Developing Your Sound
Developing different tools and sounds can be an incredible asset and a lot of fun to develop. And remember, they never take away from who you are. In fact, I would argue, they make you a better musician, one that doesn’t just have one sound, but one that uses a variety of sounds.
Joy, Wonder, and Fun in Music, not Drudgery and Misery
We care about the music, deeply. And technique matters, but primarily as a means to better music. More importantly however, we care about our students. We want all of our students to find joy, wonder, and fun in music, not drudgery and misery.
Six Essential Elements of Private Lessons
Private lessons should be personal, friendly, engaging, and fun, regular lessons. But they should also provide musically some key elements that will stretch beyond what a student may experience in a great band, orchestra, or choir program.
What to Expect from Private Music Lessons
Your private lessons should be personal, friendly, engaging, and fun, regular lessons
Learning to Make Your Own New Ending
Sometimes musicians may need to cut a piece they have been working on short. It could be because they are slated to play their piece for an event, but it is too long for their allotted timeslot. Maybe they are working on an accompaniment piece to accompany a vocalist or a group, and the vocalist or group has decided not to play the whole piece for whatever reason.
Other times it may be a more frustrating reason. Sometimes no matter how hard you work on your music; you just might not be ready to present the whole thing. This can and has happened to some of the best and most disciplined musicians. Don’t hate yourself for it. Don’t punish yourself. By all means, do not throw the piece out as a waste or whatever. Look at this as an opportunity to practice how you might handle one of the scenarios above.
Fun with Multiple Instruments
One of the advantages of having faculty that know and teach multiple instruments is the flexibility to meet those needs. Are you learning an instrument and would like to learn another? Learning multiple instruments usually becomes a little easier with each new instrument, and it will always help you learn to love and appreciate music on a new level. All but two of our faculty teach piano. At least five our faculty teach multiple instruments. Looking to learn? Call or drop us a line today and start the journey!
Scales are the Key to Music
Scales are the key to music on so many levels. We take scales very seriously at TIA. The reason that we take scales so seriously is not just because of the scales themselves, although they can be a ton of fun, they are fascinating, and we think scales on their own are just a beautiful part of music. But beyond that, scales unlock so many mysteries of music and provide the means for traveling the journey of music on so many levels.
Frustrated: Don’t Give up but Give More of Yourself to it
Next time you get frustrated, don’t give up but give more of yourself to it! Practice the fundamentals several times a week, and after each period of focused practice, just play, forget everything else, and enjoy the music!
Real Fun in Music Begins with Practice and Hard Work
But you will enjoy the music SO much more when you can play it better, and that comes with practice and discipline. Real fun with music, making the kind of music that you don’t just enjoy but that will resonate with your whole body and soul, that kind of fun—begins with practice and hard work. Practice hard. Play hard. Enjoy the music, both in practice and playing.
What to Expect from a Great Band Program?
What should you expect out of a great band program (public, private, or homeschool)?