The violin and viola present two outlets of musical expression often seen as similar, but I find that each instrument has its own unique quality and beauty. Starting my musical journey on violin, I felt like I joined a wrestling match against violists as my violinist peers threw around a plethora of viola jokes and
As a private guitar teacher who specializes in working with beginner students, I can’t tell you how often this question comes up: “How do I change my guitar strings without messing anything up?” The good news is that learning how to restring a guitar isn’t as complicated as it might seem—and once you’ve done it
Learning to play the violin has its highs and lows, but sometimes, the journey has its plateaus. At this point, students find that their progress is not improving but at the same time, their skills are not getting worse. I have experienced this issue numerous times in the middle of learning a new piece and
The simple answer to knowing whether or not a violin student needs to learn music theory is yes. Still, this answer involves knowing why, when, and how. Playing violin is more than just holding the instrument correctly and producing a beautiful sound. All the elements for the learning process can seem overwhelming, especially when music
In our experience teaching beginner guitar students, one musical skill rises above the rest when it comes to long-term success: rhythm. Technique, tone, and chord knowledge all matter—but if a student can’t keep a steady beat, even a well-played melody can fall flat. This guide walks you through the importance of rhythm for guitar in
Curious about how long to learn guitar? We hear this all the time from students and parents. As a group of private music teachers working with beginners every day, we’ve seen real progress shaped by time, dedication, and effective guidance. Typical Learning Timeline Here’s a helpful breakdown of what to expect: 3–6 months (100–500 practice
If your child is ready to start drumming, congratulations! You’re about to make their musical world louder and more exciting. But before the first lesson, you’ll need a drum set that fits your budget and their needs. In this first drum set guide, we’ll help you decide between buying new or used and share tips
As teachers who work with beginners every day, we get this question a lot: Are guitar lessons worth the money? It’s a fair thing to ask—especially when there are thousands of free YouTube tutorials and apps out there. So, let’s explore what you’re actually paying for when you invest in lessons (spoiler alert: it’s more
Unlocking the Power of Your Voice: Voice Lessons for Every Singer Many people consider the human voice to be more of a natural gift and less of an instrument. It’s a common misconception that only those who’ve always been, and will always be, naturally talented singers are the ones taking voice lessons. But the truth
We get it. At first glance, the violin doesn’t exactly scream “fun.” No flashy buttons. No power chords. No digital effects. Just a wooden box, a stick with some horsehair, and four strings that somehow screech like a goose if you’re not careful. So… why do kids fall in love with it? Why do so
