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5 Easiest 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. If you're looking for an easier way to get started, you might want to...
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 practice coach - lance laduke

Using S.M.A.R.T Goals to Crush Your Practice Sessions

I wrote a book a couple years ago (Music Practice Coach), designed to help musicians better organize their practice. Since then, I’ve had the opportunity to work with countless musicians and music teachers and have seen these principles at work. In this article, I’ll cover one of the most...
schradieck violin technic

5 Ways to Get the Most Out of Your Practice Session

Many musicians claim to devote their time to practicing their instrument, yet not many can really make it productive. The truth of the matter is, a non-dynamic practice session can become boring. While it is true that engaging in a consistent and regular practice session allows musicians to become better...
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

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...
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,...
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. 10. Trumpet Like the violin...
Best Bluetooth Page Turners

Best Bluetooth Page Turners: 2025 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...
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...
Orchestra Central