What considerations and sources to consider for working on music technique Starting a student off right with good music instruction can have profound impact on the speed and quality of music that is created or reproduced. The delayed gratification is worth it, but this is a hard sell for both the parent and the student. We need to be able to take the time to explain why technique is going to play such a big part in there ability to learn and...

Considerations – As teachers do we explore enough to improve the learning process? This section of Teaching Articles in our community is dedicated to exploring teaching of music and concepts that can be used to further and accelerate learning for our students.  There are a lot of considerations in teaching this art or for that matter teaching anything. There are complete college degrees and certification programs that address this...

What is Your Music Awareness Quotient? Music Awareness? What an odd question to ask. It was for me.  With the elements of music we gain a tremendous amount of music knowledge in learning. And if we are lucky or have a great teacher we get a glimpse at some musical insight that will change our perceptions for ever. Our music consciousness raises at each turn of the page. Although sometimes turning a page may take weeks of work. Jumps...

Enhanced Learning Experience by Paying Attention to the Conversation How can a simple music learning conversation can lead to so much more? How a simple comment can make your day and your music teachers day. Paying attention to the conversation was a key to improving learning. The following is a paraphrased email to a music teacher. I have substituted titles for the real names. A Simple Conversation Dear teacher, I haven’t been at a...

Are you applying this practice technique to quickly improve your skill and abilities. Improving practice focus speeds the music learning process along. Wouldn’t you like to know how five minutes of practice can be more valuable than one hour of rote repetition practice. Did you ever notice how all your friends or parents seem to have advise  on how to fix your music practice. Believe me I know I do it to my daughter all the time. ...

Expanding Intervals to the Next Octave This is a short list of the interval meanings, and we  go into detail in the workbook lessons. This Table is used to reference the intervals you can extend into the upper octave. The following briefly explain the distances and ranges over two octaves (notes): M=major, m or (-) = minor, #=sharp, b=flat, octave=8va. (vb, for lower) Review the table below for the first major and minor intervals. Use the...

 Accurate Music Instruction  Why You May Not Getting Excellence Earlier for Your Student When I became serious about learning, I found a fabulous instructor that used several methods of teaching which she developed and combined into her own style.  The great thing here is that she had been studying with one of the great Russian concert pianists and the techniques taught by their conservatory Starting Technique Off Right The thing was that they...

Flat Key Scale Fingering and Sharp Key Major Scales on the Keyboard The major scales for flat key signatures have some common patterns.  The patterns which start on black keys make a lot of sense when you understand them, however, the starting finger changes slightly and it has a tendency to confuse you as you go.   This section provides some guidance on thinking about the bigger picture when it comes to learning the flat and sharp key scales. ...

A Four Step Process How would you like to jump start your music theory education with an approach that acknowledges a students ability to learn more quickly than we give them credit? Sounds good, but can it be accomplished? My answer is not only yes, but unequivocally yes. The Process I am going to share a 4 step process that I have adopted in creating teaching materials and applying to learning experiences. This method is used for developing...

“Are Your Limiting Beliefs Holding You Back?” Consider this, your music learning beliefs are crippling you. They limit your ability to improve or overcome the challenges put in front of you. What are the locked beliefs key things that keep you from obtaining your dreams?  It is most often found in your beliefs about music and learning it. You need to overcome belief limitations that hold you back. The exercise that follows can be...

Why It Takes So Long to Master the Music Learning Process A quick story on learning music concepts. When I first started the music learning process, the method used was to teach me was to give me one little piece of a music element at a time. So instead of seeing an overview of the music concept, I’d get to learn two or three notes. Then I would get an F sharp and where it would be on the keyboard. This is the most basic music learning...

Accelerate Your Playing Abilities The Music Learning Workshop employs music learning methods that accelerate your learning music theory and playing ability. This section touches on the techniques and philosophy of methods to learn music. So when we talk about  learning methods we first have to acknowledge  that everyone has a different learning mode. You are no exception. You have been taught many ways to learn things through out your life. And...