RESOLVE TO PLAY AN INSTRUMENT THIS YEAR

by Paul Birkhead  Rowan Public Library
     
    Did you make a resolution for the new year?  If so, surveys indicate it was probably to lose weight, pay off debt, or spend more time with family.  These are all worthy goals, but there is another you should consider.  Resolve to play an instrument in 2017.  If you choose to do this, Rowan Public Library has materials you need to get started.

    If you’ve never learned how to read sheet music or need a refresher, Learn to Read Music by Howard Shanet would be a great choice.  Shanet’s book, which has been out for many years, is often praised for its succinct writing style and easy instruction methods.  Of course, you could always start playing music by ear, but learning music composition and theory will give you a stronger foundation on which to build.

    If piano is the instrument you want to learn, the library has many books and DVDs that can certainly help.  Teach Yourself Visually Piano gives an excellent introduction to the subject.  This volume of the popular Teach Yourself Visually series is authored by Mary Sue Taylor, who has taught music for decades.  The book has helpful information and colorful graphics to get you playing in no time.  Two other good books on the subject are Play Piano in a Flash and Piano: An Easy Guide.  If instruction by sight is more your style, be sure to check out the DVD of Creative Keyboard’s Anyone Can Play Piano.
 
    Another popular instrument that the library can help you learn about is the guitar.  The Complete Guitar Course: Learn to Play in 20 Easy-To-Follow-Lessons is a book that gets checked out quite a bit.  The author, Tom Fleming, is a professional guitar player and has taught people to play for over a decade.  In the first few lessons of The Complete Guitar Course, you’ll learn the components of acoustic and electric guitars and enough about chords to start feeling good about the sounds coming out of your instrument.  The book offers short lessons which are broken up by interesting vignettes on music history and popular guitar players.  Again, if you learn better by watching, there are several DVDs available at the library to assist you.  These include: Fingerpicking Guitar Techniques, The Hal Leonard Guitar Method, and Getting Started on Electric Guitar.

    There are also a few classes you can take online at home (“Music Made Easy” and “Introduction to Guitar”) from Gale Courses, courtesy of Rowan Public Library.  To access your FREE subscription to Gale Courses, a premium online learning program, all you need is your library card number and PIN.  To get started, visit www.rowanpubliclibrary.org and click on the Gale Courses link.  Each course lasts six weeks and includes twelve lessons total.  Upcoming start dates are February 15 and March 15.

    Happy New Year to everyone.  Don’t forget Rowan Public Library has materials to help if you’ve resolved to learn a musical instrument in 2017.