What will it Be Like to Learn?
Music students are naturally inclined to practice when they have a goal in mind to reach. This affords them a chance to develop patience and perseverance. The question comes up, "How long should practice times be?" For the younger student (age 5-6), it could be as little as 5 -15 minutes advancing to 30 minutes.) Ages 7 and up may start out at 30 minutes and work up to 1 hour. Some prefer to break up the practice time into 2 shorter periods, allowing for the rest of muscles and tendons. The time element itself is no magic bullet for success. What is important is to practice faithfully and in the right way the daily repetition of a given set of exercises for that week until these are mastered. Just as a plant that receives regular doses of water, sunshine, air, and fertilizer will naturally bloom and grow, likewise, the musician who practices daily and in the right way, will bloom also. Children learn quickly when learning is made into a fun adventure. Discovery games and anticipated rewards are used to enhance the learning process. Students thrive on having a parent or teacher play with them during practice and lesson time!
How Can I Help My Younger Child Stay Focused?
The younger the student, the more positive and engaging you will need to be. Often we find in the very beginning that for smaller children, if the practice is kept short and lively, the child will anticipate the next lesson far more eagerly than if the initial lessons are stretched for too long of a time. I require that all parents assist their children in the use of the accompanying music track cds and workbooks sections that have theory. A reward box is used at the teaching studio to encourage consistent practicing at home. We are striving together for the gold standard, perfect tone production, ahead of note reading. Students can start with this method at age 4 accompanied by a parent who also learns the technique along side the child. One of the founding ideas Dr. Suzuki proposed was a triangle approach to learning music where the parent becomes the teacher at home.
How Soon Can I Play Songs?
Step by step prepation is made for note reading with bowing patterns that are played with song tracks. Renowned pedagogue, Eden Vaning Rosen's books for early learners on up has a series for the violin, cello, and viola called "The Violin Book". This beginning method is widely respected for its clear, child-friendly format, and its sensible progression through techniques. There are lots of pictures, fun and familiar songs, games, and even pages for coloring! Early exercises consist of playing with the sound tracks used to get proper tone production, being careful to have the proper left and right hand holds. First the open A and E strings are introduced, then 1st, 2nd, and 3rd fingers and songs like "Twinkle Twinkle", "Mary had a Little Lamb", and "Go Tell Aunt Rhody" are some of the first family songs learned. Later the D and G strings follow with catchy songs as well as can be played with old time gospel hymns such as "Amazing Grace" and "Joyful Joyful We Adore Thee" and others. Music theory is incorporated right away in the workbook and carried through the entire curriculum. Students use their workbooks to practice drawing music symbols, notes, learning how to properly perform in an orchestra, concert, etc.
How Soon Will I be Able to Read Notes?
The step by step preparation for note reading is accomplished with short songs and exercises using uncomplicated note names with finger numbers above during the first few months which dovetails into learning to read notes on ledger lines. A preparation for reading notes is usually completed within the first 4-5 months generally. During the following 6-8 months, rote to note is competed, and all basic notes on the staff are easily identifiable and memorized. At this point, students are now able to sight read more easily and keep up with a steady tempo as they read. Pieces are memorized. Theory is ongoing. A good foundation has been laid for an advanced youth ensemble audition within a year to a year and a half.
How Soon Can I Share my Talents with Others?
Youth orchestra, special performances in a local church or retirement home, and public recitals, these are all wonderful opportunities that are within reach of all my students in any stage of learning strings. Organized monthly outings to nursing homes give up to 30 students at once a chance to play in a public setting. These events enhance sight reading skills and give even the youngest players a chance to perform in public. This opens the world up to musicians who want to learn to use their gifts in a purposeful, ministry oriented way. Emphasis is on working together as a group working to pull off a beautiful inspiring concert to those who really appreciate it the most in a structured, noncompetitive environment.
What About Summer Workshops?
Once a year, students are encouraged to participate in an engaging, structured summer music workshop offered locally. This week-long workshop is offered at a minimal charge, and involves highly interactive group learning experiences not limited to classes in theory, orchestra, and master classes from teachers in the area.
For Testimonials, Click Here.
Start Lessons in Your Area
For Instant Piano Sheet Music Downloads
Music students are naturally inclined to practice when they have a goal in mind to reach. This affords them a chance to develop patience and perseverance. The question comes up, "How long should practice times be?" For the younger student (age 5-6), it could be as little as 5 -15 minutes advancing to 30 minutes.) Ages 7 and up may start out at 30 minutes and work up to 1 hour. Some prefer to break up the practice time into 2 shorter periods, allowing for the rest of muscles and tendons. The time element itself is no magic bullet for success. What is important is to practice faithfully and in the right way the daily repetition of a given set of exercises for that week until these are mastered. Just as a plant that receives regular doses of water, sunshine, air, and fertilizer will naturally bloom and grow, likewise, the musician who practices daily and in the right way, will bloom also. Children learn quickly when learning is made into a fun adventure. Discovery games and anticipated rewards are used to enhance the learning process. Students thrive on having a parent or teacher play with them during practice and lesson time!
How Can I Help My Younger Child Stay Focused?
The younger the student, the more positive and engaging you will need to be. Often we find in the very beginning that for smaller children, if the practice is kept short and lively, the child will anticipate the next lesson far more eagerly than if the initial lessons are stretched for too long of a time. I require that all parents assist their children in the use of the accompanying music track cds and workbooks sections that have theory. A reward box is used at the teaching studio to encourage consistent practicing at home. We are striving together for the gold standard, perfect tone production, ahead of note reading. Students can start with this method at age 4 accompanied by a parent who also learns the technique along side the child. One of the founding ideas Dr. Suzuki proposed was a triangle approach to learning music where the parent becomes the teacher at home.
How Soon Can I Play Songs?
Step by step prepation is made for note reading with bowing patterns that are played with song tracks. Renowned pedagogue, Eden Vaning Rosen's books for early learners on up has a series for the violin, cello, and viola called "The Violin Book". This beginning method is widely respected for its clear, child-friendly format, and its sensible progression through techniques. There are lots of pictures, fun and familiar songs, games, and even pages for coloring! Early exercises consist of playing with the sound tracks used to get proper tone production, being careful to have the proper left and right hand holds. First the open A and E strings are introduced, then 1st, 2nd, and 3rd fingers and songs like "Twinkle Twinkle", "Mary had a Little Lamb", and "Go Tell Aunt Rhody" are some of the first family songs learned. Later the D and G strings follow with catchy songs as well as can be played with old time gospel hymns such as "Amazing Grace" and "Joyful Joyful We Adore Thee" and others. Music theory is incorporated right away in the workbook and carried through the entire curriculum. Students use their workbooks to practice drawing music symbols, notes, learning how to properly perform in an orchestra, concert, etc.
How Soon Will I be Able to Read Notes?
The step by step preparation for note reading is accomplished with short songs and exercises using uncomplicated note names with finger numbers above during the first few months which dovetails into learning to read notes on ledger lines. A preparation for reading notes is usually completed within the first 4-5 months generally. During the following 6-8 months, rote to note is competed, and all basic notes on the staff are easily identifiable and memorized. At this point, students are now able to sight read more easily and keep up with a steady tempo as they read. Pieces are memorized. Theory is ongoing. A good foundation has been laid for an advanced youth ensemble audition within a year to a year and a half.
How Soon Can I Share my Talents with Others?
Youth orchestra, special performances in a local church or retirement home, and public recitals, these are all wonderful opportunities that are within reach of all my students in any stage of learning strings. Organized monthly outings to nursing homes give up to 30 students at once a chance to play in a public setting. These events enhance sight reading skills and give even the youngest players a chance to perform in public. This opens the world up to musicians who want to learn to use their gifts in a purposeful, ministry oriented way. Emphasis is on working together as a group working to pull off a beautiful inspiring concert to those who really appreciate it the most in a structured, noncompetitive environment.
What About Summer Workshops?
Once a year, students are encouraged to participate in an engaging, structured summer music workshop offered locally. This week-long workshop is offered at a minimal charge, and involves highly interactive group learning experiences not limited to classes in theory, orchestra, and master classes from teachers in the area.
For Testimonials, Click Here.
Start Lessons in Your Area
For Instant Piano Sheet Music Downloads
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