Part 1 Choose an Instrument

1 Choose an instrument that interests you. If your goal is to be the rebellious rock musician on stage in a punk band, forcing yourself to learn the oboe might expose you to a lot of music, but it probably won't align well with the rock path. If you want to play classical music and become a classical master, then electronic instruments may not have much to offer. In short, choose the type of instrument you want to learn based on the category of musician you aspire to be.

• If you don't have a specific idea, you can start learning the piano, violin, or guitar. These instruments are the easiest to find teachers for, allowing you to quickly learn some basic playing techniques.

• If you ultimately want to develop in classical music or jazz, it's best to choose an instrument from the classical string category, such as woodwinds, brass, or percussion. Learning these types of instruments usually requires a significant investment of time and study.

• If you want to write your own songs and pursue a path in pop music, it's best to start with the guitar, bass, piano, or drums. While it's great to take classes in a professional setting, many pop and folk musicians are self-taught, learning through tutorials, searching for videos online, and honing their skills through repeated attempts and failures.

2 Consider starting with the piano. Even if your dream isn't to hold a piano recital in a tuxedo, learning the piano is still a fantastic choice for building a solid musical foundation. This is because when you learn the piano, all the notes are laid out right in front of you, making it very clear for young people and beginners. Additionally, the piano is one of the most versatile instruments, used in classical, pop, and other genres of music.

• Real grand pianos and concert-level pianos are very expensive, but electronic keyboards vary widely in price, from "affordable" to exorbitant. One of the benefits of learning the piano is that regardless of the quality of the instrument, you can still learn essential finger techniques and basic knowledge.

3 Learn classical instruments. Classical instruments mainly refer to those used in concerts, jazz, local performance bands, swing bands, and other groups that rely on sheet music, distinguishing them from pop music. If you are drawn to complex, mature, and artistic music, then classical instruments may be very suitable for you.

• Brass instruments are not actually made of brass tubes; they are made of curved metal pipes, and sound is produced by blowing into the metal pipe.

• Woodwind instruments are made of mixed materials and produce sound through the vibration of a reed held in the mouth. Woodwinds create a unique warm wooden sound, typically used in classical and jazz music, while the saxophone is more commonly used in pop music.

• Choose classical string instruments. Classical string instruments are primarily used in symphonies, string quartets, and other professional instrumental performances, with the basic instruments being the violin, viola, double bass, and cello. The guitar can also be classified as a classical string instrument, depending on the specific musical style.

4 Consider pop or rock instruments. When we think of pop music or forming our own band, the first instruments that come to mind are definitely the guitar, bass, drums, keyboard, and piano. Although these instruments can be used to play many different styles of music, we still habitually categorize them as pop and rock. If you have no interest in performing in a tuxedo in a grand concert hall, but are rather excited about practicing in a basement band and touring in a car, then you can choose one of the instruments listed above to learn.

• Guitar

5 Consider percussion instruments. Percussion is not as simple as you might imagine; excellent percussionists can play many genres of music, whether it's folk, classical, jazz, or rock. For a musical group, there is nothing more valuable and diverse than an outstanding percussionist.

• One great thing about learning percussion is that you can start building essential skills without any instruments at first. If you have a strong sense of rhythm and good hand stability, consider learning percussion.

6 Learn electronic instruments. From DJs to synthesizer masters, the definition of "musician" has long surpassed traditional perceptions. Carefully arranged, highly artistic music can be expressed through speakers and reeds, as well as through complex buttons on a computer.

Part 2 Develop as a Performer

1 Practice diligently. You may have an innate talent for a certain instrument, but you should know that there is a huge gap between "playing an instrument well" and "becoming a musician," and that gap is filled with diligent practice. Musicians dedicate their lives to improving their musical skills, learning new techniques, and using their instruments to play more complex music. To reach the peak, regular and serious practice is essential.

• Make practice a habit and part of your daily life. Practice correct playing techniques, warm up before starting, and practice for at least 20-40 minutes each day. Each practice session should include finger techniques, skills, relaxation exercises, etc. No matter what instrument you are learning, you can relax by playing fun songs like "Little Apple" or "The Most Dazzling National Style."

• Practicing an instrument is like exercising; consistency is a very important quality. Only by practicing every day can you establish and reinforce good habits.

2 Find a good teacher. Trying to learn from a book is very difficult. While written guidance can be somewhat helpful, face-to-face instruction from a good teacher is irreplaceable. Regardless of the instrument, a good teacher can help correct your technical mistakes and lay a solid musical foundation.

• If you want to achieve something, you must have a humble attitude towards learning. Stubbornness and an inability to listen to advice will generally prevent someone from becoming a musician. Only by humbly accepting suggestions from excellent performers and learning as much as possible with a curious mind can you truly gain something. Make continuous improvement your goal.

• If you don't have the time or money to hire a teacher, seek out those who are better than you. Having a meal with them in a small restaurant and asking a few questions while holding a guitar can be immensely beneficial. Remember to observe and learn.

3 Learn to read music. Once you can play some tunes by ear, the next step is to learn to read music. Learning to read music is essential for certain instruments and playing styles; if you want to play classical music, relying solely on your ears and memory is nearly impossible.

• Additionally, study music history and music theory, especially if you want to compose your own music. Learn why certain notes sound good together, how to arrange chords, and how to maximize music to enhance your playing level.

4 Listen to all kinds of music. For a musician, developing a unique musical taste is crucial. Just as a novelist needs to read widely and study literary history to write something worth reading, a musician needs to listen to various music and learn different styles to compose valuable pieces or perform soulful music.

• Listen to classical music, starting with old court music and gradually moving to romantic composers like Mozart and Beethoven. Try listening to 20th-century avant-garde composers like Penderecki and Cage to challenge your previous understanding of music.

• Listen to various types of rock music, even if it's not your favorite genre. Study early punk, mountain rock, psychedelic rock, etc., and listen to both popular and obscure tracks, finding the ones worth hearing while ignoring the rest.

• If you find music you like, trace its roots. If you enjoy Katy Perry, you'll discover through research that Cher and Madonna greatly influenced her style and sound. When you listen to Cher's music, you may trace back to Etta James, and eventually to Bessie Smith, one of the greatest early blues singers. In short, find the "roots" of your favorite artists.

5 Start composing your own music. If you want to develop as a musician and elevate your skills, starting to compose is a great attempt. Whether you play classical or pop music, composing can quickly reveal the significant difference between playing other tunes and creating your own music. So, bravely compose for your performances.

6 Find your own playing style. Jazz musician Miles Davis struggled to learn the vibrato technique while studying trumpet, so he maintained a deep, clean single-note style throughout his career. When asked why his band always sounded like a heavily loaded, rumbling ship, he replied, "We can play fast-paced music, but we don't want to." Therefore, turn your original weaknesses into your standout personal style and highlights, and make good use of them to become a performer with a unique style.

Part 3 Take It to the Next Level

1 Consider joining a band. Playing with other musicians can complement each other's strengths while learning how to perform music as a cohesive unit.

• If you want to play classical or concert music, it's best to join a local community band, school band, or other musical groups.

• Playing with others can also help you continuously improve your character. David Hood, one of the most famous bassists in history and a member of the Muscle Shoals Sound Studio, was once asked in an interview why he enjoyed such a reputation and was trusted as a performer. He replied, "My gears are always turning; I'm always ready." This shows that humility is a valuable asset for musicians.

2 When you're ready, perform in front of an audience. If you want to further improve your skills through regular practice, it's time to showcase your talent. Start by playing your best instrument in front of a small group of kind and tolerant audience members or parents, and then you can perform for others. If you want to be a performer, you must have an audience.

• Café gigs usually have a group of tolerant audience members. Many aspiring amateurs looking for opportunities perform at these gigs, and the audience there is often very friendly and easygoing, making it a great starting point.

• Solo performances are also an option. Performing in public is not mandatory; learn to enjoy the beautiful notes you play!

3 Try forming your own band. If joining an existing band or group feels difficult for you, why not create your own? Don't wait for others to find you; take the initiative to seek them out. Post ads on classified websites, stating the impact you can bring and the type of music you want to play, and carefully review the musical backgrounds of interested parties. You can also visit local music stores to post your ads and meet local musicians at gigs.

4 Record your music. For a budding musician, recording your performances can be a highly meaningful and enjoyable experience. What could be cooler than hearing your melodies played back from a CD? With today's technology, anyone can quickly and easily record beautiful sounds at home.

• Buy a few inexpensive microphones and use music creation software like GarageBand or Audacity to record your performances directly into your computer. Organize your music and burn it onto CDs to share with friends, or upload it to your iPod.

• If you have ambition, you can even share your music with the world. Record your best performances, then create an account and quick links on music-sharing platforms like Bandcamp or Soundcloud to share your music.

5 Treat it as a long-term career. Even if you are talented and hardworking, and even if you are the best performer in your town, you still cannot ensure that others will hear your music. For many, becoming a musician is a long road; you must invest a lot of time honing your skills before receiving the recognition you deserve. But remember, the more you invest, the greater your chances of success.

• If you want to connect with others and receive personalized guidance, consider attending a music school. Even if you don't want to play classical music, studying music history and production techniques will give you an advantage in the music industry.

Tips

• Never give up on music just because some boring people say that playing many instruments makes you a "fool." Remember, music is one of the best art forms, and you should never give up on it.

• Feeling frustrated is normal; it's part of the learning process.

• Think with a musical mindset. This is arguably one of the most challenging aspects of becoming a musician. You need to have a thorough understanding of every note you play; some people can memorize 10 pages of sheet music and play it flawlessly, but when asked what they are playing, they know nothing. So keep practicing, and one day you'll have that enlightening moment!

• Participate in school music programs; form bands; join musical groups. In short, enjoy music!

• Keep practicing, practicing, practicing!

• Be sure to learn from those who are proficient in the instrument. Skipping lessons may save you some money, but in the long run, receiving professional guidance will be immensely beneficial.

• Besides finding a teacher, you can also buy some sheet music books to try playing on your own.

• Don't be intimidated by the high prices of instruments. You can rent or buy second-hand instruments from friends. And you don't need to buy any well-known brand before formally learning the piano; a simple electronic keyboard will suffice.

• Look for local teachers. This may not be as simple as it sounds; try searching local websites to see if there are any music teachers near you.

• Many instruments can be found in pawn shops. If you happen to have a friend who is very knowledgeable about the instrument you are playing, take them with you; you might find a good deal.

Warnings

• Don't develop bad musical habits. They may not be noticeable at first, but over time, they can become difficult to shake off.

• Don't be "exclusive." Appreciate all forms of music with an open mind.