Keys & Strings Music Studio

Not many people can say they love what they do.  99.9% of the time I cannot wait to get to the studio.  That other .1% is usually stressful days such as pre recital, pre Rock N Bows, creating a program list.  Not bad odds of having a great day. In the past week (August 11-15) I hosted my seventh annual Rock N Bows Intensive.  16 violins, 2 cellos, 1 viola, 5 guitars, 1 bass, drummer and keyboardist.  Special flute member and a vocalist too! I don't do this alone mind you.   The bass player and two guitarists are teachers and pro musicians.  RNB has progressed to the level it has become because of all of their input and expertise. We had a planned set list for months.  I started to give some of the students the sheet music about four weeks prior as this music was harder than previous years.  Enter Sandman, Don't Fear the Reaper, I Love Rock N Roll, Wonderwall, The Big Bang, Satisfaction, Applause, The Fox. We had to make changes, add solos, do improvisation when some

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Recital News to Know June 22, 2014 Church of the Resurrection, Pond Hill Road Wallingford Arrive between 12:30 and 12:40.    We will start promptly at 12:45 If you need to reach Ms. Sandie for an emergency situation do so via email keysandstringsmusicstudio@gmail.com Do NOT call the studio number, email will go directly to her cell phone. Musicians will sit in the far left rows starting in the first row. Graduating Seniors and their guests have been reserved the front center row.  A sign will be posted on their row. Please have your musician bring their instrument (string musicians only), music if needed, a stand if in ensemble. Please wear something nice.  No jeans/shorts/tshirts/sweatshirts/sneakers please. Please be a respectful audience.  You want people to listen, cheer and clap for you.  Please do the same for our other musicians.  We ask that you do your best to be engaged for the entire event.  A message for a parent to be shared wi

One of the words that I (and my co-educators) find ourselves using more and more is patient.  Be patient we say to our students who want to move on to a new song before they are ready.  It's a hard process, to learn an instrument and techniques in a song...............moving on before we have accomplished our current goals will prove for frustration later. Play it again!  And AGAIN!   Response we hear most often?  I just played it.  Repetition is the key to learning any new skill.  A practice routine of redoing sections will help 'learn' the challenging sections quicker.  BE PATIENT! In today's society, with Google, texting and Wikipedia we have learned instant information.  Why spend time looking at a dictionary or an encyclopedia (what's that?) when we can get the information with a few clicks?  Why walk over to a friends house or even to the kitchen when we can text to find out what the homework assignment was, or what's for dinner? When will my child s

I always knew I wanted to teach.  In a preschool, an elementary school, a private elementary school, a private music studio, my own home, and then my own private music studio.  I've taught in all of these situations.  As for any teacher (regardless of subject or age range of students) all of these different locations have their pros, cons and struggles. The hardest part I believe, is balancing our dedication to our students (the reason that we do what we do) their parents/school administrators (who pay us to teach their child) and ourselves.  It's a fine line to do what is best for the student, while pleasing the parent or our bosses, and keeping our own lives balanced. I personally get vested in each family.  Even if I do not teach their child myself.  I try to know every student at Keys & Strings, to greet their parent or family member.  To know a bit about their lives, culture and customs.  I've adjusted lesson plans to include favorite subjects (our rec

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.

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