Learn an instrument!

Learning an instrument is a truly fantastic way to spend your free time. Regardless of your age or ability, everyone can get an enormous sense of satisfaction from playing music. We all have to start somewhere. I started the violin when I was eight years old and had lessons each week in my Primary School.  I had lessons with three other children and I found it very difficult to progress as my teacher was often distracted by the other students in the group. When I started secondary school, I virtually harassed the Head of Music to let me start cello lessons after having seen the instrument played in a movie called ' Electric Dreams'. It was a very cheesy Romantic American movie about a cellist that falls in love with a nerdy computer programmer. It sounds ridiculous but it was the inspiration for my decision to become a cellist.

I started off having lessons with a double bass player as there was no cello teacher available and within two years I had progressed so much that I was playing with the county Youth Orchestra and the National Youth Orchestra of Wales. I enjoyed it so much that I practised every day and devoted all my spare time to the cello. I also made a huge amount of friends as I attended an orchestra every Friday night and also went on courses in the summertime.When I was 19, I was accepted to study at the Royal Academy of Music on a scholarship and that marked the start of my journey towards becoming a professional cellist.

I currently have four adult students who all started to play because they liked the sound of the cello and felt like having a go. One student is on maternity leave and felt like it was the right time to start having lessons now that her schedule was a little clearer. Another of my students had just retired when he started lessons and he is already playing grade 5 pieces despite only starting a year ago. He is now coming to the Oxford Cello School in the summer to play chamber music and have lessons. I also teach a number of children and they have all gone on to join their school orchestras which has given them all confidence both musically and socially. There are so many benefits to learning an instrument and I am sure you know that studies have proven that children that learn instruments excel in their other subjects (a further bonus!)

Any reason to learn an instrument is a good one. I recently bought a piano and I am now learning how to play it. I am practising for half an hour each day and I am really enjoying it. It is never late to learn a new skill!

Whether you are a parent looking for a fun hobby for your child or an adult who fancies doing something creative in your free time,  you should grab the opportunity and have a go. You never know where your journey might lead you!