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Why Music in the Charts is Rubbish —And Why That Should Worry Us

21 April 2025 by James Bradshaw

Spend a few minutes listening to the music charts today, and you might notice something odd: where have all the bands gone? The guitar solos? The harmonies crafted in dusty rehearsal rooms? Increasingly, mainstream hits are written by teams, performed solo, and built on samples rather than instruments. This isn’t just nostalgia talking or the moaning of an old fart—there’s real evidence that popular music is becoming less musically diverse and, in many ways, less human. 

Producer and YouTuber Rick Beato has spoken at length about this trend. He points out that today’s chart-toppers often lack the harmonic complexity, dynamic range, and instrumental variation that defined music just a few decades ago. Yes – modern music all sounds the same! Beato attributes this to overreliance on digital tools, formulaic songwriting—and a striking lack of musicianship.

It begs the question: are we raising a generation of listeners who no longer expect musicians to play music?

Fewer Children Are Learning Instruments

One of the key culprits is the slow erosion of music education in schools.

A 2024 report showed that 42% of UK state-funded schools no longer enter students for GCSE Music—a staggering statistic that points to a nationwide de-prioritisation of music education . A 2019 House of Lords Library briefing further noted that more than half of surveyed schools failed to meet even their basic curriculum obligations for music, often due to budget constraints or a push toward more “measurable” academic subjects.

And it’s not just music. Drama, visual arts, and dance are all seeing reduced timetables and funding. The consequences are clear: fewer children are picking up instruments, fewer are joining bands, and fewer are becoming the well-rounded, expressive, creative learners our society so badly needs.

The Consequences Go Beyond the Charts

Studies have shown that learning an instrument in childhood improves memory, attention span, and emotional regulation. Children who engage in music education tend to perform better in other subjects—including maths and languages—due to enhanced brain connectivity and discipline. One study highlighted by Classic FM even showed that musical training significantly boosts children’s ability to focus and recall information.

So when we talk about the decline in music quality, we’re not just talking about radio hits. We’re talking about what we’re choosing to nurture—or neglect—in our children.

A Different Vision: Ambleford School, Opening September 2025

This is one of the driving forces behind the launch of Ambleford School.

After years of running outdoor education programmes, holiday clubs, and forest school experiences, I’ve seen time and time again how children thrive when they’re given the space to be creative. Whether it’s banging out a rhythm on a log, turning sticks into sculptures, or performing a play in the woods, children naturally gravitate toward the arts when they’re not being tested or constrained.

At Ambleford, we’re building an alternative school that puts music, art, storytelling, drama, and creativity at the heart of learning—not shoved to the periphery. Our aim is to raise learners who not only think critically and solve problems, but who can express themselves, connect with others, and create beautiful things.

That means our children will learn real instruments, not just play on tablets. They’ll sing around campfires, build stage sets in the woods, and bring stories to life with their own voices and imaginations. We believe that’s how whole children are made.

Let’s Bring Back Real Music—and Real Learning

We’re at a cultural crossroads. The charts may be full of pre-packaged hits, but our children deserve more. They deserve to learn an instrument, to paint a picture, to stand up and perform something they’ve made with their own hands and hearts.

If we want to see more musicians in the charts who actually play, if we want to raise confident, creative, resilient children, we need to start with education. Real, messy, joyful, expressive education.

That’s what we’re building at Ambleford School. We open our gates in September 2025.

Come join us in raising the next generation of makers, players, dreamers, and doers: www.ambleford.com

Filed Under: Children

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Flora Homewood
06:56 22 Feb 25
My daughter had the most wonderful day and enjoyed every part. She came home smiling and full of stories. She loved the activities, your dog and the goats and she was so proud of what she had achieved (fire lighting, bracelet making, whittling and even mud sliding! ).
cnc Router Cutting
06:17 20 Feb 25
Leander(7) just had another 3 amazing days immersed in a unique outdoor woody earthy vibe. He got to run around a lot and express parts of himself in making new friends, being part of a group/tribe, making team dens and play defending them as well as learning bush craft skills. He's tired and happy at the end of the day, content, how it aught to be. Thank you all at Ambleford Farm for creating a safe and magical world for him and others.
Holly Creusot
16:05 19 Feb 25
My boys absolutely love Ambleford - James and the team are great. Highly recommend!
Jades Thomas
18:16 17 Feb 25
A fabulous forest school with such innovative and creative activities for the children. My 5 year old son had a fantastic time today!
Iszi Vine
17:55 17 Feb 25
My 7 year old daughter absolutely loves going to her home Ed day at Ambleford as well the holiday club. I believe she’s made friends for life here. She can truly be herself and gets up to all sorts of fun & mischief in nature. Highly recommend.
Zaneta T.
13:33 20 Jan 25
We celebrated our son’s birthday at Ambleford farm and everyone truly enjoyed themselves the whole time. It captivated both, boys and girls and they all loved learning lots of new bushcraft skills.
Rebecca Wareham
00:03 05 Jan 25
An absolutely wonderful archery and axe throwing party for my daughter’s 8th birthday. She, her friends and we had a brilliant time. James was so helpful from start to finish and so good with all the children, making the activities so much fun for everyone. The setting is stunning, even more atmospheric with all the frost, and it truly was a very special experience. Thank you! Thoroughly recommend!
R & K Tree
21:15 29 Dec 24
My 8 year old absolutely loves the weekly home education sessions at Ambleford. James and Vinny are superb with the children, offering educational, fun activities, but equally giving the children the freedom to follow their own interests. The children are very well supported in their emotional and interpersonal development. James also provides detailed feedback after each session, as well as photo updates during the sessions. We couldn't ask for a better place for our child!
Susanne Austin
17:04 16 Feb 24
Amazing. Kids loved it and had to drag them home
Cat Kudish
16:46 16 Feb 24
Superb half term forest school session, my two boys (8 & 5) absolutely loved it. There were tears at home time, the littlest didn't want to leave! A really varied day with a wonderful team in a great setting.
Zoe Pepper
11:48 15 Feb 24
My son has the best time when he goes to Ambleford. He loves animals and the outdoors, so this place is perfect! He learns skills that he otherwise may not at school. James and his team are the best! The updates on Class Dojo are fab to see throughout the day and what they’re up to. Thank you Ambleford, we’ll be back again soon.
Debs C
20:19 14 Feb 24
My son (8) really loved it. Very friendly place.
Catherine Gallagher
17:12 14 Feb 24
Jasmine's 3rd time at Ambleford, she LOVES it! So good for building her confidence and character... and so it would seem, the rainier and muddier the better!
Milly Potter
21:59 13 Feb 24
My children (5yo boy and 8yo girl) both had the most wonderful day. They were greeted so warmly and immediately made to feel at home.Their day sounded like so much fun and when I collected them they were tired, muddy and happy. They’re already looking forward to another day out at the forest!
Laura Finan
22:18 17 Dec 23
The Father Christmas experience was the best one I’ve ever been to. My daughter said he was definitely the real Father Christmas as he knew their names and all about them, as well as having a real beard. My 20 month old was a little unsure to start with, but because we had such a good long time with Father Christmas, he soon came around. The magic bells and the super soft bunnies are lovely. Thank you so much. We will definitely be back next year!
Rachelle Caton
19:03 25 Oct 23
An amazing forest school in a beautiful setting, with very welcoming staff! Thank you for a great half term camp that my daughter attended, she was a little apprehensive initially for her first visit, she settled really quickly when Emily took her under her wing! She can’t wait to go back to the next session, thank you! Highly recommended.
Sarah Power
16:22 07 Aug 23
A brilliant ninth birthday party for our daughter with the archery, private mud hut with fire pit to toast marshmallows, a throne, hand made natural crown and more causing much excitement amongst her friends. Just the more unique and lively party atmosphere we were looking for!
Book Nook
09:09 17 Jun 22
My daughter did 2 sessions in the Easter holidays and is STILL talking about it. James and Emily listen to the interests of the children and follow their lead despite planned activities. Their days were full of adventures. My usually shy 5 year old was beaming and not in a hurry to leave by home time. We hope to start more regular sessions in the Autumn.
Dave Thompson
16:37 11 Apr 22
My daughter and friend had such a wonderful day at Ambleford's Easter camp! They tried their hands at so many new skills and enjoyed den building, cake baking on the campfire, feeding the goats, planting and an Easter egg hunt! What a day - thanks so much to James and Emily. We'll be back!
Rebecca Wilson
11:23 09 Apr 22
My 5 year old had an amazing time at the Easter holiday club forest school. She enjoyed baking a cake on the fire and collecting eggs from the chickens as well as building and playing on an obstacle course. Thank you James & Emily for all the efforts put in to making Ambleford Farm such a success!
Charlotte Shears
18:58 09 Jan 22
Great experience for my 5 year old. Started the course not a fan of the outdoors, James built her confidence and will now quite happily be crawling through bushes and hunting for the muddiest area for the best things to build a den with!
sophie moss
18:16 09 Jan 22
Wonderful experience foe my 5 yr old. He did a 6 week course. James was friendly, instructive and ensure the children were safe at all times. A beautiful place to make fun childhood memories.

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