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Piano Lessons in California: Real Student Trends by City

October 31, 2025 / by Julie Adams

California generates the strongest demand for piano lessons in the United States. More families are looking for teachers, more adults are returning to the instrument, and more studios are building programs around what students actually want. The insights below come from what Californians write when they request lessons—motivations, style preferences, scheduling needs, and the kind of teachers they’re hoping to find.

Where demand is strongest—and how it looks by region

Los Angeles & Coast...

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From Weddings to Worship Bands: The Surprising Events People Prepare for When Taking Music Lessons

October 31, 2025 / by Julie Adams

Not every music lesson starts with a long-term plan. For many students, the spark is a specific moment: a wedding they want to sing at, a church band they’re joining next month, an audition on the calendar, or a surprise performance for someone they love. When we read through real lesson requests on LessonRating.com, these moments appear again and again. They’re personal, meaningful, and often time-bound—which is why the right teacher makes all the difference.

Weddings: one song that lasts a lifetime

...

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Top Reasons People Start Guitar Lessons: Insights from Real Students Across the U.S

October 31, 2025 / by Brian Collins

The guitar has always held a special place in American music. It’s portable, expressive, and just as at home in a living room as it is on a stage. Looking across thousands of real requests from students on LessonRating.com, clear patterns emerge about why people choose to begin. What follows are the motivations we see most often—told in plain language that reflects how students actually describe their goals.

The most common motivations

“I’m a complete beginner and ready to start.”

<...

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The Most Popular Instruments to Learn in America

October 31, 2025 / by Joseph Evans

The Most Popular Instruments to Learn in America

Private music lessons remain a favorite way for Americans to learn and rediscover their love of music.

Every month across the United States, thousands of new students search for a music teacher. To find out what Americans are actually learning right now, LessonRating.com analyzed over 190,000 anonymized lesson requests submitted across the country. The results reveal which instruments are most popular, how people prefer to learn, and who’...

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How to Tune Your Ukulele

January 04, 2023 / by Julie Adams

Tuning a ukulele is an important skill for any player to master, as an out-of-tune instrument can make it difficult to play and can impact the overall sound of the music. Fortunately, tuning a ukulele is a relatively simple process that can be done using a variety of methods. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to tune a ukulele:

  1. Determine the desired tuning. The most common tuning for a ukulele is G-C-E-A, also known as "standard tuning." This refers to the pitch of the strings, with the G string being the highest in pitch and the A string being the lowest....

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Why Ukulele is an Easier Instrument to Learn

January 04, 2023 / by Brian Collins

The ukulele is often perceived as a simple, easy-to-learn instrument, and for good reason. There are several factors that make the ukulele an accessible option for those looking to learn a musical instrument.

 

First, the ukulele is small and portable, making it convenient for practicing and carrying around. Its compact size also makes it a good choice for those with smaller hands or limited hand strength, as the strings and frets are closer together and require less stretching to play.

 

Second, the ukulele has only four strings, com...

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5 Electric Bass Players Everyone Should Know

January 04, 2023 / by Joseph Evans

Electric bass players are an integral part of any band, providing the driving rhythms and low-end foundation that help shape the music. There are countless talented bass players active today, but here are five who stand out as some of the best:

 

Victor Wooten. A member of the legendary funk and fusion group The Flecktones, Victor Wooten is known for his virtuosic playing style and innovative use of effects pedals. He has won numerous awards for his playing, including five Bass Player Magazine "Bass Player of the Year" awards. In addi...

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The Many Benefits of Piano Lessons for Seniors

January 04, 2023 / by Julie Adams

As people age, it is important to find activities that can help maintain physical and mental health and well-being. Piano lessons can be an excellent activity for seniors to consider, as they offer a range of benefits that are particularly well-suited to the needs of older individuals.

 

One of the primary benefits of piano lessons for seniors is the cognitive stimulation they provide. Playing the piano requires the use of several different cognitive skills, such as memory, attention, and problem-solving. These skills are important for maintaining cognitive fun...

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How To Practice Without Your Guitar

June 20, 2022 / by Joseph Evans

Ever wished you could practice your guitar chops without the instrument itself? A good guess is...you probably have. Just because you cannot always have your guitar with you, it shouldn't mean that you won't be thinking about it...or even playing some air guitar as you imagine your fingers on the strings.  It won't matter if you need to work, travel, rest, and do other things. It’s very possible to practice without your guitar on your commute to and from work, during your tea or lunch break, a bus journey, or even on a long haul flight.

Here are some of ...

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How Piano Lessons Can Help People With Alzheimer's

September 14, 2022 / by Helen Baker

Music has power. It has the amazing ability to spark compelling outcomes for people suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. Different studies have confirmed that our musical memory is retained. It can link a song with special memories of events or relationships. When using music as therapy for patients with Alzheimer’s disease, it can shift their mood, stimulate positive interactions, manage stress-induced agitation, and facilitate cognitive function.

This power of music therapy happens because rhythmic and other well-rehearsed responses rely on little to no ment...

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