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

10 Guitar Tips For All Guitar Players

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Whether you’re new to the guitar or are stuck in a musical rut, here are some tips to help you become a better musician.

1.Always try to learn something new every day! Learning a new chord or technique will help expand your musical ability and range.

2.Go dancing! Good dancers have excellent rhythm, which is also necessary for musicians.

3.When you hear a song you like, first try to play it before looking it up on a search engine. The more you do this, the better your musical ear will become and eventually you’ll be able to tab a song in no time.

4.Relax! Stress isn’t good for any situation. Try to stay calm and focused when practicing or playing a gig.

5.Experiment with different guitars. Just because you’re still playing the first guitar you ever picked up, doesn’t mean that it’s the best guitar for you. Try a few different guitars and see if a different one calls to you.

6.Toughen up your fingers! This can’t happen in one day; all you’ll do then is injure your fingers. Take some time and work on creating calluses and toughening up your fingers. This will make it possible for you to play longer.

7.Experiment with different types of guitars as well. If you play the acoustic, try an electric. Similarly if you play an electric, try an acoustic. You’ll become a much more versatile guitar player if you can play both.

8.Learn new songs. Pick new songs that have something a little different about them; try to expand your range.

9.Take proper care of your instrument. Change the strings when they are worn out, always ensure your instrument is properly tuned etc.

10.Talk to other guitar players and see if they have any insights. All guitar players have methods that work best for them. Maybe someone you know has a new approach you’ve never thought about. It’s always good to converse with other players and swap stories. You never know what you may learn.

To talk to a guitar instructor from Lesson Match or to enroll in lessons, contact Lesson Match today!

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

10 Reasons to Give a Musical Instrument as a Gift

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An Instrument makes the perfect gift!

Having trouble deciding on a gift for someone this Holiday season? Give them a musical instrument! Many people are interested in learning an instrument but either do not have that instrument or just haven’t taken the steps to begin learning to play.

Here are some reasons why a musical instrument could make the perfect gift.

1. Cost. Buying a used instrument or music lessons for someone is not as expensive as you may think. A used instrument could be the perfect way to turn someone on to music so they will want to invest in a higher quality instrument. Click here for some tips about buying used instruments.

2. Bonding. You’ll often hear that someone comes from a “musical family” and that’s because people bond over shared interests. Families that can play or learn instruments together will naturally bond over the shared interest.

3. Depression. Studies show that music affects people’s moods. Keep your family’s spirits up by giving them music lessons.

4. Age. It’s a myth that you have to learn to play instruments while you’re young. While it may be easier to retain information at a young age, adults have the discipline and attention span necessary for learning an instrument. You’re never too old to learn to play an instrument.

5. Caroling. Do you have friends or family that love to go Christmas caroling? This year, get them music lessons so they will be the talk of the town with their vocal talent.

6. Nostalgia. Many people have a certain instrument they associate with their childhood. Whether they loved listening to jazz or their grandpa played the guitar, they probably have some pastime that involves music. The gift of memories could be the perfect gift this year.

7. Regret. Odds are if you know people that do not play an instrument, they wish they did. Make those regrets a thing of the past by giving them an instrument for Christmas this year.

8. Stress. Music and playing an instrument are shown to fight off stress. Music is often associated with relaxation. If you know someone who gets stressed out easily, give him/her an instrument and watch the stress melt away.

9. Value. All gifts have a different value to the receiver. While your kids might request certain gifts within this year’s fad, an instrument could be the gift they didn’t know they wanted. The gift of music is one that lasts a lifetime.

10. Want. Give someone an instrument for Christmas because they asked for it and they want it. It may seem like a big investment, but if people want to learn an instrument, they will.

This year, give someone the gift of music by giving them an instrument.

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.

Nov

The Perfect After School Hobby

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Why music lessons make the perfect after school hobby.

School has already begun and children might be starting to get restless with their after school routines. Music lessons are a great way to keep kids busy and out of trouble. Tighter budgets have forced many schools to cut or severely decrease the funding for music programs. This means students may no longer have the opportunity to take music as part of their school curriculum. Music in an important part of childhood development and just because schools have cut the program does not mean children should not have the opportunity to learn a musical instrument. Lesson Match offers private in-home lessons that work during your schedule. Even if you’re a busy parent, we’ll work with you to schedule a time to bring music into your child’s life. Here are a few benefits to private music lessons.

Sports and Music
Children who play a musical instrument are shown to have better hand-eye coordination than those who do not. If your child is interested in playing sports, but does not feel like they have the motor skills necessary to play, enroll them in music lessons. Music lessons can prepare children for many other activities later in life.

Achievement
Popular after school activities for many children involve video games. Children love video games because they have a sense of accomplishment when they reach a new level or overcome an obstacle that had been evading them before. Learning to play a musical instrument can have the same effect on children. Once they master a difficult piece or technique, they will feel a similar sense of achievement to when they were playing video games.

Relaxation
School can be stressful for children and sometimes they just want to come home and relax. Music can help with their relaxation. For many people, playing an instrument is a relaxing activity, especially if they’re playing a soothing song. After a stressful day at school, children can come home and practice the techniques they learned in their music lessons and the stress will melt away.

Keep your kids busy and out of trouble after school by enrolling them in music lessons with Lesson Match.

Nov

10 Drum Tips

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Interested in taking drum lessons? Or do you already play the drums but are looking for some drum tips?

Here are a few tips to refine your technique and keep your drum set sounding great.

1. Keep your drum clean. Use a can of compressed air to get the dust out of hard to reach places like in between lugs.

2. Listen to different kinds of music. This will boost your creativity and allow you to learn new techniques. The more styles and techniques you can master, the more interesting your sound is.

3. Warm up. This is important for all instruments including the drums. Always warm up before lessons, practicing new songs, gigs etc.

4. Air drums. You don’t always have to have a drum set to practice the drums. If you’re sitting around bored with nothing to do, play the air drums. This can help refine patterns and increase your muscle memory.

5. Check your form. Make sure you’re using correct form for optimum sound. Are you holding the sticks at best place? Are you hitting the drums straight up and down?

6. Stick twirling. All crowds love stick twirling and it’s a great form of showmanship. If you don’t know how to twirl your drumsticks, there are how-to videos all over the Internet.

7. Learn to read music. Even if you are able to play the drums perfectly without reading music, reading music is a great way to expand your ability. Reading music allows you to read a song out of a book and be able to play it without having to continually take drum lessons.

8. Write down what works for you. Keep a log of practice techniques that work for you. You can also write down ideas that you’ve heard about and want to try. Keeping all these ideas together will assure you don’t forget about them and they are readily accessible.

9. Record/Videotape yourself playing. This will help you understand your form and see things you cannot see when you’re playing. Do you have a snarl on your face when you play? Is your snare drum titled?

10. Take lessons. While it may seem like you can learn anything online these days, there are things that will be easier for you to learn from an instructor. Drum instructors have been where you are and may have some helpful practice tips and techniques.

For more information about drum lessons with Lesson Match, call us at 612-460-7653.

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.

Music Lessons for Valentine’s Day

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!

Benefits Of In Home Music Lessons

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!

10 Guitar Tips For All Guitar Players

Whether you’re new to the guitar or are stuck in a musical rut, here are some tips to help you become a better musician.

To talk to a guitar instructor from Lesson Match or to enroll in lessons, contact Lesson Match today!

Practice Without Picking Up An Instrument

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.

Common Mistakes Piano Students Make When Practicing

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!

10 Reasons to Give a Musical Instrument as a Gift

An Instrument makes the perfect gift!

Here are some reasons why a musical instrument could make the perfect gift.

This year, give someone the gift of music by giving them an instrument.

Give the Gift of Music!

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.

The Perfect After School Hobby

Why music lessons make the perfect after school hobby.

Keep your kids busy and out of trouble after school by enrolling them in music lessons with Lesson Match.

10 Drum Tips

Interested in taking drum lessons? Or do you already play the drums but are looking for some drum tips?

Here are a few tips to refine your technique and keep your drum set sounding great.

For more information about drum lessons with Lesson Match, call us at 612-460-7653.

More Tips for Choosing the Right Instrument

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.

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