So you've learned to play an instrument. What's next?

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Many people, at some point in their lives, have wanted to learn how to play an instrument. Young people especially want to do it because they want to look cool in front of their peers or they have a musical artist that they look up to.

Those who are able to develop their interest into a discipline soon acquire the competence in the instrument of their choice. This level requires several hours spent on learning the fundamentals and practicing enough to perform more naturally. At this point, however, many people still end up discontinuing their study of the musical instrument. They are usually satisfied with the ability to play a few songs in their leisure time.

Despite the long hours of practice required in learning a musical instrument, competence is just part of the beginning. There are many paths open to aspiring musicians and all of those lead to a deeper enjoyment of playing music.

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Going for mastery of an instrument and making forays into a specific genre are moves beyond mere skill acquisition. Mastery involves knowing the full extent of what one can do with an instrument and allows a musician to collaborate with other top musicians. Going on this path is usually tied to aspirations to become a professional musician.

Another viable path is to learn other instruments. People who’ve been in a band for a few years often develop an appreciation for what their band mates can do. Some turn that appreciation into interest and they start all over again on a journey to learn a new instrument under the tutelage of their peers.

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Find more resources on studying music through the Mark Begelman Facebook page.