Feb

Music Lessons for Valentine’s Day

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Stuck on what to get your loved one for Valentine’s Day?

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner and everyone buys the typical flowers, chocolate and jewelry. Music lessons may be the perfect gift for your significant other who loves to sing in the shower, or your son who plays the air guitar along to the radio. Valentine’s Day is the day to give gifts to show people they are special to you, and music lessons could be that perfect gift.

This Valentine’s Day, show your loved ones that you think outside the box and give them the gift of music!

Music lessons with Lesson Match are easy and convenient because our instructors come to your home on your time. To have a Valentine’s Day gift card sent to that special someone, or to schedule music lessons, contact Lesson Match. Our Lesson Coordinator does all the work, so you just need to let us know when you’re available and what lesson you want to learn, and we take care of the rest.

This year give a Valentine’s Day gift that will stay with someone for a lifetime!

Feb

Benefits Of In Home Music Lessons

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Parents interested in signing their children up for music lessons, may have a difficult decision to make as to whether or not to travel to a studio for lessons or to have in home music lessons.

Here are some of the benefits of in home music lessons.

1. Probably the most obvious benefit is convenience. It’s incredibly convenient to have an instructor come to your home for a half hour (or however long the lesson is) to teach a lesson and then leave. In home music lessons can be squeezed in right after school before homework, or between homework and dinner, the possibilities are ended. In home music lessons are ideal for busy parents that don’t have the time to waste 20+ minutes driving to and from lessons.

2. Parents can become involved. Typically in a studio, the student and teacher are the only people in the room. With in home music lessons, parents can observe and learn tips to help their child practice.

3. Students retain information better when they are able to practice and have lessons in the same designated area. That way they are able to visualize the lesson and revert to that during practice time.

4. Students are always prepared for in home music lessons. Think about all the times you are rushing to get somewhere and you forget something. This happens all the time with studio lessons. Parents and students are rushing to get to the lesson and a lesson book or part of the instrument is forgotten at home. This would never happen with in home music lessons because all the materials are at the lesson area.

5. In home music lessons may seem more expensive, but are they really? Think about the time and gas money it takes to drive to the studio, drop off your student, drive around until the lesson is finished (unless you’d like to wait bored at the studio for the duration of the lesson), then drive back to the studio to pick up the student and finally drive home. In home lessons cost a little more in the beginning, but think about the gas money you’ll be saving by not having to drive anywhere (especially if you drive an SUV).

For information on private in home music lessons with Lesson Match, call now!

Jan

Practice Without Picking Up An Instrument

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Learn how to practice your instrument when you don’t have it with you! Learning an instrument and becoming a musician is as much mental as it is physical (if not more).

That means you can “practice your instrument” wherever you are.

Concepts and Techniques. In music, there are many concepts and techniques that need to be memorized, and this is possible to master without using your instrument.
•   Ear training
•   Rhythm
•   Harmony

Visualize. Whenever you’re bored or have some downtime (and you don’t have your instrument), mentally visualize your instrument and play it. Try to visualize your fingers actually pushing down the notes or plucking the guitar strings. This may sound silly, but it can be an effective technique if you’re serious about it.

Remembering to Practice. Remembering to mentally practice can be difficult, especially at first. Try to pick something you do often throughout the day (taking a drink of water, doing a specific task etc.) and use that to remind yourself to practice. If you pick one simple thing to practice (humming a note, visualizing a chord etc.) every time you hang up your phone for a week, eventually you’ll have mastered it.

Listen. Music surrounds us in our daily lives; it’s everywhere from grocery stores to elevators. Listen to the music playing and study it. Try to listen for a concept you’ve been working on or find the harmony. This will fine tune your musical ear and enhance your playing.

These simple tips get rid of any excuses you might have about how you’re too busy to practice.

Jan

Common Mistakes Piano Students Make When Practicing

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There’s a reason many piano students quit before learning the basics of piano; they become bored and uninterested.

Here are a few common mistakes piano students make when practicing.

1. Not actually practicing. This is a common mistake because practicing the piano may not seem high on your or your children’s lists of things to do. If your kids are also involved in sports practices, school clubs and have homework, practicing the piano may not seem feasible. It may be a struggle to find time for your kids to practice at first, but once they begin to really enjoy playing, they will make time to practice.

2. Practicing what you already know. It may be fun to play through songs or chords you are already familiar with, but what are you really learning? This habit is common because students get excited with the result of progress with the piano and continue to play what they just learned. This is often followed by boredom and discouragement. Make it your goal to try something new during each practice session to keep things interesting.

3. Learning parts of a piece well and not the rest. This mistake is common because as students try to play through a piece of music, they will stumble towards the middle and start over. Eventually you have the beginning of the piece down, but are continuing to make the same mistakes in the middle. Instead of always starting at the beginning of a piano piece, work on parts that you’re having trouble with.

4. Practice isn’t fun. When learning something new there is always a certain amount of effort required, this goes for musical instruments as well. Instead of trying to squeeze practice time in, set aside specific time for it. Create a comfortable practice space and use it as relaxation time. Keep in your mind that as the more you practice, the better you will get and the more fun practicing and playing will be.

For some tips and tricks on how to avoid these mistakes, contact Lesson Match to enroll in piano lessons!

Dec

Give the Gift of Music!

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Lesson Match music lessons make perfect gifts!

It’s that time of year again. Time to call your relatives and figure out what they want for Christmas. For most people, that means throwing on your winter coat and driving all the way to the mall on a busy Saturday in December. If you’ve ever gone Christmas shopping on a weekend in December, then you know what a nightmare it is. This year give the gift of music, rather than a traditional gift.

Here are some reasons why music lessons from Lesson Match make the perfect Christmas gift:

Holiday promotions! Now through December 31st, Lesson Match is offering discounted prices- half off the set up fee and first lesson for free!

Hate driving to the mall in the snow? Well, with a Lesson Match gift certificate, you don’t have to leave the comfort of your own home! Just pick up the phone; let us know what kind of music lessons you’re looking for and we’ll take care of the rest!

Don’t know what to buy your extremely busy niece or nephew? Lesson Match was designed to fit the schedule of busy individuals. Our instructors work with your busy schedule to find a time that works best for you. Best of all, Lesson Match instructors come to your home, so lessons can be squeezed into a busy schedule right before dinner.

Do your children love singing along to the radio? Or aspire to be a rock star? If so, then music lessons could be the perfect gift. Many of our music instructors are or have been in bands and can give helpful tips to aspiring musicians. Music lessons could help give your little musician the confidence he or she needs to make it big.

This year, instead of a toy or sweater, give someone the gift of music lessons. Music is a gift that will stay with them for a lifetime.

Oct

More Tips for Choosing the Right Instrument

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Which instrument should my child play?

That is a question many parents ask themselves when deciding to enroll their child in music lessons. Should they rely solely on their child’s request, or listen to the recommendations of others?

There is no “right” instrument for all children to begin playing, but there are a few things to take into consideration.

Age
The piano and violin are two instruments children as young as four can begin learning. These instruments are not too big for children, like a guitar would be, and musical concepts can be learned easier on the instruments. Guitar and drums can be learned around age eight; but vocal lessons should not be taught until the child’s vocal chords are developed (usually no younger than eight-years-old). Vocal lessons can cause permanent damage if taught too young.

Interest
If your child is over the age of eight, then you can ask him/her which instrument they would like to learn. Take into consideration their musical interests. If your child likes to listen to rock music, then they would probably enjoy drum or guitar lessons versus saxophone lessons. Children will often want to mimic their peers and play an instrument simply because one of their friend’s is. Try to discover what kind of instrument your child would have the most fun learning and present this option to them.

Space
Always remember to think about where you live and what types of lessons you can accommodate. If you live in an apartment complex, then drum lessons are probably going to upset your neighbors. Similarly if you have a small house, then a piano or drum set may take up too much space. Even if you travel elsewhere for lessons, there still needs to be practice time outside of lessons.

It is always important to take into consideration which instrument your child wants to play. Just because you loved learning to play the guitar does not mean your child will, especially if he/she would rather be playing piano.

As long as your child is mentally and physically capable of learning an instrument, they can choose whatever instrument they would like to play.

Oct

Introduce Music to Young Children

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Children need music in their lives too!

Young children are inherently curious and open to new experiences. Parents can use fun activities to introduce music to young children. If children are introduced to music at a young age, then they’re more likely to be interested in music as they grow up. Studies show that children who take music lessons perform better on standardized testing and in school. So, introduce your young child to music and they’ll do better in school. Here are a few ways to make learning about music fun for children.

Pots and Pans
A great way to introduce music to young children is to teach them about musical concepts by using items found around the house. Bring out the pots and pans and let your child bang on them with a wooden spoon. Show them how varying the rhythm and pressure used to hit the pots changes the sound.

Tuned Instruments
Bells, triangles and maracas are great instruments to introduce to young children. Let your child play with the instrument and explore the different ways they produce sound. If you have multiple children, have one of them bang on the pots and pans and the other play the triangle and teach them about playing together.

Homemade Instruments
A great activity to teach young children about different types of instruments is to let them make their own out of recycled materials. Drums, guitars and shakers are instruments that can be easily created using empty containers, rubber bands and other household materials. Children will have fun making and playing with these instruments.

Listen to Music
Exposing your young children to music from different cultures and periods can get them interested in different types of music. Play some different types of music and afterwards ask your child if he/she can identify any of the instruments used in the song. You can also have your child try to play along to the music with the instrument they made.

Oct

Why Take Private Music Lessons with Band Instruments

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If your child is enrolled in band class at school, then you might think there is no reason to enroll them in private music lessons.

Students that take private music lessons on an instrument will improve faster than if they are only learning in the classroom. It is difficult to get individualized attention and guidance in a classroom setting because there are many students.

If your child has a genuine interest in an instrument, or maybe their band teacher thinks they have special musical talent, then you should consider enrolling your child in private music lessons.

Better Ensembles
Typically, the more students enrolled in private music lessons, the better the ensemble sounds. If a few students are taking private music lessons and excelling at their instrument, other parents might see that and enroll their children as well. Band ensembles often compete in competitions and if the majority of the students are also taking private lessons the ensemble should do well.

Individualized Attention
If your child has an interest in learning an instrument, then school band classes may not be cutting it. Students interested in learning an instrument will typically practice more outside of class and be genuinely interested in learning the instrument. Some students in band classes may only be taking the class to socialize and therefore slow the progress of the entire group down. Private music lessons will give your child the training they need.

Musical Talent
All children learn at different speeds, and it can be discouraging if children see their peers excelling at something that is taking them more time to learn. Private music lessons can speed up a slower learner because a private instructor can address issues the student may be having with learning, or teach him/her better ways to practice.

Innate Ability
If your child has a serious interest in music and would like to pursue music as a career, then private lessons are a must. Music schools and ensembles (even youth ensembles) are extremely competitive and children will have to take private music lessons to ensure they are getting the proper training.

Enroll in private music lessons today with Lesson Match!

Sep

Buying a Keyboard Instead of a Piano

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A piano is an expensive instrument to invest in; luckily there are other options. A keyboard can be used for piano lessons, but there are a few things you need to know before going out and buying a cheap keyboard.

88 Weighted Keys
In order to take piano lessons on a keyboard, the keyboard needs to have 88 weighted keys. A cheap keyboard will usually be half-sized and not suitable for piano lessons, as you’ll run out of keys. Always make sure a keyboard has 88 keys. The keys also need to be weighted so it feels like a piano when you’re playing. If the keys are not weighted and touch sensitive then you won’t be able to make louder and softer sounds like you can on a piano.

Price
Keyboards are going to cost considerably less than a new piano, but still plan on spending at least $500-$1,000. Cheap keyboards typically have less than 88 keys and they are not weighted or touch sensitive; essentially they are useless for serious piano lessons. Buying a new instrument can be an investment, but if you would like to give your child a real shot at learning the piano, you need to spend a little bit of money.

Stand and Bench
Keyboards are nice because they’re portable and can be played anywhere. However, if you’re taking piano lessons, a keyboard stand and a bench are musts! The bench and stand create the feel of a real piano. If a student is playing the keyboard while sitting on their bed, they will develop poor posture.

Headphones
One major advantage of buying a keyboard over a piano is the ability to use headphones. If you live in an apartment and are worried about piano lessons because of the noise, a keyboard is a great way to go. Digital keyboards allow you to plug in headphones so only the player can hear the sounds being made. This is also great if you have multiple children taking different music lessons; they can all practice at the same time without disturbing each other.

Space
Pianos take up a lot of space, even the vertical pianos. Keyboards are small and portable so if you have a limited amount of space you can still take piano lessons.

Bells and Whistles
If you’re buying a keyboard for piano lessons, do not waste your money buying a keyboard with a bunch of buttons and sound recorders. Those add-ons can add hundreds of dollars to your price and are not necessary for regular piano lessons.

Sep

Group Piano Lessons

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Beginning piano students often take private lessons right from the start because parents are not aware piano lessons can be taught in a group setting. The piano has a reputation of being an instrument people play individually; however, when done correctly, piano lessons can be a great way for beginners to learn.

Here are some advantages of taking group piano lessons:

Longer class times
Since multiple students are learning, lessons are often offered for an hour at the rate of a half hour class. This is because students are not getting the individual attention they would receive at a private lesson.

Group activities
Group lessons are ideal for learning basic concepts such as rhythm and counting. Children tend to retain these concepts better because they are presented in a fun way. Children like to learn if learning is fun.

Ensemble skills
Group lessons deal more with ensemble pieces that can be played in parts. Students learn how to play and perform in a group, a skill they will need for school bands.

Low stress
Not all students in beginning piano lessons will have the same skills as their peers. This results in low-key lessons where students will not feel embarrassed because they don’t yet have the skills needed to play piano well. Students taking group lessons can also learn from other students how to effectively practice and perfect their technique.

While group piano lessons might be a great idea for some students, they will not work for everyone. Find out what your child’s learning ability is and if they would benefit more from individual or group lessons. If you’re not sure which type of lesson would be best for your child, you can always consult an instructor. At LessonMatch we have instructors that teach both individual and group lessons and they love helping parents find the ideal lesson plan for their child.

Stuck on what to get your loved one for Valentine’s Day?

This Valentine’s Day, show your loved ones that you think outside the box and give them the gift of music!

This year give a Valentine’s Day gift that will stay with someone for a lifetime!

Parents interested in signing their children up for music lessons, may have a difficult decision to make as to whether or not to travel to a studio for lessons or to have in home music lessons.

Here are some of the benefits of in home music lessons.

For information on private in home music lessons with Lesson Match, call now!

That means you can “practice your instrument” wherever you are.

These simple tips get rid of any excuses you might have about how you’re too busy to practice.

There’s a reason many piano students quit before learning the basics of piano; they become bored and uninterested.

Here are a few common mistakes piano students make when practicing.

For some tips and tricks on how to avoid these mistakes, contact Lesson Match to enroll in piano lessons!

Lesson Match music lessons make perfect gifts!

Here are some reasons why music lessons from Lesson Match make the perfect Christmas gift:

This year, instead of a toy or sweater, give someone the gift of music lessons. Music is a gift that will stay with them for a lifetime.

Which instrument should my child play?

There is no “right” instrument for all children to begin playing, but there are a few things to take into consideration.

As long as your child is mentally and physically capable of learning an instrument, they can choose whatever instrument they would like to play.

Children need music in their lives too!

If your child is enrolled in band class at school, then you might think there is no reason to enroll them in private music lessons.

If your child has a genuine interest in an instrument, or maybe their band teacher thinks they have special musical talent, then you should consider enrolling your child in private music lessons.

Enroll in private music lessons today with Lesson Match!

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