Have you ever considered how often you play your instrument alone? For most students, especially at the beginning of their musical journey, the only human interaction they have is with their teacher. Recitals and other kinds of performances offer great opportunities for you to play in front of people, but you’re still up there all by yourself. The fact is, there are plenty of benefits that come from both playing music solo and as part of a group. Let’s take a look at both situations, and what you can get out of each.
Learning Music Solo
We may not think about it in exactly these terms, but most musicians start out as soloists. They get used to lessons and practicing “behind closed doors,” so to speak, and often feel most comfortable being their own audience.
And, indeed, there are great benefits to this. In fact, “starting solo” gives new musicians:
- Better self discipline;
- More self-awareness;
- Improved confidence; and
- Increased growth in other areas of your life.
That said, the one way to supercharge these benefits is to learn, play, and create music with others!
Learning Music with a Group
Of course, music itself tells us that it is meant to be more than a solo game.
It tells us with a single word: harmony. The very nature of harmony is more than one note: the chord. Chords are made up of several notes – any number of notes, in fact – as long as it’s more than one.
But it goes even further than this simple explanation. Harmony adds texture, color, depth, emotion, beauty, and more to music. Without chords, none of it would exist. No piece of music can be quite as lovely played all on its own.
And while chords are important to give music life, the same is true for learning and playing with more people. As well as your child may be doing playing solo, imagine what could happen when you add in the harmony of more performers!
Some of the incredible benefits of group lessons include:
- Better listening abilities;
- More openness to others;
- Improved communication skills;
- Greater empathy;
- Team-work skills;
- Improved confidence; and
- Objective feedback from people who are not the teacher.
Clearly, the benefits go far beyond simply making great music!
The biggest difference between private and group lessons is pretty obvious: private lessons are focused on the individual, group lessons are focused on each musician as part of the whole. Both are important parts of learning to play music!
Benefits of Private vs Group Lessons
The fact is, there are benefits for both, and which is better for your child will depend largely on where they are in their development. For the most part, when it comes to very young musicians, fun group lessons that are more low key and involve singing, clapping, and rhythm games are best for the youngest musicians. In classes like these, young children can learn by watching others and don’t have to sit still for long periods of time.
For students a little older who are ready to begin learning to play an instrument, choosing between private or group lessons will depend on their musical goals.
Private Lessons
If any of the following circumstances sound like they apply to your child, then private lessons may be best.
1. You want your child to focus their attention.
You can think of a private music teacher as something like a coach. They understand your child’s goals, evaluate their skills, create a personalized lesson plan, and help with motivation.
What’s more, private lessons are great for students who like to work at their own pace. When it comes to group lessons, the teacher’s attention is spread over the entire group, and everyone moves at the same speed. But in a one-on-one setting, your child’s learning style is the direct focus.
2. Your child has a very specific goal in mind, like:
-Learning songwriting.
-Preparing for an audition.
-Correcting bad musical habits.
3. The convenience of private music lessons, with a regular schedule and location, works best for your family.
Chances are, you’ve already got an idea of which type of lessons will be best for your child. Go with your gut. If you start with group classes and change your mind, you can always switch. If you’re still not sure, talk to a professional at a music studio that offers both, and get the info straight from the source.
Group Lessons
On the other hand, If any of these circumstances sound like they apply to you and your child, then group lessons are probably best.
1. Your child isn’t sure how much they’ll like the instrument they’ve chosen, and you both want to do a “test drive” before committing.
In this case, the short-term nature of group lessons may be helpful and may feel like less of an investment.
2. You’re looking for more of a social experience for your child’s musical journey.
Group lessons are great for extroverted kids! These kinds of children may thrive in group lessons, while more introverted children may also find comfort in being part of a group instead of the center of attention.
3. Your child longs to know what it feels like to play in a band.
Making music as a group is the very nature of group lessons! This is the place to experience the synergy of music.
Of course, none of this is to say that private lessons will overload your child with incredible demands. The right teacher will help your child reach their goals without overwhelming them. If they don’t, it’s time to find a new teacher!
Lessons at The Music Studio
Looking to start your child’s (or your own) musical journey off on the right foot? Check out all the Music Studio’s private and group lessons, and sign up today!