Why learn to play an instrument, or join a band?

Is it the relief from daily boredom? Or an escape from the organised world of work into an exciting creative realm?

Is it the desire to express yourself?

So will you give up on the air guitar and take up the real thing?

And, what will you choose? A guitar, the piano or the violin? Or even a woodwind instrument such as a clarinet or saxophone?

Either way, you’ll need persistance as well as talent.

Why?

Well, curiously, learning an instrument begins with a methodical step by step, or scale by scale, process. It is like building a house, you construct some foundations first, then start building the walls, one brick at a time…

Yet, once you master the instrument, you’ll no longer just watch your fingers, but you’ll feel the music, feel the sound or the vibe and then you’ll be ready to explore…

Some musicians say playing takes them to another level, another world, where they are deeply conscious but equally, a long way away from the everyday world.

Of course, playing an instrument isn’t just something you have to do alone - although you can, if you choose, but often involves playing with other people. This is called the band. Or the orchestra.

Although bands vary more than you think. There are of course rock bands and pop groups, but there are also marching bands and brass bands.

The first are cool, trendy and often choose harder or sometimes miserable music. Usually, they write their own songs, but cover bands have done a roaring trade recently.

The other types of bands follow standard music for marching bands - When the Saints Go Marching In - or brass bands (a particular favourite of Northern England and ex-mining villages) playing Eye Level and other standards.

In Spain there is also a marching band tradition - which follows the local fiestas, turns out for First Holy Communion to conduct processions through and around the village.

And of course, being part of a band or rock group is just fun!

It can be a local and sociable event, with the band supporting local traditions or perhaps entering regional and national band competitions.

Sometimes, the band might join with a dance troupe too, to provide a marching band. Or it might simply focus on winning the National Brass Band Competition.

Bands have a variety of instruments and you can choose your instrument and your role within the team.

However, if you want to write your own music or are interested in playing solos then you are more likely to join a rock band or group or for classically trained musicians, an orchestra.

These days the facility to manage and produce your own music are huge with famous software freely available online such as Garage Band (for Macs) which also allows  or MixCraft (for PCs). And then, of course, there is You Tube which means you can record your own music videos and put them live.  Whilst this might not make you famous overnight, you can at least email the link to granny and grandpa and perhaps your facebook account.

What ever you do, have fun, stick with the hardwork learning your instrument - it’s worth it, and let us know how you get on below…