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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...
tonalenergy tuning app

5 Best Tuner Apps in 2025: 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,...
music practice coach - lance laduke

Overcoming Fear

Any time you step out of your comfort zone you are forced to face your fears. Growth on a musical instrument is built on the notion of stretching beyond your current abilities and out into the unknown. Enter fear. Fear comes in all shapes and sizes and hits us...
Drums

10 Hardest Musical Instruments to Learn

Learning a musical instrument can be one of the most rewarding things you take. No matter what instrument you choose, there are always challenging parts to master any instrument. However, some instruments are harder to learn than others. 10 - Trumpet
music practice coach - lance laduke

Applying the 80/20 Principle to Practice

There is a concept that has been used for a couple hundred years in a variety of fields (Italian real estate ownership, pea plant production, software efficiency, etc.) called a variety of names (Pareto Principle, The Law of the Vital Few, the 80/20 principle, etc.) which we can use...
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...
music quote

100 Inspirational and Famous Music Quotes

Music can change lives and thankfully there are music quotes that capture how music has affected everyone from Einstein to Taylor Swift. Find our favorite 100 inspiration and famous music quotes below. "People haven't always been there for me but music always has." - Taylor Swift (Tweet This) "Music...

What is the Suzuki Method?

Have you ever heard of the Suzuki Method? Even if you are not a musician, almost every person out there has heard the word, Suzuki, at least once. People also associate it with violin and small children. So what is it really? Well, it’s a study method that was...
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....
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.
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