My experience learning an instrument

When people talk about learning an instrument, they often think of violin, piano, guitar etc. For me, my favourite instrument to learn has always been my voice. Many people think you can either sing or you can’t, but like any other instrument, it is a learned skill. I believe the voice is the most personal instrument you can learn and is accessible to almost anyone.

It’s hard to pinpoint the exact moment I decided I wanted to sing – like most children I loved to sing songs at nursery, with my friends, or on long car journeys (much to the joy of my parents…). My mum had always wished she had learned to sing as a child, so she made sure I had the opportunity. In primary school I was fortunate enough to have singing lessons from quite an early age. I worked towards vocal exams, and although I was never passionate about the classical pieces I had to learn, I loved learning the skills I needed to control my voice.

It is so rewarding to share what you’ve worked so hard on, and I couldn’t recommend performing enough as a way to increase your confidence

When I was little, I entered the school talent show. I remember singing ‘Read All About It’ and being the most nervous I had ever been in my short seven years of life so far. I used everything I’d learned in my vocal lessons and practiced lots, and although I like to think I have come a long way since then, winning that little talent show might be one of the proudest things I’ve achieved, as that was the moment I started to truly believe I could be good at my instrument.

For me, opportunities to perform have always been the driving factor in wanting to be a good singer. It is so rewarding to share what you’ve worked so hard on, and I couldn’t recommend performing enough as a way to increase your confidence. Louise Burdett, Head of Music at Stratford Girls’ Grammar School notes: “Learning an instrument and performing in public boosts leadership qualities and pushes students out of their comfort zones”.

Throughout secondary school, I had excellent music teachers who provided amazing performance opportunities, including a music tour to New York! Taking any opportunities on offer, on whatever scale, is always something I would recommend when learning an instrument, as it provides the opportunity to showcase what you’ve learned and get feedback. Performing can be scary, but it has been one of the aspects of learning to sing that has helped me the most.

One of the biggest lessons music has taught me is patience

Another benefit to learning a musical instrument is the positive impact on your mental health and wellbeing. As  Susan Hallam  from the Institute of Education, University of London explains: “instrumental musical activity has been shown to improve cognitive functioning, emotional regulation, and psychological well-being, making it a valuable tool for promoting mental health”.

I often find myself drawn towards my instruments during difficult times. Furthermore, once you learn an instrument, you open the door to composition, which can be a reflective and creative outlet for emotion.

One of the biggest lessons music has taught me is patience. A second-year student at the University of Cambridge reflected: “(Learning an instrument) gave me a lot of self-confidence, seeing how my practice would help me slowly, but surely, improve. In that regard, it also taught me patience; effective practice is the cornerstone of a successful performance”

Singing has been a place in which I can ground myself during good and bad times and continues to help me grow as a person and bond with others

Practicing an instrument can be a slow process, and sometimes frustrating, especially when you feel that progress isn’t coming immediately. But every time you make a breakthrough, all the hours you’ve put come together and you realise it’s worth all the effort! Louise Burdett says: “Whenever I meet new people, when they learn that I am a music teacher, the number one thing they always tell me is that they used to play and wish they’d not given up; so as challenging as practice can be (especially on a sunny day…), I encourage all music students to keep going – it will be worth it.”

Learning an instrument has shaped not only my musical abilities, but also my identity and sense of self. It teaches me patience, confidence, helped me make friends, and is an outlet for self-expression. Singing has been a place in which I can ground myself during good and bad times and continues to help me grow as a person and bond with others. For anyone thinking of learning an instrument, I’d say you should go for it! It might not be easy, but your instrument can become one of the most rewarding and meaningful parts of who you are.