Learning to play an instrument is an exciting journey that requires dedication, time and motivation. If you've ever embarked on this musical journey, chances are you've experienced these stages.

1. Trying to decide what instrument you want to play.

Even before you can start making music, you have to choose an instrument. The options are endless. Percussion? Strings? Brass? Woodwind? (What's the difference?)

2. Wanting to be really good.

So you've only played one day, but you're already dreaming of becoming a virtuoso. Your uncontainable inspiration seems like it'll last forever.

3. Realizing that you don't want to put in the effort.

You have an end goal in mind, but the time and effort you must invest makes you reconsider. You know you can't improve if you don't practice, but you also just don't want to practice.

4. Feeling like you can really "connect" with fellow musicians.

You're still a newbie in the musical world, but you already feel like you've joined a new community. Suddenly, you find yourself attracted to all the musicians around you in hopes that their talent will rub off on you. And eventually, you will form friendships and meet mentors in this community.

5. Coming to the conclusion that, yes, practice does make perfect.

In fact, it is true. No matter how much you wish you could gain five years of skill overnight, the probability of that happening is impossibly slim. You slowly learn to embrace and appreciate the many, many hours you spend practicing.

6. Patiently waiting for your big break.

Now that you've dedicated a decent amount of time to your instrument, you can't help but wonder, when's your chance to shine? You still don't want to give up on the idea that you can achieve greatness.

7. Thinking you're better than you actually are.

Ah, yes. This can manifest itself in several ways. For example, you could be an average pianist and decide that your skill set is somehow ready to take on a Rachaminov prelude. (Spoiler alert: it's not).

9. Frustration. Frustration. Frustration.

Attempting a difficult piece? 11 times out of 10, you'll fail — at first. You'll grow frustrated. The notes will start jumping off your sheet music. Your motivation plummets below zero. You doubt yourself, and your discipline wavers.

10. Somewhere along the way, you step into the world of public performances.

You grow as a musician when you put yourself out there. Sharing your music becomes something you look forward to. You may not initially notice your improvement, but as you start looking back on your musical career, it becomes clear.

11. At the end of the day, whether you're an amateur or professional, you wouldn't trade your instrument for anything in the world.

Music has gone from being a foreign language to your medium of expression. Through it, the unspoken is spoken, and you couldn't be happier that you pursued a passion and decided to play an instrument.