Keys & Strings Music Studio

So many parents come to me with the subject 'we are tired about fighting with them to practice'.   It shouldn't be a fight.    It shouldn't be part of a bargaining tool.  It should be a part of daily life.   Do you brush your teeth everyday?  You should make music, every day. I think sometimes, that the word 'practice' get's a negative sheen.   Perhaps having the musician 'serenade' during meal preps would work. Let's 'make some music'.   Mommy and I feel like dancing slowly, what have you been working on that will suit the mood?    We want a concert!  Let's make programs, put on a nice outfit, set up the living room as a performance hall.  Music making should be a fun rewarding outlet for the entire family.   It should not be stressful. Find a routine that works for your family.   Is your musician an early bird, always looking for things to do before leaving for school?  Perhaps play your music after breakfast and brushing

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 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

As an educator.......I am hearing more and more excuses from students as they walk through the door. Before they even take their hat/coat/mittens off. As they peel the scarf from around their neck I hear the words I didn't have time to practice this week I was just too busy. Some of these children are 7 years old. I am sure that no child at that age is too busy to spend some time with the instrument that hopefully they chose to learn. It's not so much the lack of improvement that troubles me, it's the idea of making the excuse. My reply is usually did you have time to brush your teeth, eat, sleep, shower. They usually roll their eyes at me with a long yesssssssss. Then I ask did you do your homework for school? Another yes. Did you have time for tv, playdates, video games and they start to see where I'm going. Some say no right away. Some say a little. Some say yes. Parents and children make choices every day. Just taking a lesson once a week does not a music

This event was a blast!

On a recent visit to see his Grandma, Noah S (a new piano enounters student) was excited to notice that she had a piano. Grandma even found one of her old lesson books with her name and Age 7 written in the cover. She played him several songs................and then he asked............but do you know Happy Clown? That's my favorite. When she said that she was sorry but no, she didn't know that song, he quipped, I do! I'll play it for YOU! And he did. Great job Noah!

Today we had our first Piano Encounters School Year class! And we all wore green stripes! Even Miss Sandie had on green! We learned about slow and fast beats. High and Low pitches. Quarter Notes, Half Notes and Dotted Half Notes. We danced to fast and slow steady beats. And it was fun! We liked having our pictures taken too!

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

Children's Choir Fridays 730 - 815 pm Kindergarten - 5th Grade October 8th - June 10 Keys & Strings Student reduced rate Less than $11.00 a week! A first vocal ensemble for students in grades K-5. Beginning singers will learn what it means to be a member of a choir and will establish a repertoire of literature including unison, rounds and partner songs. Games and movement will also be a part of the experience. K & S Singers will have performance opportunities through the year including recitals in June. No audition necessary. 45 minutes per class. Includes music. 30 classes per school year.

Hunter Playing Piano