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.

ACCESSIBILITY OF THE UKULELE:

One of many reasons that the ukulele is a great choice for beginner musicians is that it is so accessible in terms of size and ease of play. Being smaller than most instruments, the ukelele can easily be transported and held while playing. While guitars can sometimes be difficult for children or even adults to hold, ukuleles can be held and played by almost anyone. This also= translates over to learning chords because the chords on a ukulele tend to be easy to play with some practice. Lastly, ukuleles tend to be a bit less expensive when compared to other instruments like the acoustic or electric guitar.

GATEWAY TO OTHER INSTRUMENTS:

In addition to the accessibility of the ukulele, this instrument can also act as a gateway to other larger stringed instruments. There are a few reasons for this. First, the strings on a ukulele are easier to press down than that of a guitar, so this will allow for beginner musicians to get a sense of what is to come when advancing through instruments. Also, a variety of songs can be easily adapted to the ukulele, which can help musicians to get a feel for what it’s like to learn songs. Overall, the ukulele can be a perfect choice for musicians of all kinds. Not sure if the guitar is for you, but still want to learn a stringed instrument? Sign up for a trial ukulele lesson!

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! 

Luckily, the teachers at Scottsdale Music Academy are all professional musicians who not only teach music but also play music for a living. Here are their top tips for booking music gigs.

Tips for Booking Music Gigs

1. Think Locally

While it’s every musician’s dream to go on a nationwide major city tour, that’s not always realistic when first starting out. That’s why we encourage our music students to think locally. Instead of looking for gigs across the US, concentrate on local venues in Phoenix, Scottsdale or Paradise Valley where you could possibly play. And don’t just focus your efforts on concert venues or clubs…think coffee shops, restaurants, museums or private parties, anywhere you could gain some experience and add to your resume.

2.  Use Your Connections

Along the same lines of “thinking locally,” it’s also a good idea to use your connections to find opportunities for music gigs. Chances are you know someone who knows someone who’s looking for a musician! Ask around and take advantage of your network. The more personal connections you can foster with promoters, booking agents or local venues, the better your chances will be at landing the gig.

3. Come With a Plan

When you’re reaching out to possible local venues, it’s wise to come with a plan. By that, we mean be ready to show them what you can offer. If you’re contacting venues via email, simply send along a link to your website or Soundcloud profile or links to any videos you might have. But your best bet is to visit the venue in person and play a little something for the owner or promoter. As an extra incentive, bring along a few ideas on how you’d personally help promote the concert or event. This will demonstrate how serious and interested you are about playing there.

4. Make Sure Your Music is a Match

Spare yourself future disappointment by doing your research and choosing your venues wisely. For instance, don’t waste your time contacting a venue that specializes in jazz music when your particular style of music is more rock or acoustic. Only reach out to venues where you know your style of music is wanted or make a habit of asking that question upfront. There are plenty of venues in Phoenix and Scottsdale that cater to a variety of music genres, including yours…you just have to look!

Our last tip related to booking gigs is to always be professional. It should be a no brainer, but sending thank you emails, interacting with the crowd after a performance, and showing up on time all go a long way to help ensure a good reputation and guarantee you’re re-booked in the future.

If you’re not quite ready to book your own gig or need some extra help preparing for it, consider signing up for band coaching. We’ll teach you everything you need to know to guarantee your first live performance goes off without a hitch. From stage presence to setup and audience engagement, you’ll learn it all! Contact Scottsdale Music Academy today to get started!

Let’s face it: routines can get boring, especially when it comes to practicing your instrument. While practicing is absolutely vital to becoming a talented, badass musician, it can get dull after a while, particularly when you do the same thing over and over. But before you burn yourself out and ditch practicing altogether, why not try something new instead? Below are four fresh and unique ways to spice up your practice routine and help reignite your zest for music in the process.

1. Take It Outdoors

Mother Nature is a known remedy for a variety of issues, including boredom, so it makes sense that spending time outdoors is first on our list. After all, is there anything better than breathing in the fresh air and feeling the sun on your face? Add new life to your practice sessions by combining them with the splendor of mother nature. Practice in your backyard or find a nearby park in Scottsdale or Phoenix to play for a bit. Sometimes a change of scenery is all you need to break out of your rut!

2. Get Outside of Your Comfort Zone

If you’re feeling bored with your practice routine that means it’s time to change things up. A good way to do that is by getting outside of your comfort zone. For musicians, that usually means playing a more challenging song or playing music in a different genre than normal. Not only will this help you broaden your skills, it will also keep boredom at bay, which is a win-win in our books!

3.  Make It a Group Activity

As the saying goes, “the more, the merrier,” and that’s especially true when it comes to playing music. The next time you’re feeling lackluster about practicing your instrument, gather up a few of your closest musician friends and make it a jam session instead! You’ll have so much fun, it won’t even seem like you’re practicing!

4. Invest in Music Lessons

If you’re looking to spice up your practice routine and develop your skills, music lessons are the way to go. With one-on-one music lessons tailored to your personal interests and needs, you’ll learn all you need to know to become the rockstar musician of your dreams! With music lessons by Scottsdale Music Academy, you’ll get to play the songs you want and you’ll learn something new and different at every lesson. Instead of dreading practice, you’ll be excited and eager to learn the next new thing!

No matter how you choose to spice up your practice routine, the important thing is to stick with it. Any longtime musician will tell you that there will be days when you’re not as into as others, but don’t let that deter you. Look for ways to spice up your practice routine or simply take a little break to recharge…then get back to it with full force!
For help with any and everything related to voice, drums, bass, keyboard or guitar, contact Scottsdale Music Academy today! Or sign up for a free music lesson!

Why Too Much Screen Time is Bad

On the surface, binging your favorite Netflix show or following the latest Scottsdale restaurant on Facebook isn’t bad for you, but it can be harmful when you’re devoting a majority of your time to it. Excessive screen time not only monopolizes your time, it also decreases your level of physical and mental activity, and has been linked to hyperactivity and behavior problems in children.

The Fun Way to Reduce Screen Time

But fear not, there’s a remedy! It’s fun, it’s popular, and it involves an instrument. That’s right, we’re talking about music lessons! Believe it or not, music lessons are a great activity that can naturally help to reduce screen time. Here’s how:

Banishes Boredom

Often times, people turn to digital media simply out of boredom. Rather than spending your time glued to a screen all day, you could be doing something more useful, such as learning how to play a new instrument. Learning to play an instrument is a terrific hobby that’s been shown to stimulate the brain and foster creativity, making it the perfect substitute for your entertainment needs. In particular, music makes for a great alternative to video games and apps because it utilizes the body in some way or another and engages the mind, so much so that you won’t be the slightest bit bored.

Promotes Socialization

One of the downsides of most tech gadgets is their tendency to isolate users because of the solitary nature of the device. On the flip side, music lessons bring people together and provide plenty of opportunities to be social and engage with the real world. Whether you’re taking private music lessons or enrolled in band coaching, you’ll be paired with a music instructor who’ll guide you through the entire process. Plus, you’ll get the chance to meet other music-hungry students just like yourself! All in all, you’ll be interacting with more people, thus your screen time will likely go down as a result.

Keeps You Busy

It’s no secret that learning to play an instrument takes time and effort. Between practicing, preparing for gigs, and reading up on techniques, your free time will be limited. With less free time, you won’t be a likely to spend so much of it in front of a screen. But the plus side is you’ll be having an insane amount of fun and learning new things along the way! With so much going on, you won’t even miss your devices!

Like all good things in life, technology should be used in moderation and indulged in from time to time, not all day, every day. Whether the technology junkies are kids or adults, it’s important to be mindful of screen time and actively take steps to manage it. Music lessons can be just the activity you need to help reduce your screen time and disconnect from devices,  so you can finally tap into your musical side instead.

Give it a try by scheduling a free music lesson with Scottsdale Music Academy today!