Why weekly lessons are important

                                                       Common bad habit corrections

                       are straighten your back, open your wrist, feet slightly separated, violin up!          

                         

                                      This young musician is staying focused on so many things.  

                                                                  And doing a great job!

                                                          

       Several weeks ago the educators of Keys and Strings each contributed to a post on practice.   

               This week I would like to address the reasons that a weekly lesson is so important.   

Continuity in any task or talent that we wish to master is key.     Just as only touching the instrument once a week will not bring on progression, nor will sporadic instruction.   

Beginners especially can learn bad habits, practice an assignment incorrectly and then have to unlearn it.   Questions will arise that may then be forgotten.  Posture, hand position, manipulation of instrument, bowing techniques, breath control, pitch reading and rhythm are all ideas that can be misinterpreted.  

It is also important to remember that progression and retention come with time.    To have a beginning student only see an educator on a specialized instrument or subject twice a month is a recipe (or rhythm) to disaster.   

In the same frame of mind, hopping from one instrument to another every few months is not learning.   A good educator will ask for a minimum of 4 months before it can truly be determined if your child has taken to the instrument.   

Here at Keys and Strings we truly have your potential musicians best interests in mind.   We will tell you at your assessment if they aren't ready.   We will tell you if we feel that their instrument of want is not the right choice right now.   And we will not just take your money by giving your beginner a once in a while lesson.    We will not compromise your musicians potential, and hope that families will appreciate our honesty and concern.  

Perhaps if your potential musician is so overbooked with activities adding one more part time activity isn't the best choice.   Choose one or two activities and do them very well.    Even if that choice isn't music.