Trust me, learning a new instrument is hard. I have been playing music for 8 years, but it is rewarding. Some people just don’t have the time to practice or they get stressed when they are with a teacher, if this sounds like you, you should maybe think about teaching yourself. Just remember, learning an instrument takes commitment. Here are some pointers and tips for learning an instrument yourself: Buying the instrument Think for awhile on what you want to play, the only instrument I suggest to not learn yourself is the violin or viola because it is the hardest instrument to learn. When you go into the store, you can rent one first to see if you like it, if you are confident that you will love the instrument then buy one. One thing to keep in mind is that you should start out with a beginner cheaper model of the instrument, that means anywhere from 20-60 dollars depending on what you want to learn.
Choosing Songs
I know you will want to go right away to the popular songs, but you need to wait and learn the basics. I suggest buying a learn it yourself book from the music store first, they have all the basics and a few easy songs like Mary Had A Little Lamb and Home On The Range, I know they aren’t the best, but they really help you. I would start learning the popular songs after about a week or so of practicing in the book or until you are comfortable with those songs.
Practicing
Practice on your own time, but I suggest at least 2 or 3 times a week for an hour. It is a good amount of time to feel confident with your instrument. I am learning the ukulele and I personally am in love with it and I really love to play, so I practice every day for anywhere from an hour to 3 hours. But when you truly love your instrument it doesn’t feel like practice, it’s just playing for fun!