Recently I came across two different articles about a guitar lesson subscription-based app created by the Fender Guitar Company. First of all, I definitely support everyone, young and old, having access to music study. But as I read these articles about the app Fender Play, I felt that Fender would be doing a better service to its customers by promoting private music lessons with live guitar instructors.
The first article I read was on the Fast Company blog site and points out the financial motivation for Fender creating the lesson app. Fender’s CEO Andy Mooney claims that 45% of their guitars are sold to absolute beginners, 90% of whom stop playing within one year. But if that 45% continue to play, they will need strings, straps and eventually, they will buy a better guitar. If they really get into playing, they may buy a lot more guitars, because as guitar lovers know, G.A.S. (guitar acquisition syndrome) is a real thing. (There’s even a website to prove it as well as articles, such as this one from Guitar Player.)
John Titlow’s article on Fast Company is well written, and he covers all the positive aspects of the app. It’s pretty cheap at $20 a month, offers bite sized learning, is song oriented and good teachers have created the lessons. Despite that, I feel the financial implication for Fender outweighs any altruistic intent to keep people playing music.
The second article on Cnet by Scott Stein discusses the motivation aspects of the app: it’s song library, user profile, goals and tracking progress. He compares it to the concept of a video game. And in today’s age of distractions with the reality of video game addictions, that seems like a savvy business idea. But that little hit of dopamine you get when you reach a goal in a game does not compare to the real sense of accomplishment you will get when studying an instrument with a private music teacher.
The other comment I want to make about this article is the effect on music teachers. Music retailers often offer private music lessons from teachers who have studios in the store. The CEO of Fender concedes that Fender Play is competition for those music teachers. But if Fender Play is successful, those same retailers will sell more guitars. I’ve taught private lessons in a retail music store, and there is much benefit for the retailer that hosts private instructors. Teachers pay the retailer a fee per lesson or a studio rental fee. Also, teachers recommend music, supplies, and upgraded instruments are purchased at that store.
No doubt there is a place for online music lessons. Maybe you live in a community where there are no music teachers close by or affordable for your budget. Maybe you are a music teacher who gives back to the world by creating free or inexpensive online lessons. That’s not a bad thing at all. But if you have the means to study with a private music teacher, there are many benefits for you!
Private music lessons provide meaningful relationships enabling students to grow more quickly.
Private music lessons give you these benefits:
- Your private music teacher will make sure you are doing things correctly and approaching the instrument in a healthy way. From my experience, I can tell you this is true. For seven years I was a self-taught guitarist and I practiced fingerpicking for hours every day. But when I began to have pain in my right hand and wrist I knew something was amiss. Fortunately for me, an excellent guitar teacher showed me a better way to approach the guitar and helped me to stay relaxed while practicing.
- It’s true the guitar, like the piano, is a relatively satisfying solo instrument. But a private music teacher will give you the experience of making music with someone else by playing duets with you. In some cases, you might have the opportunity to play in a studio guitar group or other ensembles that your teacher organizes. The opportunity to connect with other students who have similar interests is invaluable.
- Many studios offer recital opportunities. This is a chance to get into performing in a supportive situation. Also, your teacher will be able to help you make connections with other performers. And your teacher may recommend places where you can get performing experience.
- A great music teacher will guide you in the best direction for you, while also seeing to it that you are fulfilled musically. A teacher’s knowledge of repertoire will help you find the music you want to play more quickly.
- A private music teacher will show you the best way to practice and use your time efficiently to establish a strengthening practice habit. A teacher will break down the music for you into manageable chunks and show you the best fingerings. A great teacher will guide you past merely playing the music functionally and will coach you to play with musicality and expression.
- Private music teachers are interested in your goals so they can customize lessons and get you playing the music you are most interested in. Having enjoyable music is a great part of the motivation to practice and continue playing.
- Private lessons are not one size fits all. A private teacher can present lessons in a way that fits your personal learning style. For example, some students may wish to be competitive while others may want to study recreationally. So the teacher can adjust material and pacing to do what is best for you.
- Your private music teacher can be a resource in other ways. The teacher might have a music lending library that allows you to borrow music to read or listen to. Your teacher will help you with the knowledge to maintain your instrument and show you how to change your own strings if you are a guitarist or bassist. I have even written college and scholarship recommendation letters for students I have taught a long time.
- Many teachers offer more than mere instrument study. Your teacher might also offer theory, composition or improvisation along with the instrumental study. I once had a clarinet instructor that also offered his students a chance to learn the Alexander Technique. Or you might have the chance to learn multiple instruments from one person.
- A private music teacher will keep you on track and give you a sense of accountability. Having someone to be accountable to, especially in establishing a new habit, is important for success.
- Your private music teacher is a trained professional. So, his or her goal is to give you the best of themselves and create a great learning experience for you.
There is no substitute for a personal, human connection when studying music.
Taking private music lessons or giving them to someone else is a great gift. It is an investment in personal growth and gives you tools for self-expression and a way to know yourself more deeply. In my ideal world, every child and adult would play a musical instrument. The benefits to people are emotional, mental, physical, creative, and therapeutic. The benefits to the world are boundless. And all this is much more sustainable with the help and encouragement from a teacher who knows you and responds to you. Consider that money spent for private music lessons is really an investment in yourself!
Keep music in your heart,
Susan