Blog Archives

Back to School- Here we go!!

8/29/2017

-Stathia Orwig

Oh my goodness- I can’t believe it’s the beginning of a new school year! I personally as a mom am always so happy when summer comes: the (theoretically) more relaxed schedule and just switching up day to day activities. But once we start rolling into August and getting ready for school to begin, I am ready for the routine again. At the start of a new school year, I make new goals for myself, for my kids, for our family life. Here are a few ideas to think about as we get back into the “real” practice routine:

Try and “schedule” a time for practice every single day. I know that sounds hard, but if you can add it to your week AND weekend schedule, chances of this habit sticking are greater. If your child is an early riser, try having them practice before breakfast. Or, if they are not ready to sit down and do homework when getting home, schedule practice before homework.
Remember, it takes 3 weeks to establish a new habit. Give it time! Start this new practice time at the beginning of September, so that by the time we reach the end of September, practicing is routine. Then, learning assigned repertoire will come easy!
Don’t be discouraged if you have to keep reminding your child to practice. Don’t we have to remind them to do everything else? *sigh* Just because they are not remembering to practice doesn’t mean they are not interested! Just stay consistent with reminders. We use Music Bucks as “rewards” for practicing, so I don’t think there needs to be any more of an incentive- but a gentle reminder that they are getting music bucks usually gets them running to the piano (even the older kids)

We do have a few updates with Music SO Simple. We wrote a welcome letter that will also be in your child’s binder at the beginning of the year, but feel free to take a look at it here. There are lots of great reminders of our policies and just good tidbits to know and remember.

Tuition rates are posted on the website. Fees for festivals, contests, and recitals will be billed at appropriate times, and I will send out an email at least a month prior to let you know of the charges.

Student of the Week will begin at the beginning of September!! Students chosen will be in the weekly newsletter with their picture, and they receive 10 music bucks, a certificate, and a yard sign! We choose students for many reasons! If you want more info on SOW, check out the blog we wrote here.

Piano Maestro and Sprout Beat are great iPad programs that has been around for a few years and are continually updating. We are going to begin incorporating them into lessons with appropriate students. To learn more about it, ask your teacher or check out their website.

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The "Do's" and "Don'ts" of Voice Lessons

8/16/2017

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-Meredith Manley

This week I’m writing the blog specifically for our voice students and their parents- I call it the “Do’s” and “Don’ts” of voice lessons. I find that many parents have good intentions when it comes to helping their child become a better singer, but reading through this list will ensure that you’re on the right track!

Do’s List:

Seek a qualified teacher- do your research before you hire a teacher to start working with your child. What is their training/background? Do they lean toward teaching a certain style of repertoire? Can they teach both technique and stage presence? Make sure your teacher is well-rounded and can teach many different skills!
Understand how the voice works- the voice is a very delicate instrument, especially for children. How does it operate? You can learn more here.
Explore different genres- there are so many styles of vocal music: musical theatre, classical, pop, jazz, etc. I always encourage my students to have a variety of pieces in their repertoire, and exploring different styles helps identify which types of pieces are the best fit for their voice.
Help your child choose age appropriate songs- this is a biggie for my students inclined to learning pop music: I am extremely picky when it comes to choosing songs. I tell my students that songs cannot have any bad words and that it must make sense for a child to sing (aka no “adult content”). If there is a line or two that is not age appropriate, we can rewrite the line or replace the bad word, which usually makes everyone happy. It is fine to sing these songs at home or in the car, but it is not appropriate to work on them in voice lessons or perform them on stage.
Encourage as many performance opportunities as you can - this is so important! Compared to piano, I find that vocal performances feel more raw- the instrument is part of YOU, and singing is very personal. I also think that there is an element of safety in a piano performance because the piano provides a type of barrier between you and the audience. When you are singing, you face the audience straight on and portray a character, which adds an element of vulnerability. When a student is given more performance opportunities at home, the quicker they will feel more comfortable performing in front of a larger audience. Always applaud for your child, and make sure you read through the “Dont’s” list before giving feedback!

Don’ts List:

1) Don’t encourage your child to sing a particular way without consulting your qualified teacher: if something sounds wrong or off when listening to your child sing, ask the teacher about it instead of correcting your child. You may be instructing them to do something that can be harmful their voice.
2) Don’t tell your child they cannot sing well because they don’t sing every note in tune: part of voice lessons as a beginner is learning to sing in tune with a nice tone. So many children who have potential to become great singers were told by a parent that they didn’t sound good when they sang. So if you hear a couple of wonky notes, don’t worry! It takes time to develop intonation.

We are all guilty of these “Don’ts”, so use this as an opportunity to start fresh! Understanding your child’s goals in voice lessons is key to being a supportive parent, and as always, communication with your teacher is a must for success.

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Buying a Piano

8/2/2017

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Buying a piano is not really as easy as just going out and purchasing the best deal you can find. I know, I really wish it were that easy. The issue is that there are so many makes and models for anyone’s budget. Then, there is always the decision to buy new or used.

Determine the amount of space you have in your home- do you have room for a grand piano or an upright? What about color and style? Having a piano in your home is like picking out a beautiful piece of furniture and will last in your home for many many years.

Determine your budget. If your goal is to have music provide a lifetime of enjoyment and intellectual stimulation for your children, you need to seriously consider making a reasonable investment in their future. What most people do not realize is that young children actually require a piano with keys that are very touch sensitive. With their small fingers, if the piano keyboard mechanism is not adjusted properly, the children will have great difficulty achieving success. Purchasing a quality piano will substantially increase your child's success. When students play on a quality piano with touch sensitivity and good tone, they are not just playing musical notes. They can “feel” the music and have the music penetrate deep into their hearts and minds.*

Find a piano that has the key touch and musical tone that you like. To do this, go to a piano retailer that has many makes and models, new and used. Of the pianos you like, see which ones respond to the touch of your fingers. Play a bunch of pianos, new and used. You will notice a difference as you play on them!

If you plan to buy a used piano from an individual, you can always set up a time for a piano technician to go by and evaluate the condition. Having a professional’s opinion on the instrument will give you a better idea of the investment you are thinking about making. Ask us if you need the number of a technician!

*Check out http://www.ptg.org/document//36/ where we found a lot of this useful information and more!

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We've got a lot to talk about

Back to School- Here we go!!

The "Do's" and "Don'ts" of Voice Lessons

Buying a Piano

Archives

Categories

MUSIC SO SIMPLE
469.778.2121
info@musicsosimple.com
1144 Plano Road, suite 142, richardson, texas 75081

We've got a lot to talk about

Back to School- Here we go!!

The "Do's" and "Don'ts" of Voice Lessons

Buying a Piano

Archives

Categories

MUSIC SO SIMPLE469.778.2121​info@musicsosimple.com​1144 Plano Road, suite 142, richardson, texas 75081

MUSIC SO SIMPLE
469.778.2121
info@musicsosimple.com
1144 Plano Road, suite 142, richardson, texas 75081