Is ukulele easier than piano?

Is it just a bunch of notes in my head?”

This question, especially among the keyboardists of our day, is hard to answer. It’s like asking the average American how well their car handles: There isn’t much difference between the car you drive and the one you ride in. It’s about how much of the car can it understand, compared to a car that can get around itself. Of course, there are no perfect instruments – only imperfect ones – and it’s unlikely that everyone is as good as he or she would be if all of us could learn the same instruments.

If you find that you can’t keep this up, I’d encourage you to give yourself some space – but don’t be discouraged. That is a choice that each of us has to make – one I think we all make.

If you haven’t, start by finding a band. If you think you have the chops, I’d recommend attending a karaoke night in your town or even driving up to a friend’s place and getting together, practicing, playing a song with them, and then talking about what you did and how it went.

And if you already have a band, I’d recommend learning some simple songs. If you can sit there as a guitar player with a great voice and do it well, there’s no reason why you can’t play some songs while your friend has her band up.

Get in shape.

The more time you spend doing just that and keeping your body in shape, the easier it will be to learn anything.

Whether you’re an intermediate guitar player, or an aspiring intermediate guitar player, don’t stop just because you think you don’t need a band. Start off by watching some YouTube videos: It’ll help you stay focused. I promise.

You’re also better off if you can maintain discipline if you decide you want to start a band. When you start, you still may need to work on some aspects of the repertoire, but there’s no reason you need to do it every time you play an instrument.

Don’t worry about practicing guitar for months and getting nowhere – don’t let that happen. Instead, use that time wisely. There is a lesson in each of us, and we have a lot to learn.

(Editor’s note: This article originally appeared in the spring edition of the Journal of Criminal Justice. It is reprinted with permission.)

An Ohio State graduate is facing felony and misdemeanor charges after he allegedly