Learning an instrument is a three-way street (parents-must read)

Learning an instrument is a triangle-commitment that involves the teacher, student, AND parents.  

One thing I want to very much stress today is the importance of the role of the parents when their child decides to take on an instrument.  Although the responsibility of course falls on the students and the teacher, parental involvement is equally as crucial.  

Parents: You must understand that when your child begins an instrument, you will have a new commitment as well.  Before you agree to take part in your child's musical journey, please ask yourself the following questions:

-Am I willing to drive my child to and from lessons every week?

-Am I willing to pay the extra expense for lessons, instrument accessories, new music, etc.?

-Am I willing to show up to every performance my child is involved in to show support?  

-AM I WILLING TO MAKE SURE MY CHILD PRACTICES THEIR INSTRUMENT CONSISTENTLY?

^^^The last one is, in my opinion, the absolute, most crucial role if you want to see your child succeed.  It also happens to be the factor most people don't think about.  When I was growing up, I would constantly need to be reminded to practice, because, let's face it: practicing was usually much more boring and challenging than going outside and playing with my friends, for example. 

 ****The rule I had was before I was allowed to do anything else, I had to have my practicing (as well as homework) completed.****

It's funny.  Reflecting back, the neighborhood kids would knock on my door in the summer, and the first thing they would ask: "Is your practicing done?" because it was such a common rule that even THEY knew the routine!!!  And if the practicing wasn't done, guess what motivated me to get it done!!!!  The sooner I practiced, the sooner I was going to be out there having some fun in the sun with my friends!

 Parents, here are some tips to get YOUR child's practicing done:

-Have a timer set for your child so there is no disagreement as to how long the practicing session has been.  Talk to their music teacher if you are unsure how much time should be expected of them to practice each day.

-Make it a rule that they may do whatever they please after their homework AND practicing is completed (and/or chores, or whatever else you expect of them in the house.)  

-When they do practice, you do not have to be over their shoulder the entire time.   However, every once in awhile, commend them if you hear something sounding nice.  Learning new pieces or exercise can be difficult and frustrating:  encouragement is important!  It will also make them feel like they are not doing this alone.  

-Try to attend their lessons, at least every once in awhile, so you know what is going on.  That way, you have a better understanding of how to help them.  

-Always keep their instrument OUT OF THE CASE, in a safe place.  It's a psychological thing.  If the instrument is packed away in the case, the child will be less motivated to practice than if it is left out and easy to access right away.

-Make sure they have their own,  QUIET, practicing area, whether it's a small room or their own corner of the house.  It should include a music stand, pencils, a chair (remember, not a couch or cushioned chair: something with a hard surface,) a mirror, and a small table to easily be able to place things such as a metronome, timer, etc on it.  

-Allow them at least one "day off" from practicing.  This will give them a mental break and give them a chance to revamp for the following day.  

There will be battles about practicing along the way, but you must stand your ground.  My mom and I had heated arguments, blood, sweat, and tears (ok, I'm kidding about the blood part), but ultimately, if  she did not literally force me to practice, I would be nowhere near where I am today.  To be honest with you, I probably would've quit a long time ago when things started to become more advanced and difficult. That's another blog subject for another day.  

I have a number of a students now, and it's amazing to see the differences of students who have involved parents vs. the students whose parents are not involved. I have a student who began when he was four-years-old, and BELIEVE ME, it never would have worked if his parents were not dedicated.  Now, he is almost half way through book one!!! Do you think he did that on his own at the age of 4? Of course not!  When you go to the next recital and you see a child that you automatically assume is just "naturally gifted," I can almost guarantee you, that child appears that way because, yes, they are gifted, but their parents also have the "gift" of MAKING THEM PRACTICE!! 

School is just around the corner: make it a point to make practicing part of their daily, structural routine.  This applies to teenage students as well.  Sometimes, teenagers can be the most lazy when it comes to practicing!  Meeting with the teacher once a week and only practicing here and there will result in a slow, slow, advancement process.  If you put the time in, you will see results faster AND GET YOUR MONEY'S WORTH!!!!! You pay a lot of money for lessons, make use of every penny!!!!!!! Then, come recital time, you, too, will have a reason to be proud because your child's accomplishments are your accomplishments, too.  It's a good feeling to be the parent of the "amazing student" at the recital.  

Behind every successful, young, musician is their parents.  

                           Until next time,

    ~Givi Girl 

Music is Emotion.

      I cannot stress enough how important it is to play "from the soul" and "feel the music with every note," two things I often say to my more advanced students during lessons. I try to emphasize how every note they play should be played from the heart.  If you put your emotion into whatever piece you play, it will come out the way you want it.

      My student, Alyssa, is becoming quite good with that.  She is learning it's important to not just "play" the notes, but to play every note with meaning.  For example, she is currently learning the finale piece from Swan Lake.  For those of you who aren't familiar, it's a beautiful and powerful piece that is played as a swan is dying and then eventually dead at the end.  We are working on playing every note as if it's the most fragile, delicate, beautiful, note in the world, as the swan is depicted.  It's a very sad piece, so she emphasizes that feeling by using slow vibrato and playing at a lento (slow) speed.  I always say "every note counts" and in this piece, I really stress that.  It's almost like she can feel the swan's suffering in the playing.

     On the other hand, not every piece is so dramatic and sad.  On the complete opposite end of the spectrum there's fiddle music, for example.  Fiddle music should be played with the same amount of feeling, but in most cases with this type of music, it's a happy and light-hearted feeling.  It would not sound right to be played in the same style as Swan Lake, of course.  But again, the player should emphasize to feel the music: to play it in a happy tone, the way they are feeling when they play, to bring out the mood and deliver that same feeling to the audience.

     Keep in mind, a piece does not have to be advanced in order to apply this very important element in your playing.  Again, let's reference Twinkle Twinkle:  what are you aiming for when you play?  To put a baby to sleep?  If so, then play it slowly, beautifully, and perhaps get softer as you progress into the piece.  Are you playing it in a "fancy" rhythm?  In that case, have fun with it when you play!  Do not play it too seriously!  

     My personal favorite types of pieces have a range of emotional segments.  I love the ones that start of slow and sappy sounding, and then almost instantly change.  It's almost like a story with "ups and downs."  Think about it: most successful stories are dramatic.  They have low and high points which lead to the climax, and eventually the ending.  It's the same thing with music.  You need to tell your own story with your playing.

     Reflect back on your relationship with music: do you ever turn to music that is parallel with the emotion you're feeling at a given time?  Personally, if I'm sad, I'll listen to sad music so it relates to how I'm feeling.  If I'm excited, I'll listen to upbeat music.  If I'm nervous before taking an exam, for example, I'll listen to motivational music.  

    For some people, playing with "feeling" comes more naturally than others.  However, it is possible for everyone to acquire.  A good practicing method is to apply your playing with your current mood.  Are you angry?  Are you sad?  Are you happy?  Take it out on your instrument! You'll be surprised what a difference it will make!  Try it! 

    Composers do their best to help you deliver that feeling with crescendos, staccatos, tempos, ritardandos, etc.  They will often even write style tips on the top of the piece. (Ex: Energico, which means to play with energy, or ruhig, which means to play peacefully.)  However, these are only guides.  It's up to you to bring in out.  

In Celine Dion's case, her voice is her instrument.  Look at how much heart and soul she pours into this song, and the effect it has on her audience.  



     I intend to further talk about how to "make a piece yours" in a future blog posting sometime soon, but for now, just remember: Music is emotion.  What type of emotion do you want to bring out and deliver to the audience with the next piece you play?  Feel the music.  "Play con anima" (Play with feeling in musical terminology.)  That is what will separate you from your fellow musicians.














                                                                            ^^Is this a beautiful picture or what?!)



Until next time,


~Regina