10 Reasons Why Learning to Play a Musical Instrument is Good for You

Are you looking for a new hobby that will challenge you and keep you engaged for hours? Or maybe you're interested in enhancing your creativity and expressing yourself through music. Whatever your reason, learning to play a musical instrument can be a life-changing experience that offers numerous benefits for your mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing.

Here are 10 reasons why learning to play a musical instrument is good for you:

1. It's a fun and rewarding hobby that can bring you joy for a lifetime.
2. Playing a musical instrument can relieve stress and promote relaxation, making it a great way to unwind after a long day.
3. It enhances your creativity and allows you to express yourself in new and unique ways.
4. Learning a musical instrument can improve your memory and cognitive function, keeping your brain sharp as you age.
5. It's a great way to connect with others who share your passion for music, and can help you build a sense of community.
6. Playing a musical instrument is a form of therapy that can help you manage stress and anxiety, and promote overall mental health.
7. It offers a sense of personal development and accomplishment, as you work towards mastering your instrument.
8. You can take your skills to the next level and potentially turn your passion into a career.
9. It's a unique talent that can set you apart from others and make you stand out in a crowd.
10. And last but not least, it's just plain fun!

If you're interested in learning to play a musical instrument, look no further than ASO Music. Our experienced instructors are passionate about teaching and can help you take your skills to the next level. Sign up for lessons today and start your musical journey.

#MusicEducation #MentalHealth #Creativity #StressRelief #Hobby #PersonalDevelopment #Community #MusicTherapy #Passion #Talent

Copyright 2023 ASO Music.

Accepting New Students on Mandolin or Fiddle

I am currently accepting new students on mandolin or fiddle.  I have openings on Wednesdays 11am-5pm.  

I'm offering Lessons to all students, regardless of age or location online, and starting in May for fully vaccinated students, in person lessons and classes at my location in Granby.  Read this for more  information.

I teach a wide variety of stringed instruments: Violin and Fiddle, Mandolin-family, Irish Tenor Banjo, Irish Bouzouki, and Acoustic Guitar.  In addition, I offer viola, mandola, mandocello and octave mandolin lessons.

I specialize in various styles including fiddle (Bluegrass, Celtic, Irish, Cape Breton, Quebecois, Cajun, Jazz) and mandolin (Bluegrass, Celtic, Classical). 

Lessons times generally speaking, are 11am-1pm and 3pm-5pm Eastern Time Monday - Wednesday.  Look for a post in the blog generally listed as "Fall" or "Spring" and the year.

Lessons start are generally 30 minutes long.  60 minute lessons are also available.  Please ask.  Turn on your Slack a couple minutes before it is your time and make sure you are logged in, otherwise you may miss your slot!

Online Lessons are very similar to local or in-person lessons.  The only difference is if you have a slow connection, there may be a slight delay in transmission, which can take a little getting used to.  This is very rare, however, as most people have high-speed connections and don't have a problem with delay or degradation.

Accepting New Students on Mandolin or Fiddle

I am currently accepting new students on mandolin or fiddle.  I have openings on Wednesdays 11am-5pm.  

I'm offering Lessons to all students, regardless of age or location online, and starting in May for fully vaccinated students, in person lessons and classes at my location in Granby.  Read this for more  information.

I teach a wide variety of stringed instruments: Violin and Fiddle, Mandolin-family, Irish Tenor Banjo, Irish Bouzouki, and Acoustic Guitar.  In addition, I offer viola, mandola, mandocello and octave mandolin lessons.

I specialize in various styles including fiddle (Bluegrass, Celtic, Irish, Cape Breton, Quebecois, Cajun, Jazz) and mandolin (Bluegrass, Celtic, Classical). 

Lessons times generally speaking, are 11am-1pm and 3pm-5pm Eastern Time Monday - Wednesday.  Look for a post in the blog generally listed as "Fall" or "Spring" and the year.

Lessons start are generally 30 minutes long.  60 minute lessons are also available.  Please ask.  Turn on your Slack a couple minutes before it is your time and make sure you are logged in, otherwise you may miss your slot!

Online Lessons are very similar to local or in-person lessons.  The only difference is if you have a slow connection, there may be a slight delay in transmission, which can take a little getting used to.  This is very rare, however, as most people have high-speed connections and don't have a problem with delay or degradation.

Mandolin Lessons

Depending on your musical background, what instrument you want to learn (I teach violin, viola, mandolin, mandola, mandocello and guitar) and what style(s) of music you want to concentrate on, I will formulate a lesson plan tailored specifically for you.  I don't use the same books and materials for all of my students because everybody is different!

I like to get the introductions/interview part over in emails before the first lesson, so we can dive right into it when you get here.  The things I need to know about you are

• what is your musical background (if any)
• can you read music
• do you understand key signatures, time signatures, scales, arpeggios, chords, basic music theory
• what instrument you want to learn
• what style or styles of music you want to concentrate on 
• do you own an instrument or will you want to buy one or rent one from me

The 7 Church Modes

Depending on your answers, the first lesson could cover the basics of scale theory including intervals, modes, circle of fifths, basic reading and an introduction to the care of your instrument.  Assignments will include buying the books you will need and some basic plucking of strings (mandolin), bow exercises (violin).

Sample Mandolin Lesson

Subsequent lessons will delve more deeply into scale and mode theory, circle of fifths, practice tips, first tunes.  As you improve, we will be able to learn more complicated tunes, I will determine what exercises you need to work on and give you lots more practice tips.

Depending on the amount of time you have to practice every day, the average learning curve for the violin is 3 - 10 years.  3 years before you can play competently with others and 10 years before you will be able to play with confidence and beauty.  The learning curve for the mandolin is 1-3 years.  1 year before you can play with others, and 3 before you an join a mandolin orchestra or group.

What does it take to learn to play the mandolin?

I've been teaching mandolin since I graduated from Hampshire College in 1985.  I teach all ages and all styles.

One of my earliest students was DJ and radio personality "Johnny Memphis".  At the time, he was playing celtic music and wanted to be able to play the mandolin to compliment the sounds of his band, and he wanted an instrument that he could play and sing at the same time.

The first thing you have to learn is how to hold the instrument.  Of course a good strap will keep the instrument from falling to the floor, but you'll need to understand how to position it so that your right arm and hand is in the right place for picking the notes, AND for playing rhythm and chords.

Next, you need to learn the best way to hold the pick for picking out melodies, and for chording.

In the same hour, you will learn how to hold the neck of the instrument, where to place the fingers of your left hand, and how to position your left arm, elbow and wrist for the most advantageous use of all 4 fingers (yes, string players have 4 fingers and a thumb).

I'll also spend a good amount of time in your first lesson introducing you to some basic music theory.  I want you to get started on scales right away, so the first thing you'll learn are the intervals (spaces between the notes) for each scale.  I'll introduce the concept of the Circle of Fifths, and talk a little about key signatures and modes.  These are topics that we'll go over weekly from now on.

Finally, if there's time, I'll talk about proper practice habits, how to divide your time to be the most productive, and tell you about a couple books I'll want you to get.  You can buy the books now and take a look at them.  We'll go over them in detail the next time I see you.

How do you get started with lessons?  Use the contact form on this page, or call 413-561-2275 any time.  I have slots available during the week, and I offer lessons online with Google Hangouts.

Check my schedule for openings and availability.

Mandolin Lessons - All Ages, All Styles

Private lessons:

One hour a week, 2 recitals a year, lots of playing opportunities throughout the year

$260/month 

Group classes:

Ninety minutes a week, 2 recitals a year, lots of playing opportunities throughout the year

$100/month

Mandolin Orchestra:

Third Fridays of every month 7:30-9pm

FREE

http://mandolinorchestra.org