5 timeless guiding principles for all who (want to) learn an instrument

We wanted to know what brought our teachers as musicians to where they are today. To do so, we took a close look at their profiles and picked out 5 enormously helpful tips for you.

So much is revealed in advance: There are no shortcuts, but it's also never too late!

"It's best to choose songs that appeal to you personally, but don't overwhelm your abilities." (Deborah Handschin)

There is absolutely nothing wrong with making practicing easier. In fact, enjoyment is even more often cited by our teachers than discipline in making progress. But choosing the right song also requires careful self-assessment: what do you really have in you, and how far does your ambition extend? Be self-critical about what you do and realistic about what you plan to achieve next. But it's still the not yet achieved goals that drive you to progress. Therefore: dream big and then move forward step by step.

"Performances are something important - I would encourage you to always look for an audience." (Anja Loosli)

A propos "setting goals": Goals (and more generally structures like clear timelines for exercises or certain passages) help you to make your progress measurable and keep motivation up. In many cases, one goal will be to perform in front of an audience. Whether that's your roommate, your circle of friends, or an audience of strangers, working toward a specific goal will help you focus and spur you on. Besides, anyone who has performed in front of an audience knows how euphoric applause is; the applause of one person is no different than that of thousands.

"Better to make a false note with full fervor than to fizzle out in inhibited-correct colorlessness." (Sandro Lamparter)

Whether you are into classical music or rock, play the violin or sing, prefer to sight-read or improvise - you elicit music from an instrument only with emotion, otherwise you simply accumulate tones. To do that, you simply have to dare to do something. To find out which emotions you feel most comfortable with, it's best to approach the excess as lightheartedly and playfully as possible. Be calm and humorous, curious and passionate - and above all, don't be afraid to make "mistakes".

"If you keep at it with perseverance, you'll always make progress." (Christian Spahni)

This point was bound to come: Nothing happens overnight. Discipline in practicing is the bitter pill that comes directly with the musical instrument. Even the very greatest talent has to roll back its sleeves and dig in at some point. However, you can rest assured that your staying power will be rewarded: Whatever you control with your body on the instrument is directed from your brain - and the commands come not only faster but also more accurately the more you practice them. Conversely, this also means that you can teach yourself mistakes that can only be corrected with great difficulty. So if you practice regularly and persistently, be consistent enough to stop immediately if you make a mistake and repeat the sequence correctly.

  "I used to sit on the vacuum cleaner when my mother cleaned the house, and take the sound off." (Annakin)

God knows, musical scales and rhythm or coordination exercises are not always the greatest. But just. Conveniently, you are not forbidden to set up your exercises in such a way that they not only cause you the least suffering, but on the contrary, are the most fun. Your efficiency and satisfaction will go through the roof if, while practicing, you don't have to constantly think about how much you are bored with practicing. With an alert mind, you'll find plenty of opportunities in your everyday life to practice your skills - and what you do in terms of your musical skills can be chalked up to "practicing": singing intervals to the sound of the coffee grinder in the store, giving a beat with your foot while you're throwing the glass jar into the dumpster nice and tight, massaging your girlfriend's back with finger exercises for the piano.

You always shrink back from the huge chasm that gapes between you and your idols. And while you undoubtedly compare yourself to extraordinary people with extraordinary abilities - often just a small piece of will is enough to take you already a gigantic step forward. We wish you continued success and joy on your way and look forward to accompanying you on your musical path!