This post is from contributor, Jenn Hoskins.
This post contains affiliate links.
Recently, one of my children expressed interest in learning to play drums. Another has been begging to play the violin.
I realized two things pretty quickly. One, I don’t have any musical talent to help them. Two, and most important, I cannot afford to pay someone for lessons. I felt like a terrible mom, not being able to teach them to play, but sometimes you just have to face the facts.
Learning to play any instrument is expensive!
If this was 10 years ago, I would have said, “Sorry kids! Teach yourself if you really want to learn.” Since we live in 2014, I looked to the greatest source of free knowledge (and funny videos) out there: YouTube. There are so many lessons on there, totally FREE!
Yes, free music lessons. That is a price we can all afford.
Here are some of the best channels I found:
Now for your next question: how to get instruments free or cheap?
My go-to shopping place is pawn shops. You can buy them for half, or less, of retail cost and usually in great shape. Call around to a few in your area. I bet you will find some good deals. Make sure you do not pay more than 50% of retail for a used one. Be smart and thrifty at the same time!
If you choose to buy the instrument new, I highly recommend buying from Amazon. You can shop for best values easily, and some have great bundles that include tuners and sheet music. Here are some of my top picks from Amazon:
Drums, harp, keyboard, saxophone, guitar, recorder, violin, flute and bass guitar.
So which instrument are you going to pick now that you can get the lessons for free?
I am thinking drums. I am also thinking I will take the money saved and invest in some good noise canceling headphones. Good ones. Some things you don’t go cheap on!
Now enjoy your free music lessons!
Copyright: thoermer / 123RF Stock Photo
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Ann says
I am a music teacher. And I have watched a number of the YouTube Videos.
The information in the videos are basically accurate; however, there is no way that a student can accurately form solid habits with techniques with just YouTube videos.
Effective playing with ever increasing ability levels can only happen with consistent feedback from a qualified music teacher.
Also, buying quality instruments will rarely happen through Amazon, Craigs List, or EBay. Generally, these “website” instruments are cheap and hard to play. A quality instrument are found with qualified instrumental vendors who are trained experts.
A quality instrument will work with the students in their efforts to play; a cheap instrument actually works against the students efforts. Believe me — I know this from experience.
Dianna says
I agree on both accounts. Generally speaking, you have to have some degree of music knowledge or someone there to help you along in order to advance with YouTube videos. Also, a cheap instrument does work against the student. It is best to get advice from someone who knows instruments and then try to shop around for the best deal on whatever model you decide on. Although these videos are very helpful for learning new instruments and techniques, only a small number of people have been gifted with the innate ability to flourish musically with this alone.
Dena says
I agree that a good instructor and instrument can make all the difference, but it you are not sure if your child is really going to stick with it, I agree youtube and a cheap instrument is the way to go. When my son became interested in guitar I bought him a cheap guitar and we looked for youtube videos. After several months of him working hard to learn, we figured he was going to stick with it and bought a good quality guitar and started lessons with an instructor. He has taken this approach with each instrument he has learned. He plays guitar, piano, drums, and ukulele, so it has worked well for him.
Jen says
We need to be aware that the self-motivation (or lack thereof) of young children isn’t necessarily an indication of whether or not playing an instrument is something that’s “for them” in the long run. I remember auditing a piano pedagogy class in university, and on the first day the instructor asked everyone about their own experience with lessons as a child. All but one of the students in the class told her that they learned to play because their mothers wouldn’t let them quit every time they wanted to quit. And these were people who chose to go into music professionally! They had all wanted to quit at some point. It was an unforgettable lesson for me about the importance of parental involvement, and how a child’s inability to stick with it on his or her own isn’t necessarily an indication that there is no long-term future in music for that child.
Anonymous says
AMEN!!!!!!!!!!! Well said!