Practice, Practice, Practice.
The most important part of music study takes place at home, not just at the lesson. At home, the student tries out new ideas, sings or plays their assignment as specified, plays old songs, and has fun experimenting with something the coach has not assigned. Studies have shown that maximum retention occurs if practice takes place within 24 hours…
Music and the Brain
Every parent wants the best for their children, especially when it comes to education. A great education can give a competitive edge that lasts the rest of your child’s life. From finding the right job, to being able to handle life’s various hurdles, education prepares one mentally for all challenges. Could it be that there…
Solo Singing Versus Choir Singing
Singing in a choir can be great for a singer’s musicianship. Sight reading, vocal blending, harmonies, all of these skills are part of choir singing. However, singing in a choir does not always prepare one for stepping up to the front of the stage and singing a solo. Why? Because often the very skills that…
Finding The Right Music Lessons
Your relationship with your child’s music instruction studio is an important one. Music lessons have been long proven to bring a great deal of benefits, including academic and social, but this can be undermined by not having the right studio. Here are a few things to consider when choosing music lessons. Employees VS Contractors…
What Makes A Music School the “Best?”
No music studio I have ever seen will tell you they are second best. Every studio claims to be the best – but by what criteria? You will see studios tout their popularity awards, but did you know some of these awards can be bought? I keep being awarded the “best music lessons” award for a…
Should I Learn To Read Music?
The answer is…..yes….or no…..actually, it depends. The truth is some of our best known musicians and singers, including Pavarotti and Jimi Hendrix, did not read music. Did that hinder them in any way? Obviously not, but could they have been better at their craft if they learned to read and write music? Probably. The earliest…
Do Group Music Lessons Work?
Group music lessons are very popular these days, both for students (lessons cost less per hour) and for teachers and studios (they can make much more money per hour). The question is: How effective are they and how do they compare to private lessons? Let’s look at effectiveness – group lessons can be effective to…
Overcoming Shyness With Music
Shyness in children can be tough to overcome. One of the best ways to deal with shyness is to approach it head-on. However, this can be difficult. Music is a great way to combat shyness. Gaining a musical skill creates a sense of confidence, and this confidence can greatly impact your child’s interactions with others.…
Why Performing Is Important
One of the single most important things you can do for your musical growth is to perform what you have been working on in front of an audience. However, the very idea often fills the student with dread. The reason usually is too much pressure is put on the student and the performance itself. Having…
Beware of Casting Notices
We have had a number of students compete on television shows, and have gotten to know some of the people behind the scenes and how these shows really work. Very often local music studios, or teachers, will send out emails about auditions for The Voice, American Idol and America’s Got Talent. Usually the teacher will pitch this…