Author: Maura Boehret

Has your child shown an interest in music? Are you searching for an activity that they may enjoy? If so, it may be time to look into signing them up for band at school. When your child plays in band, they can gain several benefits they can take advantage of as they grow. That said, here are five reasons your child ought to get involved in their school band.

1. Improved Concentration

It’s no secret that kids and teenagers often have a short attention span. However, when they begin to partake in music lessons, they can concentrate better. According to Gitnux, 90% of surveyed music students report better concentration skills than their peers. After all, playing an instrument requires focusing on music sheets, hitting the right note, and keeping up with your bandmates.

2. Boosted Creativity

When your child can express creativity through music, they may transfer that to other areas of their life. Expressing themselves creatively will give them the opportunity to think outside the box, see the world differently, and find better ways to solve problems. Even if your child doesn’t become a professional musician one day, the skills and creativity they get from music can help in college and other career fields.

3. New Skills

Playing an instrument is a skill. When you utilize a band instrument rental, your child can master something they can be proud of. Even if they don’t become a master musician, they’ll gain confidence from the new skills they learn, such as the ability to read music and play an instrument they enjoy.

4. Alternative to Tech Devices

Thanks to laptops, smartphones, and gaming, kids have several devices to attach themselves to. If you don’t want your child to be over-reliant on a tech device to get through the day and socialize, let them play in band. If they fall in love with music, they may have less interest in watching TV or sitting and playing video games for hours. Band also allows your child to socialize with kids of their age group outside of their immediate circle of friends, which can help widen their perspectives and boost social skills.

5. Teamwork

Teamwork is a skill that kids can learn at a young age, and band is a great place for them to learn that skill, especially if they haven’t been involved in other team activities. Band practice is a group effort, and a band instrument rental can give your child the opportunity to work with other kids as they learn the same musical pieces and rely on each other to create the songs.

As you can see, there are many reasons why being in the school band is a good idea. From building a sense of teamwork to better concentration, music can help your child develop both cognitively and socially. Contact Lane Music today for more information about a band instrument rental.

Buying a piano is a pretty big investment, so the decision shouldn’t be made lightly. According to Statista, overall, piano sales in the U.S. in 2020 totaled 21,000. Buying a piano makes sense in some situations, but doesn’t make sense in others. Let’s look at a few good reasons you should consider investing in a piano.

You’ve Been Studying Piano for Three Years or More

The study of the piano is a commitment. The three-year mark is an important milestone in this pursuit. It means that you are obviously truly committed to this endeavor. You are very likely to continue your passion for music and piano long into the future. The purchase of a piano at this point will make a lot of sense. With a piano in your home, you will have more opportunities for practice and your music education will likely rise to a new level. You can talk with the team of a local music store to learn more about a piano purchase and what type of piano would work well for you.

You Want Your Children to Love Piano

Children often develop an affinity for positive things that they are consistently exposed to. This certainly can include music. If you want your children to have a love of the piano, then purchasing a piano to have in the home before or during the start of their music studies makes a lot of sense. This makes even more sense if there is already someone in the home who plays. Not only will this spark your children’s interest in music, but it can also become a lovely way for the family to spend time together.

You Have Room for a Piano

If you already know that you don’t have anywhere to place a piano, then it might not make sense to purchase one. A piano is a large instrument and really needs its own space. If the piano doesn’t have enough space, it could get damaged by being bumped into frequently. On the other hand, if you have a large space, then a piano is the perfect item to fill it with. Pianos are timeless, classic pieces that add personality to any room.

It Works With Your Budget

A piano is not a cheap instrument. Most people need to plan for the purchase of one. You will need to make sure you can afford it whether you purchase it outright or finance it. You should also keep in mind that a piano is an investment, and so you should be able to make back your money if you decide to sell in the future.

If you are looking for a local music store at which to shop for a piano, please contact Lane Music today. We are here for your music needs.

Music can bring so much joy to your life. However, you don’t have to sit there and passively listen to it. With the right instrument rental, you can become an active participant and learn a new skill. Choosing the right instrument for you can be easier said than done, so here are some tips to find the right one for you.

1. Goals

What goals do you have in learning how to play an instrument? Is there a particular musical genre that speaks to you? Do you want to jam with a band or become a solo artist? Do you want to make money performing or sit back and have fun on occasion? If you dream of playing in a classical orchestra, you may want to focus on instruments such as violin, piano, or cello. However, if you aim to be a rock star, the drums or electric guitar should be your first choice.

2. Space

It’s no secret that some instruments take up a lot of space. There’s a big difference between carrying a violin versus a cello. If you prefer a wind instrument, a flute is much smaller than a tuba. If your house has room for a piano, you may find yourself performing classics from Mozart or Beethoven.

3. Technique

According to Hello Music Theory, a piano contains between 220 and 230 steel strings, and each one holds around 168 tons of tension. Hitting those piano keys in a precise formation requires loads of skill and fingerwork that can take years to master. If you want an instrument that doesn’t require such intense fingerwork, you may want to consider the drums or certain wind instruments that have fewer keys than a piano. No matter which you choose will bring you joy!

4. Time

When deciding on the right instrument rental, be honest about how much time you have to practice. According to Consordini, the violin is the hardest instrument to learn and master properly. If you want something you can learn quickly, the harmonica and ukulele are among the easiest ones to try. When you learn an instrument, you learn how to read music, which is like learning another language. Plus, if you schedule lessons, make sure they can fit into your schedule.

Learning how to play an instrument is a great experience for anyone. Be sure to take the time to find the right instrument for you, as it may change your life in ways you can’t imagine. For quality instrument rental, contact us for more information.

Learning how to play one or more musical instruments can do a lot more than entertain you, your friends, and family. It also can help to improve your mental health. No matter how young or old you might be, there are many healthful benefits to learning to play an instrument. Here’s a closer look at a few of the mental health benefits that you might obtain when taking instrument lesson classes.

Improve Memory Recall

Learning to read music and play an instrument can stimulate your memory. According to PubMed, music intervention therapy over six weeks improved children’s memory recall. Many adults likewise enjoy better memory recall when learning how to play an instrument and practicing due to the mental stimulation it gives them.

Decrease in Depressive Episodes

Depression can be debilitating, but an instrument lesson can help to improve your general outlook. According to the National Library of Medicine, learning to read music and playing an instrument helps to improve self-esteem and a sense of independence. It also helps to lower individuals’ feelings of isolation.

Alleviate Stress and Anxiety

Learning and practicing a musical instrument also helps to reduce stress and anxiety levels. Playing the piano or another musical instrument can help to instantly provide the player with feelings of calm and tranquility. The lower levels of stress and anxiety improve physical and mental health and enable practicing musicians to feel better.

Counteract Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Participation in a regular instrument lesson once a week helps to alleviate the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and related depression. According to PubMed Central, military veterans diagnosed with PTSD and depression benefit from a weekly group instrument lesson that enables them to focus on learning to play guitar. While practicing and learning, they also have the opportunity to share their feelings and experiences with other veterans while clearing their minds.

Improve Manual Dexterity

Improving mental health also improves manual dexterity. According to the National Library of Medicine, learning to play an instrument can do both by improving the sensorimotor cortex within the brain. The improvement in mental health translates into greater manual dexterity, which is necessary when learning to play an instrument.

Whether you’re looking for a mental health boost or are simply interested in learning a new instrument, you’ve come to the right place. You can learn more and sign up for a recurring instrument lesson when you call or visit our music shop!

If you or your child are looking to learn an instrument, you may be thinking about learning the guitar. The guitar is one of the most popular instruments around the world, and its popularity has only continued to increase in recent years. Fortunately, you do not have to commit to purchasing this instrument to take music lessons. You can get a guitar rental and ensure you like it before buying it. Here are some of the reasons why the guitar is such a popular instrument.

The Guitar Is Used in Many Music Genres

One of the reasons why this instrument is so popular is because it is used in many different genres of music. This is not always the case, as many instruments are usually only used in one or two genres of music. This limits the popularity of the instrument. But, guitars are used by pop, rock, country, and classical musicians, making this an extremely versatile musical tool.

The Guitar Is Portable

One of the lesser-discussed reasons why the guitar is such a popular instrument is because it is relatively easy to transport. This portability allows it to be easier to use and learn. For example, you don’t see pianos played at dive bars because it can be hard to get a piano in and out of places. Guitars can easily fit in cars and are easy to transport from one location to another.

A Guitar Is Relatively Affordable

The final reason why guitars are popular instruments is because they are relatively affordable instruments. The price for guitars spans from fairly inexpensive to pricey. You can easily find a starter acoustic guitar for cheap, especially if you look at used equipment. And you always have the option for a guitar rental if you don’t want to invest in a guitar upfront.

According to YouGov, the guitar is most common among the 18-to 29-year-old group, with 23% having attempted to learn to play this instrument. However, it is still popular in many other age groups, both young and old. If you have a desire to want to learn how to play the guitar, call Lane Music! We offer a guitar rental program and in-depth, helpful lessons for all skill levels. Visit our website to learn more about our guitar rental program.

If you are learning to play an instrument for the first time, you may find yourself wondering what happens during the first instrument lesson. According to YouGov, about 66% of Americans have attempted to learn how to play a musical instrument at some time in their life. Here are a few of the things that you can expect to happen during your first lesson learning to play music.

1. Meeting the Instructor

During your first lesson, you will meet the instructor. They will let you know what they expect from you moving forward with lessons. They will tell you where to go when you arrive at their location and any particular time specifications to adhere to. These may include waiting until another student leaves before entering the studio or entering quietly and setting your instrument up while you wait.

2. Familiarizing Yourself With Your Instrument

Once the instructor has laid out their expectations for you and told you how the lessons are going to work, the next thing that you can expect to happen at your instrument lesson is familiarizing yourself with your instrument. The instructor will tell you the various parts that make up the instrument and what needs to be done to prepare your instrument to be played. This may include putting a reed on a clarinet or tightening the strings on your guitar.

3. Learning How to Hold and Briefly Play Your Instrument

After familiarizing yourself with your instrument, the instructor will take things a step further and ensure you know how to correctly hold your instrument. They may even go as far as to teach you how to play your instrument in its most simplistic form, such as strumming guitar strings or blowing into a flute. Chances are, this is where your lesson will end, and you may be given homework that includes continuing to familiarize yourself with your instrument while holding and caring for it correctly.

While it is quite common for individuals to want to learn how to play an instrument, not many people fully understand what happens during an instrument lesson. If you are attending your first lesson, you can bet that you will meet and communicate with the instructor, familiarize yourself with your new instrument, and learn how to properly hold and briefly play your instrument. If you are looking to learn how to play an instrument, let us help you. Reach out to Lane Music today to schedule a lesson.