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Feb 11 2020 
Learn to Play Day
Learn to Play Day – Get involved!
Find out below about how you, as a retailer, can host a Learn to Play Day and directly support Music For All’s work.
By Alice Monk, Music For All
The ninth annual Learn to Play Day weekend which was due to take place in March 2020 has been postponed.
Learn to Play Day weekend will once again offer the general public the chance to have a free ‘taster’ lesson on a range of musical instruments. It also gives your business a unique opportunity to reach new customers…
In 2019, over 100 venues all around the country put on events. We had music shops, orchestras, Churches, rehearsal rooms, community music projects, music services and more… All are very welcome!
The basic premise of Learn to Play Day is to offer free, short taster lessons to inspire new and lapsed musicians and welcome them to our wonderful world of music making. You can be as creative as you like with how you do this.
This is an excellent opportunity to increase awareness and visibility of your shop, or organisation within your local community. You will be amazed at how many people don’t know you’re there!
Never underestimate a parent’s desire for their child to learn or play music, especially if their school does not have a strong music offering. Equally, there are millions of adults out there that used to play and want to start again. But many people are intimidated by music shops (honestly!). Therefore, the knowledge that you are offering free educational, enjoyable activities on Learn to Play Day breaks down the hurdle of ‘getting them in the door’ and is a great opportunity to bypass the far bigger issue – the ‘fear’ of music shops – than you might imagine.
There are already 75 venues confirmed for Learn to Play Day 2020, why not join them?
If you’d like to see some previous success stories, check these out:
- Spider Music‘s Learn to Play Day experience – “The best day of the year financially so far”
- KORG UK sees record number of lessons at this years Learn to Play Day.
- Millers Music – The success of the Harmonica Playathon
- Dawkes Music create some brilliant Learn to Play Day success stories!
There are many ways that Music for All can help you to make your event a success, all you have to do is ask. They’ll send you a pack of posters and flyers that you can put up in your local area to advertise your Learn to Play Day event, as well as balloons and other materials to use on the day.
Your event will be displayed on the official Learn to Play Day map on the website which will be linked to in all press and PR, and public social media pages will be used to promote and share your posts.
What are you waiting for? Register your interest here!
For more info, please get in touch:
- musicforall.org.uk
- Tel: +44 (0) 1403 800500
- Email: alice@musicforall.org.uk
Tell us what you think @Takeitawaymusic
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Jan 03 2020 
Why you should learn a musical instrument
Why you should learn a musical instrument
Looking to set yourself a new challenge ? One that you can focus on and dedicate time to rather than a whole list of things that get forgotten over the coming months. Learn something new or pick up an old hobby…
Learning a musical instrument might just be the best thing you do this year because of the wealth of other skills and benefits that come with it and it’s never too late to start!
By Sophie Ogunyemi
Here’s why we should all make music:
It is a form of therapy
- EVERY musician I’ve spoken to agrees that there’s nothing better to unwind and release emotions than playing their instruments.
- It’s a great way to release stress and relax as it takes your mind off everyday worries.
- Here’s an article specifically on The Power of Music To Reduce Stress.
It is a brain work out
- Learning and playing an instrument regularly uses parts of your brain which improve your memory and concentration powers.
- Figuring out and understanding rhythm is problem solving akin to maths equations.
- Reading music is learning a new language and therefore improving your comprehension skills.
- It has been proven!
It is a physical work out
- Ok, this one might depend more on which instrument you go for but, for example, brass instruments take a great deal of effort from your core and lungs for breath control. Drumming can use so much of your body that you often end up doing cardio!
- And your coordination will improve. When you’re playing, you’re asking your brain and body to coordinate at a fast pace between your eyes, hands and mind.
It unleashes creativity, self expression and emotional development
- All music is subject to interpretation. It’s up to you to express and add your personality to everything you play.
- Playing musical instruments enhances your emotional stability and helps you develop empathy towards others.
It helps you develop self discipline and patience
- Starting from scratch isn’t going to be all smooth sailing (even for a natural). Mastering it to any level takes practise, a process in itself which will improve your willpower.
- Putting in the hours to learn this new skill means you’ll have to organise your time effectively which will help with your time management.
It can improve your social life
- Once you’ve got the basics down, you can join ensembles meeting other musicians and build your team working, leadership and management skills.
It helps with your confidence
- The sense of achievement and accomplishment you get from nailing a section or even a whole song leaves you feeling positive, proud and uplifted which all adds up to you feeling more confident!
- Performing for an audience – friends, family or the world at large, might take you out of your comfort zone but taking that risk and putting yourself out there will help you to become a better presenter in work and general life.
All these added bonuses aside, making music is fun! It stimulates your brain and stops you from sitting idly whilst scrolling through various social media platforms…
So, what are you waiting for?
1 | Pick your instrument
From guitar to double bass, saxophone to DJ decks – there will be something that suits you! If you’re not sure or can’t quite decided, pop into your local music shop for some advice.
2 | Find a teacher
Again, check with your local music shop, they’ll have lots of connections. Or check the UK Music Teachers group on Facebook. OR you could learn independently by following online tutorials like OME or the Fender Play app. Or just good old YouTube. (There are so many options, no excuse!)
3 | Get playing!
It’s a no brainer 😉
How Take it away can help you
Instruments and lessons can be expensive meaning some people never discover the joy of learning and playing music. For disabled musicians who need adapted instruments, the problems can be particularly challenging.
At Take it away, we work with our retail partners, Arts Council England and the Arts Council of Northern Ireland to break down these barriers. A part of Creative United, a community interest company that drives economic growth and social impact in the arts and creative industries, we provide a range of subsidised and non-subsidised loans. These are designed to make learning, playing and participating in music more affordable and open to everyone.
Together with our partners, we look to enable and inspire a life-long love of music.
Find out how Take it away can help you with the cost of a musical instrument, tuition or software.
Tell us what you think @Takeitawaymusic
