Whether learning a musical instrument is due to pursuing a career or for personal fulfillment and recreation, one to one tuition will greatly benefit a new music student.

Working with a private tutor can help a student keep up with peers in a group setting. Each child learns at a different pause and because of the different aspects of performing an instrument, children will progress at varied paces, which is why one to one tuition can be the way forward.

Private lessons can also help minimise frustration when learning. Some may give up learning an instrument because of frustrations, however, with one to one tuition, the teacher will be patient and is there to guide the learner through every step of the way.

Children will learn more quickly the fundamentals of playing. Solid foundations are built for the child to continue learning, playing and succeeding. They will build confidence and, ultimately, won't give up.

They will also learn how to practise and perfect their new found skill - something which will be vital in later life. It is important they practise at home so they are progressing much quicker rather than coming back to private tuitions and possibly forgetting what they have learned if there are gaps between lessons.

Lastly, it's easier to stay motivated with private tuitions. Instructors are knowledgeable about different music literature and styles and can help the student discover what new music to learn and what goal to pursue next.

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!

Latest News from Progress Academy

A lot has been happening at Progress Academy - and we thought that now would be a good time to tell you all about it...

In January, Steve and Gaz attended the NAMM Show in Los Angeles - the largest music trade event in the world. This was swiftly followed by a hugely successful showcase event carried at at St. Paul's Church in Birmingham. This saw over 35 students performing in front of a crowd of well over 120 people.

In March, Steve toured all over the world demonstrating the new Marshall Code series of Amps.

Closer to home, one of our brightest students - Beth Ford - performed at The Symphony Hall in Birmingham... at the tender age of just 15!

In April, The Voice visited Progress Academy to check out students for the upcoming new series, while Universal and Polydor Records came for a secret scouting event where they talked to and watched 10 of our best students perform.

Finally, Gaz is part of the Natal Drums team organising the drumbeat UK event. This is a world record attempt of 1001 drummers playing together. You can find out more at drumbeatuk.org.

How Do I Choose Which Musical Instrument to Learn?

Learning to play a musical instrument will be one of the greatest things you could ever do for your mind, as well as for yourself. Regardless if you are a beginner, playing in a band, or are a skilled individual, the process is incredibly rewarding and a lot of fun!

If you're starting a clean slate and do not know what you want to play, it is good to know that anything is possible

Choosing a variety

The instrument that is a popular choice for beginners is the piano. This is mostly because it is really simple to see the music. It is also featured in many different cultures and styles of music, both piano and keyboard.

Piano variations you may be able to add to your skills include:

• Accordion
• Harpsichord
• Organ
• Synthesizer

Guitar can vary from classical to death metal, learning to play the guitar can open up many doors into different musical styles. The guitar is another popular choice amongst budding musicians and first-timers. Pinning down the basics of guitar can lead you onto other instruments to add to your six-string canon:

• Banjo
• Bass guitar
• Dulcimer
• Harp
• Mandolin

Mastering percussion is all about keeping the time of most music groups. In most bands, this will come in the form of a kit drum, whereas there are other combos which will feature widely in a variety of instrument that can be hit on with mallets, sticks or hands.

Other percussion instruments include:

• Bells and Cymbals
• Congas and Bongos
• Drum set
• Glockenspiel
• Timpani
• Vibraphone

Is Our Favourite Music Genre Linked to Our Personality?

Could our preferred genre of music really link to our personality?

A study conducted by Professor Adrian North of Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, UK, believes that our musical tastes and personality types do, in fact, link. Professor North carried out extensive research on the social and applied psychology of music, specifically the relationship between pop music culture and deviant behavior in young adults, music and consumer behavior and musical preference in everyday life.

The study was conducted over a course of three years where the Professor asked over 36,000 people in more than 60 countries to rate a wide range of musical styles in order of preference - there was also a questionnaire that measured certain aspects of personality.

The results showed:

• Blues fans: have high self-esteem, are outgoing, creative, gentle and mostly at ease
• Jazz fans: have high self-esteem, are creative, outgoing and at ease
• Classic music fans: have high self-esteem, are creative, introverted and at ease
• Rap fans: have high self-esteem and are outgoing
• Opera fans: have high self-esteem, are creative and gentle
• Country and western fans: hardworking and outgoing
• Reggae fans: have high self-esteem, are creative, outgoing, gentle and at ease, but not hardworking
• Dance fans: creative and outgoing, but not gentle
• Indie fans: have low self-esteem and are creative, but aren't hardworking or gentle
• Bollywood fans: creative and outgoing
• Chart pop fans: have high self-esteem, are hardworking, outgoing and gentle, but not at ease or creative
• Soul fans: have high self-esteem, are outgoing, creative, gentle and at ease

Professor North said that his objective was to study why music was such a significant part of people's identity.

He said, "People do actually define themselves through music and relate to other people through it but we haven't known in detail how music is connected to identity. We have always suspected a link between music taste and personality. This is the first time that we've been able to look at it in real detail. No one has ever done this on this scale before."

Sourced from: http://psychcentral.com/lib/preferred-music-style-is-tied-to-personality/

The Power of Music: Can Music Reduce Stress?

Music has a unique link to our emotions and can affect our moods. It is proven to be a successful stress management tool.

Listening to different genres of music which we enjoy can have a huge effect on our bodies and minds, for example slow, classical music has a relaxing effect on us, slowing the heart rate, lowering blood pressure and decreasing stress levels. Music has the ability to grab our attention, distract us and help us explore our emotions.

Everybody has a different musical preference so only you can decide which music you would prefer to suit each mood however, classical music is definitely worth a try when selecting calming music, especially before bed as it is peaceful and will help to induce sleep.

When people are stressed they tend to not listen to music as they feel this is even more aggravating and a waste of time, but when stress is reduced productivity is increased, so it is definitely worth a try.

Try to incorporate music into everyday life whether it is putting a CD on in the car or in the shower, or even listening to the radio whilst you take the dog for a walk. Singing can also be a great release of stress and tension, so give it a try!

Research on music

For hundreds of years, music has been used to treat illness and connect the body and the mind. Scientific studies have tried to measure the potential benefits of music, their results have shown:

·         Music can bring order to distressed or disabled children by encouraging their coordination and communication.

·         Listening to music on headphones reduces stress and anxiety in hospital patients.

·         Listening to music can help depression and self-esteem in elderly people.

·         Music reduces emotional distress and helps the quality of life among adult cancer patients.

Meditation

Certain music can be used for meditation to help the mind slow down and relax, however not all music is appropriate and the same music may not work for everyone and music with no structure may irritate some people.

The sound of nature is often used for relaxation for example the sound of water so people can build an image in their heads to reduce stressful thoughts.

Progress Academy offer many different music lessons for those who are wanting to learn to play a musical instrument!

Learning to play music can help your hearing

Did you know playing music can improve your ability to discern certain sounds?

Nina Kraus, a neuroscientist from Chicago has found still more positive effects on adults that received early musical training - in the realm of communicating and hearing. Kraus measured the activity in the auditory brainstems of 40+ adults, between the ages of 50 and 76 tested on their response to the speech syllable 'da'.

The subjects hadn't touched a musical instrument in roughly 40 years, however those that had trained for a long period of time (between four and fourteen years) responded faster than others.

Kraus says this is 'significant'. Our hearing does decline as we get older, and with it the ability to distinguish consonants - a crucial skill for the participation and understand of a conversation.

Nina Kraus says, "If your nervous system is not keeping up with the timing necessary for encoding consonants - did you say pill or fill, hat or that - eve if the vowel part is understood," you are likely to lose out the flow and meaning of the conversation at hand, possibly leading to an individual feeling socially isolated.

Her hypothesis is that musical training allows the individual to focus on accurate connections between a sound and a meaning. Learners are able to focus on the note in front of them and link it to the sound it represents, continuing to be able to recognise which sounds do and don't go together, on passages that are played when associated with a specific emotion. Furthermore, the students will be using their motor system to create the sounds through their fingers.

There are also other possible benefits to a person's listening skills and hearing skills when playing music, she says, "Musicians throughout their lives, and as they age, hear better in noisy environments. Difficulty in hearing words against a noisy background is a common complaint amongst people as they get older."

Learn to play a musical instrument the right way with Progress Music Academy!