10 tips for self-studying music

Being able to play an instrument is a wonderful skill, whether it is a hobby or a way to make a living. Self-studying music has many benefits and can save you a great deal of money because you will not be paying for traditional lessons. Perhaps the biggest benefit is that you can fit learning around your busy schedule and study on your own time, at your own pace.

If you are hesitant about whether self-studying is right for you, remember that many accomplished musicians we know and love were self-taught, including Jimi Hendrix, Prince, Elton John, David Bowie, and Louis Armstrong.

Regardless of where you are in your music journey, keep these 10 tips in mind to help you successfully teach yourself to play.

1. Know Your Why

As with anything you decide to spend your time doing, it is crucial to understand why you are doing it. Make sure your reason is personal and deeply meaningful.

Your reason for wanting to self-study music has to be powerful enough that when the going gets tough, and it will get tough, you still feel motivated to keep going.

Without a traditional teacher, you do not have someone else to motivate you and keep you accountable. You must be able to push yourself and work hard on your own.

2. Manage Your Expectations

This is one of the most important tips for anyone starting out in music.

It is crucial to keep a positive mindset and have patience as you practice. Just because something is taking a long time, or you do not feel like you are progressing, does not mean you should give up.

The learning curve is steep. In the beginning, it might be tempting to say, “I guess this just is not for me.”

But if you stick with it, your progress can become exponential. The longer you practice, the easier it becomes to reach the next milestone.

3. Take Advantage of Online Resources and Education Technology

Regardless of the instrument you are learning, you will need some reference for what to do, which techniques to use, and how to progress without skipping important steps. The good news is that there are countless resources available. Some are free, and others are very affordable.

Consider buying a few instructional books or borrowing them from a library or a friend. You can also find helpful content and tutorials on video-sharing platforms like YouTube.

If you want to dive deeper into educational content, you have many options thanks to emerging education technology platforms. Udemy, Yousician, and Lessonface are a few examples of sites that offer online music courses and programs.

4. Learn Some Theory

You do not need to be completely versed in music theory, but learning the basics will make the process much easier.

At the very least, learn how to read sheet music, since many instructional resources you come across will use some form of music notation.

5. Create a Routine and Pace Yourself

When you are self-studying music, it is important to be intentional with your approach and create a consistent routine.

Pick a dedicated place in your home where you will practice, and make sure it is easy to access and quick to get started. For example, do not hide your guitar in the closet or take apart your clarinet every time you finish practicing. If your instrument is out of sight or takes too long to set up, you will be less likely to practice consistently.

Create a schedule for when you will practice and for how long, then stick to it. For example, you might decide to practice for one hour every day from 7 to 8 p.m. If one hour is not manageable, make it 30 minutes, or one hour every other day. If your schedule is too difficult to maintain, you will be more likely to stop practicing.

Do not suddenly spend the whole day practicing. It can be exciting to learn a new skill or technique, especially when you are self-studying music. However, overexerting yourself can lead to injury or pain. The discomfort you feel the next day may prevent you from practicing further.

Another reason to pace yourself is that our brains need a break after learning something new in order to process it and store it in long-term memory. In the same way that cramming right before an exam is not recommended, you are much better off practicing the same thing a little each day rather than spending four hours trying to do it perfectly.

6. Master the Basics

When you start seeing progress, it can be tempting to skip ahead to something more challenging, especially if you are self-studying music. However, trying to learn something more advanced too soon can be risky.

People often neglect basic technique in favor of moving quickly and playing something impressive. However, a lack of proper technique will catch up with you later.

Take the time to learn proper technique and master it before moving on to the next level.

Also, make sure you get into the habit of playing at a consistent tempo. There is nothing worse than playing all the right notes while rushing through the easy parts and slowing down when the music becomes more challenging.

Using a metronome like the Soundbrenner Core or Pulse from the very start of learning an instrument will help you build this habit. You may need to start slowly and gradually progress to the intended tempo of the piece as you become more comfortable.

7. Record Yourself

At the end of each session, try to record yourself playing. You do not need fancy equipment; you can simply use your phone. Recording yourself helps you hear and see your playing from an outside perspective. Make note of what you need to work on in the next practice session.

Once you have a collection of these videos, you will also be able to see how far you have come over time, which is something to be proud of.

8. Imitate What You Like

If you reach a point where practice feels difficult, motivate yourself by learning a piece by someone you look up to or an interesting riff from your favorite song.

In the beginning, a great source of motivation can be trying to imitate songs you already know and love. There is no better feeling than being able to play something you have admired, even if you need to make slight modifications to make it easier.

Looking to your favorite songs can also be a source of ideas and can help you find and develop your own personal style.

9. Stay Inspired

Similarly, staying motivated and inspired does not have to be only about learning pieces and songs you like.

If you are serious about self-studying music, surround yourself with music in different parts of your life. This will help you remember your “why” from the first section: why you wanted to self-study music in the first place.

Inspiration can come from listening to your favorite music, reading books about musicians, or following artists on social media. Even having coffee table books or artwork related to music in your home can help keep you inspired.

By making music part of your lifestyle, you may eventually move past seeing yourself as someone who is self-studying music and start seeing yourself as a musician instead.

10. Have Fun

It may sound cheesy, but it is absolutely crucial. If learning music is not fun, or if it does not bring you joy and fulfillment, it may be time to reconsider your “why.”

If you dread practicing and do not feel any sense of satisfaction when you reach a new milestone, perhaps learning music is not really for you, or perhaps you are pursuing it for the wrong reasons.

The key is to be honest with yourself. As with anything in life, make sure you are spending your time doing something you love and doing it for no one but yourself.

Keep these 10 tips in mind as you begin your self-study journey, and you will be on your way to becoming a skilled musician.