“I think one of the things which always is forgotten in music class,
Is the first thing you have to do as a musician,
is you have to learn how to listen.”

— Hans Zimmer

Music helps us express ourselves emotionally and creatively! Budding musicians must learn to practice by themselves but will also benefit from group and private lessons. We realize both types of lessons have numerous advantages and hope this article will help you see the benefits of both!

Private Lessons

Highlights

Private lessons are suitable for anyone interested in personalized feedback. Private lessons mean unique and individualized attention. For example, you can ask questions or repeat musical phrases that are giving you trouble without interrupting the flow of a group class.

Challenges

Taking a private lesson is just that — private. You won’t be surrounded by other budding musicians looking to make connections with other students and reflect with others while learning. Group settings offer the unique option to study how your peers tackle challenging sheet music or instrument-related problems.

Group Lessons

Highlights

Working with an ensemble makes you invested in others’ growth and your own. You will learn that each student makes errors, and group lessons will teach you valuable skills to work constructively with others. You will learn how to stay in rhythm with everyone and perfect your part of a song to improve the sound of the entire group.

Ensemble-style practices have perks of their own. Groups are a lot of fun and offer opportunities for exciting collaborations. And in the end, you will eventually be playing with other musicians, so a group class prepares you for that inevitability!

Challenges

Private lessons offer endless opportunities for individualized feedback, but group lessons do not have the same flexibility. Group lessons remain focused on the needs and progress of the group. You will not have the opportunity to stop an entire lesson to repeat a difficult phrase several times. You will have to make a note to practice that item on your own after class.

Instruction is beneficial no matter whether you take private or group classes. Private lessons are excellent for students who want tailored instruction and one-on-one time with their teachers.

Group lessons, by comparison, are excellent for those looking for collaborative, ensemble-style practices and performances. These students will learn a lot from their teachers and fellow musicians, some of whom may already be active in the music scene and be able to provide invaluable advice. As a musician, you will eventually always play with other musicians, so we highly recommend you sign up for this type of lesson!

If you’re ready to sign up for a private or group music lesson, there’s only one thing left to do - call Leading Note Studios today for more information on both our Private & Group Classes.

We can’t wait to start you on your musical journey.

“Ideally, the point of music is the community, not the player.
Musicians are simply channels to link the audience to the music and to each other.”

— Trey Anastasio

Music encourages creative thinking, discipline, leadership, and problem-solving. It is also a medium for individual and group awareness to profoundly communicate and move individuals to raise themselves to a higher level of empathy and social understanding.
When this awareness happens, it helps to shape how we collectively respond to the world. — Hans Christian Andersen once said, “Where words fail, music speaks.”

Private Lessons vs. Group Lessons

It is one thing to receive personal enjoyment from one-on-one instruction, but our group classes, camps, and workshops have recently become an enormous hit! Why is that?

There is excitement when playing with other musicians. Learning from a teacher is wonderful, but jamming with others is an equally incredible experience - although in a different way.

What is a Music Community?

A music community is a group of people involved in any given type of music. Typically communities have an informal, supportive structure and meet within a location to share their passion for music.

Here at Leading Notes Studios, our music community is a fundamental part of our experience of music. Our communities unite people and form bonds, and connect different instruments, as well as cultures. Our community connection promotes a variety of expression and growth, not only personally but collectively.

We have so many ways that our students can come together and play, from Orchestra, Guitar Jam, Ukulele Night, Parent's Night Out, Musical Theatre Workshops, Choirs & Rock Bands, and Recitals.

We also offer community music jams at local restaurants as a way for our young musicians to play in an environment that has low stress and is fun!!

Group workshops and playing together is an approach to music-making that stresses active collaboration between individuals who play, create, improvise and perform music. Community music enables people to enjoy and learn by making music with each other, and it enriches their lives.”

And in the end, it's just super FUN!!

New research suggests that playing music or singing together may be particularly potent in bringing about social closeness through the release of endorphins. ... Coupled with the effects on endorphins, music seems to make us feel good and connect with others, perhaps particularly when we make music ourselves.

Why is music important to a community?

There is a tremendous amount of evidence of how music adds vibrancy to our lives, helps engage the brain, strengthens our sense of belonging and connecting with others, and also boosts the emotional health of both younger and older students.

Music also has the potential to change a mood, shift an atmosphere, and encourage a different behavior. ... So in short, music has the power to culturally, morally, and emotionally influence our society. Group classes amplify the importance of our connecting to other musicians, creating life long bonds, excitement and social awareness.

So, sign up for a group class or workshop with us! You will love it.