The Real Reasons Why Your Child Hates Music Lessons

The Real Reasons Why Your Child Hates Music Lessons

Most parents have high hopes for their kids as far as musical talents go, as they should. But these dreams can come crashing down as soon as your child expresses disinterest in their music lessons. There are several reasons why your child might not be a fan of classes right now, but the good news is you can help encourage them through their process.

As parents, you want what’s best for your child, so read on to find out why music lessons might feel like ‘torture’ to your kid and how you can show them the value of music!

 

1. They don’t like to practice.

Practicing can feel like a chore, especially when parents don’t encourage music time outside of practice. Help your child learn discipline by incorporating both practice time and playtime into their daily routines. Practicing is probably the #1 reason children hate music, but every great musician has to practice.

 

2. They don’t like their instrument.

Just because you envisioned your kid playing the violin doesn’t mean that’s their instrument of choice. Your kid might be wanting to skip on their weekly lessons simply because they aren’t excited about the instrument they play. So instead, encourage your children to play the instrument that they’re most interested in.

 

3. They feel pressured.

At the end of the day, music should be fun! Creating a positive environment around music and recognizing your child’s accomplishments will help calm their inner-critic. Feeling pressure to meet high expectations or play a particular instrument can turn any kid off their music lessons.

 

4. They don’t like their teacher.

Not every teacher is the right fit, and that’s okay. If the connection between your child and their teacher isn’t there, you both have every right to find a teacher that can meet their needs. Before immediately signing up for lessons, you and your child can plan a visit to the music school to meet prospective teachers!

 

5. They think that they aren’t musically talented.

Kids can be pretty hard on themselves, especially when they aren’t picking up a new skill quickly. But the reality is, not everyone is a musical prodigy, and most of us all start at step one. Music is a craft, and if students put their minds to it, they can find success in it. But they’ll have to push past the hurdles, just as every great musician has done.

 

Conclusion

The next time your kid says, “I hate music!” find out what they’re really saying. More often than not, they don’t actually want to stop music lessons, and likely you can help them sort out what’s truly going on. Music lessons have an incredibly positive impact on children’s lives, so don’t be quick to let your child quit their studies.

If you’re thinking about enrolling your child in music lessons, Spark School of Music is ready to work with your budding musician! Learn more about our music lessons here.

How to Find a Good Music Teacher

music teacher teaching a kid how to play piano
music teacher teaching a kid how to play piano

How to Find a Good Music Teacher

Finding the right music teacher is like finding the right friend. You want to find an instructor for yourself or your child that can provide a learning environment that is encouraging, safe, and trustworthy. Music lessons are a worthwhile investment so ensure that you find the right one by doing your research!

Here’s a step by step guide to finding a music teacher and setting up your first lesson:

Where do I find a music teacher?

First things first, you need to know where to search for your potential teacher. The search for the best music teacher out there can feel overwhelming, but rest assured, there are many easy ways to find them. Here are a couple of ideas:

1. Search for “music school” online

With just a quick Google search, you can pull up plenty of information about music teachers in your area. Be sure to read the reviews to see what past and current students have to say about the instruction.

2. Ask your friends and family

This is probably one of the best ways to find a great music teacher because you can ask people you trust! Someone in your circle is likely taking lessons, so asking your coworkers, friends, or people at church for suggestions will undoubtedly land you with a name or two.

 

What qualities should I look for in a music teacher?

So what makes a good music teacher ‘good’? Sometimes you have the option to meet with an instructor and even attend a trial lesson before committing to weekly classes, so you need to know what to look for in a teacher. Be on the lookout for the following traits in an instructor:

  • A good teacher can make the student feel confident mastering a complex skill.
  • A good teacher challenges students to accomplish goals they thought they couldn’t.
  • A good teacher listens to students’ desires and creates a personalized lesson plan.
  • A good teacher can be honest without belittling students.

 

After I’ve picked out a teacher I like, what happens next?

Once you’ve identified what you’re looking for in a teacher, all you’ve got to do is pick up the phone and call them! Then, make sure you ask them all your questions about what supplies you need for music lessons, how much it costs, cancellation policies, and more.

After you’ve covered all the basics, it should be time for you to look forward to the very first lesson!

 

Conclusion

Finding the right music teacher doesn’t have to be a feat, especially when you know what you’re looking for and have done your research. 

Still on the search for private music instructors? Spark School of Music provides personalized music lessons for adults and children ages pre-school and up!

So if you’re searching for private music lessons in Maple Grove, MN, or Blaine, MN, Spark School of Music has an incredible lineup of teachers who are passionate about nurturing musicians. 

Learn more about our private lessons and how you can schedule a trial lesson here.

The Best Ways To Motivate Your Child To Practice Piano (Without The Temper Tantrums)

child screaming because they have to practice their instrument
child with a red shirt practicing piano lessons

The Best Ways To Motivate Your Child To Practice Piano (Without The Tantrums)

We’ve all been there. Getting your kid to sit down and practice piano for an uninterrupted time can feel like pulling teeth out. It’s a slow and painful (seemingly impossible) process. Motivating your child to practice piano for their piano lessons can be challenging, but try to be empathic, and if you can, recall what it was like to sit down and be still for a full half-hour as a kid. Probably can’t, right? 

Parents, you want your kids to take the time to master the piano, so you have to encourage them to put in the work to do it. Here are 5 ways to help you motivate your child to practice the piano! 

Get creative with piano practice times. 

Playing the piano or any instrument for that matter takes intense focus and concentration. If you notice that your child struggles to concentrate during certain times of the day, take that as a cue to play around with practice times. Some parents have reported that getting their children to practice piano before school is an easy feat compared to practicing after-school when they’re tired. Try it out for yourself and see if it helps! 

Set a routine. 

So, you want your child to practice the piano like clockwork? Make it into a daily routine and teach your kids the importance of discipline and structure. If you really want to increase your chances of motivating them enough to practice regularly, let your child be in control and in charge of making their own schedule. 

Remember to make time for play. 

Practicing is necessary, but so is having fun too! Encourage your child to play the piano throughout the week just for fun. Maybe they can learn to play their favorite song or get creative and make a song of their own! Either way, don’t forget to give your child the space to be an artist. 

Create incentives with music games. 

The easiest way to trick, I mean, motivate your kid into practicing piano is by making a game out of it. Decide on a reward together that they’ll receive if they play the piano for x amount of time or master a scale or song. You can come up with your own game that works best to motivate your kid!

Be their biggest cheerleader.

Offering words and acts of encouragement to your kid is a tried-and-true method for motivating your child to practice the piano. The piano isn’t an easy instrument to master, and it’s important to highlight all the milestones along the way so that they feel motivated to keep going! Celebrate your child’s accomplishments no matter how big or small they may be. 

Options may seem slim when you feel like you’ve tried everything to encourage your child to practice, but if there’s a will, there’s always a way! Try out these tips for yourself and see if that makes practice time go a bit smoother. 

7 Tips to Encourage Your Child’s Musical Success

Parent and child playing piano, ukulele, and guitar
Parent and child playing piano, ukulele, and guitar

7 Tips to Encourage Your Child's Musical Success

So, you’ve just enrolled your child in music lessons. Congratulations! It’s an exciting time for both you and your child, and I’m sure you’re eager to set your child up for success. Learning to play a new instrument isn’t easy, and your child will need your encouragement and guidance to keep at it. 

If you’re wondering what steps you can take to set your child up for success early on, read on to learn 7 tips to help you encourage your child’s musical success starting today!

1. Consider reframing the idea of “practicing.” 

Let’s be honest. The word “practice” just feels void of fun for kids. Try to keep things light and relaxed, and consider practicing time as “playing time” instead. It feels a lot less restrictive. 

2. Be involved in the process.

Encourage your child’s musical success by showing them that you’re interested and want to be a part of their musical journey. Sit in with them during their lessons or playing time at home, and ask them questions about their music. 

3. Praise your child every step of the way.

Being your child’s biggest cheerleader goes a long way. It doesn’t matter the size of the accomplishment. Just celebrate your child’s success! There will be highs and lows throughout their experience learning music, so be sure to praise them during the highlights. 

4. Establish a routine.

It’ll be challenging to get your child into the habit of practicing for music lessons and playing regularly if they don’t have a routine. Incorporate times for music in their daily schedules so that they’ll establish discipline and good habits early on. 

5. Refrain from making negative remarks about music sounds.

Listen. Your child is a beginner and of course, listening to them play is not the same as going to a concert at Target Center. So, be careful about making negative comments because this could really discourage your child from trying to be better. Refrain from negative comments altogether, and make this rule clear to other family members, too. 

6. Introduce them to a role model.

One of the best ways to get your child excited about music and becoming a better musician is by introducing them to a positive role model. Perhaps ask a musician in your community or church to mentor your child, or you can simply prioritize taking your kid to amateur and professionals music performances. Show them that it’s possible to be a talented performer. It just takes a bit of work! 

7. Encourage others to praise your child.

They say it takes a village to raise a child, right? Your child will love to hear praises from other family members and loved ones when they accomplish a milestone, so encourage your village to say a kind word or two when you know your child could use some extra loving. 

Get excited about your child’s new musical journey because it is a special time, and before you know it, your child won’t be playing beginner’s music anymore. Encourage your child’s musical success today with these tips!

How To Choose Your Child’s First Guitar

guitar teacher showing child how to play guitar chords
guitar teacher showing child how to play guitar chords

How To Choose Your Child's First Guitar

If you aren’t a musician yourself, you’re probably aren’t well-versed in the world of guitars enough to know how to pick the right one. That’s okay because we’re here to help you! Your budding musician is likely ready to rock and roll, so let’s get right to it. 

Whether you need help choosing the right size, or you don’t have anything idea where to start, we’ve got you covered. Here’s everything you need to know about choosing the right guitar for your child.

Step 1: Decide on the type of guitar. 

There are three types of guitars: acoustic, electric, and classical. Depending on what kind of music your kid likes, they will likely gravitate towards a specific guitar. Here’s a breakdown of the three different types of guitars: 

Electric Guitar

  • Smaller than an acoustic and classical guitar 
  • Great for musicians who like country, rock, or pop music 
  • Can be heavy
  • Has steel strings that can be hard on young fingers 
  • Needs an amp

Acoustic Guitar

  • Similar in shape to a classical guitar 
  • Bright and loud sound 
  • Has steel strings that can be hard on young fingers 
  • Good for contemporary music 

Classical Guitar

  • Has nylon strings that are softer for young fingers 
  • Warm and full sound
  • Tend to come in a default shape and size
  • Suitable for classical and Latin styles of music 

Step 2: Find the right size.

The last thing you want to do is do all this research just to buy a guitar that’s either too big or too small for your child. The size of the guitar matters, and if your child is having a difficult time playing their instrument, that might be a sign that the guitar isn’t a good fit. 

Electric Guitar 

  • Recommended size for ages 5-8 is 1/2 size 
  • Recommended size for ages 8-12 is 3/4 size
  • Recommended size for ages 12+ is a full size 

Acoustic Guitar 

  • Recommended size for ages 5-12 is 3/4 size 
  • Recommended size for ages 12-15 is a small body 
  • Recommended size for ages 15+ is a full size 

Classical Guitar 

  • Recommended size for ages 2-5 is 1/4 size
  • Recommended size for ages 5-8 is 1/2 size
  • Recommended size for ages 8-12 is 3/4 size
  • Recommended size for ages 12+ is a full size 

Step 3: Purchase the guitar and enroll them in lessons.

Woohoo! Now that you’ve gotten a complete breakdown of the different types of guitar, you and your child can go out and choose the best fit. Afterward, don’t waste another minute and go ahead and enroll your child in music school. Or even better, enroll them in music school before the process to receive extra help choosing the right guitar.

Your child’s guitar teacher at Spark School of Music is the ideal person to consult when you’re buying your child’s first guitar or even when you think it might be time to size up. Your child’s musical success starts with choosing the best guitar suited just for them! 

Back To School Music Lessons

Scrable letters spelling out Back To School on a yellow notepad with two pencils4 Reasons Fall Is The Best Time for Music Lessons

 

Getting A Routine With Music Lessons

Getting back into a routine during back to school season can be extremely tough. Wether it’s getting your kids to understand they can’t play as many video games because they have homework, or just getting them to wake up to go to school, it’s hard to find a good routine. The repetition of consistent weekly music lessons promotes routine, and then when you add in practice, you have a beautiful recipe for routine! At Spark, we have tons of awesome ways to encourage kids to practice including our rock star recitals, and our massive prize wall that rewards kids for good practice.

Academic Enhancement 

People have done studies on how music lessons help kids advance in all different subjects at school. It doesn’t matter if it’s a child taking violin lessons, viola lessons, or even ukulele lessons – they all activate the brain in amazing ways. Kids who are learning scales, rhythm, or beats are also learning the way that fractions work. Through this they are also recognizing patterns and mnemonic devices that help with memory. Music lessons also teaches kids about physics. When a student strums guitar strings or plays a violin they are learning about vibrations. Even drums and the mallet percussion, give children the opportunity to understand some basic scientific principles.

Music Lessons Build Confidence 

Starting school, going to a different grade, or even going to a different school can be a terrifying experience. When students take music lessons, they work on turning negative feedback into positive! Learning music, wether through piano lessons, guitar lessons, or any other instrument, is easily applied to advancement of public speaking skills. Then, once the student is advanced enough, they will have the ability to play an instrument in front of people confidently. This will significantly set them apart from their peers.

Music Lessons Are Fun 

Nobody wants to do anything that is boring. Taking music lessons with cool teachers makes learning an instrument easy to love. When kids are playing songs after just a couple lessons, and then learning their favorite songs on that radio after that, their smiles are the best testimonies. We have had kids walking out of piano lessons or drum lessons playing songs by Kelly Clarkson, Justin Bieber, and Led Zeppelin. It’s the coolest thing to see!

4 Ways Playing In A Rock Band Can Help Your Child Learn Teamwork

4 Ways Playing In A Rock Band Can Help Your Child Learn Teamwork

As we roll out our “Rock Band Experience” program this fall, we wanted to share with you the 4 ways that playing in band can help your child learn about teamwork.

  1. Listen – Being in a band means that you have to work together to make something sound amazing.  The drums must be listening to the guitar and piano to know where they are at in a song or how loud to play, the vocalist must listen to the drummer to know how fast to sing, the pianist must listen to the guitarist to make sure they are playing the same chords.  The list goes on and on.  One of the most important skills in being a part of a successful team is learning to listen to each other and not talk (or play) over the other person.
  2. Appreciate – Being a part of a successful team means appreciating each individual personality and voice that is brought into the group.  Playing in a rock band means you have to appreciate what the drums are bringing to the group.  You have to appreciate the textures that a piano can bring to the group.  You have to appreciate the rumble that a bass guitar provides.  Without any of these other unique instruments and voices, we would be back to practicing our instrument all alone.  Music was meant to be done with a team!
  3. Persist – Have you ever been to see your favorite band or singer, then all of the sudden, they make a mistake!!!  Oh no, they aren’t totally perfect!  When they made the mistake, did they stop playing or singing?  Or did they keep on going?  I’m willing to bet they kept going!  Being in a rock band means that you need to be persistent even if you make a mistake.  You must keep going and never stop to derail the whole band.  Your job is to get back on, keep going, and proceed like nothing ever happened.
  4. Fun – Being part of a highly successful team means you get to have fun!  Have you ever seen your favorite band playing on stage and they look like they hate what they are doing?  Probably not!  When you are part of a team or band that values each other, and leaves egos at the door, you can’t help but have fun!  Some of the most magical music moments I’ve been a part of involve another person turning around, rocking out with me, and smiling about how much fun we’re having.  Being a part of a rock band is one of the most thrilling experiences!

If you are interested in having your child be a part of the “Rock Band Experience”, please contact us at (763)445-9516 or fill out our contact form.  We can’t wait to rock out with you!

4 Ways To Nurture Your Child’s Music Lesson Confidence 

 

4 Ways To Nurture Your Child’s Music Lesson Confidence

At Spark, we believe that we have the ability to change the lives of students. A big piece of that is working with students to develop and nurture their confidence. Wether your child has been taking piano lessons for years, self taught themselves drums, or just started guitar lessons, we work with them to build their confidence. Here are 4 ways we can help nurture your child’s confidence.

We Encourage Curiosity

We love helping our students explore styles that they might not be comfortable with. Wether it’s learning to sing a jazz song, or play a rock song on a ukulele, showing a child there is more out there than just the music they know, helps facilitate curiosity and build confidence.

Learn From Our Mistakes

Nobody is perfect. As hard as we can try to achieve perfection, we still make mistakes. Our music teachers use the opportunity to teach students the importance of learning from mistakes. We do this by recording students in their music lessons or encouraging them to record themselves practicing at home. These are opportunities to help students learn and grow to become better musicians, students, and community members!

Encourage Practice, Don’t Pressure

We all want the best for our kids, especially when it comes to making a piano or violin sound beautiful. We have found that pressuring our students to practice can actually make them resent playing music. We teach our students that practicing will help them grow their skills, and if they practice, confidence in their music lessons and abilities will grow exponentially.

Let Them Find The Answers

Life is full of surprises and situations where we have to dig for the answers. We love leading students to uncover answers. Our music teachers work with students by not giving the answers right away, but rather asking questions to help the student find the answer. For example, if a student is taking piano lessons and doesn’t know what note they have to play, the teacher will ask questions about notes surrounding the unfamiliar note, in hopes that the student will find the answer using context clues.

Music Lesson Stocking Stuffer Guide

Music Lesson Stocking Stuffer Gift Guide

Happy Holidays!  This time of season can be stressful for a lot of people.  As you run around trying to figure out what you are going to get for your child, family member, friend, or coworker who loves music, we have come up with a simple stocking stuffer gift guide to help relieve some of that stress. 

FOR THE DRUMMER IN YOUR LIFE

Moon Gels – $6.99

With a name like moon gel, you know you’ve found the best gift of the year. 

“Moongel Percussion Dampening Gels are a wonderful and easy way to control unwanted resonance and overtones. Move the pad around on the surface of your drums or cymbals to create the desired tone. These washable pads are made form a soft nylon gel. They are self-adhesive and retain their stickiness for years. The RTOM Moongel Percussion Dampening Gels come in a 4-pack plastic carrier.” Every drummer should have these in their arsenal!

Buy Now

Drum Key – $2.95

I don’t know how much to say about this.  If you know someone who plays drums and doesn’t have a drum key, this should be the first thing you buy them.  Drum keys fit the tension rods of the drums to tune them up and make them sound pretty.  It can also be used to tighten certain hardware.  If you have someone in drum lessons, this is a must have.  Being the cheapest thing on the list, its a great option to throw in the stocking!  

Buy Now

FOR THE SINGER IN YOUR LIFE

The Singing Machine Wireless Microphone – $12.99

 

If you have the next Bruno Mars, Taylor Swift, or karaoke superstar in your life, this is the best gift you can give them!  

“Channel your inner pop star. The Singing Machine Wireless Microphone is a Uni-Directional dynamic wireless microphone with a VHF receiver. Plug it into your microphone Jack and do away with messy cords. The Singing Machine Wireless Microphone has a wide frequency response and high sensitivity for optimal performance. Note, you can only use one SMM107 per machine, as more than one receiver will cause interference. Battery Operated”

If you have someone in voice lessons or just loves to sing check out this item!

Buy Now

FOR THE GUITARIST IN YOUR LIFE

String Winder/Cutter – $7.93

This is one of the best tools (besides a tuner) for a person in guitar lessons, or who just loves playing Van Halen licks in the basement.  Having a guitar string winder/cutter saves time and hassle by making it easier to get your guitar strings tight and cut.  

“The Planet Waves Pro-Winder is a patented high-quality peg winder with a built-in string clipper. Ergonomically designed with hardened tool-steel wire cutters. The Pro-Winder enables you to change strings with just a single tool. Easy and comfortable to use. Unconditionally guaranteed.”

Buy Now

Electric Guitar String – $4.45

I can’t tell you how many people don’t realize they need new guitar strings!  The natural oils on our hands will slowly destroy your strings.  If you have someone who plays electric guitar, these are our favorite strings on the market.  Plus, they are cheap! 

“Regular Slinky Electric Strings are Ernie Ball’s top-selling set and are favored by many musicians around the globe. Regular Slinky wound strings are made from a nickel-plated, steel wire wrapped around a hex-shaped, steel core wire. The plain strings are made of specially tempered, tin-plated, high-carbon steel, producing a well-balanced tone for your guitar. 
All Ernie Ball strings are precision manufactured to the highest standards and the most exacting specs to assure consistency, optimum performance, and long life.
Ernie Ball is a pioneer of rock and roll guitar strings. Jimmy Page, Eric Clapton, Steve Vai, and Slash are among the long list of Slinky players.”

With a list like that of guitarists, you’d be crazy to not pick these up.  Who knows, maybe if you change those strings you can start playing like them too(Not guaranteed). If you know some in guitar lessons, toss these things in the stocking and watch everyone be a lot happier.

Buy Now

Acoustic Guitar Strings – $10.99 

Just like the electric guitar strings, putting new strings on your guitar is crucial.  These strings usually last longer than a lot of other brands, which makes our guitar students happy, and our guitar teachers even happier!  

“Elixirs are the first major innovation in strings in over forty years, and they deliver what they promise: great tone and long life no matter what you put them on or how often you play. Nanoweb coating permits strings with the feel, bright tone, and punch of traditional strings. 
Elixir Acoustic Guitar Strings are covered with an ultra-thin, space-age polymer tube that contacts the string on the tops of the windings only. This leaves the all-important winding-to-winding-to-core space free from the fear of the enemies of tone!
Most players report that Elixir Strings keep sounding great 3 to five times longer than ordinary strings.”

These strings are an industry standard and something that we recommend to all of our guitar students for their lessons.  The strings that normally come on the guitar are not awesome, so now is the time to get that guitar lover in your life the gift of better tone.

Buy Now

FOR THE VIOLIN, VIOLA, AND CELLO PLAYER IN YOUR LIFE

Violin-Viola-Cello Rosin – $9.99

Players of violin, viola, and cello rub cakes or blocks of rosin on their bow hair so it can grip the strings and make them speak, or vibrate clearly.  This should be the case of every violin, viola, and cello student.

“JADE rosin is made by a venerable French manufacturer, steeped in formulating professional quality rosin for well over a century. JADE rosin is a new, refined formulation, with remarkable qualities of dust-free adhesion. Avoiding metallic residues, which do not contribute to adhesion and may indeed scratch fine varnishes, JADE rosin incorporates highly refined resins to produce a smooth yet firm grip. From symphony musicians to concert artists, JADE rosin has received enthusiastic acclaim. Each rosin is mounted on a protective velvet cloth wrap and comes with its own attractive lidded container with gold and slate graphics.”

Buy Now

FOR EVERY MUSICIAN IN YOUR LIFE (AND YOURSELF)

Ear Plugs – $15.99

This is hands down the most important thing on this list.  Wether is going to a concert, mowing the lawn, or using power tools, EVERY PERSON NEEDS TO OWN EAR PLUGS.  I can’t say how many tragic stories I have heard of people losing their hearing because of rock concerts, playing drums, or playing with their band.  Please, if you don’t own any ear plugs buy them for yourself, and buy a pair for someone else.  

“Hearos High Fidelity Ear Plugs are a breakthrough product that delivers flat attenuation for musicians. With flat attenuation you hear the music just as it was intended, but with the elimination of up to 12 decibels of potentially damaging noise. For concerts and jam sessions that can exceed 125 decibels, Hearos High Fidelity Ear Plugs are the way to go. Washable and reusable.”

Buy Now

Top 3 Music Apps Of 2015

As a working musician, I am quickly realizing how important it is to use technology to stay relevant. So many songwriters are using electronic samples and sounds that are vital to the song. For a drummer, this may mean using a sample pad to replicate different sounds. For a keyboardist, it may mean building synth patches or sampling various sounds. Or, it could be running a computer with Ableton or another Digital Audio Workstation(DAW). With the advancement of technology the ability to do so many things in the palm of your hand, and the start of a new year, I have comprised a list of my top 3 music apps of 2015.

tempo-frozen-ape-logo 1. Frozen Ape – Tempo $2.99

This is hands down the app I use most frequently. I use this almost every day for teaching and gigging. This metronome app has the ability to set tempos which are easily adjustable for teaching purposes. You can set multiple subdivisions (quarters, eighths, triplets, sixteenths, swung triplets, and swung sixteenths) to fit any need. However, my favorite feature on this app is the “gig” mode. On this setting you can save all of your song titles, tempos, and subdivisions then simply press the arrow key to move through your set list. You can have multiple set lists for those playing with multiple bands. To customize this app you can change the sound of the click with the 15 included samples, change the display, and change accent. This is the app I have all of my students download after their first lesson.

GarageBand-Icon2. Garage Band – $4.99

Are you a songwriter who wants to explore getting your songs recorded? This is the app for you. It is an easy to use music recording app. I’ve used this app from recording quick song ideas in the car all the way to recording live mixes from gigs. Guitarists can use this with a mini recording pod and track what they are playing. Vocalist’s can sing right into the mic on the phone. If you play piano, you can use the built in keyboard and play with your fingers or you can get an adapter and plug in an electric keyboard. This is also an extremely useful practice tool, as you can record a practice session and listen back to what your playing. The recording will point out your flaws and other areas of improvement. It’s like having your music teacher with you all the time! Plus it’s pretty cool that you can show your friends a song that you wrote and recorded.

ASD3. Amazing Slow Downer (ASD) – $14.99

I first found this amazing program on the computer and then discovered the app. One of the first things I tell my students is start something slow and work to speed it up. I have found this helps my students learn rhythms faster and helps them to play at any tempo. With this app, you are able to import a song, slow down the tempo and loop sections without losing audio quality. If you are working through a song that is too fast or struggling to hear a specific guitar line or drum fill, then you need this app. There are cheaper, even free, versions of this app, but I have found the price is worth it.