Weird & Wonderful Facts About The Music Industry

It’s possible that you’re reading this while listening to songs on your phone or iPod. Music is a part of everyday life so much so that we may not fully notices its presence.

But do you know everything there is to know about the music industry? Discover some amazing facts* below.

1. No member of the Beatles could read or write music.
2. Your heartbeat will mimic the beat of the music that you are listening to at the time.
3. Depending on the version of a song that is heard first (either the original or cover), that will be the preferred version.
4. In 2007, a study found that plants grow faster with the help of classical music.
5. Have you ever had a song that’s stuck in your head, repeating over and over? That’s called an earworm.
6. The Real Slim Shady by Eminem was written 3 hours before the final album cut was due to the record company.
7. A study in 2015 found that babies will remain calm for twice as long when they are listening to a song than when listening to people talk.
8. 1 in 10,000 people have perfect pitch, meaning they have the ability to recognise a pitch without reference.
9. The Japanese national anthem, at four lines long, is the shortest national anthem.
10. The longest national anthem is the Greek national anthem at 158 verses long.
11. The inventor of Stratocaster and Telecaster, Leo Fender, could not play guitar.
12. The harmonica is the world’s best-selling musical instrument.
13. Termites eat wood at a faster pace when listening to heavy metal music.
14. Monaco’s orchestra is larger than its army.

Which of these surprised you? Tell us in the comments!

*Source

Learn to play a musical instrument as an adult!

Was your New Year's resolution about trying new things? Did you think playing an instrument was out of your age bracket? Well you can rejoice because it is never too late to dream a new dream! Here are 5 reasons why learning to play a musical instrument as an adult is the way towards a happier life:

Stress relief 

We often welcome the New Year with a positive attitude and we are smacked in the face by the reality of everyday life. Work stress, as well as general life stress, can often be paralysing and it makes us think there is no way out. However, learning something new is scientifically linked to stress relief as well as music, so give yourself a present this year and learn to play! 

Love bond 

Relationships are hard! And managing a work-life balance as well as a relationship is often the hardest part. Many experts agree that the way towards a happy and meaningful relationship is to share passions and new beginnings; music could be the way forward. With Valentine's day approaching why not get you and your partner a gift that keeps on giving? Learn how to play an instrument, let go of  your day's stressful thoughts and concentrate on learning together!

Active Mind

Sudoku is not the only way to keep your mind active and sharp. Music has been directly linked to concentration, mind sharpness and memory abilities making it an incredibly useful (and fun!) tool to keep your brain young. People often think that they cannot learn how to play an instrument as adults and give up before even trying! However many are missing the point, as learning as an adult is exactly what makes you young again.

Discipline  

As an adult, it is arguably easier to learn an instrument because you have more discipline and focus than many kids would have. This means that learning will be much faster because of the determination you would put into it and the experience of succeeding in other fields (characteristics a child doesn't always have). 

Passion

Nobody is making you do it! This means that you genuinely want to learn to play music and the only thing stopping you is fear; however, there is nothing to be scared about. Passion means that an adult would be potentially more determined than a child and would get a lot of benefits from learning and playing!

Still think it's too late to learn? Happy New Year and happy learning!

Sing Lessons vs Vocal Lessons FAQs

We're covering some FAQs regarding singing lessons and vocal lessons below.

What is the difference between singing and vocal lessons?

It is mainly semantics. Those who are just starting out in singing will ask for singing lessons, but those who teach singing will often call themselves voice teachers as they will teach you how to master the use of your 'instrument', which is your voice.

If I've taken time off singing, could I get anywhere if I start up again?

Sometimes, because of like choices, adults with an abundance of talent and music training might stop for a while. This could easily be due to a number reasons - either personal or not having much luck in the industry. However, because the foundation is there, it is easy to pick it up again and get a good sound together. It may also prove to be a benefit as it could mean that a performance is more emotional due to all of that life experience.

Should I take lessons if I only want to sing as a hobby?

This is entirely dependent on your personal preference but if lessons make you sound better and singing makes you feel good as well as making those that enjoy hearing you sing happy, put it in your life.

How can I tell if my child needs voice lessons?

Many children and teenagers will start to sing naturally because they have an impulse. A great place to develop a young singing voice is in a choir. They will learn fundamental musicianship, harmony, counting, and staying tune.

However, if there aren't any choir opportunities nearby, you may want to get them into voice lessons that are gentle and fun, using a combination of pure singing and easy pop singing. They will develop good habits but stay interested!

Progress Academy offer both singing and vocal lessons!