Keys & Strings Music Studio

I hear this question A LOT.  As educators, we all want our students to do their very best. Whether they are graphic artists, musicians, fencers or soccer players. The art of doing something well is in the doing. To master something, you must do it well repeatedly. The repetition (in the correct way) is what makes the lesson (whatever the lesson is) stick. Each of our educators has their own point of view on the "Art of Practice" and we will share them in this blog post. I sometimes ask my students or their parents if they only brush their teeth twice a year when they visit the dentist. Of course this is met with laughter, eye rolls, "of course not's".  Yet sometimes, our students think that just by attending a once a week lesson they will become a great pianist, or violinist, or vocalist. That's just not the case. Would you want a mechanic who had never looked under a hood fixing your automobile? Would you want the neurosurgeon who had

Okay, it's now been a few months of your child taking music lessons, and they still don't sound good (to you). Ask their teacher if they have been progressing. I once posted a video of a young violin student playing Allegro (Suzuki 1).    Did she miss some pitches?  Absolutely.   Did she get every rhythm correct?  I should say not.  But had she improved?  Yes, greatly. https://www.facebook.com/KeysandStringsMusicStudio/videos/vb.145667162121232/711069638914312/?type=3&theater What might have sounded like a squeaky rendition of this song to the first time listener didn't tell the entire story.  I saw good posture.  I saw feet planted firmly.  I saw a beautiful and correct bow hold.  Her violin was squarely on her collar.   Her jaw gently rested in chin rest.  Her bow moved fluidly in a straight motion (most of the time)    The biggest improvement I saw?  She lifted her violin without prompting from me after it had slowly drifted down. Progression............is

A past first place fiddle student showing off her trophy.  A music lesson taker does not a music maker make.    My Grandfather used to say this tongue twister to me when I would complain about practicing.  I never really forgot him saying that, but it came back into mind full force with some recent events at the studio. It was recently put in writing to us, that WE were the problem in a families lack of continuity for their children's music progression.  A point that I contemplated, as I do want to be critiqued if I am at fault, and I want to make corrections and adjustments if were were the problem. So, I went back to start dates for both children.  I shared this family with another educator.  We compared notes on attendance.  This is what we found. Both children were quite attentive when with us.  Both children were very bright, and could have made excellent musicians. One child, in a group class, attended three out of twelve lessons paid for.  One of those three s

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