Keys & Strings Music Studio

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

An odd topic title, I know.    This subject for me as an educator is cyclical, but here we go again.  I have had this come up six times in the last month. Young students (usually female) and parents who are spending lots of money on manicures to have me tell them, nails are too long. To be a strong violinist, you cannot have long nails.  It just doesn't work.  If you were a classical guitarist I might say go for it.  But violinist?  No.  It changes the pitch.  It affects your being able to place your fingers properly on the strings. Nail polish YES!  Long nails NO!  Compromise, long bow hand nails.  Odd looking perhaps, but a compromise.  The photo above, is a perfect example of a good nail length with nice polish.

Our next toddler class is starting soon (February 2016).  I thought I would let you know what's different about what we have to offer here at Keys & Strings Music Studio. Our music class for toddlers (any child who is scooting/crawling/walking and not yet potty trained) is designed to use music as the tool for learning. This sessions 10 week theme is 'Animal Serenade'.  Here is a typical class: Welcome song!  Same each week. Why is it important?  We anticipate hearing our name sung.  We get to pick the activity that is done for our name.  We know that everyone will acknowledge us.  We might hide, but we are learning to expect our name to be sung.  We are learning to socialize! Fine motor activity with age appropriate instruments.  Why are these activities important?  I have to wait my turn to get mine and my grownups instruments.  I have to learn how they make sounds.  I have to learn how to find the steady beat or the rhythm of the chant we are u

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

At the beginning of the school year there is a flutter of activity around starting a new instrument.  In our area it usually begins in fourth grade.  A big event is held in each elementary school where your child can try various woodwind, brass and string instruments.    There are also area vendors offering instrument rentals.  Big business most parents think.  I say yes and no.   Here is why.... Yes, those vendors are in business to make money.  But they also know what they are talking about.  When you rent an instrument, you get one of quality without shelling out the big bucks.  A GOOD saxophone new can be close to a thousand dollars.  A GOOD violin can be close to eight hundred dollars JUST FOR THE VIOLIN.  A GOOD flute can be close to five hundred dollars.  I speak from experience as a parent for the woodwinds.   I speak from experience as an educator and professional musician on the violin. I wince when a parent says I'm just going to buy a $99.00 violin on ebay/amazon.  

Might sound like an odd subject for a music teacher to choose to write about.  But hear me out on this.  I have had to do this very thing several times as a studio owner when I need to extend our sub contractor reach.  I can only teach so many hours in the day.  I love what I do, I feel I am good at what I do (and my retention rate and students who go on to higher education also backs up that statement) but I still have room to learn and grow. I feel that a GREAT private music teacher is one who doesn't treat their teaching schedule as a job.  A person who truly loves sharing their knowledge, goes the extra step (few minutes or mile) to not just stop the learning because the clock says TIMES UP!  A person who doesn't put a dollar amount on every minute. Now do not get me wrong, I make a living at being a private music teacher.    I also work a lot more than the average american work week because I give a lot of lessons away too.  I also own the studio, so other things a