CREATE AN ATMOSPHERE THAT WORKS FOR YOU:

Creating a practice atmosphere that works for you is one of the most important steps to take when creating a more productive practice environment at home. This consists of removing barriers, getting rid of distractions and being in the right frame of mind to practice. Let’s admit it, being at your own home can lead to a variety of distractions that can take away from playing and practicing music. To combat this, possibly try practicing in an area that you know will offer the least amount of distractions (ie. electronics, conversations, etc.). In addition, being in the right frame of mind to practice is key to creating a practice environment that works for you. For example, you will want to try to rid your thoughts of all stress and worries from the outside world, at least for a little bit. While this can be very difficult, it will most certainly lead to more productive practice sessions.

SETTING GOALS:

Setting goals is also a great way to make your practice at home more productive. It will allow you to envision what you want to accomplish and to have a set idea of where you want your skills to reach. This is also a great tip for beginners because the amount of things to practice can seem overwhelming at first. If you set goals for yourself, it will allow you to tackle one topic at a time. Although these are just a couple of tips for having a more productive practice at home, they will help you greatly in becoming more of the musician that you want to be.

Music is one of those things that can bring joy to our lives. We might not be able to see it or touch it, but the benefits are still there. In fact, many studies have shown that music lessons increase test scores in math and reading! Studies show that children who take music lessons for at least two years score higher on standardized tests than kids who don’t take any music course. The study found an 8% improvement in math and a 7% improvement in reading among students with two years of experience playing an instrument.

Research has shown a link between a child’s musical ability and their academic success as well as how much effort they put into schoolwork. The correlation is so strong that schools have begun to offer music lessons for students who might not otherwise be able to afford them.

Music education can open up new opportunities for both the student and the parents by providing an avenue of enrichment outside of academics – which can often become repetitive for young people – while also allowing the parent to get involved with their child’s education in ways other than just reading books together at home!

We offer music lessons with a free trial lesson so you can try us out risk-free! If after your first lesson, you decide we aren’t right for you there’s no obligation beyond that point.

If you are ready to enrich your child’s life with music lessons give us a call 602-751-3537 or click HERE to get a free trial lesson! 

HAVE EASY ACCESS TO YOUR GEAR:

In the experience of an abundance of musicians, the decline in motivation to practice comes with the impending routine of setting up your gear. Oftentimes, people who play instruments dread the untangling of chords, plugging in of amps and pedalboards and getting out and tuning your instruments. They may also not want to take the time to find the tone they want. These might seem like the smallest of tasks, but it is something that keeps a lot of musicians from taking real time to practice and get better. It is crucial that musicians become disciplined when it comes to practicing on their own time. One way to combat this lack of motivation is to keep your gear set up whenever and however you can. This way, you have easy access to your musical gear and a practicing space. Also, if you are not able to keep your gear out and set up, make sure to store it in a place where it can be easily accessed and taken out. In turn, this will help you in the process of getting started or making even more progress.

ESTABLISHING ROUTINES:

Being able to establish routines in your practice of a musical instrument is also a great way to start removing barriers. For example, setting up an at-home practice schedule and practicing at the same times every day will add to your motivation to practice. This might be different for some people, especially when deciding whether you practice better in the morning, afternoon or night. Lastly, having a routine of what you need to do when going in for in-person lessons will give you the ability to set up and start playing and learning right away. Adding the ease of accessibility to your gear and instruments when it comes to practicing, and setting up routines are just two ways to start removing the barriers that come when learning an instrument. By doing these things, you are a couple of steps closer to becoming the musician you want to be.

While there are many paths to music stardom, most involve some combo of practice, music lessons, and a supportive and caring music teacher to guide your learning. In fact, a good music teacher is absolutely critical and can make all the difference! But, just like no two instruments are alike, neither are music teachers. To get the most out of your music lessons, you’ll want to find the best music instructor possible! 

However, with so many different music studios in Scottsdale to choose from, it can be overwhelming to know where to start your search or what criteria to use to find the right music teacher for you. 

To help make the process a little easier, we’ve put together a list of things to look for when choosing a music teacher. Follow our tips below to start your search today!

1. Ask Around

There’s no better way to find a quality music instructor than by getting a direct referral from another music student. Use your network of friends, relatives, and social media followers to ask for recommendations. Chances are you’re bound to know someone who’s enrolled in music lessons somewhere in Scottsdale or Phoenix who can refer you to an awesome music instructor to help you with your musical aspirations.

2. Do Your Research

Apart from asking for recommendations, you’ll want to be sure you do your research and review potential music teachers and music studios. First things first, you need to know if they offer music lessons for the instrument you play. Most music academies offer a variety of music lessons with guitar lessons, voice lessons, drum lessons and piano lessons being the most popular options.

It’s also a good idea to find out if they let you learn on songs of your choice or if they have a mandatory song list to practice on. For some people, this might not matter much, but for others, it’s more enjoyable to learn to play an instrument with songs they actually like! 

Last, but not least, you’ll need to know if your schedule and availability match up with any potential music instructor’s schedule. Luckily, most of these things can be answered by visiting a music school’s website or by calling them to find out more info.

3. Look For Experience

Another factor to consider when choosing the right music teacher is their prior experience and credentials. Before settling on a music instructor, find out how long they’ve been playing, how they learned, and if they are playing professionally today.  To learn the most about your instrument that you can and gain as many skills as possible, you’ll want to learn from a music teacher who’s been in the business for a while and has the necessary skills and knowledge to impart to you.

4. Test It Out

To really determine if a prospective music teacher is a right fit for you and your learning needs, it’s beneficial to take advantage of any introductory, free music lessons a music studio might offer. This is perhaps the best way to discover a music instructor’s teaching style, personality, and overall vibe. Only by testing out a music lesson can you be sure you’ve found your ideal musical match.

So what are you waiting for? Stop by Scottsdale Music Academy today to meet our amazing team of passionate and professional music teachers, or sign up for a free music lesson today to experience it in person!