“My child attended five lessons and they still can’t shred?…”

Let’s address it head on.

Your child has had five lessons. They can maybe play a simple riff. They know how to hold the instrument. They’re still looking at their fingers. And you’re wondering:

“Why aren’t they amazing yet?”

Fair question.

Now let’s talk about reality.

Because music proficiency is not Amazon Prime. It doesn’t arrive in 48 hours.

It’s built.

The Myth of Instant Talent

Social media has destroyed timelines.

Children see polished 14-year-olds playing like session musicians. Parents see “child prodigy” videos. What you don’t see:

• 5–8 years of structured practice

• Thousands of repetitions

• Boring fundamentals

• Metronomes

• Slow practice

• Corrections

• Plateaus

Shredding is the tip of the iceberg.

The iceberg is discipline.

The Real Development Timeline

Below is what actually happens when a child learns an instrument.

Not the fantasy version. The real one.

🟢 Stage 1: Orientation (Weeks 1–8)

What it looks like:

• Awkward hand position

• Slow transitions

• Constant stopping

• “Is this right?” every 30 seconds

What’s actually happening:

• The brain is building new neural pathways

• Fine motor control is developing

• Posture and mechanics are being programmed

At this stage, we are not building speed.

We are building foundations.

If foundations are weak, everything collapses later.

Five lessons in?They are still learning how to hold the tool correctly.

That’s not failure.

That’s normal.

🟡 Stage 2: Coordination (Months 2–6)

Now something interesting happens.

The child:

• Plays short songs

• Makes fewer technical errors

• Starts recognising patterns

• Begins internalising rhythm

But here’s the critical factor:

Practice consistency now determines trajectory.

Two students, same teacher, same curriculum.

• Student A practices 5–6 times per week for 15 minutes.

• Student B practices once before the lesson.

After 6 months, they are worlds apart.

Not because of talent.

Because of repetition.

Music is a motor skill.

Motor skills require frequency.

🔵 Stage 3: Musical Awareness (6–18 Months)

This is where it gets exciting.

• Tone improves

• Timing stabilises

• Confidence increases

• Performance anxiety decreases

• Expression begins

Now you see personality in the playing.

But still not shredding.

Why?

Because speed and fluency are built on control.

And control takes time.

🔴 Stage 4: Fluency & Style (2–5 Years)

This is where:

• Technique becomes automatic

• Muscle memory takes over

• Improvisation starts

• Speed increases safely

• Personal style develops

Now we can talk about “shredding.”

But understand this. Most students who reach this level have:

• Practiced consistently for years

• Performed multiple times

• Worked through plateaus

• Learned to tolerate frustration

There are no shortcuts.

Let’s Talk About Practice (The Uncomfortable Bit)

Here’s the truth.

One lesson per week is guidance.

Practice is where transformation happens.

If your child attends a 30-minute lesson and does zero work at home:

Progress will crawl.

If they practice 10–20 focused minutes most days:

Progress compounds.

It’s math.

10 minutes × 5 days × 52 weeks = 2,600 minutes per year.

That’s over 43 hours of additional training.

That’s the difference between “okay” and “confident.”

Stop Winging It at Home

One of the biggest progress killers?

Students going home unsure what to practice.

That’s why tracking matters.

Inside our app, students can:

• See exactly what to work on

• Track completed practice

• Log reflections

• Record themselves

• Share progress with teachers

When progress is visible, motivation increases.

When students ask questions in lessons instead of pretending to understand, they avoid weeks of reinforcing mistakes.

Parents — encourage this:

“What exactly are you practicing this week?”

If they can’t answer clearly, something needs clarification before they leave the lesson.

For Parents: Manage Expectations

Music is not for big egos.

It’s for builders.

If your child expects applause after five lessons, they are learning the wrong lesson.

Teach them:

• Mastery takes time

• Frustration is part of growth

• Slow practice is not weakness

• Consistency beats intensity

Praise effort.

Not speed.

Praise showing up.

Not flashy moments.

The child who learns patience through music gains something far more valuable than shredding.

They gain resilience.

For Teachers: Be Honest About the Timeline

Teachers, this matters.

If we oversell speed, we damage trust.

Be upfront:

• “Fluency takes years.”

• “Practice frequency matters more than lesson length.”

• “There will be plateaus.”

Set realistic milestones:

• 3 months: coordination

• 6 months: stable basics

• 1 year: confident beginner

• 2–3 years: intermediate development

Parents respect clarity.

Even if it’s uncomfortable.

Especially if it’s uncomfortable.

The Real Question

Instead of asking:

“Why can’t they shred yet?”

Ask:

• Are they practicing consistently?

• Are they asking questions?

• Are they building strong foundations?

• Are they enjoying the process?

Because proficiency isn’t a moment.

It’s an accumulation.

Final Reality Check

Five lessons is exposure.

Not mastery.

If your child sticks with it for:

• 6 months — you’ll see structure.

• 1 year — you’ll see confidence.

• 3 years — you’ll see capability.

• 5 years — you’ll see proficiency.

• 10 years — you’ll see authority.

Music rewards the long game.

And the long game builds character.

If you want instant results, buy a toy.

If you want growth, discipline, resilience, and skill that compounds for life — stay the course.

Shredding will come.

But only after the boring bits are respected.

Why the MU Will Cause Independent Music Schools to Close — and Why We Shouldn’t Be OK With It

Independent music schools across the UK are quietly being squeezed out of existence. Not by lack of demand. Not by poor teaching. Not even by rising rents alone.

But by a growing disconnect between policy, union pressure, and economic reality.

If current trajectories continue, many independent music schools will simply stop being viable. And the uncomfortable truth is this: the Musician’s Union (MU), as it currently operates, is part of the problem.

This isn’t an attack on musicians. It’s a warning about systems that don’t understand how music education actually works on the ground.

The Core Issue: Performer Economics Applied to Education

The MU exists to protect musicians’ livelihoods. That matters.

But the MU largely frames pay and conditions through the lens of performance work — gigs, sessions, short-term contracts.

Teaching is not the same.

When performer-based economics are applied wholesale to music education — especially small, independent schools — the maths collapses.

Music schools are structurally different:

They operate on monthly subscriptions, not one-off fees

Students require continuity, not rotating staff

Parents have hard price ceilings, regardless of ideology

Schools carry venue costs, admin, safeguarding, insurance, marketing, tax, and risk

You cannot apply gig-economy logic to an education model without breaking it.

The Margin Problem Nobody Wants to Talk About

Most independent music schools operate on tight margins — often 15–30% before reinvestment.

That margin pays for:

Staff cover

Training

Missed lessons

Growth

Stability

If teacher pay is pushed up without regard for:

Student pricing reality

Group-class economics

Regional affordability

The actual number of hours available

…then the school doesn’t become fairer.

It becomes non-existent.

And when the school closes:

Teachers lose all their students

Families lose access

Music education becomes a luxury again

The Myth: “Schools Can Just Charge More”

This is the most common response — and it’s wrong.

Parents are already under financial pressure. Raising fees endlessly doesn’t create fairness; it creates exclusion.

What actually happens when fees rise too far:

Middle-income families drop out

Group classes collapse

Schools pivot to elite-only private tuition — or shut down

That is not access. That is regression.

The Overlooked Reality: Independent Schools Are the Last Line of Access

This is the part that rarely gets said out loud:

Public access to music education is already functionally gone.

State schools offer minimal or no instrumental tuition

Peripatetic services are shrinking year after year

Councils have cut music provision to the bone

Waiting lists are long, funding is thin, and continuity is rare

For most families today, independent music schools are no longer a “luxury alternative” — they are the only option.

If independent schools close:

There is no public system ready to absorb those students

There is no safety net for children from non-elite backgrounds

Music education becomes private-only, fragmented, and postcode-dependent

In other words: access dies quietly.

And this is the paradox at the heart of the issue: Policies intended to protect musicians risk eliminating the very structures that make widespread access possible.

Independent schools are not the enemy.

They are the final bridge between music education and the public.

Break that bridge, and it doesn’t get rebuilt.

Employment vs Freelancing: A Critical Distinction

Many independent schools are actively trying to move teachers into employed, part-time roles because:

Employment = stability

Stability = student retention

Retention = sustainable pay

But union rhetoric often discourages these roles unless they resemble full-time equivalents, even when the hours are explicitly fractional.

This creates a trap:

Freelance teachers leave for better gigs

Employed roles are criticised as “not enough”

Long-term commitment becomes impossible

The result? Churn. Burnout. Closures.

The Unspoken Consequence: Fewer Jobs, Not Better Jobs

Policies designed to “protect musicians” are, in practice:

Reducing the number of available teaching roles

Increasing instability

Driving schools to automate, downscale, or exit

This disproportionately harms:

Early-career teachers

Teachers who actually care about education

Communities outside London

And yes — students are hit first.

You Can’t Unionise a Model Out of Existence

This is the question that needs to be asked honestly:

If the outcome of “doing the right thing” is that schools close, teachers lose work, and children lose access — is that really justice?

Protect musicians.

Protect teachers.

But also protect the institutions that make music education possible in the first place.

Because without independent music schools, there is no profession left to protect.

Why Music Education Matters for Everyone

Music is more than just a background soundtrack to your life. It’s a powerful tool that shapes minds, builds skills, and connects communities. Whether you’re a parent thinking about enrolling your child in lessons or a music lover curious about the benefits of picking up an instrument, understanding the importance of music lessons can open up a world of possibilities. Let’s dive into why music education is essential for everyone and how it can enrich your life in ways you might not expect.

Unlocking Potential: The Importance of Music Lessons for Growth

When you think about learning music, you might picture a child struggling through scales or a teenager practicing guitar chords. But music lessons are so much more than just notes on a page. They are a gateway to developing critical life skills.

Here’s what music lessons can do for you or your child:

• Boost cognitive skills: Learning an instrument improves memory, attention, and problem-solving abilities. Studies show that musicians often excel in math and language skills.

• Enhance emotional intelligence: Music helps you understand and express emotions better. It’s a safe space to explore feelings and develop empathy.

• Build discipline and patience: Regular practice teaches commitment and perseverance, qualities that translate into academic and personal success.

• Encourage creativity: Music is an art form that invites you to experiment and innovate, fostering creative thinking.

  
  

Imagine your child not just playing a tune but also gaining confidence and resilience through their musical journey. That’s the real magic of music lessons.

A piano keyboard with sheet music ready for practice

How Music Lessons Shape Your Brain and Beyond

You might wonder, “Is there real science behind this?” Absolutely. Neuroscience has uncovered fascinating insights into how music lessons physically change the brain.

When you learn to play an instrument, your brain forms new neural connections. This process, called neuroplasticity, enhances areas responsible for:

• Language processing

• Spatial reasoning

• Motor skills

• Auditory discrimination

  
  

For example, children who take music lessons often show improved reading skills because music training strengthens the brain’s ability to process sounds and patterns. Adults, too, benefit from music lessons by keeping their minds sharp and reducing stress.

If you’re considering music lessons, remember that it’s never too late to start. The brain’s ability to adapt means you can enjoy these benefits at any age.

A violin resting on a music stand ready for practice

Practical Tips for Choosing the Right Music Lessons

Now that you’re convinced about the benefits, how do you choose the right music lessons? Here are some practical tips to help you or your child get started on the right note:

1. Identify your goals: Are you looking for casual enjoyment, skill development, or professional training? Knowing your goals helps you find the right teacher and style.

2. Pick the right instrument: Consider interests, physical comfort, and budget. For example, a piano is great for beginners, while guitar offers portability.

3. Find a qualified teacher: Look for someone who is not only skilled but also patient and encouraging. A good teacher adapts to your learning style.

4. Set a practice routine: Consistency is key. Even 15 minutes a day can lead to significant progress.

5. Explore group lessons or ensembles: Playing with others builds teamwork and makes learning more fun.

   
   

If you want to dip your toes in before committing, check out this music education offer that lets you try lessons for just one pound. It’s a fantastic way to see if music lessons fit your lifestyle.

Music Lessons: A Community Builder and Confidence Booster

Music isn’t just a solo journey. It’s a social experience that brings people together. When you join a music class or group, you become part of a community that shares your passion.

Here’s how music lessons help build social skills:

• Teamwork: Playing in bands or orchestras teaches cooperation and listening.

• Communication: Expressing ideas through music enhances verbal and non-verbal communication.

• Confidence: Performing in front of others builds self-esteem and reduces anxiety.

  
  

For parents, encouraging your child to participate in music groups can be a great way to help them make friends and develop social skills. For adults, joining a local choir or band can be a wonderful way to meet like-minded people and stay engaged.

Making Music Education Accessible and Fun

One of the biggest concerns for parents and learners is the cost and accessibility of music lessons. The good news is that there are many ways to make music education affordable and enjoyable:

• Community programs: Many local councils and charities offer subsidized lessons.

• Online resources: Platforms provide tutorials and virtual lessons that fit your schedule.

• Instrument rental: Renting instruments can reduce upfront costs.

• Trial lessons: Taking advantage of trial offers helps you find the right fit without a big commitment.

  
  

Remember, the goal is to keep music fun and stress-free. Celebrate small wins and enjoy the journey, whether you’re mastering your first song or performing on stage.

Music lessons are more than just learning to play an instrument. They are a powerful tool for personal growth, brain development, and social connection. By embracing music education, you’re investing in a richer, more fulfilling life. So why not take that first step today? Whether it’s for you or your child, the world of music is waiting to welcome you with open arms.