3 February 2017 7 Reasons Music Is Good For Our Brains  

7 Reasons Music Is Good For Our Brains  

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Want to keep your brain healthy? Step away from the television. It’s even a good idea to turn the radio down. 

Researchers are still discovering all the ways music enriches our brains, but the impact is undeniable. We know now that music plays a big part in helping our brains stay healthy and connected. We’re developing therapies and enrichment classes around music because of the differences it makes in people’s lives. 7 Reasons Music Is Good For Our Brains  

It’s not just listening to it; it’s playing it. Taking an active role in making music. 

Playing the piano offers something for everybody. You can play whether you’re 5 or 95. It’s a form of enjoyment that lasts for life. Need a reason to bring the piano in your life right now?

Right Brain, Left Brain

Studies now show that when a person is involved in making music, the white matter between the brain’s two hemispheres increases. This means greater communication between the two sides, which can mean faster communication and a greater approach to problem-solving skills. 

2.Brain Function

More white matter also makes a person better at making decisions, processing and retaining information as you learn it. It can keep you on course when having to change based on mental demands. 

3. Speech Processing

Understanding the parts of music can also help you understand verbal communication on a stronger level. Both music and speech rely on the same neural pathways for processing, which means you may become sharper at language skills including reading. 

4. Memory

Making music helps increase your brain function, including the ability to remember. It allows you to store and use information for recall, which can translate to other activities and help improve your retention overall. 

5. Focus On Emotions

Tuning an instrument and learning how it works with other instruments can put you more in tune with subtle emotional cues of those around you. It can help fine tune your relationship skills. 

6. Increases Motor Skills

Playing an instrument requires stellar hand-eye-ear coordination. It can help musicians at all ages complete complicated tasks throughout life. 

7. Slows Brain Aging

Studies are showing that the more music you bring into your life, the more adaptable your brain is to the aging process. Speech improvements are made and stick with you for life. Even those who haven’t studied music for ten years or more still remembered more sensory information, including auditory, visual and tactile data. Studying music helps. 

What would learning to play the piano do for your life?

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30 December 2016 What Piano Teaching Method Is The Best?

What Piano Teaching Method Is The Best?

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Heading online today can give you a world of information at your fingertips. It can also leave you confused.

If you’ve been searching for a piano teacher, you might have noticed some teachers listing their preferred methods of teaching. But what does it mean? And is one better than the other?What Piano Teaching Method Is The Best?

Over the history of piano playing, piano pedagogy has changed dramatically over time. During the earliest periods, only wealthy families could afford keyboard instruments and instruction from a neighbor or teacher. Students were often taught to curl their fingers like holding a small ball. Now we know it’s more important to teach with fingers curved naturally, softly rounded.

Other aspects have changed and developed as well. The following methods are some of the most common teaching methods you’ll find as you search for the right instructor.

Suzuki Method
The late Japanese violinist Shin’ichi Suzuki created the Suzuki method, which is one of the most popular methods, especially with small children. Suzuki believed that everyone could learn music in similar fashion to how we learn language. It’s all about learning from your environment. If the pedagogical steps are small enough and instruments are scaled down to a child’s size, through positive and encouraging environment, a child would naturally perform at very high levels. Primary criticism is that Suzuki focuses on memorization and group playing, with poor sight reading ability overall. Many believe Suzuki is good during early curriculum with developing other styles as you move forward.

Bastien Piano Basics
The Bastien Piano Basics is made up of five levels of learning – primer through a more challenging level four. They are filled with colorful illustrations and fun themes. Each level is correlated with theory and technique built into the same lesson. Critics say that emphasis through this method focuses on position playing which results in students lacking sight reading skills. Learners often focus in on music that adheres to the position of the piece as opposed to more challenging music.

The Music Tree
Frances Clark and Louise Goss created the Music Tree which emphasizes sight reading, rhythm, theory and interrupted reading. This means a higher recognition of distances between notes, helping prepare students for more real world music playing capabilities. It also helps students read music faster, which can help them develop higher musicality skills overall.

While these are just a few of the many different teaching methods out there today, it’s important to remember that teaching is fluid. As a player learns, it’s important to adjust to ensure a rich education overall.

What piano playing method do you prefer?

Filed Under: Piano Lessons, Piano Playing Tagged With:
30 September 2016 Tips For Teaching Piano to Adults 50+

Tips For Teaching Piano to Adults 50+

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There are two approaches to teaching piano. The first is the pedagogical model, where teaching is teacher directed. Teachers choose what to teach and what the student will learn in logical step-by-step format.

The second approach is student directed. A student sits down and chooses what they wish to learn and approaches every lesson based on their desires for what to play.Tips For Teaching Piano to Adults 50

The second approach is often just what’s needed to keep adult learners engaged. After all, when an adult chooses to learn to play the piano, they have a pretty good idea of what they wish to play. Yes, they understand the need for some of the basics. But overall, they have a goal and a plan already in mind. They have their desires already laid out.

That’s also why in many cases adults over 50 are also easier to teach.

They have the most expendable income of any other age bracket – they choose to spend on what they most desire. That means a quality piano, the right accessories, and quality lessons.

They know what they want to learn. They may have a particular song in mind they want to learn.

They also have a better understanding of music. Even if they’ve never picked up an instrument before, they have years of experience in listening. They understand rhythm. They understand melody. And in many cases, it’s easy to “hear” that just by plucking a few notes on the piano.

When it makes sense, they become more interactive. They choose to play because they have the desire.

With older students, get them to play right away. Don’t introduce theory or basics in the beginning. Realize those will come over time. Instead, listen to what an adult student has to say. They set the stage for all that you can teach.

Also, don’t be too much of a stickler on proper finger arrangement. Adult students have a lot of experience in keyboarding. They’ve typed away at the computer for years. And in many cases, fingers will naturally fall into place, be comfortable to do what they need to do. You can adjust when difficulties arise in the future. But from the beginning, the most important thing is just to start playing.

What have you found helps your adult students to play?

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8 September 2016 Piano Lessons: What To Expect The First Year

Piano Lessons: What To Expect The First Year

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Not sure if piano lessons are right for your child? Nervous about how well they’ll do their first year? You’re not alone. The piano can be an intimidating instrument. With so many keys and so many rules to learn in the process, will your child ever pick it up well enough to enjoy it and play something they know and enjoy?Piano Lessons: What To Expect The First Year

The piano playing journey is one your child should enjoy. The focus should never be placed on how well they do compared with others in the field. Instead, it’s all about mindset. Whether your child ends up playing professionally, or simply uses piano playing as a stress reliever throughout their lives, starting small is always the best strategy.

The first lesson is always designed to introduce you to the instrument. Your skills will grow from that point forward.

Finding A Good Teacher
The first step is finding a good teacher. What may work for a friend might not work for you or your child. Be flexible in your quest for finding the right instructor. Establishing a solid teacher-student relationship is important to ensure a long-term relationship with playing the piano. Before you begin, find out how the instructor works:

  • What does a typical lesson look like?
  • What equipment, books or other accessories will we need?
  • What is the policy for rescheduling lessons?
  • What is expected of a student the first year?

Then approach an instructor with goals of your own. Include things like:

  • I’ve always wanted to play pop songs. How long before I can play? Give specifics.
  • I prefer digital piano. Is this a problem?
  • I hope to write my own music. How long before I can do this?

No matter who you choose as your instructor, the better they understand your goals from the beginning, the more succinct your education will be while working together.

Be Patient
Your results will depend on your state of mind, and how well you put into practice what you learn. Someone who practices 30 minutes a week won’t have the same results as someone who puts in an hour every day. Give yourself a chance to build over time. Your first lesson will probably start with a major scale, probably in the key of C Major. And thought the basics might not be the most exciting thing at first, realizing it will give you the control you need for the future can help make every step more enjoyable.

Think for the long term. Piano is truly a one of a kind instrument. No other instrument gives you the total range of the orchestra right at your fingertips. Learning the basics can give you a lifetime of pleasure, one that can take you anywhere in the world you desire.

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2 April 2016 What Parents Should Know About Piano Lessons

What Parents Should Know About Piano Lessons

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Parents understand that whatever activity they put their child into, they will need practice along the way.

If they join a play, they will have regular practice to learn their part.What Parents Should Know About Piano Lessons

If they take up soccer, they will have regular practice to absorb the strategies.

In most cases, you can sit back and watch them in action from the sidelines, see them making progress, listen to the interaction between coach and teammates.

But that doesn’t work as well for piano lessons. If your child wants to learn how to play the piano, you drop them off and pick them up, without understanding what goes on behind closed doors. If you’ve never been through the process yourself, it’s difficult to understand your role in the entire process. But as a parent, there are many things you can do every day to help them enjoy the piano and improve a little more each week.

Your child needs help establishing a routine
The most important aspect of learning to play the piano is to help them develop a structure. For young children that have shorter attention spans, 20 minutes every day will beat out 30 minutes three or four times per week anytime. These short bursts can help them focus in on learning while avoiding the burnout that comes from extensive repetition. Even if you don’t understand music, you can still be there to help them organize their time wisely, practice things according to the teaching plan, and find ways for answering the “I’m stuck” questions that invariably come with learning something new. Be a part of this process every step of the way. Remember; their piano teacher is there for you to ask questions of too.

Your child needs encouragement
Learning to play the piano is difficult. It’s not something that will come easily in a short period of time. Sometimes it can feel overwhelming; that’s when they need your guidance the most. Show them you’re there every step of the way. You can listen to practice sessions. You can attend recitals with enthusiasm. You can invite friends and family to attend, showing you enjoy what they are doing and take pride in their performance.

Your child needs a positive practice environment
The daily routine should never be about cramming in everything to make sure it fits. It should never be about moving rapidly from one thing to the next to make sure you have time for it all. Instead, piano practicing should be a relaxing time, a time for enjoyment. It’s not just practice, it’s learning to enjoy and create beautiful music. Accomplishing the next scale or moving to a harder piece of music isn’t the goal if they don’t enjoy the process.

Your child needs a piano that’s enjoyable
Playing the piano is more than understanding where the notes are. It’s about the enjoyment of the music that comes from within. Even the youngest of players will experience making beautiful sounds. If you choose an instrument that gives them the joy of creating music, one that sounds good to their ear, they will be more fulfilled with the process.

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21 March 2016 How To Make Piano Lessons – And Practice Sessions – Fun!

How To Make Piano Lessons – And Practice Sessions – Fun!

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A child should never leave the piano feeling frustrated or overwhelmed.

Piano playing should be fun and enjoyable. It should be challenging and rewarding.

And while a child may occasionally feel frustrated with learning a new task, it should quickly fade as they figure out the patterns and hear the end results at their fingertips.How To Make Piano Lessons – And Practice Sessions – Fun!

If your child ever becomes too frustrated when practicing, it may be time to take a break. Encouragement is needed to ensure they learn problem solving skills and have the ability to see things through. But equally important is learning when to step back and refocus, so they can approach a task in a new light.

Here are a few piano practicing tips that can help them step away from frustration for a moment, before returning to continue.

Pull out an old familiar piece of music
We all like our favorite songs, the ones we hum to and can play even without the music in place. Pull these old favorites out. Then give them new life. Play them faster. Make sections more dramatic. Add the pedal. Discover new ways to add pizzazz to an old song.

Compose their own tune
Even the youngest of students can begin composing their own tunes. They can put together a few bars from familiar pieces, mix things up and add their own notes and rhythms. Perfection is not the goal, having fun is. Combining classical with pop can create funny sounds. Mixing fast and slow rhythms can leave them feeling refreshed.

Improv
Ever sat down and tried to play a familiar tune? The more you try it, the better you get. Practice by humming out recognizable tunes and plucking them out one hand at a time. You don’t have to get the entire song out, even a few bars can leave a player feeling like they’ve accomplished a lot.

Pick up a piano game
With an iPad near by, piano games are always just a touch away. Kids today are motivated by games, they play them all the time. Find a few favorites that can pull the frustration away and help them get back into the mood of practicing.

It’s important to talk through frustrations while implementing refocus techniques to help them move forward. Not only will this make them better piano players, it can also teach them valuable life skills as well.

Do you have any other activities you use to make piano practice fun?

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11 March 2016 Creating The Perfect Piano Practice Space

Creating The Perfect Piano Practice Space

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So you want your child to begin piano. You’re ready for them to start piano lessons and be introduced to the world of music.

Buying the piano is the first step. And purchasing the right piano does take a little thought.Creating The Perfect Piano Practice Space

But once you get your piano home, there’s something worth thinking about even in greater detail; the ambiance of where your piano will live.

Depending on house size and living patterns, a piano can wind up in many places. A grand piano may take center stage in your living room. An upright may be buried in a corner deep in your basement.

And while having access to a piano for regular practicing is important, the setting is equally important. If your child is competing with a stack of laundry and a pile of papers when trying to find the keyboard, motivation can quickly decline.

If you want your child to love piano, you have to create an environment that is conducive to regular, meaningful practice.

Choose a prime location
Your child will gravitate more towards playing the piano if its where the action is. While you don’t have to have it in the middle of the family room so your child is always on display, don’t move it to a spare bedroom either. Place it in an area where they are free to practice regularly. Make sure it doesn’t compete with dishwashers and televisions.

Make the space welcoming
If your child will spend 30 minutes a day sitting at the piano, make sure it is a warm and welcoming place to be. Is the lighting good? Is it comfortable, with the right bench in place? Also remember a piano is not a piece of furniture, a table or a shelf. Avoid placing anything other than music on top of the piano to avoid distractions.

Keep everything they need near by
Teachers may give your child a variety of assignments to carry out each week. Keep everything they need to stay on top of homework in close range. Pens, highlighters, music, paperclips, post-it notes should all be in a basket easy to grab as they need.

Encourage the family to listen
A small audience is always welcome as a child gets better at each song. Beanbags, chairs, pillows and couches near by encourage family members to pull up a seat and listen. It can also promote music skills to other family members that may not be practicing the piano.

Filed Under: Owning a Piano, Piano Lessons Tagged With:
2 January 2016 New Years Resolutions Perfect For Piano Teachers

New Years Resolutions Perfect For Piano Teachers

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Ready to start the New Year out right? If you’ve been wanting to increase your piano teaching business, there are a few things you can do to breathe new life into it.

1. Start playing the piano againNew Years Resolutions Perfect For Piano Teachers

Unless you are a concert pianist with the opportunity to play daily, you’ve probably fallen into the pattern of listening to your students play a whole lot more than you do. Change that up a bit this year. Schedule time each week for you to sit down and enjoy playing something new. Give yourself new exercises and a plan of action. It will energize you and make you more interested in what you teach your students.

2. Discover a new composer

We all fall into ruts. We all like to stick with things we are comfortable with. Yet with so many different composers out there creating a variety of different music styles, why stick with the same style you’ve played for years? Head back to a classic. Try someone new. Choose a new genre. Explore a new style – it may wake you up to new potential.

3. Sit down and give yourself a plan

When was the last time you sat down and created a plan for your piano teaching business? You know, thought out how many students you like to have and what you hope to help them accomplish? How would you like your business to look a year from today? Maybe bring on a few new clients with different goals? Maybe clients that help you stretch as much as you can help them? Writing a business plan creates a structure for you to vision out what you do and how you’ll help your community overall.

4. Network, network, network

You’re busy. You’ve been meaning to connect with other people in the industry, but who has the time? This year, make the time. Search out those music stores you’ve been meaning to connect with. Find other piano teachers in your area to build relationships with. Find a forum online to see what people in other parts of the world are doing. Sign up for a conference to learn some new skills.

5. Refresh your resources

Have you been using the same training materials for years? Are you still teaching in the same way? The world has changed over the past few years thanks to technology. Look for new resources that can help you teach in a brand new way. Do a search for apps. Look at new software. Because kids are more technologically savvy than ever, maybe now is the time to incorporate technology into the way you teach piano.

6. Learn something new

Speaking of technology, does it scare you? Do you use social media as well as you could? If not, sign up for a class to learn more about it. You can always look at your local community college – most have adult education programs that give you insight to many different concepts and ideas.

7. Enjoy more, stress less

What causes you the most stress in your business? Vow to find a way to reduce or eliminate that altogether. What brings you joy? Put more of that into your life. By focusing in on taking away problem areas and increasing the tasks you enjoy the most, you’ll begin to fall in love with the piano all over again.

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29 December 2015 Things To Do Before Your Child Begins Piano Lessons

Things To Do Before Your Child Begins Piano Lessons

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Is this the year you sign your child up for piano lessons? Great choice. A lifelong love of music can inspire your child to do great things. Yet to give them every advantage, there are a few things you should do before your child ever has their very first piano lesson.Things To Do Before Your Child Begins Piano Lessons

These few things will speed up your child’s learning curve, and help nurture their love for music for years to come.

Buy the right piano
Yes, there is a right piano and a wrong one. Ideally, having a piano that sounds great and motivates your child to keep practicing will be your best investment. That means finding a quality piano that is kept in a room in your home where they will enjoy playing on a regular basis. It also means having a piano that creates beautiful music.

Too many times parents find the least expensive method of attaining a piano – a free piano on Craigslist anyone? – and assume that is good enough in the beginning. Yet you can’t enjoy creating music if the piano isn’t capable of creating a beautiful sound. If it’s out of tune, or has notes that won’t play, your child will never stay motivated from week to week.

There are many options when buying the right piano. Acoustic. Digital. New. Used. The key is finding a piano dealer you can trust to help you find the best piano for you.

Put the piano in a great place to play
Kids often fail at practicing because the piano is either in a gloomy part of the home they don’t enjoy playing in (the basement) or it’s in a room where other activities constantly take place (the television). Even when they are starting out, a child will remain positive about their practice schedule if they feel included in the family. They enjoy others hearing what they have to play.

Maintain your piano
A piano isn’t a piece of furniture you can tuck away into a corner and neglect for as long as it’s in your home. It needs consistent maintenance to keep it in top playing form. You need to find a piano tuner and have them come in on a regular basis. Once you have one you work well with, they will help you develop a schedule that’s right for your piano. Children are far more likely to practice when they enjoy hearing a pleasant sound while they are playing.

Have a piano be a big part of your home
If you want your child to play the piano, it’s never too early to bring a piano into your home. Even as infants, they can grow comfortable touching the keys and hearing sound. If you play, set up a regular schedule so they can hear you play too. (And if you don’t, maybe it’s time for lessons for yourself.) Music is something everyone can enjoy for a lifetime. The more you make it a part of your home, your lifestyle, the more eager your children will be to keep playing.

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6 December 2015 Does Piano Learning Software Really Work?

Does Piano Learning Software Really Work?

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Technology. Think of all that’s changed in just the past few years. We get news and information, search for products and services, even communicate with family and friends in ways none of us would have imagined even a few short years ago.Does Piano Learning Software Really Work?

Because technology has impacted every aspect of our lives, it’s no wonder it’s impacted our entertainment as well. It’s never been easier to learn to play the piano, and to take playing to whatever level you choose. Want to play for your own enjoyment? Not a problem. Want it as a career? Anything’s possible. Just look at how many musicians have been “found” with a simple search on YouTube.

Sharing your talents online is just one of the many ways technology has entered the musical world. It’s also being shifted by the way we learn.

No longer does the concept of piano lessons mean sitting in a room next to an instructor, hands on the keyboard, learning to play through one-on-one guidance. Instead, many of today’s piano players are learning to play through piano learning software. There are many options available, each with their own pros and cons.

However, keep in mind that like anything, some things work, and some not as well. Can you really learn to play the piano with software? Can software replace a teacher’s expertise?

Start With The Basics
When someone has a desire to learn to play the piano, they have the first requirement down. You can never “make” someone do something if the desire isn’t there. Software won’t do it. A teacher won’t do it.

Once the desire is there, a person is more likely to have focus, enthusiasm, persistence and patience to work at becoming better at the task at hand. Many of today’s piano learning programs incorporate a host of concepts into their packages, to give you a wide variety of things to learn. Some offer game methodology to keep you consistently active in the process. They teach different methods for all the different learn-to-play methods: rhythm, ear training, notation, and keyboard skills. They also incorporate lessons that teach all the basic elements of playing the piano: notes, chords, scales, and inversions.

They also know what keeps people motivated, allowing you to integrate with other online connections. How about sharing your progress on Facebook or Twitter? Or learning with video tutorials that incorporate music you want to hear – learning from top artists like Beyonce or Taylor Swift can’t be all bad, right?

Integrate Different Approaches
While software and online piano learning tools may work well alone, they can be even more effective when combined with a qualified piano teacher. As with all programs, they are only effective if you put them into practice and keep up with a regular routine. A piano teacher can give you the added boost of being held accountable for your practicing routine, and provide you with additional elements of technique that are sometimes lost in transition with an online program.

Software will allow you to learn at your own pace. But if you lack the discipline to push yourself to the next level, extra guidance will help. It also helps you overcome frustrations when you simply don’t know what you’re doing wrong.

There are no shortcuts to learning to play the piano proficiently. In most cases, it takes combined effort of a great learning process and regular practice to keep you motivated and inspired to move to the next level. If software can be a part of that process, why not incorporate it into your routine. The most important step is to get started, and do a little more every day.

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