Every once in awhile, a student will ask me a question that seems like it should be easy to answer but isn’t. Recently, I had a young vocalist ask me who my favorite singer is. The follow-up question: “Why are they the best?” got me thinking a little bit more. The student in question is […]
0ver the course of my playing and teaching career I’ve developed a couple rules. These rules are simple, but effective for the students that follow them. I’ve developed these rules to help students think about and process the information they are seeing in their music, to help them understand the importance of listening to what […]
It’s That Time of Year! December is in full swing and we’re getting ready for family celebrations. It’s easy to get lost in all the hustle and bustle of planning and partying. Consider setting aside some time to give the gift of sharing music during the holiday season – it requires some preparation, and a […]
As musicians, we understand the importance of expression when it comes to interpreting a piece. As teachers, we want to help our students develop technical skills that will allow him/her to play in a manner that touches an audience. In order to decide what techniques to apply, however, a musician has to have a clear […]
With all disciplines there are many small/basic items that a student needs to utilize for success. These items are not the glamorous new instrument or sound effect, but the everyday, organizational office items that can make a huge difference in a students’ progress. These items include whole punches, tape, stapler, liquid paper, pencils, folder, sticky […]
My interpretation of the dictionary’s definition of tone is that: tone is the quality that a musician uses to create their personal sound that will influence their audience. I thought I could easily write a quick blog on tone and be done. But after thinking acutely for three minutes and looking back on my 35+ […]
What would you say is the most important aspect of exceling in music? Daily practice? Is it mastering technique? Developing artistry and musicality? Becoming experienced in live performance? These are all admirable elements of becoming a well-rounded musician, however, long-term success is built on a solid foundation. That foundation is built on Warm-ups! Look at […]
As a musician, in the past few days, I have reflected on the life of the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg, especially on her life-long love for opera. She was famous for appearing in the front row of almost every performance of the Washington National Opera and the Washington Concert Opera (I personally saw her […]
The challenges of social isolation, the suspension of ensemble gatherings and an overall sense that live musical performance with large audiences may not be the norm for some time can certainly discourage budding and professional musicians alike, especially in this season of uncertainty. You or someone you know may be facing challenges with staying motivated […]
As young musicians, our tendency for practicing is to pick up our instrument and just go, essentially just hoping for the best. There is some progress you’ll see over a long period of that style of practicing but, ultimately, it is just shy of a waste of time. When you put a little time into […]
With so many of us spending more time at home, we have more time than ever for practicing music. How is your music practice holding up as we enter another week of quarantine and social distancing? Here are a few practice ideas for those of us who are feeling a little stuck or need a […]
Do your students get frustrated when they practice to a metronome? Years ago, when I first began teaching some part-time lessons to friend’s kids I did not have a home or studio to teach in, so I taught in each students home, driving from house to house. This gave me a bunch of great experience […]
As we pass over the year anniversary since the world was flipped upside down in a global pandemic, the need to communicate and express the gambit of our emotions and experiences grows paramount. With many ensembles and venues shuttered, many musicians face a seemingly uncertain season wondering when the next performance will take place or […]
Summer is a great time to make strides in your musical studies – give yourself a chance to grow as a musician by scheduling practice time along with all those other fun summer break activities! Here are some tips for making the most of your summer free time. Make Music the first activity of the […]
As the famous joke goes when asking for directions – “how do you get to Carnegie Hall?” The answer – “Practice, practice, practice!”. As easy as is to tell someone to “just practice”, we know that consistent practice can be challenging for some students and most teachers know, lack of consistent practice is often the […]
It is too often that clients sign up for music lessons without really understanding what a commitment it is. For a student to be successful the client must be ready to commit time and money to get the full benefit. Those who view music lessons as just another temporary activity, misunderstand the impact music could […]
Heightened pulse. Sweaty hands. Shallow breath. Serious gaze. Anxious thoughts… Almost every musician has encountered some form of nerves or the “butterflies” before a performance. Some may even wrestle with a Glossophobia: the fear of social situations in which one is watched or judged by others (also known as “Stage Fright”). When encountering stressful situations, […]
How good is your memory? Are you gifted with the ability to see or hear something once and recall forever? For most musicians, even those highly trained and advanced in their specialties, overcoming forgetfulness is a part of the lifelong battle we face in daily practice. The search for perfection is elusive, yet most strive […]
Ask any seasoned music teacher what they view as one of the most critical elements for success in music lesson and the words “motivation” and “practice” will move to the top of the list. As the old saying goes, “the teacher opens the door, but the student must walk through it”. In a time where […]