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FREE REPORT #1
"4 Things Every Parent Should Know Before Choosing A
Music Studio"
There are 4 crucial things to consider when choosing a music studio that
will make a huge difference in the quality of instruction a student
receives as well as in the rate of his or her growth. Hopefully, the
information you are about to read will answer some of the most commonly
asked questions students have when choosing a music studio and, at the same
time, give you some insight into the world of music lessons.
1. What are the benefits of private lessons (as opposed to group
lessons)?
Almost every student develops bad or inefficient music habits that
should be addressed individually. Exercises and solutions
vary widely depending on the individual. Trying to correct these problems with a
‘catch all’ type of solution such as in a group class can slow down the
progress of a student and may even take his or her joy out of music. Private lessons also allow for a strong student/teacher relationship to be
developed which leads to a deeper level of trust and accountability.
Our studio offers private lessons Monday thru Thursday from 2:30-8:30pm,
Friday from 2:30-7:00pm, and
Saturday 9am-4pm. We are closed Sunday.
2. What is the best way to reinforce what is taught at lessons?
To create good habits and to improve at any instrument requires
correct repetition.
Most people have an opportunity to take a lesson or class once a week. And
because the teacher has such limited time with the student, the teacher is
constantly trying to be efficient in not only explaining concepts but also
in providing exercises to help create great
music habits/technique. Even if a
student took notes during his or her lesson, it can be easy to overlook or
miss something valuable.
It is important that lessons are recorded so that the student can (1)
listen to and review the recording as often as he or she is able, and (2) use
it to practice specific problems that are unique to him or her, thereby
allowing for quicker and more significant progress.
Our studio records every private music lesson onto audiocassette or CD so that the
student may take it home, listen to it, and practice as often as they choose.
3. What type of ‘system’ for training is being offered?
A system, as used in any physical training program (i.e., sports,
dancing, singing, etc.), creates proven and predictable results. In
music
training, it is essential to know the teacher’s background in music
education as well as their method of training. Most teachers are not held to anyone’s standards but their own. In other words,
many teachers do not keep up with their own musical technique and are not
required or even interested in learning newer and faster strategies to
help students achieve their goals.
We have teachers that are certified in Speech Level Singing (SLS), the most
highly sought-after vocal technique used in the entertainment industry.
Developed by world-renowned vocal maestro, Seth Riggs, this method is
proven to be the safest, most effective and powerful tool for professional
singers around the world. Over 100 Grammy award winners, as well as
hundreds of Broadway performers are currently using SLS. Opera singers in
every major opera house in the world and some of the biggest names in
movies and television are using SLS too. The question is: Why is this
technique so popular among top professionals in the entertainment
industry? The answer is: Because it works! And it works fast! SLS lets our
teachers create a custom lesson plan for each and every one of our clients
so that we are able to effectively teach singers of ALL ages, levels, and
musical styles. Also, our teachers are required to re-certify every year
so that they, themselves, maintain proper technique as well as a high
standard of teaching.
4. What kind of performance opportunities will be available to the
student?
Performing can serve as a wonderful supplement to music training and
provides an excellent outlet for people to share their artistic
expression. Not only does it help a student to build confidence by learning
to overcome insecurities and fears, but it also serves as a method of
measuring their progress.
Our studio offers monthly open mic nights in which students voluntarily
sign up to perform in front of a small group of people in a positive, non-threatening environment. We also organize
a major concert every year in which local students can either audition to be a
featured actor, singer or musician. Furthermore, we encourage community
involvement through auditions for local theatre and other music-related
events. We work hard at developing and maintaining a dynamic and thriving
network of singers/musicians and performance venues in order to be a driving
musical
force in the community.
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FREE REPORT #2
"5 Ways To Get The Most Out Of Music Lessons"
These guidelines will help you to have a successful and rewarding
experience learning music. These are practical tips that we have
discovered from years of teaching and our experiences with teaching
hundreds of students each year.
1. How Young Is Too Young - Starting At The Right Age
Adults can start music lessons at any time. Their success is based
on how willing and committed they are to practicing. We teach beginner
students in their 60’s & 70’s.
For children, starting at the right age is a key element to the success of
their lessons. Some people will tell you “the sooner the better,” but this
attitude can actually backfire and be negative. If a child is put into
lessons too soon, they may feel overwhelmed and frustrated and want to stop
lessons. The last thing you want to do is turn a child off of music just
because they had one unpleasant experience that could have been prevented.
Of course, the starting age varies depending on the child's attention span
and motivation.
Our studio accepts students as young as 5 years of age for private lessons.
2. Insist On Private Lessons When Learning To Play An Instrument
Group classes work well for certain music programs. However, when
actually learning vocal technique, private lessons are far superior
because each student can learn at their own pace. This means the teacher
does not have to teach a class at a middle-of-the-road level, but has the
time and focus to work on the individual student’s strengths and
weaknesses. For that lesson period, the student is the primary focus of
the teacher. The teacher also enjoys this as they do not have to divide
their attention between 5-10 students at a time and can help the student
be the best they can be.
3. Taking Lessons In A Professional Teaching Environment
Learning music is not just a matter of having a qualified teacher, but
also having an environment that is focused on music education. In a
professional school environment a student cannot be distracted by TV,
pets, ringing phones, siblings and other family members, or anything else.
With only 30-60 minutes of lesson time per week, a professional school
environment can produce better results since the only focus at that time
is learning music. Students in a school environment are also motivated
by being exposed to a variety of musical styles and by
hearing peers who are at different levels. In a music school, the lessons are not just a
hobby or a sideline for the teacher, but a responsibility, which is taken
very seriously.
4. Make Practicing Easier
One of the main challenges with music lessons is the responsibility of
practicing. As with any physical activity (e.g., dancing, sports, playing
an instrument, etc), practicing increases the rate of improvement.
Here are some suggestions to make practicing easier:
Time: Set the same time every day to practice so it becomes
part of a routine or habit.
Repetition: We have noticed that students who practice in
shorter durations frequently, rather than longer durations infrequently,
progress the quickest. For example, if you had 2 hours a week dedicated to
practicing, we recommend practicing 20 minutes every day for 6 days,
rather than 1 hour twice that week. Why? The more you repeat (or practice)
something, the faster your body memorizes these good habits, thereby
allowing you to progress quickly.
Rewards: This works very well for both children and adult
students. Some adults reward themselves with a cappuccino after a
successful week of practicing. Parents can encourage children to practice
by granting them occasional rewards for successful practicing. Praise
tends to be the most coveted award – there’s just no substitute for a pat
on the back for a job well done. Sometimes we all have a week with little
practicing; in that case, there is always next week.
5. Ask Questions & Have Fun!
Music should be something that you enjoy for a lifetime. So, try not
to put unrealistic expectations on yourself or your children to learn too
quickly. Everyone learns at a different pace, and the key is to be able to
enjoy the journey!. |
WHY VOICES?
