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music practice coach - lance laduke

How to Run an Effective Practice Session

Practicing is a way of life for musicians. It begins the first time you pick up your instrument as a beginner and continues throughout your entire playing career. Practice takes both willpower and planning. Building the habit of practice early on will ensure steady progress for you over the...
tonalenergy tuning app

5 Best Tuner Apps in 2026: iPhone and Android

When the average musician is asked: "what tools do I need to help me get the most out of practicing?," the most common answers (besides the instrument and some music) are a tuner, metronome, and an audio recorder. At the top of most people’s list of importance,...
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Learn Cello Online: Online Cello Lessons & Cello Classes

Playing the cello can be challenging at first, but it is possible to become a skilled player at any age! While traditional, in-person musical instruction has benefits, many online cello lessons offer a comprehensive and flexible learning experience. The question now is where to learn cello online.
smashed instrument

How to Get Musical Instrument Insurance

Buying your first stringed instrument is fun and exciting experience. However, losing your wonderful sounding stringed instrument due to theft or damage can be detrimental. Not only can it cost thousands of dollars to replace or repair, but you'll lose valuable time practicing. That's where musical instrument insurance comes into play....
Drummer Playing The Drums Closeup

10 Most Difficult Instruments to Learn

Embarking on the journey to learn a musical instrument is both exciting and demanding. It requires time, effort, passion, and, in some instances, the willingness to conquer steep learning curves. Among the multitude of instruments that populate the musical world, a select few pose unique and formidable...

Why Every Cellist Should Study Popper Cello Etudes

If you play the cello and you want to improve your technique, Popper is here to save you. The High School of Cello Playing Op. 73 will become your cello bible and is used by all great cellists and teachers around the world. The go-to etudes will help you...
Playing Violin

10 Most Difficult Musical Instruments to Learn

Music is an enriching hobby. It helps with coordination and is also mentally relaxing. And while enthusiasm plays a huge part in learning, some instruments need a certain level of talent and skill to master. These 10 instruments prove to be more challenging to learn than others.
renting or buying stringed instruments

Should You Buy or Rent a Musical Instrument?

With rental season starting soon, you may be wondering whether you should be buying or renting an instrument. The answer is not simple and usually requires weighing not only the upfront monetary cost, but whether the student will continue playing for years to come or stop three months into starting. Buying a...
Best Bluetooth Page Turners

Best Bluetooth Page Turners: 2026 Review

Frantically trying to find our spot on the next page is all too common, but what if it were possible to get to the next page without hands? Bluetooth page turners are starting to make their way into the world of music, and these page turners will do just...
music practice coach - lance laduke

5 Tools You Need for an Effective Practice Session

We want to improve at playing our instruments. We know that practice is essential. We generally know our strengths and weaknesses. We have a place to practice. Is that all we need? Nope. The Five Resource Areas There are a number of essential tools and resource areas for consistent progress. There are...
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