Frequently Asked Questions About Music Lessons
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Music Lessons
Q:
How long will it take before a beginning student can play?
A: Our programs are designed to get you playing music right away.
You should notice dramatic improvements every couple of months depending on how
much you practice at home.
Q: What if we can't make it to
the lesson?
A: We are happy to reschedule your lesson time with at least 24
hours’ advance notice.
Q: What can I do to help my kids learn music?
A: Children need to know that they are doing well. By taking the
time to listen to them play and cheering them on you will increase their
confidence, giving them the motivation to keep it up. Younger children may also
need some guidance in their daily practice – ask your teacher for info.
Q: I’ve heard that large studios are better than in-home studios.
Why should I pick Annex Academy of Music?
A: Because we are experienced and well-connected, we are able
to offer the best of both worlds. Read more Here.
Q: How long are the lessons?
A: We offer 30, 45 or 60 minute weekly Lessons, depending the student’s age and experience
level.
Q: Do we come for our lesson at
the same time every week?
A: Yes. After our initial meeting, we will find a time that works
best with your schedule and this lesson time will be reserved for you each week.
Q: What
instruments do you teach?
A: Currently our studio offers lessons on piano, guitar and drums. If you are
interested in another instrument, do give us a call as we give referrals.
Practicing
Q:
How much should I practice?
A:
Developing good practice habits is essential to success in music.
Fifteen minutes per day is a good place to start, but your teacher will
recommend the best approach for you. The important thing is to be consistent.
Q: How do I know
what material to practice?
A: At each lesson, the teacher will write page numbers
of material and specific instructions in a student’s “dictation” (homework)
book. This reminds the student what was covered during the lesson and helps her
track her progress. Parents can meet the teacher briefly after their child’s
lesson for an update, and also use the dictation book to keep their kids on
track.
Q: What do I do if my child won’t practice?
A: Positive energy is always better than negative. Try to
encourage your child to practice by telling them how much progress they’ve made
so far, or how good they sound. A weekly practice log and incentives for a good
practice week are ways to excite students about playing. A regular routine is
also highly effective: find a time of day that is always available and make it
‘practice time.’ (Mine was 15 minutes before school in the morning :o). If all
else fails, postponing TV or XBox time until practicing is complete is a
very effective strategy. Always let us know if you have a concern – we are here to help!
Young Beginners
Q:
My child is in Kindergarten. Is she too young to start music lessons?
A: All children develop differently, so at this age it’s best for
us to meet your child before making a decision. Many 4- and 5- year-olds are
ready for 15 or 30 minute lessons, but starting too early is a mistake as it
can make music seem frustrating rather than fun. An interview lesson will allow
us to advise you best.
Why Learn Music?
Q: Why
is taking music lessons important?
A: Check
out this fantastic article by Deborah Jeter:
And here are ten more good reasons...
1. In a 2000 survey, 73 percent of respondents agree that teens who play an
instrument are less likely to have discipline problems.
(American Music Conference, 2000.)
2. Students who can perform complex rhythms can also make faster and more
precise corrections in many academic and physical situations, according to the
Center for Timing, Coordination, and Motor Skills
- Rhythm seen as key to music’s
evolutionary role in human intellectual development, Center for Timing,
Coordination, and Motor Skills, 2000.
3. A ten-year study indicates that students who study music achieve higher test
scores, regardless of socioeconomic background.
- Dr. James Catterall, UCLA.
4. A 1997 study of elementary students in an arts-based program concluded that
students’ math test scores rose as their time in arts education classes
increased.
- “Arts Exposure and Class Performance,”
Phi Delta Kappan, October, 1998.
5. First-grade students who had daily music instruction scored higher on
creativity tests than a control group without music instruction.
- K.L. Wolff, The Effects of General
Music Education on the Academic Achievement, Perceptual-Motor Development,
Creative Thinking, and School Attendance of First-Grade Children, 1992.
6. In a Scottish study, one group of elementary students received musical
training, while another other group received an equal amount of discussion
skills training. After six (6) months, the students in the music group achieved
a significant increase in reading test scores, while the reading test scores of
the discussion skills group did not change.
- Sheila Douglas and Peter Willatts,
Journal of Research in Reading, 1994.
7. According to a 1991 study, students in schools with arts-focused curriculum
reported significantly more positive perceptions about their academic abilities
than students in a comparison group.
- Pamela Aschbacher and Joan Herman, The
Humanitas Program Evaluation, 1991.
8. Students who are rhythmically skilled also tend to better plan, sequence,
and coordinate actions in their daily lives.
- “Cassily Column,” TCAMS Professional
Resource Center, 2000.
9. In a 1999 Columbia University study, students in the arts are found to be
more cooperative with teachers and peers, more self-confident, and better able
to express their ideas. These benefits exist across socioeconomic levels.
- The Arts Education Partnership, 1999.
10. College admissions officers continue to cite participation in music as an
important factor in making admissions decisions. They claim that music
participation demonstrates time management, creativity, expression, and
open-mindedness.
- Carl Hartman, “Arts May Improve
Students’ Grades,” The Associated Press, October, 1999