Top 5 Myths About Learning Music

Learning music is a rewarding journey filled with creativity and self-expression. Unfortunately, several misconceptions can hinder aspiring musicians from pursuing their passions. Here, we debunk five common myths about learning music.

Myth #1. You Have to Start Young

One of the most pervasive myths is that you must begin learning music as a child to become proficient. While younger learners may pick up skills quickly, people of all ages can learn and excel at music. Adults often bring motivation, discipline, and life experience that can enhance their musical education. Many successful musicians began their journeys later in life, proving that passion and persistence matter more than age.

At Mad About Music, our students currently range from age 5 to 56! While we recommend students to start lessons from age 5, we believe that music is a life-long learning process and no one is ever too old to begin as long as they are receptive to receiving new information and reshaping their mindset towards overcoming difficulties. 

Myth #2. Music Theory Is Too Complex to Understand

Many people shy away from music theory, thinking it is overly complicated and irrelevant. In reality, a basic understanding of music theory can enhance one’s ability to play, compose, and appreciate music. It provides a framework for understanding how music works, making it easier to learn songs, improvise, and collaborate with others. Starting with fundamental concepts can demystify music theory and show its practicality. 

At Mad About Music, we place a strong emphasis on equipping students with fundamental music theory knowledge during weekly instrumental lessons so that students can harness their power of reading music scores with ease. With a solid understanding of music theory, they are able to spontaneously pick up scores from any licensed online source or physical store and learn to play on their own without needing to depend on a teacher to teach them for a lifetime. Just like learning any foreign language, therein lies great freedom and joy when you are able to proficiently read, write and converse in all forms of musical language such as rhythm, pitch, harmonies and dynamics with other musicians whom you may collaborate with in future. 

Myth #3. You Need Natural Talent

The belief that musical ability is an innate gift discourages many from trying. While some individuals may have a natural inclination towards music, most skills can be developed through practice and dedication. Learning music involves acquiring techniques, understanding theory, and consistent practice, which anyone can achieve. With time and effort, anyone can learn to play an instrument or sing beautifully.

At Mad About Music, we love students who are fully committed to honing their craft! Just like any other field of work, practice makes perfect and no obstacle will be insurmountable if you stay dedicated to the reason you started in the first place. As cliche as it sounds, “a smooth sea never made a skilled sailor!”

Myth #4. Learning Music Is Only A Short Term Investment

Many aspiring musicians underestimate the time it takes to truly master an instrument or develop musical skills. While some may expect quick results in just weeks or months, the reality is that mastering music is a journey that often takes years of dedicated practice. Music is a valuable skill that involves nuanced techniques, deep understanding, and personal expression, all of which require time and persistence to develop. Embracing this long-term perspective can help learners stay motivated and enjoy the process, knowing that every small step contributes to their overall growth as a musician.

At Mad About Music, we understand that music learning can be expensive so we only provide high quality services that are worth the buck. But it is absolutely crucial to start music lessons with the mindset that it is a marathon for the long haul in order to see noticeable progress in one’s musical skills. Otherwise, it is recommended to sign up for group classes instead to be generally exposed to music on a casual basis before signing up for one-to-one lessons which aim to develop one’s musical techniques and specific skill set to perform a piece independently. 

Myth #5. Playing Music Is Only About Fun

Many people believe that learning to play music is purely about having fun and enjoying the experience. While music is undoubtedly a joyful pursuit, the reality is that consistent practice is crucial for making progress. Fun can certainly be a part of the process, but without dedication to regular practice, it’s challenging to develop the skills necessary to advance. Finding a balance between enjoyment and commitment is key; incorporating playful elements into practice can make the learning process enjoyable while still fostering improvement. Embracing both aspects allows musicians to experience the joy of music while progressing on their journey.

At Mad About Music, we recognise that having fun in the process of making music is what draws us to music in the first place. After all, music is meant to be therapeutic, right? However, far too often students have turned their backs along the way when they found the journey to be more challenging and mundane than expected with regards to sacrificing countless hours of practice with their respective instruments. Unfortunately, they never persevered long enough to find the process of making music easy and rewarding. That doesn’t mean that music is actually a boring subject. Akin to learning to swim, all of us will have to go through a natural process of struggle (depending on one’s learning ability) in order to stay afloat comfortably for weeks or if not months, let alone learning the different strokes in swimming before being able to swim effortlessly and enjoying their time being underwater many years or even decades later. A great reminder is in knowing that “nothing worth having ever comes easy”. As someone who has “been there and done that”, we promise that a silver lining of musical fun awaits those who never give up even when the world tells them to. 

Conclusion

Debunking these myths can open the door for more individuals to explore their musical interests. If you’re in Singapore and looking for a supportive environment to begin your musical journey, consider Mad About Music for one-to-one tailored music lessons which encompasses fun while building your musical techniques and knowledge. With a range of lessons suitable for all ages and skill levels, you can ignite your musical passion and take your musical skills to new heights. Visit Mad About Music to learn more about what we do and start your musical adventure today!