7 WAYS TO GET THE MOST OUT OF MUSIC LESSONS

These guidelines will help you to have a successful, rewarding experience learning an instrument. These are practical tips that I have discovered from years of experience and teaching.

1. How Young is too Young & Starting at the Right Age - Adults can start learning an instrument at any time. A students success is based on how willing they are committed to practicing. I have taught several beginner students in their 60s and 70s...it's never too late. For children, starting at the right age is a key element to the success of their lessons. Some people will tell you “the sooner the better” but this attitude can actually backfire and be a negative. If a child is enrolled in lessons too soon they may feel overwhelmed or frustrated and want to stop lessons. The last thing you want to do is turn a child off to music because of an unpleasant experience that could have been prevented. Sometimes if the lessons are put off for a year the children progress at a faster rate. Although we start children on guitar and piano at age 6, a lot of the success depends on maturity, attention span, and the size of their hands.
The minimum age for bass guitar is 10 using a "Short Scale Fretboard" bass .
The minimum age for Drum instruction is 10 years of age although we may consider a child as young as 7. As experienced teachers we can help you determine if your child is ready to start lessons or not.
A 3/4 size Electric or Acoustic Guitar is an appropriate size for children ages 7 to 10 years old. The choice of an electric or acoustic instrument is strictly up to the parents. The old idea of starting on an acoustic guitar rather than an Electric stems from the fact that playing an Acoustic strung with Plastic Nylon Strings is a bit easier on a child's finger tips. Also with an Electric guitar you will have to spend more money in buying an Amplifier. However, I have Children who start on 3/4 size steel string Acoustic and Electric guitars and they do just fine. Their finger tips may feel a little sore at first but with a little practice they'll develop a callous. I just tell them to Practice and if they feel discomfort to take a short break.

2. Insist on Private Lessons When Learning an Instrument - Group classes work well for preschool music programs, camps and theory lessons. However, when learning an instrument, private lessons are superior since each student can learn at his or her own pace and ask questions. That means the teacher doesn’t have to teach a generalized course that trys to accommodate everyone's level of skill, but can focus on the individuals strengths and weaknesses.

3. Take Lessons in a Professional Environment - Learning music is not just a matter of having a qualified teacher, but also having an environment that is conducive to learning. In a professional music school or Teaching Studio, a student can't be distracted by pets, siblings, TVs, ect.
In a music school, the lessons are not a sideline or hobby for the teacher, but a responsible profession which is taken very seriously.

4. Making Practicing Easier - As with anything, improving your playing takes practice. One of the main problems with children’s lessons is the drudgery of practicing and the fight with parents to practice every day. Here are some time tested, proven ways to help your child.
a) Time - A set time every day is a plus as it becomes a part of the daily routine. This works particularly well for children. We recommend that our students practice a minimum of 5 days a week for 30 minutes. Young students I recommend breaking up the 30 minute practice to rest the fingers. 15 minute practice take a short break and finish the other 15 minutes.
b) Repetition - With young beginners, a technique that works well is to use repetition instead of a rigid time frame. For example, practice new songs 2 or 3 times each, scales or note reading 2 times each, review each song 1 time, and so on. This way the child doesn’t pay attention to how much time they are practicing, but knows how many more times they have to play something.
c) Rewards - This works well with children as well as adults. In some school they use stars and stickers for a successful performance. I usually encourage the student at every milestone - Praise tends to be the most coveted reward - there is no substitute for a pat on the back for a job well done.

5. Use Recognized Teaching Materials - I use excellent learning materials available for students of varying levels and styles. My students learn to read standard notation as well as alternative methods depending on the instrument and type of music that they play. These materials have been researched and are continually upgraded and improved to make learning easier.

6. Choosing the Right Instructor - There are many things to consider when choosing an instructor.
a) Many people choose a teacher based on price, but there are far more serious considerations. While a college student or a part time teacher may charge less, it's a good idea to determine whether or not he or she is an experienced qualified instructor or someone just trying to make a little extra part time income. Asking for references of current or former students and finding out how long the teacher has been giving lessons are worthwhile matters to consider.
b) There are "Traveling Teachers" who will come to your home and the convenience of not having to drive to lessons can be tempting. The down side to this is whether or not you want a total stranger coming into your house while you have no knowledge of his/her background or teaching reputation. Again, references are a valuable aid in deciding whether this is the right teacher for you or your child.
c) Appearance. While you may have found a good teacher, if the person you choose has tattoos, piercings on their noses and eyebrows, or other similar features, is this the person you want yourself or your child exposed to? While the teacher may be in a band where that type of appearance is welcomed or even a necessity, and he or she may be the nicest person
you've ever met, it's got the possibility of having a negative effect on a child.
d) Professionalism. The main deciding factor should be the degree of professionalism the potential teacher has. Is he going to be available, or does his band travel causing him to repeatedly miss lessons? Is the teaching material geared toward the student and are the
lessons flexible so that the student can make steady progress while still having fun?.

7. Choosing the Right Instrument - Finding the right instrument for yourself or your child can
be a major task. So many Shapes, Sizes, Colors, Full size Classicals,1/2 & 3/4 size acoustics,
Steel String Vs. Nylon String guitars, Maple Neck Fretboards vs. Rosewood Fretboards,
Pick up configurations, Standard Bridges vs. Floating Bridges, and all those Brands
and Prices... goodness...where do you begin?

Here's what I recommend,

a) For Children. I recommend any 3/4 size Nylon string Classical or the Fender Squire M1 Steel String Acoustic. The Necks are just right for a 10 year old...a 7 year old may need a "1/2" size Classical or Acoustic...the only ones that some of my little students use is the First Act acoustic that is sold at Toy's R Us or at Wal Mart. I also advise Parents to go to a Music Store and have the child "Fitted" for a guitar. Have them sit down with a 1/2 size or a 3/4 size and see if they can fit their hands around the fretboard. Make sure to ask the store about their guarantee. For Children who want to start on an Electric guitar, I recommend the 3/4 size Fender Squire Mini Strat.

b) For Teenagers and Adults - It's depends on their budget and Preference. A decent $200.00 Acoustic by Ibanez, Yamaha, Alvarez, and Washburn is sufficient. An Electric by Ibanez, Fender, Epiphone, Washburn, and the OLP brand are reasonably priced.

c) Floating Bridges Vs. Standard Bridges - A beginner should start with an electric guitar fitted with a standard type bridge and later can graduate to a Floyd Rose style floating bridge with Locking nut. The floating bridges are a real hassle changing the strings...I recommend this
type of bridge for the experienced player. Children's 3/4 size electric guitars are fitted with standard bridges.

d) Rosewood Fretboards vs. Maple Neck Fretboards - I personally like Rosewood fretboards because Maple Fretboards feel too slick. Try both types and choose the one you feel
is right for you.

e) Single Coil Pickups Vs. Humbucker Pick ups for Electrics - There are Single Coil Pickups and Humbucking Pickups also called Humbuckers...I like the 2 Single coil and Humbucker pickup combination. Some People like three Single coils pickups and others like two Humbuckers or a combination of both. If you are buying an electric guitar for your Child, the 3/4 sized Fender Mini Strat will have three single coil pickups.

f) Colors - That's a personal preference. My personally favorite colors are Sunburst, Vintage White, and Lake Placid Blue.

g) Amplifiers - I recommend a 15 watt to 30 watt compact practice amp. It will have an 8 or 10 inch speaker with Volume, Treble, Bass, Gain or Distortion controls and a Dual Channel button. Optional features may include a Chorus effect and a footswitch controller for switching channels.

I prefer practice amps made by Fender and Crate.

THE MOST IMPORTANT WAY TO GET THE MOST OUT OF MUSIC LESSONS: HAVE FUN!
Music is something that can be enjoyed for a lifetime. Try not to put unrealistic expectations on yourself or your children. Remember that everyone learns at a different pace and the key is to enjoy your musical journey. If you have any questions after reading my Newsletter report, just give me a call or send me an email. Thank You.

MUSICIAN’S ACADEMY
Suite #37C Sunrise Mall 5858 South Padre Island Dr.. CORPUS CHRISTI,TX. 78412
(361) 993-3428
eMail: danny@musiciansacademy.com

The Value Of Music: Many studies have now documented the benefits of music study. Research has shown that music study helps develop critical thinking and self-discipline. It improves cognitive development, math and reading abilities, self-esteem, SAT scores, spatial reasoning skills, and school attendance. Music students are more likely to graduate from high school and attend college, and less likely to be involved with gangs and substance abuse (source: VH1 Save The Music)

Adult music students benefit therapeutically. We're told that in the western world today the majority of people suffer from some degree of stress or other. If this is so, no wonder finding solutions to stress is a growth industry. Thankfully, many of these solutions are highly effective, and none more so than music therapy. Stress relief in both adults and children - even in some pets! - has been greatly enhanced by music therapy.

The beneficial effects of music therapy go way back in folklore and beyond. It's mentioned in Greek myths, and even in the Bible (when David plays his harp to soothe his troubled king). (Source: How To Use Music Therapy For Stress Relief)

In summary, music makes an important Impression on our lives. It influences our thinking, and well being. From Children to Adults, there is joy in learning music. In other words, research studies have shown that “Learning to make music, makes Children smarter and Adults feel younger and less stressed”

Famous Music Quotes:

"Music can change the world."
Ludwig Van Beethoven

"If I were not a physicist, I would probably be a musician. I often think in music. I live my daydreams in music. I see my life in terms of music...I get most joy in life out of music."
Albert Einstein

"Music is either good or bad, and it's got to be learned. You got to have balance."
Louis Armstrong