Jools Holland backs music project coming to Staffordshire

Supported by Jools Holland OBE, and run by charity Music For All, the 2020 Learn to Play Day will take place on March 28 and 29.

It sees music shops, teachers, venues and schools throughout the county partner with leading musical instrument brands to offer thousands of free lessons.

So far, participating venues include A Major Music Supplies in Trentham Shopping Village which will be offering free taster lessons on the guitar, violin, ukulele, flute, clarinet and trumpet across the weekend.

Further venues are set to be announced over the coming weeks. Since being launched nine 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.

Musician Holland, who is behind the popular The Jam House venue on St Paul's Square in Birmingham, said: “As Patron of the Music For All charity, I’m delighted to lend my support to National Learn to Play Day on March 28 and 29. 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.”

Paul McManus, CEO at Music For All, added: “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 a free music lesson near you, visit the Music For All website.