Short takes: instrument instruction

摘要

Music lessons are a mainstay of many a child's experience, but self-instruction for musicians of all ages is a popular option for reasons ranging from the budgetary to the pragmatic to the preferential. Presentation styles of the plethora of instrument self-instruction series vary widely, though all will include how to hold or sit at the instrument properly, playing technique, and exercises and pieces to play. Some go further, delving into instrument selection and care, reading music, music theory, playing with others, and important instrumentalists.rnAlmost all are designed to appeal to the widest, most general possible audience, and they tend to favor the most popular instruments-piano or keyboard, guitar, and violin or fiddle, with bass guitar, percussion, and other string instruments lagging somewhat behind. These days, every self-instruction book will include a CD, a DVD, or both and/ or (less common but catching up fast) online supplementary resources.