelight and got them noticed outside of their regular fan base. At the time, many in the world of thrash considered them to be sell-outs because of it, but Mike Muir believed in his sound and pushed onward. That album put Suicidal Tendencies on the map forever and cemented their legacy as a legendary group for the ages.

Although the new band keeps with the style and power behind the original’s success, they still have matured incredibly as musicians and craftsmen. Mike Muir has evolved as a master song writer and vocalist while the pieces around him have evolved slowly into a band to be remembered. Through the years, Muir is the only member that has always been there and never left. His solidarity in the face of drama has kept the band moving forward, and the recent incarnation is arguably one of the best ever. Every member of this band brings something to the table that is essential. That alone is rare in a rock in a roll band. There are no dead weights in this band. They all thrash with conviction.

If you listened to the skater thrashing, controversial band back in the 80s and have wondered what they have been up to, then 13 might come as a bit of a shock. This is not because they are totally different but because they have evolved into a style that is unique. That is, after all, what made Suicidal Tendencies popular in the first place. When you heard ST, they did not remind you of anyone. They went where other bands were afraid to go. They did things that no other band would do. That individualization built a brand that has led to complete and total creative freedom today.

You can hear it in every Mike Muir lyric and song. Give 13 a try and you might just find yourself liking them all over again.

Lisa Mason is a music buff writing for Music Record Shop about music, albums and artists she loves.

Filed Under: Music, Musicians Tagged With: band, edginess, harshness, incarnation, Mike Muir, Musicians, sound, Suicidal Tendencies, thrash

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