Staying at home can be tough, but it can also be an opportunity to learn a new skill, like playing an instrument.
There is no right or wrong way to handle a period of isolation, and there is absolutely no shame in doing very little.
It’s perfectly acceptable to live in your pyjamas at the moment, and basically do nothing but eat, sleep, and lounge around the house. When normality eventually returns, it will no longer be acceptable to live in this way, so we totally get that a lot of you will be grabbing this opportunity with both hands.
We also understand that this coping strategy is not for everyone, and there will be some of you who need more stimulation. The good news is that you’ve got plenty of options when it comes to beating boredom, with absolutely loads of entertainment on offer at the moment. This is a golden age for streaming and gaming, but if you’re still searching for something, you could always learn a new skill.
Sites like Udemy provide literally thousands of online video courses on everything from ethical hacking to finding love, with new additions published every month. All of these courses offer expert instruction, with lifetime access to a bunch of on-demand videos and downloadable resources. It’s a goldmine for growth and development.
WATCH: We made a social distancing slow jam with puppets
What is the best online course on Udemy?
With so many courses on offer, it can be difficult to know which direction to take. It’s a very personal decision, and we’re not going to make it for you. We will make a suggestion though, and it involves that musical instrument that has been gathering dust in the corner of your room for years. Yes, the one that shames you every time you walk past.
Learning to play an instrument has probably seemed like a good idea for a long time, but for whatever reason, you’ve never got around to giving it a go. Well this could be your chance, because time is not a problem anymore. There are no more excuses.
There are lots of musical courses on Udemy, covering instruments, production, vocals, software, and much more. We have worked through this lengthy list to highlight the very best courses to help keep you busy in the coming weeks and months.
These are the best online courses for learning how to play an instrument (prices subject to change).
Piano and Keyboard
This course promises to take complete beginners to an intermediate level in a very short space of time.You’ll learn the basic essential techniques that will allow you to play any song in any style, by ear. You’ll also learn to read sheet music as you progress.
This course works equally well on a piano and keyboard, and only requires you to practice for 20 minutes a day to make rapid progress.
Harmonica
Diatonic harmonica lessons for lovers of the blues, country music, and rock.It teaches you how to play the 12 bar blues, chords, rhythms, tone, and chugging, plus how to breathe properly, use straight and swing rhythms, and how to play single notes with pucker and tongue-blocked embouchures. Some of those words might not make sense right now, but they will.
This interactive course also promises to teach you all about scales, modes, and positions, and how to use major and minor pentatonic scales for improvising and soloing.
Guitar
Develop your own unique voice on the guitar with this popular online course.This popular course develops your own unique voice on the guitar, and helps you to play any chord anywhere on the neck, understand the function of chords in progressions, and immediately know what scales to play.
It also teaches you to understand and apply music theory, analyse and interpret chord movement, and visualise the whole neck in a specific key. It’s a comprehensive course that covers just about everything.
Violin
Aims to provide an in depth understanding of how to play the violin from scratch.This online course offers an in-depth understanding on how to play the violin from scratch, and teaches you how to hold the bow, how to hold the violin, and how to use your shoulder properly.
The idea behind this online course is that once you’ve gained an understanding of bowing techniques, tuning the violin, and scale techniques, you should be able to study and continue developing after completing the course.
Flute
Learning to play the flute is rewarding, but getting started can be a challenge.This course helps beginners out by covering everything from opening your case for the first time and progresses all the way to playing your first melodies. You will eventually be able to master techniques necessary to become a great flutist through learning all about music theory and musicianship skills.
All the essential things are covered, including assembling and caring for your flute, reading and interpreting music notation, perform multiple scales, and recognise and play nearly every note on the flute.
Trumpet
This course covers a year’s worth of private lessons for a fraction of the cost.This course is great for students looking to catch up, students looking to get ahead, adult learners, absolute beginners, and music students who can’t access a private teacher. It has value for everyone, no matter your level.
The reviewers have commented that the course is a little basic, so you are better off looking elsewhere if you’re an advanced trumpeter.
DJ
Learn how to become a DJ with this online masterclass.Unlike a lot of the other courses in this list, the list of starting requirements is quite long. You should own or have access to Pioneer DJ Equipment, XDJ-RX, CDJ1000/DJM800, or something better. Ableton Live, Rekordbox, and Mixed In Key are also recommended, but not necessary.
With 11 hours of high-quality content on offer, you should have enough resources to achieve your goals.
You don’t need to have any special skills, and all that’s required of you is 20 minutes of daily practise and daily vocal warm ups. It aims to free your voice, remove excess vocal weight, eliminate strain, and get rid of hoarseness, soreness, and vocal fatigure.
Everyone wants to be a singer, but not everyone makes it work. If you don’t like the course, you can always rely on the money-back guarantee.