Learn to play an instrument

Natural Health, June, 2007 by Valerie Reiss

If you're interested in learning to play an instrument, visit your local music equipment store--the staff usually knows the best instructors and what kind of gear you'll need. Other helpful online resources include:

* Music Teachers National Association (www.mtna.org): Search for instructors in your area, voice teachers (your voice is an instrument too).

* WorkshopLive (www.workshoplive.com): Learn guitar, bass, and keyboard with this site's video instruction. Lessons cost $3 each.

* Digital Music Notebook (www.digitalmusicnotebook.com): Download lesson books and sheet music ($4 per song on average) from artists like Elton John and the Velvet Underground.

* I Used to Play Piano book and CD ($25; www.amazon.com): Brush up on your ivory-tickling skills--even if you haven't studied piano since you were a child (and never got past doing scales).

* Drumlessons.net: Practice counting time and adding variations to drum beats with these free tutorials for beginners.

* Berklee Shares (www.berkleeshares.com): Get free online instructional movies and PDFs from Berklee College of Music faculty and alumni for a number of instruments, including keyboards, brass, and turntables.