In July, I posted some unique features of my studio after a parent mentioned that my 
lesson notes “set my studio apart.” Below is a continuation of the list of features which concludes with (as this parent indicated) perhaps the most important element–Accountability.
VersatilitY
Personalities and learning styles vary and so must each lesson. Spontaneity seems to be key. Activities within lessons are chosen to suit individual needs.
By holding daytime Exploring Music Classes for 4-5 year olds and seeking adult students, not only do teaching hours and student numbers increase but my capacity to meet the needs of a variety of ages and levels expands as well.
Providing quarterly group lessons and workshops offers a break from the routine of weekly private lessons and time for performance opportunities.
By summer time, lesson options like Piano Olympics, Invention Camp, Composition lessons, Improvisation lessons provide everyone (me included) a fresh venue for learning. These options have attracted ‘drop-ins’ which provide extra income in the summer and expand my wait list.
FlexibilitY
As a parent, I appreciate flexibility so I have carved that into my policies. Two excused absences are offered between August and May. With one week’s notice, students may cancel a lesson and will receive credit towards the next tuition invoice. Read more…
Read More »
Posted in Practicing, Promoting Your Studio, Studio Management, Teaching Tips, Using Music Teacher's Helper
When reading through other blog posts on MTH this month I notice that the focus is on ‘back to school’ for most of the writers. Down here in the Southern Hemisphere we’re in the second half of the teaching year and my students are currently in the thick of the eisteddfod/competition season and are looking ahead to the end of year exam sessions in a few months time. Consequently, the focus in my studio over the past month has been memorisation. Read more…
Read More »
Posted in Performing, Practicing, Teaching Tips
For the last few months of the school year, I’ve been pushing my students towards getting ever better results in festivals, auditons, recitals, and exams. I was proud of how well many of my students had done when the results started rolling in. Then last week I read Ed Pearlman’s Whose Side Are We On? and realized that students need time for the pendulum to swing the other way, for periods of exploration and discovery in addition to the quest for ever greater achievement.
Central to the idea of exploration at an instrument is the notion of practicing as pure play, as opposed to practice as rehearsing, working, or merely repeating. All students (and professonals too!) need some emotional distance from their goals once in a while in order to fully take the time to pursue where their imagination is taking them. Children already know this innately – are we doing our best to enable this wonderful human quality?
Here are four things that teachers and parents can do to re-start student creativity:
Read more…
Read More »
Posted in Composing & Arranging, Practicing, Professional Development
Recently I developed a healthy obsession with Leonard Cohen. I listened to only Leonard Cohen for a straight week, and I had a strong desire to learn his songs. I also felt slightly jealous of his band… so I decided to join! I plugged in my head phones, pulled up my favorite chord
website, a live
video of “In My Secret Life” by Mr. Cohen on YouTube, and I started playing along on the piano!
My reasons were purely for entertainment, but what I noticed is that my tone became more precise and my rhythm more perfect. I had forgotten how helpful it is to play alongside a band! I naturally decided to teach one of my student’s this idea. She was excited to use her iPad in a music lesson, but naturally you could use a laptop too. This is a good opportunity for students to get a feel for what it is like to play in a “band” if they do not already do so. I hope you pass along this tip!
Read More »
Posted in Music & Technology, Practicing
Image used with permission.
Last month’s article about teaching by skype generated a lot of interest and comment, so I thought I would update you on my progress so far.
I’ve taught two piano lessons by skype, working with my 11-year old student of three years, and it’s been more challenging than I imagined. Yesterday we were working on new material, and it was remarkably difficult for my student to pick it up without me being there. I realized that I have had a tendency to jump in and demonstrate, and of course, I was unable to do that. However, if my student is to improve, he will need to get better at working this out for himself, so I can see the benefit of stepping back a little. Read more…
Read More »
Posted in Music & Technology, Practicing, Teaching Tips
Why should I exercise and eat a healthy diet?
Health matters. As a singer, the body IS the instrument. If the muscles are weak, if energy is low, then the voice doesn’t have a chance.
Increasingly, I have found myself telling my students that taking the time to exercise is as important as practice time. In fact, I’ve told them that if they only have 10 minutes a day, they should spend that time working out rather than practicing.
Take time for cardio. Work the abs. Even more, work the BACK strength. Especially in singing, the abs should be strong, but if the back muscles are weak, the abs collapse from lack of resistance. Strong leg muscles support the torso, creating a balanced body. A balanced body frees up the abdominal muscles to support the breath. Strong intercostal and oblique rib muscles, created through twisting exercises, allow for increased control of the descent of the diaphragm.
I have heard many excuses (including from myself): Read more…
Read More »
Posted in Performing, Practicing, Teaching Tips
The Search
This month I am closing my West Coast Vocal Studio and heading to the East Coast. As I prepared to do this, I wanted to assist my students in the process of selecting a new teacher. I hope the letter below is helpful to some of you!
Hello Dear Singers and Families,
Well it is that time! As we begin to prepare our move and I close my west coast studio, it is now time to refer you to other teachers.
I am copying all of you on this list of teachers, and recommending one for each of you to try first. I have taken into account the following aspects of both you and the teachers I am recommending, including :
1. Personality
2. Skill level
3. Strengths and weaknesses
4. I encourage you to give the teacher I chose for you a try first, and if you are not comfortable, try another.
It is fine to “date” multiple teachers for a few lessons while you determine your new path, but not to be “engaged” to more than one- that is not acceptable private teacher behavior.
1. Be up front that you are shopping for a new teacher, tell them I recommended you if I did, and try them a few times.
2. When you have settled on the teacher you think is the best fit for you, then tell them you have decided.
3. This “dating process” is a two way street. If the teacher feels they cannot help you or your personalities do not fit, they can say “no thanks” as well. Do not take this personally, as it is part of the matching up process! You want your teacher to be at their best, and you want to be at your best, and if your personalities and skills don’t mesh, learning may be a struggle. Read more…
Read More »
Posted in Financial Business, Music & Technology, Performing, Practicing, Promoting Your Studio, Studio Management, Teaching Tips
I’m going back to grad school tomorrow for the first time in 14 years. I’m scared. I’ve applied what I learned last time around throughout the years, but writing a paper? Taking a theory test? It’s 4 am and I’m writing this. Need I say more?
This makes me really appreciate my students as they come into the studio for the first time. Or even the 50th time. How can I make this experience the most positive possible? How can I help them to overcome their fears of singing in front of someone who is SUPPOSED to critique them and tell them what they’re doing wrong?
1) Make them laugh: bring some silliness to the lesson, no matter the age of the student Read more…
Read More »
Posted in Practicing, Teaching Tips
Earlier this week I was sent a new iPhone App, ‘Metronome Plus’ to review. My students and I have spent the past few days trialing this metronome and have discovered many excellent features. Read more…
Read More »
Posted in Music & Technology, Music News, Practicing, Product Reviews, Teaching Tips
On occasion I have singers come to lessons who have not practiced since I saw them last, but for the most part I find my singers practice- but practice “inefficiently”. What is “efficient” practice? Efficient practice usually entails setting a goal or goals and accomplishing them.
Here are some simple tips for efficient vocal practice.
- Set your goal for this practice session. Do I need to build stamina? Work a difficult leap? Master some stylistic issue or rhythmic passage? Am I struggling with a fast Italian passage or run? Once you have identified what you want to accomplish then…..
- Warm-up
- Sing through your piece. Note where you are struggling – whether it be with unsure notes, struggling for notes, lack of ability/prowess/energy on a note or a passage, word, stylistic, rhythm, or interpretation issues.
- Once through the piece, Jot the trouble sections down – use measure numbers, words, or page numbers to indicate where the trouble spots are. Hang on to these notes for your next practice session and/or lesson! Read more…
Read More »
Posted in Music & Technology, Practicing, Professional Development, Teaching Tips
lesson notes “set my studio apart.” Below is a continuation of the list of features which concludes with (as this parent indicated) perhaps the most important element–Accountability.
By holding daytime Exploring Music Classes for 4-5 year olds and seeking adult students, not only do teaching hours and student numbers increase but my capacity to meet the needs of a variety of ages and levels expands as well.
