Blog V2 Infinite scroll - Absolutely In-Tuned!

Learning the Basics from Viola Teachers

May 21, 2015 Violin / Viola

Learning the Basics from Viola Teachers

Like anything else, learning to play the viola too has to start with the basics. The viola is a classical instrument developed in 15^th century Italy and has since then been used in different musical compositions. To learn the instrument, you must first gain a basic understanding of the instrument and the type of music it produces. Viola tutorials must always start with this before progressing to the actual teaching of music.

Parts of the instrument

Learning about the different parts of the viola and the bow is the first step to learning how to play it. This helps you in understanding instructions better and you know exactly what they mean when your teacher talks about fingerboards or frogs. Understanding the instrument also helps you in understanding how the viola works and how each part of the instrument functions in order to produce music. This also ensures that you are better able to keep your instrument in good order and maintain it properly.

Holding the instrument

A good posture is about keeping you comfortable throughout the session, reducing stress on your muscles and enhancing the musical efforts. Both standing and sitting postures can be developed, according to your comfort level. This also includes how to hold the viola properly for best results. Most people prefer to place it on their left shoulder or collarbone. Handling the bow properly is required to learn how to play properly. Overall, the aim is to be relaxed physically while playing. Viola lessons must always concentrate on this aspect because this is what will help you on a long-term basis. Starting right is very important when it comes to a good posture as it will prevent you from getting into bad habits that might be difficult to rectify later.

Strings

The various stings on the viola produce different sounds. It is imperative to know how the strings work and how to combine the different sounds to produce good music. The D-string, the string second from the right, is the most used string in most musical compositions. Without understanding how the strings work, what notes they produce, how taut they must be, and how to combine them to produce good sound, learning the instrument would be very difficult. This leads to the next important step, tuning.

Tuning the viola

Learning the viola or any other musical instrument is like driving a car – it really helps to be able to tune it yourself. It will become a necessity at some point, because only you can tune it properly to suit your specific needs, so you might as well begin learning it in the beginning. Viola classes generally ensure that the student is taught this very basic skill before progressing further. You can use a simple viola tuner or use a lubricant. It is a very precise skill, so make sure you give it the required attention and learn well.

Fingering

You must learn fingering on your viola instrument right at the beginning. Each place on the string produces a different sound, and this is the basis to composing music by combining these notes together. Understanding the sharps and flats and which notes to play when comes only with practice and is an essential part of the theory lessons. Good viola teachers will always include these lessons right at the beginning.

Broadway Singing Lessons for a Broadway Career

May 21, 2015 Singing

Broadway Singing Lessons for a Broadway Career

Broadway Singing requires you to be very versatile with a number of talents to your credit. Though a Broadway career is often the stuff of dreams, very few people really make it because they neglect one aspect or the other that goes into the making of a good Broadway actor or actress. There are no specific Broadway singing tutorials, so you will have to take a bunch of different classes in order to achieve all the qualifications required.

Take music lessons

This is obviously the beginning and the basis of a Broadway singing career. Broadway is very versatile so training your voice to be capable of different music styles is very important. Voice lessons to training your voice are essential. Even after you land a role, you will have to continue with these lessons, so get into the habit of working on your voice right from the beginning.

Learn an instrument

Having knowledge about an instrument will enhance the odds of your landing a role in Broadway. The piano is the most commonly used instrument in Broadway, but instruments such as violin, oboe, clarinet, drums and flute are also not unwelcome. Learn whatever you are passionate about and continue training in it. Learn to combine your instrument skills with your voice skills for best effect.

Take dance lessons

Dancing is as important as singing and music to a Broadway singing career. You never know which role will require you to dance a little on stage. Many Broadway shows include a little bit of dancing, so it is good to have basic knowledge of dancing. The most useful forms of dances are tap, jazz, ballet and hip hop.

Train in gymnastics

It is not enough to have musical skills for a long-term career in Broadway. It is also essential to have skills like gymnastics, which can help you get some roles. Apart from this, regularly working out with yoga and aerobics will keep you fit. This also enhances your voice and keeps your body flexible enough to take up new roles with new requirements.

Take acting lessons

Broadway singing is as much about acting as about singing. Broadway demands a degree in acting, so you need to get started on working on your acting at the same time as you start your Broadway singing lessons. Most roles require the main lead to act and act well, so this is actually an essential part of preparing for a Broadway career.

Familiarise yourself with theatre

Without some basic knowledge of theatre, it is almost impossible to get into the world. Broadway singing is a close knit community and only someone who is really passionate about theatre would stand a chance of being admitted to the inner circle. You might start building up your theatrical résumé before you apply for a Broadway role, so you would have some experience to show.

Network

And last, but not the least, network regularly and mingle with the Broadway crowd as much as you can. Attend theatre events and other occasions on a regular basis. Keep in contact with the people you meet there. You never know who might be your ticket for starring in a Broadway role!

In conclusion, Broadway singing teachers are varied in their skills and you need to learn all these skills from different teachers for the best possible results. You need to be versatile and hard working if you want to consider a career in Broadway.

Reasons for Taking Bass Guitar Lessons for Grading

May 21, 2015 Guitar / Ukulele

Reasons for Taking Bass Guitar Lessons for Grading

Bass Guitar is a popular instrument that was first developed in the 1930s. Since then, it has come a long way to being used in many different music styles including rock, jazz, reggae and punk. Universities and music colleges now offer bass guitar diplomas and degrees, though most students generally stick to informal training with bass guitar tutorials. However, there are some good reasons to take exams and obtain certification, either a degree or a diploma.

International recognition

An excellent reason for preparing for grading exams is the international recognition that comes along with certification. This ensures that your qualification as a guitarist is acknowledged all over the world, or at least in most countries. This can easily open up your way for any sort of musical event, job, performance or further studies in music. Of course, for this to work as it should, it is important that the grading is obtained from a reputed organisation or exam, such as the ABSRM, RGT or RCM, institutions that are globally recognised.

Setting goals

Some people are able to work better with random learning at their own pace. However, most people learn better through a systematic learning process which can be evaluated over a period of time to see how much they have actually learned. For many students, bass guitar lessons for preparing them for exams also help them to set goals for their future music study. While taking formal exams, you will be able to understand how much you already know and what you want to do next. You can decide on your short term and long term goals in advance and accordingly work towards them.

Measure your own success

Very often, musicians who have learnt on their own or through informal teaching do not know how far they have reached in their learning because of the lack of systematic grading. Even those who play very well really have no idea exactly what grade they are in. In order to measure your own success and to understand how much you still have to work on your music, grade exams are important. This can be especially helpful if you are stuck in a rut regarding your musical learning or career.

All rounded guitarist

When it comes to playing an instrument like the guitar, sometimes some techniques and basic knowledge are neglected. This means that the student often does not gain a complete understanding of basic concepts like rhythm and reading scales, without which one cannot really progress beyond a certain stage of learning. When learning through a certified and standardised course, you have to follow a structured syllabus, without leaving anything out. This will help hone your weak points and build up your knowledge base, resulting in your become a better and well rounded guitar player.

Musical career

Whether you want to become a bass guitar teacher or whether you want to work in some other field related to music and bass guitars, you will require accreditation from a reputed institute. Taking bass guitar classes in order to get a diploma and make a name for yourself in the field of music is the best way forward. A degree in music is always helpful in impressing future employers of your worth, just like in any other field.

Helpful Tips On How To Be More Soulful And Expressive During Saxophone Lesssons

May 14, 2015 Saxophone

Helpful Tips On How To Be More Soulful And Expressive During Saxophone Lessons

The sound of the saxophone conjures a myriad of emotions. It is popularly dubbed as the sexiest sounding instrument. It is often compared to the human voice in terms of its soulful and expressive sound qualities. Hence, during saxophone lessons, it is important to integrate heart and soul while playing the saxophone.

Here are factors that could motivate or trigger emotions as you play the saxophone.

Easy on the scooping of your notes. ‘Over scooping’ your notes would make you sound amateurish. Yes, it adds flavor to your sound, but use it sparingly.

Be conscious of your vibratos. Similarly, vibratos should be used as needed. It adds a soulful dimension to your sound when used in the right places.

Determine your dynamics. Dynamics basically refer to the loudness or softness of a note. The sound of emotions vary. For instance, anger is blatantly loud and piercing. While the sound of joy is light and bouncy. Sadness sounds low and heavy. Dynamics is a tool to express and add depth and drama to the overall sound of your sax playing.

The art of releasing notes. The way you ‘attack’ the first note and how you release your last note could manifest different levels of emotions. You could start-off with a whisper and end with a scream; or go the other way around. Find your way through the ebbs and flows of the melody. Connecting the music to your emotions could help you attack and release those notes.

Just a sprinkle of sound effects. Once you’ve learned the basics in saxophone lessons, you may level-up those techniques with various sound effects. In time, your teacher may introduce these terms and techniques to you: ‘growling’, ‘glissando’, ‘multiphonics’, ‘overtones’, ‘slap tonguing’, ‘flutter-tonguing’. And yes, these effects could give a new layer or texture to the emotion that you want to convey.

Study the lyrics. For tunes that were written with vocals, it would help you know and tell the story of the song if you understand the lyrics. The lyrics itself could help you determine how to approach each word, phrase, or stanza with particular dynamics, vibrato, or sound effects. For instrumental music, it helps to know the story behind the tune. What emotions would the songwriter want to conjure from his listener?

Practice emulating the singer’s voice with your saxophone. Pick a particular song phrase. Play the same notes with your saxophone, attempting to get as close as you can to the vocal expression. You may use release, attack, vibratos, dynamics, or effects. Do your best in sounding like the singer.

Get in ‘the zone’ while you play. Focus on the single emotion you want to convey. Distraction can snap you out of the heart of that moment.

Get inspiration and stimulation from everywhere. Absorb as much feeling and experience you can from a plethora of activities. Reading, movies, food, ..these could spark thoughts, ideas, inspiration. As you play the sax, these could fuel your soul into an outburst of emotions.

Expression or ‘soul’ cannot be taught per se, during saxophone lessons. This is something that should come from within. Yet technique and emotions go hand-in-hand. Both are essential in the art of playing the saxophone.

Biggest Myths That Hold You Back From Taking Keyboard Lessons

May 14, 2015 Keyboards / Piano

Biggest Myths That Hold You Back From Taking Keyboard Lessons

It is common for parents to encourage their children to learn to play a musical instrument at an early age. Thus, when someone intends to study an instrument during their adult years, doubts and hesitations start to crawl in. Some people begin to think they may be a bit too old to take up keyboard lessons. But did you know that many of these beliefs are just myths? You may have heard these from others, or may hold on to these misconceptions yourself.

Here some of the most popular myths on keyboard lessons. You may have heard these ‘voices’ in your head that chain you to such negative beliefs:

“I’m too old” or “It’s too late”

“I’ll be the oldest student learning to play keyboards” : Playing music comes from the heart. Learning is not to be measured from your age number. Do not let embarrassment keep you from taking beginner keyboard classes. It is for your own enjoyment, not theirs.
Children learn faster: The reality that children are more receptive to learn new things is not based on their age. Learning progress is contingent to the brain’s ability to focus. Most adults are bogged down by stress, impatience, frustrations, and distractions. While kids do not hold as much mental clutter. The desire and the focus to learn is parallel to one’s state of mind. Hence, kids absorb more new learning concepts.
You have to start young: Neural stimulation is the key that would unlock your potential to learn keyboards. Your exposure to these stimuli could mark a difference in your musical intelligence. Both children and adults who has had ample exposure to activities like sports, dancing, or the arts both progress well with keyboard lessons.

“I’m too busy to practice”

Busy schedule / Have other priorities: This is the often heard excuse or lament, especially from working adults. Proper time management is the answer. You have got to identify and set aside a practice schedule.
Practice is tiring: If you really love playing music, practicing would not feel like a chore. Yes, it demands physically effort, yet you feel the reward and fulfillment from the inside.
“I have to practice long hours without breaks” : On the contrary, practicing at short intervals work best. These brief bursts of focused, uninterrupted, and undistracted practice trumps those extended hours, in terms of effectivity.

3. “I don’t have long and slender fingers”: When it comes to fingers and hand size and shape, long and slender fingers do not get an advantage. Although, some say that long fingers often get ‘tangled-up’ on the keys. Hence, they have the tendency to commit more mistakes. Yet this not a proven fact. You can overcome those genetic ‘obstacles’ with consistent practice on how your fingers could smoothly maneuver its way on the keyboards.

These myths about keyboard lessons have been so ingrained into the culture that people now accept them as truths. Due to this, passions are restrained; dreams are crushed. The so-called late bloomers have consigned themselves to be labeled as ‘frustrated’ pianists or keyboard players. Don’t let this happen to you. It’s not too late. Now you know the truth, it’s time to break free.

Ukulele Lessons for Beginners

May 14, 2015 Guitar / Ukulele

Ukulele Lessons for Beginners

Learning to play the ukulele can be fun, exciting and soothing. A good beginning is a job half done, so it is good to keep some things in mind when you begin lessons for learning to play the ukulele. Unlike experienced players who have a set routine and have developed an ear for understanding any potential problems that might appear, beginners have to concentrate on having everything right in the beginning for getting full benefit of ukulele tutorials.

Find the right ukulele teacher

Finding a good ukulele teacher with whom you are compatible can go a long way in helping you start well. A good teacher must have the professional experience to be able to guide you through the false notes that are generally rampant at the beginning. They must be observant, good at explaining mistakes and techniques and have enough creativity to teach you how to perform at your own comfort level. It is not always that music students are compatible with their teachers, so finding a ukulele teacher with whom you click well can be a great beginning to a lovely journey.

Buy a good ukulele

If you are not sure about seriously learning the ukulele, it would be a good idea to borrow one from a friend or family member and try it out for a week. If you are already sure, then it makes sense to buy your own ukulele. Good ukuleles for beginners are not very expensive, and can be found on Amazon or Ebay. Alternatively, you can also visit musical instruments shops and try them out before picking one. It might be helpful if you take the advice of someone who already plays the ukulele when purchasing one. It is also a good idea to learn something about the instruments, such as the parts, tuning, and strings, before buying it.

Holding the instrument correctly

Before you begin to start playing, you must learn to hold the ukulele correctly. Try out different position and pick one you are comfortable with. You can try standing or sitting, and hold the instrument close to you. The correct posture will help in preventing sore muscles. Holding the ukulele loosely will bring better results to the music you produce. It might take time for you to find the best way for you, but it will help you in the long run.

Ukulele tablatures and chords

It is highly tempting to start playing a sophisticated piece right away, but that is not the right way to proceed. Learning ukulele tabs and chords first will help in developing an insight into the different musical pieces. You must learn to walk before you learn to run. Learning the basics properly will ensure that you can play the more difficult music without too much trouble. Good ukulele teachers will ensure you develop a good grounding in these skills before proceeding.

Once you have got a good basic knowledge of your ukulele and music, your ukulele teacher will start with other lessons, such as strumming and playing. In the beginning, you can play slowly so you can listen to yourself. It is also good to listen to other accomplished ukulele players playing on a regular basis, so you develop an ear for the music and realize how your playing should sound. Beginner’s ukulele lessons can mean hard work, but it’s also a whole lot of fun!

Opera Singing Lessons For Children

May 14, 2015 Singing

Opera Singing Lessons For Children

We have seen and applauded child prodigies when it comes to the opera. One of the most difficult singing techniques, the opera requires the singer to understand the structure of music, the narrative of the opera, and even acting. With all this in mind, it is important to realize that when it comes to training children by good opera singing teachers, the utmost care must be exercised.

Training the voice

The right age to start opera singing lessons is during the late teens, after the voice breaks. Younger children can ruin their voices if they start singing opera at an earlier age since it puts pressure on the larynx when they try to use adult tones. Opera singing can also be learned later in life if there is enough sustained interest. The important thing is to not learn bad habits in singing when young, because it can be difficult to unlearn at a later stage when you go in for intense opera training. This is why you need a good teacher to help you train your voice and gradually transform from a natural child voice to a more adult voice.

Piano and violin lessons

Before starting opera lessons, it makes sense that the child is grounded in the basics of music. Learning instruments such as the piano or violin will help them understand the structure of music and how to adapt their singing later. Understanding the music you want to sing about is essential before starting opera tutorials. Opera is a complicated musical form, and your child will need to be thoroughly familiar with concepts such as rhythm reading, chord recognition, scales and other basic musical concepts before they are ready for opera training.

Language lessons

The best operas are written in Italian, French, German, and Russian, a budding opera singer would do well to at least learn the basics of these languages. It helps improve the quality of your child’s singing when they understand what they are singing. Without this knowledge, remember that they are only making noises and can never bring out the emotions required for good opera singing. Learning these languages will also help the child in developing their pronunciations and help them remember long epics.

Acting skills

For succeeding at the opera, it is important for your child to also learn some good acting. Opera singing is basically telling a story and your child must learn to develop their emotion delivery while singing. Showing anger, love, heartbreak, sadness and other emotions through facial expression, emphasizing on the right words and developing the right tone of voice is essential if you want your child to become a professional opera singer. Without this ability, the singing has no value and might even end up sounding robotic.

Lessons in different areas can help develop your child’s opera singing ability, but there are other factors that need to be understood. First, no amount of lessons or teaching will help if the child does not have the talent or the interest to develop their talent. Moreover, opera singing lessons need your child to put in a lot of hard work in order to gain any success. If your child is not ready to put in this effort of their own accord, you need to motivate them gently. Otherwise, wait until they are older to make this decision for themselves. The main way to help them develop interest is to make sure they get a teacher who makes learning fun.

How to Find Cello Teachers

May 14, 2015 Cello

How to Find Cello Teachers

If you have decided you want to learn the cello, you first need to find a good teacher to take you through the beginning stages of learning. The cello is an instrument that receives relatively less attention in the musical world. This means that finding good teachers to give cello lessons might not always be easy, especially if you don’t live in the mainstream areas. But there are ways to find out if you can contact cello teachers.

Seek recommendations

Getting personal recommendations from your social circle is a great way to find good teachers. Informal discussions can be stretched out to include the nitty-gritty of the teaching methods and other things that would be of interest to a student seeking to learn the cello. Students learning the cello are one of the best sources because they can really help you along with recommendations. You can also talk to music shop managers and local school music teachers, who might be able to help you with useful contacts.

Contact the university

A good way to find teachers who give cello tutorials is to contact the local college or university’s music department. Some of the teachers teaching in universities might themselves be teaching the cello privately. Even if the professor you have contacted is not available, they would have an extensive network of other music professionals and might be able to put you in touch with other teachers who are experienced and available. Failing all this, you could also ask for details of their advanced students who might be able to help teach you the basics.

Attend local concerts and recitals

Another great way to find resources on cello tutorials is to attend local cello concerts and recitals. You can take it for granted that almost everyone there is involved in the music world in one way or the other and might be able to help you by recommending a good teacher. You could also keep an eye out on good cello players and ask them if they would be interested in giving you cello lessons. Networking with other music lovers is bound to give you some good choices in finding teachers.

Check online

An easy and painless method to seek teachers with whom you can learn the cello is to check online. There are plenty of music resources on the web which will give you names and details of cello teachers in your area. If you go by the more reputed sites, you might get a decent listing of good teachers, which will help you in your search.

When seeking a teacher, you must meet more than one. Discuss their teaching methods thoroughly, ask for references, and check out their background, including music education and experience and professional playing in concerts. Go into detail with each teacher, and choose one with whom you feel the most compatible. If you are unable to make up your mind merely by discussing the issue, you can ask for a consultation class, which will allow you to evaluate the teaching method of the potential teacher.

In addition, it is also important that the cello lessons are compliant with your schedule and that of your teacher’s. If everything works out, then you can finally be on your way to getting your cello lessons.

Helpful Tips To Boost Your Flute Lessons

May 5, 2015 Flute

Helpful Tips To Boost Your Flute Lessons

How can breathing into a mouthpiece and pressing holes with your fingers produce such a lovely sound? That is the magic behind the captivating sound of the flute. That is what flute lessons can reveal to you. Such sweet mystery lies upon the power, control, discipline, and passion of the flautist.

Here are some pointers on how you can improve your playing and performance skills.

THE POWER OF POSTURE

Good and proper posture will enable you to produce right tones with a full and strong sound. It will power-up your lungs and breathing techniques. Correct posture will facilitate smooth and controlled airflow.

Straighten your back whether you’re sitting or standing.
Your head should be erect.
Place both feet flat on the floor.
Body weight should be evenly distributed between your feet.
Your body should be upright but relaxed. You should be able to flexibly move your hips, knees, and ankles.
Do not raise your shoulders while playing. This produces tension in your upper body, thereby constricting airflow from your diaphragm.
Bring-up your flute all the way to your mouth. Do not bow your head to reach your flute’s mouthpiece.

BREATHE YOUR WAY TO SUCCESS

One of the first things you learn in flute lessons is breathing. The air you breathe into the flute comes out as sound. With proper breathing, the sweet sound of playing success follows.

Breathe deeply from your diaphragm and control the pressure of air streaming out. Doing so would result in a fuller sound.
While blowing into the embouchure, the corners of your mouth should be firm.
Play with an ‘open throat’. When you do a big yawn, your throat expands, allowing more air to flow. Keep this ‘yawn’ while you play.
Keep your tongue relaxed. Direct the air above your tongue.
Don’t blow too hard.

LET YOUR FINGERS SING

Mastering the different finger placements is one way to speed up your learning. Correct finger placements will produce those sweet and wonderful melodies. A flautist should also observe the proper hand position to prevent pain and injury. Your wrists should be not bent. Your arms and hands must be relaxed.

TAKE IT SLOW, THEN TAKE IT HIGHER

For a beginner, learning new fingerings could be confusing. Master the easiest notes first. This will give you the flexibility and enough muscle memory to move on to more complicated finger positions. However, don’t be complacent and content. Find an easy piece to master that would give you enough confidence to move-up and test your limits.

PLAY WITH PASSION

You may have mastered all notes, finger positions, and various playing styles and

techniques. But if you don’t express the mood, the character, or tell the story of the piece, it’s just all sound, not music. Use your imagination. Play from the heart. In doing so, you give your audience a moving experience.

Your flute teachers will be your hands-on guide to teach you how to play the instrument. Yet your progress relies on how much work and dedication you put into this craft.

How to Recruit Good Singing Teachers for Home Lessons

May 5, 2015 Singing

How to Recruit Good Singing Teachers for Home Lessons

Many students prefer to hire teachers for teaching singing at home. This is especially true of young children whose parents want to keep an eye on their progress in lessons and are willing to pay for the privilege. Students with busy schedules are also interested in home singing classes which would save them traveling time.

But before hiring a teacher whom you can trust to welcome to your home, you need to ensure that they meet some basic qualifications. Though one person cannot possess all the below qualities, it is up to the student to consider which ones are important to them and where they are willing to compromise. Below are some of the things that should be considered before hiring a singing teacher.

Choosing a teacher with the required educational qualifications is a good idea. A teacher with a degree in music, singing or voice training would be well versed in different singing techniques themselves and would be able to help the student learn everything. This is considered important by most people since a degree in the specific field is really the first qualification criterion.
Even better would be a teacher’s certification in addition to the formal degree. This enables the teacher to relate to students positively and impart their own knowledge by following the different educational methods that are considered successful. The student will also be able to confirm that the teacher applying has the required knowledge to put him or her at ease.
Apart from formal certifications, teachers who have experience with dealing with students should be better able to find different ways of teaching if the first method of explanation or demonstration does not work out. A teacher’s training qualification is quite handy to ascertain that the person being hired is cut out to be a teacher and can help the student learn well.
When students work with singing teachers who have performing experience, they learn more. They understand the pressure and nuances of giving a performance and will be able to hone the student to deal with the expectations. One needs to be highly qualified as a singer first before becoming a teacher. A teacher without experience will not be able to impart much value to singing lessons.
For some students, this is the most important factor when hiring a teacher to give lessons in singing. Busy schedules, unforgiving bosses and attention-seeking children need to be accommodated while sketching out a schedule for some people. Teachers who are willing to work around such problems are a welcome addition.
Some teachers are more compatible with children while others are comfortable teaching older students. Some are good with beginners while others only like giving voice lessons to students who are already well versed in the basics. It is important to hire a teacher who is able to work with the student on a one-to-one basis and this can only come with some compatibility between the two.

References are a good way to know if the singing teachers have experience in teaching and how successful they have been in their past ventures. Following up on these references is useful because it enables the student to discuss the nuances of the teacher’s previous experiences and decide whether they can work well together or not.

Qualities of Good Violin Teachers

May 5, 2015 Violin / Viola

Qualities of Good Violin Teachers

Music is a learning process and learning any instrument takes time and effort, as well as large dollops of patience. People can spend years learning to play the violin, because like most other artistic education, it only gets better with more practice. So engaging good violin teachers is essential for good progress. Whether a teacher is good or not will depend upon various individuals but there are some basic things that are essential for being a good violin teacher.

Knowledge

In order to impart knowledge to students, it is essential that the teacher have a vast knowledge of the instrument. They must be well versed in how the violin works so that they are able to find out whether the problem is with the student or the instrument. They need to have a large music repertoire to help the student along at different stages in their learning. A violin tutorial is not just about producing music, it is also about showing students how best to hold the violin, what body positions will minimize tension and how to maximize the student’s skill by teaching the right movements.

Creativity

Teachers are required to be more creative than students because each student is different and learns differently. A good violin teacher is able to explain a musical piece in different ways until the student understands it. The teacher should also allow a higher level student to experiment a little and explore every way of the learning process. Learning music can be grueling at times and a creative teacher helps in reducing the tedium by finding ways to make the learning process more fun, such as games or small competitions. These games are more important if the student is a beginner.

Patience

Teaching violin requires a lot of patience on the part of both the teacher and the student. The teacher’s job is to explain the concept to the students, show them what they are doing wrong, and give them exercises and games that would help in developing their skills. Since each student learns at a different pace, patience is essential.

Observation skills

It is important for a violin teacher to have the capacity of hearing a music piece played by the student and immediately understanding where the mistake is. If a person does not possess this innate ability to pinpoint a problem, he or she cannot really make an effective teacher. Students will make different kinds of mistakes in different ways, and the teacher also needs to be able to understand why this is happening as well as what the mistakes are. So good observation and analysis skills are essential.

Experience

Last, but not the least, students tend to learn more by violin lessons given by experienced teachers. A teacher with a degree in violin studies will automatically have more knowledge about music that they can impart to their students. But what is even more important is that the violin teacher has some experience in teaching and should be comfortable handling students of a certain level or age.

In conclusion, while not every violin player can achieve all the above qualities to the highest possible extent, a good violin teacher should have these qualities to some extent. It is far easier to play the violin and give performances than to teach others to play. Keeping this in mind, it is essential that violin teachers work on their various teaching skills as well as their violin playing in order to provide good quality violin classes.

Advantages of Individual vs. Group Guitar Lessons

May 5, 2015 Guitar / Ukulele

Advantages of Individual vs. Group Guitar Lessons

When you choose to take lessons in guitar, the first choice is whether to opt for private lessons or for group lessons. There are advantages and disadvantages to both options, and the decision that suits you best might not be best for everyone. First, understand the consequences of choosing an option and then make a decision on what kind of guitar classes would suit you best.

Advantages of group lessons

Price is a big consideration for most people, and group lessons tend to be less expensive than individual lessons because the teacher is spending less time with more students. In this case, more people are paying for the teacher’s time, which brings down the overall cost for each session. By the same token, it also means that you can get more lessons less expensively.
A main advantage to taking guitar lessons in a group is that it helps students to work with different people and observe different styles of playing. Students can learn much more in a group session simply by observing each other and playing together. Meeting other people who are interested in music is also very important in the beginning because it sets the base for forming relationships with people with the same hobby or interest. Learning with like-minded people can increase motivation among students.
By learning guitar in a group setting, you can compete with someone else and have a reason to perform better. It is human nature for people to be competitive and try to outdo their peers, and this works in a guitar learning context as well. A bit of friendly competition with your peers will improve your playing much faster than otherwise.
Students who learn to play in a group find it easier to play in sync with the others in a band or a music group. With the experience of working with other people, these students learn teamwork quite early in their musical education, which helps them perform better in the long run.

Advantages of individual lessons

For those who cannot keep up with a group or those who are far ahead of the group, individual guitar lessons make more sense. Such students are able to concentrate more when they work at their own pace. The teacher can thus focus on one student and can tailor the lessons according to the student’s needs, leading to optimum results.
If the student is busy and cannot work around their schedule too much, then private lessons are a boon. It offers more flexibility for students to set their own times for lessons and work with just one other person – the teacher. It is especially true for working professionals and those with extremely busy schedules, who are also devoted to learning to play the guitar.
Some students, especially beginners, are intimidated by the thought of playing in front of many others, who might be better than they are. If the student has a problem performing in front of others or other issues with insecurity, individual lessons would give him or her to learn in privacy until they can gain some confidence.
With a one-to-one schedule, guitar teachers can help students set clear goals and work towards it in a manner that is most comfortable to them. If the student already has ideas about what they want to learn and how much time they are willing to devote towards it, this convenience can be given in individual lessons.