Top 3 Music Lesson Regrets... and How to Avoid Them

In our experience teaching, we’ve had many parents and adult students share their music lesson stories. Some make you laugh; others bring you close to tears. Regardless, there’s a sense of loss that we know could have been avoided. What are the most common ones, and how can you keep them from being your child’s story decades from now? 

-“I was forced to play the wrong instrument”

Some have shared that their parents made them take lessons in an instrument they hated. I’ve even heard stories of forced accordion lessons! While we laugh about it now, they also wondered why they had to endure being put into lessons that they knew they would never enjoy. Now, decades later, they’ve come back to take lessons in the instrument they love.

Solution: Keep the lines of communication open. You may have wished you could have taken piano growing up. Or, you may want your kids to grow up learning the fundamentals of piano as we did.  Please don’t let your regrets or desires alone decide what lessons you put your child in. You may love piano, but your 5-year-old may have been drawn to drums since he was old enough to bang on pots and pans. Recognizing and cultivating their unique interests allows for an enjoyable experience, and will keep the door open to learning other instruments down the road.

- “I quit too soon”

This is by far one of the most common stories we hear. They were taking lessons and decided to quit. It either got boring, too hard, or some combination of the two. They told their parents they were done, and the parents pulled them with no questions asked.

Solution: This one is difficult. You don’t want to force them to the point they resent you, but you also want to be sure you can teach them about persevering through difficulties. Again, communication is key. Ask them why they want to drop lessons. Maybe they’re not excited about the instrument and need to try a different one. Maybe they’re getting bored with current songs, but they’d be motivated with Imagine Dragons. A break might actually be necessary, but don’t act too quickly and let them drop before getting to the root cause.

- “I never learned to play an instrument”

Lastly, many adults tell us they always wished they could have learned an instrument, but never did. Maybe they had instruments in the house that looked nice, but were never played. Maybe they tried teaching themselves and gave up. These stories can be heartbreaking.

Solution: You might not be too interested in music, but you see that your child gravitates to it. They may love listening to the radio and sing along to their favorite songs. They may jump on the house piano and plink around without being told. If you notice these things, don’t ignore the possibility that they could enjoy learning an instrument. Worst case scenario they end up being exposed to music enough to know they’re not interested.

Hopefully, this list gives you a bit more insight into giving your child an amazing experience with music lessons that they can look back on with fondness rather than regretting the “what if’s”.

5 Ukuleles That Defy Price Expectations

If you’re in the market for an affordable ukulele, but not sure where to start, this will give you a good idea. Nowadays you really don’t have to spend a lot to get a great quality instrument. Remember, sopranos are a bit smaller and good for young students while concert size will be good through adulthood.

If you’re having trouble deciding, you can always schedule a free trial lesson with us and try both sizes out. It was actually difficult to narrow it down to 5, as there are several more brands that are equally worthy of a place on the list. However, this should give you a pretty great starting point. So, without further ado, here are some top quality choices.

1. Strong Wind Soprano ($33.99) or Concert ($40.99): A phenomenal instrument that holds its own against competitors priced far beyond it, the Strong Wind brand is an excellent choice in either size. Soprano comes with a gig bag and the concert sized throws in a tuner. We have some at the studio, if you care to try before you buy.

2. Hola Soprano ($38.95): A great starter for younger players. While the tone falls slightly behind some of the rest, it’s sure to motivate a young player who wants an instrument that will reflect their own unique personality!

3. Kailua Soprano ($34.95): at just under $35, Kailua is another solid starter for young players. A basic look that delivers a quality sound.

4. Ranch Concert Ukulele Bundle ($59.99): A bit pricier than some, but comes with valuable add-ons including: tuner, extra quality strings, strap, cleaning cloth and gig bag. If you’re set on making ukulele your instrument, this is a good starting place.

5. Lohanu Concert Ukulele Bundle ($89.99): Another amazing instrument for those who are serious about their ukulele pursuit, but don’t want to spend hundreds of dollars. Bundled with picks, tuner, strap, gig bag and extra strings. This is sure to last a lifetime!

So there you have it. Check them out or feel free to call, text, email or drop in to ask us about other instruments you’re curious about. Happy shopping!