Tag: Learn To Play Day

Scots enjoy free music lessons

On the weekend of 26th September, people of varying ages and abilities from Scotland got involved with this year’s Learn to Play Day event.

Organised by the charity Music for All, people across the UK travelled to music stores and community centres, to take advantage of a range of free music lessons. For the first time, those who could not attend in person were able to join in the fun by learning through tutorials on Music for All’s YouTube channel. 

These featured the likes of the band Skunk Anansie, David Tench the musical director of The Voice UK, Rob Rolfe of Enter Shikari, Vasko Vassilev and Hetty Snell of the Royal Opera House, and more.

In Scotland, Kenny’s Music store in Aberdeen and Glasgow and The National Piping Centre gave people the chance to try a variety of musical instruments.

The purpose of the annual Learn to Play Day weekend – supported by Music for All’s patron, Jools Holland OBE – was to give everyone the opportunity to pick up and play a musical instrument. While some of the attendees had never played before, others hadn’t since childhood so were rediscovering the joys of playing.

The instruments featured in the online videos include guitar, drums, violin, cello, clarinet, keyboard, ukulele, piano, trombone, bagpipes and beat boxing on a flute! 

These can be found here:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCa4rkITZgSkr1kzYiDXkTqQ/videos

A venue spokesperson said: “Due to the pandemic, last year’s annual event sadly didn’t take place, so we were delighted to get involved this year and give people a chance to pick up and play an instrument.

“The music industry is such an incredible community, and we are happy to be so involved in helping it grow across Scotland.”

Tony Followell, Chair of Trustees at Music for All, said: “Being able to offer free access to music lessons for one weekend meant we could help to encourage people to try a musical instrument for what might have been their first time.

“There is so much pleasure to be had and proven health, happiness and wellbeing benefits associated with making music. We hope that those who took part continue to learn.  Those who weren’t able to join in still can by subscribing to our YouTube channel. Thanks to all venues and people that took part.”

Learn to Play ’21 is generously supported by the NAMM Foundation and partners include Music Industries Association, Musicians Union, Making Music and Music Mark.

Learn to Play Days Cancelled

Following the government’s announcements and the ongoing daily developments in regard to Coronavirus, the decision has been made to postpone the nationwide Learn to Play Day events that were planned for the weekend of 28th/29th March 2020.

Paul McManus, CEO of Music for All, the organisers of Learn to Play Day, said: “The safety of all event organisers and participants is of the utmost importance to us. This is a very current and fast-changing situation with the risks to people’s health likely to escalate alongside growing public concern.

“We understand that this decision comes as a disappointment, but ultimately, we all want the same thing – the health and safety of our communities. We will of course keep everyone updated as time progresses but, for now, we’d like to thank you and our partners for your understanding and patience during this difficult period.

“Despite the cancellation of Learn to Play, we do still encourage all musicians to keep playing for their own self-enjoyment and the physical and mental benefits of making music.”

FREE music lessons this weekend

FREE music lessons in Scotland this weekend
Learn to Play Day – a free national event to encourage everyone in the UK to start making music -is coming to Scotland this weekend.

Supported by Jools Holland OBE, and run by charity Music for All, the 2019 Learn to Play Day will take place on Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th March, and will see music shops, teachers, venues and schools throughout the country partner with leading musical instrument brands to offer thousands of FREE music lessons.

Participating venues include:

  • Yamaha Music Point Kilmarnock
  • Carmunnock Village Recreation Club in Glasgow
  • Broth Music in Glasgow
  • Eiger Music at Windsor Community Hall in Glasgow
  • Musicroom Edinburgh
  • Musicroom Dundee
  • Loch Leven Music Tuition in Kinross
  • Acoustic Music Workshop in Perth.

Since being launched eight years ago, the Learn to Play Day initiative has helped thousands of people pick up and play a musical instrument. Many had never played before, while others played as a child but gave up.

Held in partnership with the Musicians’ Union, the ‘Take It Away’ scheme and Making Music, the Learn to Play Day initiative has been growing in popularity with a record 10,000 free lessons held during last year’s event.

Jools Holland said: “As Patron of the Music for All charity, I’m delighted to lend my support to National Learn to Play Day on March 23rd and 24th. It’s a pleasure to be able to share the joy of music, and this special day allows thousands to get involved as venues all over the country offer music lessons for free.”

Fellow artist Jamie Cullum added: “National Learn to Play Day gives everyone a chance to play an instrument, even if they’ve never played before. This wonderful day introduces thousands to the magic of music making, and often reunites people with a lost passion for playing. Get involved and perhaps discover a skill you thought you didn’t have!”

Paul McManus, CEO at Music for All, concluded: “While we all may have different tastes and preferred genres, there is no doubt that music is something that is universally loved around the world.

“Our Learn to Play Day events are all about spreading the joy of playing a musical instrument and inspiring those of all ages to take up something that will not only have health benefits for the future, but that also brings so many people together.”

To find your closest FREE music lesson in Scotland, visit https://musicforall.org.uk/learntoplayday/

Just a month to go before Learn to Play Day

Supported by Jools Holland OBE, and run by charity Music for All, the 2019 Learn to Play Day will take place on Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th March, and will see music shops, teachers, venues and schools throughout the country partner with leading musical instrument brands to offer thousands of FREE music lessons. Continue reading Just a month to go before Learn to Play Day