It had been really warm all day. I worked out in the morning, then got some work done, and I was just about to lie down for a quick little nap to recharge before the evening. The kids of Tenerife, however, had other plans for that afternoon. Watch the video.
The title of this lesson is a joke, of course. I realize that although every one of us would rather have an instrument at home you can plug headphones into, recorder lessons for kids are part of the school curriculum.
I wrote this lesson to show how my approach to taking up an instrument has changed.
A few weeks ago I started learning to play the drums. It's not just a satisfying physical activity, since you do have to flail at the drums quite a bit; it also improves your coordination and develops your brain.
What I hadn't realized, though, is how loud this instrument is. And don't get me wrong. I figured the neighbors wouldn't exactly be thrilled, since it's an acoustic instrument after all, but it's so loud that you need sound-isolating headphones while playing, or you just can't stand it.
Of course, this doesn't apply to an electronic drum kit, which you can plug headphones into, and all anyone hears from the outside is wooden sticks tapping on plastic pads.
Playing an instrument is a really enjoyable hobby. It teaches discipline, patience and focus, and it brings a lot of joy. There's a ton of learning material online.
As a teenager I had a go at the keyboard, and later I bought an electro-acoustic guitar. Sadly, I can't say I learned to play either of them to a level I'd be happy with. I never got past beginner.
This time, though, I decided to approach it a bit differently. I noticed that I really enjoy spending time watching videos of people playing the drums. I realized that if I like something that much, it would be silly not to give it a shot.
Unlike with my other hobbies, I decided not to start by investing in gear. I found a teacher I could go to for lessons. I wanted to see if it was for me, whether I liked it, whether I was any good at it and whether I'd get bored quickly.
It also turned out that there are plenty of places in town where you can just rent a practice room with a kit for a few dozen złoty and practice on your own. That way, the new hobby doesn't need a big upfront investment.
There's nothing wrong with trying new things and dropping them if you decide it's not for you after all.
The only things I bought were sticks and a practice pad for a few dozen złoty. I watched a few tutorial videos, banged on some pillows pretending to be a rock star and signed up for my first lesson.
The lessons turned out to be great. Getting different limbs to play different things on their own is a big challenge, it takes practice, and it's hugely satisfying when you finally pull it off.
Having a good teacher and mentor, who puts together a learning plan for you, is the best investment. That holds true whether you're learning an instrument, picking up new technical skills or doing business, because figuring everything out on your own takes way more time and energy.
The best investment at the start is investing in your own knowledge and skills through all kinds of courses or help from mentors.
In the end, I bought my own drum kit, had a chat with the neighbors, and I've been practicing nonstop ever since.
I recommend it to everyone!