Making Time for Music in Your Schedule

“You only need to practice on the days that you eat.”

— Anonymous

We are so busy these days. Between work schedules, raising children, school, and daily chores, there hardly seems to be time to focus. So, how do you make time for practicing music when your schedule already seems filled?

Many parents and students ask me this question nearly every day. I never hesitate to answer this question. Here are my top 4 tips for anyone working to fit a daily practice into their life.

Number 1: Put it in Your Daily Routine.

Daily routines are more likely to get done than plans that you hope to get to “sometime.” Block off specific times for practice directly into your daily routine. Five minutes every day, during your bedtime routine.  Bath time, pj’s, brush teeth, play a song and read a book.  Many of my students practice in the morning before they leave for school, putting their practice time right in there with eating breakfast. Some like to practice after they complete their homework and before dinner and television. For some, time over the weekend when there’s no school may work best. Make it a “part” of your daily routine.  Easy peasy!

Number 2: Quality over Quantity

The amount of time is nowhere nearly as significant as the quality of the practice session. Spend quality time where you are focused and drill through difficult passages. Pay close attention to the details. At the end of that time, you’ll have accomplished far more than you did non-focused time. Shorter, high-quality practice sessions will add up and make a big difference in your progress.  If you don’t work on any of the difficult sections, and just “play through your songs,” the problematic parts may not improve.

Number 3: Let music fill your daily life.

Do vocal exercises while you wash the dishes. Practice quietly tapping rhythms while walking to your destinations. If the people in your life are the reason your schedule is so full, see if there’s a way you can share music with them. Learn to play a simple duet with your child, pick a concert as your next date night destination, or trade playlists with your co-workers.

Number 4:  Decide to Make Music a Priority

If you are still struggling to fit in practice time, then it’s time to make a decision.  Music lessons are extremely beneficial to social and motor development, self-esteem, mental and social growth, and can open up many opportunities. With the help of a great music school and a little bit of time management, keeping music in your life is possible.

Keeping music in your daily routine is more than just knowing how to strike a bow on a cello or what keys to press on a piano. It’s about having a skill that allows you to express yourself! It helps to keep your life full of art, beauty and balance. You can play music at any age and for your whole life. You will be glad you did.

Substitute Music Teachers and How Awesome They Are!

“The most valuable resource that all teachers have is each other. Without collaboration, our growth is limited to our own perspectives.”

— ~Robert John Meehan

For the past twenty-five years, I have taught both private and group music lessons. During that time, I have had to reach out to teachers to cover my lessons. Family issues, illness, and relocation all contribute to the need to have another teacher “step in” and teach a music lesson.

Here at Leading Note Studios, we let our parents know that a substitute teacher can bring fresh and new perspectives, as well as a brand new skill set to their child’s continued learning process. There are so many benefits to this mindset. Our teacher collaboration within the studio is why we have great success with all of our students feeling as if they are part of a big musical family.

The Value of A Substitute Teacher
Substitute teaching is one of the most challenging jobs in education. It is also one of the most important. It takes a remarkable person to be able to adapt effectively to all the situations that will be thrown at them as a substitute teacher. Substitute teachers are used in virtually every school across the country every day, as well as within private music schools.

What does a student Learn having a sub?
The student will learn how to communicate with different individuals in authority. They will also be taught how to hone their musical skills and performance differently. Most importantly, they will learn how to adapt, change, and gain flexibility and adaptability skills, along with incorporating a brand new perspective. All of these are skills are necessary and needed in daily life.

A new teacher can provide a different kind of motivation that supports and increases the love they already have for music. The substitute teacher may also challenge and excite that individual in a new way. The result will help to open their eyes and provide a more profound, and perhaps more fun understanding of their regular commitment to their lessons.

Having the opinions of different people with different backgrounds can expose YOU or your child to a broader range of information than if confined to a single teacher.

Our Top Three Reasons to Embrace a Substitute Teacher

1. The student will be offered a different perspective in their lesson.

2. You may find a better fit for you or your child, and they might find that they like this new teacher more.

3. Consequently, you may also find that you like and appreciate your regular teacher more after having a substitute teacher.

We are strong advocates for finding the BEST teacher for every student. With a substitute teacher, you will learn a new way of doing something that you had not thought of before, or your current teacher had not taught you. They are going to love music even more, and isn’t that just great!!

Giving the Gift of Music this Holiday Season

““Music is a Major Gift That Keeps on Giving!” ”

— Kathy McClary

Are you looking for the perfect gift to give to that creative person in your life? A gift that is so unique that it will benefit someone for years to come? Sometimes it's the presents that don't require wrapping that become the most life-changing and meaningful. 

Music Builds Individuality and Character 

The self-confidence and self-mastery skills that come from learning how to sing or play a musical instrument are phenomenal. Daily practice builds self-discipline, focus, listening skills, and a lifetime connection to a sense of emotional well-being. 

As the Holidays approach and our schedules become busier, we start to look for that perfect, as well as a unique and different gift that will be remembered for years to come. 

Instead of purchasing something that will be put on the shelf and forgotten, give them the gift of music! Something they will enjoy for months, even years to come. 

Music Lessons Make Us Smarter 

Research shows that our life experiences provide more happiness than our possessions do. Playing an instrument stimulates the brain, improves coordination, and studies have shown that those who have engaged in some form of music lessons can make you smarter. 

Recently it has been shown that music education has affected high school students' SAT scores! A study of 500 highs school students revealed that those engaged in some music lesson or training scored 57 points higher in verbal comprehension and 41 points higher in math in their exams. Those stats may have you thinking more seriously about giving music lessons. 

Music Lasts a Lifetime 

We have many adult students who are now signing up to take lessons. More and more, they see the value of what music brings to their lives. Many say "they wished they had continued lessons into their teen and adult years." or they "wish they had simply started lessons as a child." 

Other studies have shown that adults who took music lessons as a child have been shown to have faster response times and increased emotional awareness throughout their lives. 

And since you can play music throughout your lifetime, gifting music lessons is an excellent gift for anyone, at any age. Which gift on your list has been proven to provide all of that? 

Lessons are Fun and Enjoyable 

Besides the educational benefits, music lessons are an enjoyable and constructive way for an individual of any age to spend their time. With its range of sounds, variety of instruments, and compelling elements, it's virtually impossible not to like music. Giving the gift of music will pave the way for anyone on your gift list to learn a brand new skill. So, what are you waiting for? Cross that gift off your Christmas list and purchase music lessons or a recording studio session for that unique and creative person in your life. Sign up today!

How to Know if Your Child is Ready for Music Lessons

When is it time to consider formal music lessons for your child? 

Children love music. Whether they are watching their favorite cartoon or making a drum set out of Tupperware, pots, and pans, but when will YOU know to sign up your child for lessons?

Look into your circle of friends, and you will quickly find someone who will never play music again because they did not find a passionate instructor they connected with, you will also find someone who became first chair violin because they fell in love with the violin in second grade.  

What age is the best?

It is usually not until five years old that a child is ready to learn to play an instrument.  At that point, they are pretty good at being able to sit and focus with a teacher.  We recommend the age of 5 to begin piano, voice, ukulele or drums, and the age of 7 for guitar, violin, woodwinds or brass.

Of course, there are exceptions.  We have students who started singing and playing an instrument before they could talk.  For those children, we have a program called Kindermusik, which is perfect for newborns to toddlers. 

Here are five essential tips to consider when signing up your child for music lessons.

1. Watch your child, engage, and learn.

Quite simply, the easiest way to determine readiness is to watch your child's physical expression.  How do they react to music?  How often do they run over to a piano and bang on it?   Are they excited when they hear a song? Are they starting to ask?

2. Sign your child up for a Summer Music Camp

Summer music camps provide a group experience and give access to all types of instruments.  Often children don't know until they "feel" and "compare" a trumpet to a flute that they begin to develop an opinion.  Find a summer camp that provides a different instrument each day; this helps them to touch, feel, and listen to their unique sounds. After camp, they will tell YOU! 

3. Become your Childs Biggest Fan

Take a supportive role with your child.  Encourage, reinforce, and follow up with rewards to keep them engaged and energized. When they feel loving support, they will want to "show you" and will be more likely to continue their lessons.

4.  Join in the Fun

If you played an instrument, or still do, join your child.  Your interest will keep your child's interest growing.  Or find a local concert or musical theatre performance and take the family.   

5.  Find a Great Music Studio

Good studios have a month-to-month program that you can purchase a month of lessons at a time. And also make sure they have plenty of teachers to choose.  Music can be a lifelong and fun commitment.

Stay tuned for my next musical tip when we introduce you to Kindermusik and the development of music with children under five.