Individual
Private Lessons:
Taking
private music lessons is one of the most valuable experiences anyone can
have in their lives. One on one, undivided attention and instruction from
a professional musician and educator teaches self-esteem, discipline, goal-setting,
emotional expression, abstract thinking, small muscle control, aesthetic
appreciation, response to challenge, cultural perspective, time and space
perception, and many other areas of personal development. Music is spiritual,
intellectual, and physical, stimulating growth in the whole person. To
maximize this experience, some understanding is needed to provide a balanced,
positive, and nurturing environment for learning. Students (or their parents)
are responsible for their personal scheduling of other activities so as
not to conflict with weekly lessons. Daily practice sessions, instrument
care, purchase of music supplies (reeds, valve oil, etc.), homework, regular
exercise, adequate sleep, recreation, church attendance, sports, other
lessons, nutrition, health care and family time need to be in balance.
When one area gets out of balance, all other areas, as well as the student,
suffer. Care should be taken to insure a private, non-distracting practice
area, free from interference by siblings, pets, TV, conversations, or uncomfortable
room environments. The practice area should be well lighted with a music
stand, study chair, and not too warm or cold. Practice is best carried
out in an atmosphere of non-judgmental problem solving, experimentation,
small musical phrase repetition, and lots of trial and error. The practice
session is not a recital or concert where audience appreciation, comment,
criticism, or involvement is solicited. It is best to schedule family recital
times every several months for that purpose and to allow the student to
practice his or her daily routine without any comment and with only minimal
parental involvement. The weekly private lesson serves as the necessary
feed back for the teacher to help keep the student on track. The private
teacher is the primary music instructor, whose responsibility it is to
guide the student through instruction from beginning and intermediate to
professional levels in musicianship, performance, philosophy, ethics, self-discipline,
technical aspects of the instrument, instrument choice and care, practice,
interpretation, public performance, and career decisions. Often, other
professionals (public school music directors, other private teachers, conductors,
agents, and producers) have an interest and an influence on a student’s
career. Decisions affecting the musical life of the student should not
be made without consultation with the private teacher on each issue. The
private teacher is the primary professional who has the task of protecting,
counseling, and guiding the student through the many musical and career
choices that will be made. All private lessons are available for beginner,
intermediates, advanced, and professionals. Students who are on the quest
for All State auditions, music major status, a professional career as a
performer and/or teacher, as well as professionals seeking refresher lessons
or retired adults taking the Comprehensive
Music Program should sign up for 45, 60, or 90 minute-length lessons.
Younger students who are not on the music major track and who practice
less than 45 minutes a day and less than 5 days a week can function adequately
with 30 minute lessons. They may not achieve the same musical level, attain
All State status, or cover the same advanced musical offerings as a student
who takes 60 minute lessons, practices more than an hour a day, and is
consistent in lesson attendance. The highest level of performance and musical
understanding is best accomplished by starting private lessons at an early
age, taking at least an hour lesson, practicing (voluntarily) a minimum
of 5 hours per week, taking 45 lessons a year, continuously setting and
reevaluating one's musical goals for the long run.
The
value of private lessons is cumulative and progressive with each lesson
building on the lessons before it and setting the groundwork for the lessons
to come. Maximum progress and therefore value is dependent on minimum interruptions
of weekly lessons and daily practice sessions. See: (Advice
To Music Parents) (Advice
to Private Students) (Music
Information)
|
Woodwinds:
Lessons
are no longer available on Flute: Clarinet: Saxophone: Oboe. The first three are
available for all levels from beginners to advanced professionals and college
music major programs. Oboe lessons are for beginners to intermediate only.
Usually woodwind students should not start until their hands and fingers
are big enough to span the holes and keys. Closed-hole flutes and keyed
saxophones still require a minimum hand and body size. Instruction covers
reed adjustment, mouthpiece or head joint choice, instrument selection,
daily care, and weekly maintenance procedures. A typical lesson involves
a warm-up routine, scales, arpeggios, a progressive method book, duet playing,
often a NYSSMA or other solo, and frequently some band or orchestra music.
When the student has reached a solid intermediate level, some introduction
to playing by ear, reading and improvising jazz, composition, outside listening,
and public performing in non-school performing situations. Advanced saxophone
students get altissimo (very high tones) introduction and instruction.
Advanced woodwind students get instruction and experience with performing
overtones (harmonics), glissandos, double tonguing, alternate fingerings,
as well as music theory, music history, exploration of the subculture of
their particular instrument, and its unique history, and recent outstanding
players. Students are encouraged to obtain and listen to recordings
of a variety of styles of music performed on their instrument. All
initial consultations are free of charge. See: (Advice
To Music Parents) (Advice
to Private Students) (Music
Information)
|
Keyboards:
Lessons
are no longer available on Piano: MIDI Keyboard: Organ: Synthesizer. For piano and
keyboard, the younger the better, if the student is mature enough to sit
still, listen, and practice on his own. In the 21st century, keyboard can
mean all of the above or just one of the traditional forms of keyboard.
This studio highly advocates that each student have access to more than
one type of keyboard and to receive instruction on each. The greatest power
for a contemporary keyboardist is to have a small synthesizer with a MIDI
interface plugged into a computer that has sequencing and printing software.
This is not necessarily cheap, but does allow young keyboard students to
compose, improvise, and print the music they play. In addition, serious
piano and organ students should also avail themselves of this computing
power which interfaces with their already developed talents. Many students,
who are woodwind, brass or string players primarily, take keyboard lessons
to enhance their music theory abilities. Music theory is much more difficult
if there is little or no keyboard skills to go with it. Some of these students
get quite advanced and become performers and accompanists. Others just
get good enough to compose, arrange, and do theory. As has been stated
above, with keyboard and piano, the earlier the student begins the better.
Really young or small students can even start on a small sized keyboard
that is found on inexpensive units. Music is a language. The earlier a
language is introduced, the more comfortable and primary that language
becomes. This would be true for all instruments. However, size and strength
considerations only allow this early music instrumental education to be
applied to small string instruments and keyboards. Piano study is less
social than band or orchestral instrument study. Piano students should
be encouraged to play for their school music classes, sunday school programs,
and as soon as possible for chorus and solo accompaniment. All students
should be exposed to professional concert performances which include their
instrument. If this is not possible, then recordings and videos can help.
All initial consultations are free of charge. See: (Advice
To Music Parents) (Advice
to Private Students) (Music
Information)
|