Keys & Strings Music Studio

                                  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.   Studies have been done that show that in order to master a skill it can take up to 10,000 HOURS to be an expert.  Compare this idea to sports practices and games.  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

                                                       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

Learning an instrument takes commitment. Commitment from the student (to apply their newly taught techniques at home)  It takes 10,000 hours to master any new skill.  That's a lot of music making. Commitment from the parent.  Bringing the student to their lesson weekly, on time.  Giving their student a comfortable, well lit place to practice.  Helping their young musician be patient, learn time management, apply reading of pitch and addition/subtraction of rhythm counting. Just as importantly, commitment from their teacher.  Commitment to be there, waiting with a smile.  Commitment to be prepared, and attentive.  Commitment to CONTINUITY.   To be a good teacher takes talent, knowledge and skill.  To be a GREAT teacher, you must always make it about your students first. Commitment to the students, is what Ms. Sandie, Ms. Joanna, Ms. Doreen and Ms. Stacey are all about.