By Emily Wei, Lifestyle Columnist
Hope you all had a wonderful holiday break with your loved ones and are feeling refreshed for the new year! It’s hard to deny how music seems to be everywhere this time of year – playing in shopping malls, on endless holiday radio playlists, and all over social media. As we step into January, maybe some of you have set classic New Year’s resolutions: hitting the gym, reading more, or cutting down on screen time. Maybe a few of you have even promised yourselves to finally pick up an instrument (or two) this year! For those of you aiming to learn an instrument this year, you’ve come to the right place! For the rest of you, fret not (yes, that’s a pun for guitar players). This month’s column dives into the fascinating origins of some beloved instruments and offers tips on how to ease into playing a few popular ones. Let’s get started in a 5, 6, 7, 8!
First, let’s take a quick trip back in time to explore the history of the guitar, piano, trumpet, and drums! The guitar has evolved from early stringed instruments like the lute and vihuela in Spain. By the 15th century, it had developed into the classic guitar shape, with a larger body and flatter top, becoming a staple in country, folk, and rock music. The piano (my personal favorite) was a maverick in its day, evolving from the harpsichord, which couldn’t produce both loud and soft sounds. Originally called the fortepiano, it became a key instrument in classical music and beyond. The trumpet, with roots in ancient Egypt, was used for ceremonial and military purposes. Over time, the addition of valves allowed players to change pitch easily and accurately, expanding the instrument’s range. Finally, drums are among the oldest instruments in history, used for communication, ceremonies, and celebrations. In the early 20th century, modern drum kits came together to become an essential part of jazz and rock bands.
If you’re thinking about learning a new instrument this year, here are some tips to help you get started on the piano or ukulele! For both, your best shot is to start off with the basic chords. On the piano, begin by finding middle C on the keyboard and learning to read basic sheet music (both treble and bass clefs). It’ll be easier to start with separate parts for each hand, and then work your way up to playing both hands together. For the ukulele, try starting with easy chords like C, G, and F. The ukulele is super beginner-friendly, especially with just 4 strings!
Next, start playing some simple songs. For piano, “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” is perfect since it only requires a few key chords. For ukulele, you can’t go wrong with “Over the Rainbow” or “Riptide.” The most important thing to remember is that practice really does make perfect! I promise it’s not just a myth!
Knowing how to play an instrument is a great skill to have. So start small, be patient, and enjoy the process!
