Takelessons team articles & Resources

                Traveling with a musical instrument can be a hassle, especially if you're trying to avoid costly checked baggage fees.  But there are a few instruments out there that are small enough to fit in carry-on luggage, making them the perfect travel companions for musicians on the go.  Here are a few of our favorite small musical instruments! What is the Simplest Musical Instrument to Play? Though there are many opinions on what the simplest

                        Okay ladies, we all know how much we love musicals. And what's not to love? The drama, the passion, the songs that stay in your head for days... But sometimes it can be hard to get our guys on board with our love of all things musical. If you're having trouble getting your guy interested in musicals, never fear! Here are 5 movies that are sure to get him hooked. What is Considered the Best Musical Movie of All Time? Th

                              Music is a beautiful language that anyone can learn to speak. If you're thinking about taking your first music lesson, here are a few things to keep in mind: First Lesson of Music: What to Do Ahead Of Time If you're taking music lessons for the first time, you'll quickly find out there is so much more to learn than just the notes on the staff. As a Student Support Counselor at TakeLessons, I chat w

                          Music is a beautiful thing. It has the power to soothe the savage beast, to inspire, and to bring people together. There's nothing quite like making music with others, but sometimes it can be tough to find like-minded musicians to jam with.  Never fear! Here are some tips on how to find people to jam with. How Do I Find People to Start a Band With? If you're looking to start a band, you might be wondering whe

Are you getting your college applications ready? In most cases, you'll need a copy of your transcript, letters of recommendation, and the often-dreaded admissions essay. To make the process a little easier, read on as Ann Arbor, MI teacher Elaina R. shares some of the most common admissions essay topics you might run into...   College admissions essays act as the human element in the otherwise statistic-driven admissions process. Where test scores and GPAs could easily be evaluated

Learning how to sing with vibrato as a singer is one of the ways to really make an impact on your audience - but there are a few things to avoid when you're learning the technique technique of singing vibrato. Take a look at Seal Beach voice teacher Carl B.'s advice here...   As a singing teacher for many years, I am totally audience oriented, and my notes on audience psychology date back to 1984.  My entire orientation in singing is to drive the audience to their feet for a standing ov

If you just started taking drum lessons, you may not be ready to invest in a full drum set. Luckily, a lack of equipment doesn't have to hinder your progress. You can still practice and improve, you just need to be creative! Here, drum instructor Andrea I. shares 11 ways to practice drums without a drum set... A drum set isn't the most portable instrument, and being without one can make you feel like you can’t practice your craft. Never fear, this list is designed to help you improve yo

Want to make sure you know how to clean a piano the right way? Check out these quick tips from Olympia, WA teacher Tali H... How Do You Clean a Piano? When it comes to cleaning a piano, there are a few simple things to know about what to do and not do. While these tips are relatively straightforward, following each one is important! How to Clean a Piano: The Do’s Wash your hands before playing. Most grime on piano keys comes from the player’s hands. So be sure to wash your hands thor

Want to learn how to sing? Selecting a great voice teacher to take lessons with is your first step! Read on as Chicago and online teacher Ian H. shares his advice for finding the perfect teacher for you... Finding a teacher whose philosophy fits your learning style is a huge challenge for both student and teacher. It can translate to a great deal of success or stagnancy for young artists developing their voices. Your pace of learning, entering ability, and choice of musical repertoire should

Spring is almost here, and we're definitely feeling the fresh energy of the changing seasons this month. To celebrate, we're running two fun contests. Whether you're already taking lessons with us or not, now is a great time to get involved for a chance to win free lessons! Just in time for St. Patrick's Day, check out our #LuckyMe contest. For a chance to win 4 free lessons in any subject we offer, just post a picture to Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram of something that makes you feel lucky.