Keys & Strings Music Studio

A statement I hear often from adults.... The main thing to remember is it is NEVER too late......but the learning will be different.  I always tell my adult students that they need to think of their lessons as something they do for themselves.  I compare it to a golf game, a manicure, a massage.  If an adult thinks about lessons in this way it gives them a bit of 'permission' to relax and not get stressed about time or money.  Play for the joy of it, or you will add pressure to yourself.  Your life is different from a young musicians.  You have a job to go to, children, spouse or parents to care for, bills to pay, meals to prepare, laundry to do.   Fit in a few minutes when you can, and have no guilt about not playing enough.  The most important thing to remember, is it is something you want to do for YOURSELF.  And love the music.  

MY CHILD ISN'T PROGRESSING (POST HOLIDAY SLUMP) Post holidays, I heard from a lot of parents (both of my students and other educators students) that they were thinking of 'taking a break' because the children were not progressing, or fighting them to practice at home. My reply, (questions) were always the same.  Did you maintain your usual routine during the holidays? (No)  Did you stay out late, have house guests, excitement over tree decorating, Nutcracker performances, Church Pageant rehearsals (Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes). Of course they aren't progressing.  Your teacher is hoping to just maintain during changes in home life, whatever the reason.  Please give it the rest of the month and try this routine before you 'take that break' and completely stall your child's (or your own) music progression. For young musicians, go back to playing each assigned (tabbed) piece of music their age each day.  This means if your musician is five they should p

It's been a busy summer. The new space is now complete (the missing music rug has been returned fresh and clean from Whiteway Cleaners) and the curtains are up, the plants are in the window and the music is ringing! What a pleasant space. So happy and fresh. I just found out that back in the 70's a bar called "Fiddlers Green" was here. I think that's not only appropriate.....but poetic. Though the cushy chair and couch are gone, we have new furniture in the waiting room, and full music lessons in each of the teaching rooms. Well almost full. Ms. Joanna has a few spots left, and TJ is joining us to offer guitar soon! Our birthday party schedule is starting to fill up, and our Kindermusik demos which are being held on Sunday September 11th are also filling up. Kindermusik classes will start on the 19th. Change that is hoped and prayed for is always good. I'll be posting pics this afternoon on https://www.facebook.com/#!/KeysandStringsMusicStudio I hope you will

Today's the big day. I never sleep well on 'Recital Eve'. Where'd the stands go, who took the pedal? We forgot to get the programs done? (Promise, they are done, and they are bigger than ever!) Recital to me is so many different things. I always have flashbacks to four years ago when I was so afraid it was my last recital with my 'kids'. Or the triumph of three years ago (I'm still here!). I remember Jay M's first recital, with his crouch like bow and huge smile. Jillian's realization that she did a GREAT job and then how it was even better for me when she invited me to her Christmas Pagent and she played the organ just a few short months later. Or the time Rachel stopped half way through....the entire time I was thinking that has the phrasing but doesn't sound exactly right............and she FLIPPED THE PAPER from top to bottom. Oh how we all laughed on that one. In my mind, there are 130 different stories just like this one. I have been blesse

I'm looking forward to this coming week's Performance Master Classes. I sense that alot of of parents and students alike are curious, a bit nervous even. This I hope will be a fun and educational experience for all involved. Even the most seasoned performers can learn something new. For the newer students, this is a good test run for recital coming up on the 12th. We will observe some educators playing some very...VERY interesting solos. Perhaps their clothing will be....unusual. Perhaps their posture will be way off base. Or maybe they just make a huge mistake. We're are going to have some laughs, and make some observations. And then the same instructor is going to play again. And then let the audience know if he or she made a mistake or not. Perhaps another educator will point it out...............or perhaps that performance will be picture perfect. Then the students will all get a turn to show 'their stuff' too. And we will all learn from each other. In between w

What should your smart move be this week? Sign the kids up for music lessons! A study of older adults has found that years of childhood music lessons could pay serious dividends later on my fending off age-related cognitive decline.

** Featured Team ** Keys & Strings We are so pleased that we were able to sponsor a team this year. Please give them a round of applause this season!

It's spring! Time for baseball, softball, easter egg hunts, dance recitals, prepping for music recitals, graduations and family trips. I thought I would share with you an economists view about music lessons, particularly missed lessons. She herself is a Suzuki parent, whose children took private instruction when she wrote this article. Thank you Vicky, for allowing us to share this. Make-up Music Lessons from an Economist's Point of View By Vicky Barham, Ph. D. I'm a parent of children enrolled in Suzuki music lessons. I'd like to explain to other parents why I feel - quite strongly, actually - that it is unreasonable of we parents to expect our teachers to make up lessons we miss, even if I know as well as they do just how expensive lessons are, and, equally importantly, how important that weekly contact is with the teacher to keeping practising ticking along smoothly. I think that it is natural for we parents to share the point of view that students should have their

Ricky B recently placed 3rd in the Pinewood Derby and is Moving on to Compete in the district pinewood event. Ricky is in 1st grade and lives with his Mom and Dad in Wallingford. He is an avid Sponge Bob, Batman, Superman and Spiderman fan, and also please a Mean Piano. Congratulations Ricky!

As I feel that many people feel the word 'practice' has a negative connotation, I like to use the phrase 'music making at home' with my students and families. Even with this positive spin, I am continually met with 'I don't have time to practice'. It's an epidemic ! Rather than make students feel more guilty or unhappy with themselves or me, I thought we'd start a dialogue among all music families to see how they fit it into their life. My suggestion is always 'grazing'. Play one or two pieces several times in little segments of time. Before the bus comes (if you are an early riser) Right when you get home from school. Again while Mom or Dad make dinner. It's easy to get 15 - 30 minutes in a day if you break it down. Please share with us how you fit it in!

Oh boy, can you believe this? Three major storms hitting us every few days. So, we aren't opening the studio. Surprise! Since I had three days already marked in the month of March for makeups only (no regularly scheduled lessons) I already have made March 9th our full makeup day. Your regular lesson time. So, stay warm, stay safe and I'll sing with you soon! Ms. Sandie

Another snow storm is a brewing! Please call the studio to see if Ms. Sandie has closed the studio. 203-265-1500

Don't think of it as "practicing." Think of it as "spending time with the instrument." There are sort of two ways of "practicing": the wrong way and the right way. The wrong way is sort of watching the clock and sawing away for a certain number of minutes. The right way is to forget the clock and actually PLAY the instrument with intense focus. You should never "practice" for more than 20 minutes at a stretch. If you can do two, three, or more such "practice" sessions a day, you will get good at playing the instrument. But never underestimate the value of "practicing" even just for 10 minutes. If you're really listening, your muscles and musicianship will benefit. Having even a general idea of both short-term and long-term goals is helpful. Keep track of what you're doing, and certainly what is required from the teacher every week (if you have a teacher). One of the best books you can get on this is Barry Green'

If you would prefer to register online, just visit http://kindermusikwithsandieseptember2010.eventbrite.com/