Performing music is the perfect opportunity for creativity and expression. Sharing your talent with an audience can give them a great time and provide them with wonderful memories. With so many fantastic musicians in the world, it is really crucial to do everything you can to master your craft. Becoming a great musician takes hard work and dedication but there is no better feeling than hearing yourself play well or experience an audience giving you a standing ovation.
To help all the musicians out there reach their potential, here are 6 things you need to do to take your musical performance to the next level.
1. Choose the Right Instrument
Choosing the right instrument is very important because some people are just better at playing certain instruments than others. If you are brand new to music, the world of instruments really is your oyster and it can be great fun to experiment with a few different options. If you have already been playing your instrument for a long time and want to improve your abilities, you may want to consider upgrading to a better model. Instrument prices can vary enormously, and while more expensive does not always mean better, quality instruments often cost a little more. If you are on a budget, choose a good balance between price and performance.
2. Listen to Music All the Time
Once you have chosen your instruments, the best way to become totally immersed in music is to listen to it all the time. The folks at Acoustic Bridge explain that listening to the kind of music which you want to play will help you pick up useful tips and become totally comfortable with the music. If you love to play the ukulele, then you may want to listen to folk or bluegrass music, whereas if you want to become a classical pianist, then Beethoven’s Piano Concertos are a must-listen. Playing along to the music as you listen is a great way to improve your playing and to tighten up all your skills.
3. Choose the Best Learning Strategy for You
Learning any instrument is challenging and different people’s skills advance at different rates. There are many videos online of child musicians who wow their audiences with their incredible performances before they are even old enough to go to school, but the majority of us will need years of practice to reach master-level skills. Choosing the best learning strategy, however, will help to make your practice easier and keep you motivated. Some people do their best experimenting at home, while others excel with traditional style lessons with an expert teacher. Find what works for you and just make sure you are enjoying your practice.
4. Practice Every Day
When it comes to practice, the more you do it, the better you will become. Master musicians practice whenever they have a spare moment, and while you may not be able to dedicate all of your free time to practice, you need to be practicing at least once a day. Mix your practice sessions up so that some are more focused sessions and others are just times to experiment with your instruments and improvise.
5. Record Yourself Playing
Sometimes it can be difficult to hear mistakes that you are making when you are absorbed in your playing. It can be really helpful to record yourself so that you can listen back to your performance. You can even record yourself on the video to watch your hands and the way you hold the instruments to see if there are any adjustments you can make to improve your performance. Try not to be ultra-critical of yourself, but just make changes where they are needed.
6. Step Out of Your Comfort Zone
In order to really take your musical performances to a whole new level, you need to step out of your comfort zone. Playing music which you don’t usually play can help to broaden your horizons and really test your skills. The best musicians can improvise and step out of the box so it is always worth mixing it up every now and again. Don’t allow yourself to be stuck in one genre and style, stay curious and keep experimenting.
Taking your musical performance to the next level is a big journey but it is also an exciting one. From choosing the right instrument to practicing whenever you get the chance, you need to eat, sleep and breathe music. Follow the six easy tips in this guide and you will really see your musical skills reach new heights.