What if all instruments came with a great curriculum and 24 hour help?

Does this sound like you?

You are into music and thinking about learning an instrument. You weren't a band geek in high school but you do enjoy jazz so maybe the saxophone strikes your fancy? You like old 70's rock so maybe guitar or electric bass is the way to go? You cracked up at Will Farrell in Anchorman but thought that 'yazz flute' actually 'really sounded pretty cool'! That's it! You've made up your mind... now off you go to your local music dealer.

The bright lights and shiny instruments beckon. You plunk a few notes as you walk past the demo keyboard. Walls of cool extras and rows of sheet music give you pause but you press on.

'Which one do I choose? Do I rent or purchase?'

You finally find a salesman and start asking questions and soon realize that whichever one you choose, you are still days, if not weeks and maybe months, away from making music. Who will show me how to put it together? Where do my fingers go? Can anyone help me? Is this a futile endeavor? AHHHH!

Now imagine you could purchase or rent an instrument that included a full music curriculum along with 24 hour educational support. Talk about a 'no-brainer'! And how is that for added value?!

Impossible you say? That would take one visionary company, an amazing team of educators and possibly the foresight of...gulp...instrument manufacturers and distributors. Ha Ha Ha! Like that will ever happen!

Well, laugh all ya want, but we're not kidding. MusickEd.com is positioning itself to make this (and much more) a possibility for any shrewd instrument manufacturer or local dealer who wants to separate themselves from the pack. Heck, we're even open to the idea of Yahoo or Google or even Best Buy coming aboard. Our software program and support is poised to change the course of music education as we know it and it can be attached to any instrument rented or sold more easily and economically than any freebie DVD.

Now, we're not talking about reaching the 'El-Hi band, choir and orchestra programs' or 'saving the music'. If all goes well, they will benefit when the time is right. We're talking about making world class music education services and support available to anyone with a laptop and an instrument.

We're talking to you Mr. and Mrs. 20 Something gen-googler with an IPod and a hankering for solid, well delivered information.

We're talking to the same group of people who are inspired by Food Network - not to become chefs mind you, but to simply try Giada's Roasted Chicken with Balsamic Vinegrette recipe this weekend.

We want to reach you Mr. Golf Digest Magazine - you couldn't qualify as a caddie but that doesn't stop you from trying to improve your game each week.

And what about you Ms. Weekend Gardener? We know you'd love nothing more than to sit among your magnificent Lady Banks Roses or Kaffir Lillies and serenade them sweetly with your oboe!

Does this even exist in music? It sure does. And it's right here at MusickEd.com. Sit back and take the tour of our program and be sure to follow us on Twitter so you can stay up to date on the latest news and product releases.

TAKE THE TOUR!

Best Buy = Students

We recently learned that Best Buy the International retailer of consumer electronics and entertainment software is announcing a massive new initiative that sets aside store space for an array of musical instruments and gear in dozens of its stores nationwide. The Billboard Magazine story (dated June 2008) goes on to say that their selection will include 'everything from accessories — picks, sheet music and cases — to high-end basses, guitars, keyboards and DJ equipment. Instruments will be housed in separate rooms and the company also plans to offer group music lessons'.

I know this may come as a shock, but I say 'bring it on'! It's just one more testament to the fact that music and music retailing is a multi-billion dollar industry. It's no wonder why a major player who provides other forms of 'entertainment' like video game software, TV's and computers is willing to gamble on the appeal and power of music. The success of Guitar Hero has made this industry stand up and take notice of this potential (even though one may have little to do with the other). So this idea is not surprising to me at all, in fact, the trend had already begun at Costco and Wal-Mart some years ago.

What struck me most about this article was Best Buy's 'Oh, by the way... we're giving music lessons in stores too' attitude, added pretty much as an afterthought. This is where they will fall short or completely miss the boat. Not because it cannot be done well, but because it cannot be done well to any successful degree in a setting such as a Best Buy with decisions being made by people who have little if any experience in music or music education. They underestimate the talent and skill needed to teach (let alone teach music). It is not the same skill set as say, assembling a flat-screen tv or troubleshooting a cell phone.

And, likewise, this is where music educators and the profession as a whole all too often fall short. We have for far too long hung our hat on academia despite years if not decades of dwindling support. At the same time, large corporations have begun to notice the popularity and massive revenue potential that music holds. Why is there such a disconnect for music educators in this area? Why have we not tapped in to the same huge market that Best Buy sees?

I wish Best Buy great success in selling millions of instruments to young adults, mid-lifers and seniors the world over. I hope they plan to add band and orchestra instruments to the mix as well. Then they can turn all of those people loose to seek professional music education online or in their own communities. And if music educators are smart, they will work together to take advantage of this situation and begin the process of adding a major component to their profession. One that is financially robust, is in touch with the corporate world, and resides outside of academia in the private sector. Bring it on!