The 10 Commandments of a Music Student: Part 1

Welcome to the Music Makers Academy blog, where we help parents and students navigate the musical journey with expert advice and practical tips. In today’s post, we’re diving into the first part of a two-part series inspired by our popular podcast Raising Musos. Originally written as a blog post by our founder Eliza Bourgault, The 10 Commandments of a Music Student outlines the habits and attitudes that help students get the most out of their lessons — and build a brilliant relationship with their tutor!

So if you or your child are starting music lessons and want to make the most of every minute, keep reading. Here are the first five commandments that every music tutor will secretly (or not so secretly!) love you for following:

1. Thou shall be punctual.

Your music tutor has set aside time just for you, often within a very full teaching day. Arriving on time shows respect, sets a positive tone for the lesson, and ensures you get your full session without cutting into valuable learning time.

2. Thou shall clarify instructions when confused.

Every student learns differently. Even the most experienced tutor can’t read minds, so if something doesn’t make sense or you feel unsure, speak up! Asking questions not only helps you progress faster, but it also shows your teacher that you’re truly engaged and committed to your learning.

3. Thou shall arrive to lessons with all required material.

There’s nothing that derails a lesson faster than missing music books or forgotten instruments. Come prepared! We recommend packing your music bag the night before your lesson to avoid a rushed (or incomplete) morning.

4. Thou shall practise the assigned homework between lessons.

Music lessons are like any other subject: progress depends on practice. Your teacher assigns tasks each week to help you improve, and skipping them can lead to stalled progress. When students come back prepared, lessons are smoother, more exciting, and way more rewarding.

5. Thou shall not be afraid to communicate thy goals.

We love hearing what inspires you! Whether it’s mastering a specific piece, learning to write your own music, or joining a band one day, telling your tutor your goals helps us tailor lessons to keep you motivated and excited about learning.

Stay tuned for Part 2, where we’ll share the remaining five commandments that can transform any student’s music experience.

Got a favourite commandment already? Or one you think your child could use a little reminder about? Let us know in the comments or

📩 Send us a message on Instagram @musicmakersacademy or reach out via email to book your spot.

Until next time — keep raising musos,
Eliza 🎶