Monday 29 April 2019

4 Reasons Why Listening to Music is Crucial to Becoming a Better Musician


If you haven’t ever seen a game of cricket, chances are you are just average at playing the game too. Simple reason being that you don’t understand the context of the game. Playing an instrument is the same. You may have the knowledge but if you don't listen to songs/music, how are you ever going to be able to apply them? To be able to test your skills you need to have an idea, a reference to evaluate what you have learnt. Music is something everyone enjoys, so there is no need to force anyone to listen to music. In this blog, we talk about how listening to music is absolutely essential it is for you to grow as a musician.

1. Context
Every technique that you learn, every theoretical lessons has a role to play. Songs help you demystify them. You can hear techniques being applied, scales being followed which, only strengthens your understanding of it. It is amazing to be original but even originality needs an inspiration and a reference to create. Listen to your favourite artists, try to imitate them and it will inspire you to be better.

2. Aural(listening) Skills
It is emphasised time and again that aural(listening) skills are really crucial for a musician. Good aural skills makes you a more complete musician. Songs help you develop a sense of rhythm and familiarise you with different dynamics of sound including melody constructions which, are very important to create good music. You start to understand the difference in notes and apply them by just listening to a tune.



3. Learning different styles
There are so many different styles/genres of music and every one of them is unique. You will only get the idea of applying the same knowledge of your theory and technique differently to sound unique each time by listening to as many different genre of songs as possible. So explore and learn to use your skills differently to unlock skills to new genres of music.

4. Inspire Yourself
Songs that excite you inspire you to practice more, sharpen your skills and pushes you to dedicate more time to your instrument. Follow your idols, their moves, their techniques and integrate them into your playing style. It just pushes you to dedicate more time and effort to developing your skills which, will fast track your progress to becoming a better musician.

Listening to a range of different types of music is a vital part of your learning as it connects your playing skill to your knowledge of techniques and concepts. It shows you the application of the techniques you learn and encourages you to experiment more practically with your instrument. Thus, the more you listen, the better your grasp will be on how to approach a song or a certain technique that you have been learning on the instrument. So don’t just play your instrument, find time to listen to plenty of music and get inspired!



BlueTimbre is a unique Music Company that provides Music Education and  Recording Studio services. BlueTimbre also works with schools to provide end-to-end Music Education solutions for schools. 

The BlueTimbre team comes with decades of cumulative experience in running Structured Businesses, Music Curriculum Development, Music Education and Performance.

Monday 22 April 2019

How to Decide Between Guitar as a Hobby Vs. Guitar Graded Certified Course


Everyone has different ideas about the results or achievement they want from their instrument classes. Is it to challenge yourself in different period of times? or to learn it as a fun activity which will allow you to play at least the basics and play songs? Which is better? You can come to answer only when you know what you want to do with it. So, where do you see yourself with the instrument? Both have its advantages and disadvantages but it aims to make you better in your instrument.

Guitar as a Hobby
If you are looking for some fun time playing your instrument by yourself or with friends/family and want to reminisce and sing your favourite songs, this approach will help you get what you want. This approach emphasises on teaching you songs which you can play and sing along to. You won’t have to indulge in the musical theory that is been used in constructing these songs, although you will have the basic knowledge of what you are playing. In musical terms, you will be learning more about chords, strumming patterns and rhythm techniques. You don't have to worry about writing any music graded certification exam and focus your time solely on playing your favourite songs. If it is a hobby you want to cultivate or a hobby you want to get better at, you just have to play more songs and this approach will help you do that.



Guitar as a Certified Graded Course
Graded courses helps you in keeping track of your skill levels. The higher the grade you are in, the more skilled you likely are. Graded courses introduces musical theory and playing techniques in a progressive manner, getting tougher with each grade. This course really helps you if you really want to understand music as a whole which, will definitely shape you to become better and an informed musician. Graded course comes with a book from the board your music institution is affiliated with. These books will have musical pieces that comprise of hit tunes or pieces given exclusively by the particular board which you have to showcase in exams that they organise every year. You get certificates for passing each grade which basically certifies your skill in your instrument. There are 8 grades in total, so you really can have a goal of finishing that if you want to reach a professional level in your playing.

Summary
Overall, it really depends on what you wish to learn. If you wish to play songs, jam with your friends and have an amazing sing along sessions and be little more informed on theories and techniques, then the hobby approach is best for you. However, if you plan on becoming a professional and want be able to perform in gigs, the certification approach can help you better. Whichever you choose, once you are able to start playing your instrument and connect with it the way you want, it is going to be a lot of fun. So, pick up your instrument and get start rocking!


BlueTimbre is a unique Music Company that provides Music Education and  Recording Studio services. BlueTimbre also works with schools to provide end-to-end Music Education solutions for schools. 


The BlueTimbre team comes with decades of cumulative experience in running Structured Businesses, Music Curriculum Development, Music Education and Performance.

Tuesday 16 April 2019

3 Reasons Why Beginners should stick to Music Lessons for at least 3 months


No-one is born with a talent. Everyone acquires it along their way of growing up. Yes, some achieve it faster than others but they still had to put in work towards it. No one can gain any skills without the necessary preparatory work you need to do in order to be talented. Everyone processes information at different rates and the same thing applies when you are learning musical instruments. There is no way that someone can be very good at an instrument in his first try, it is just impossible. However, some people may already have a good sense of rhythm and melody if they already regularly listen to music (aural skills).

Musical instruments need time, practice, repetition to be able to achieve the necessary skills. However it is understandable that one can lose interest along the way as sometimes it can get frustrating playing the same thing over and over again , yet you are not getting the exercise to full speed. But do not worry, everyone goes through that and it is important as a beginner to stick to it for a small period of time.  Once you are through with the basics, it is going to be even more fun (and challenging) than you were looking for when opting to play the instruments.

1. Muscle Memory

Almost all musical instruments require a certain muscle workout. For example, Drummers need all their limbs, Guitarist and Keyboardist has to be flexible with both their hands, Vocalists has to stretch their vocal cords. These muscles need to be regularly experiencing the kind of movement required to play the instrument and make it a second nature for itself after you repeat the exercises again and again. In the beginning, your performance may feel a little  sloppy as your muscles are not accustomed to such movements and also, might not have gained the strength required. All of these can be acquired by practicing and repeating exercises over and over again. Once your muscles are familiar with the rigour and the rhythm you have to play in, it becomes much easier to showcase your skills in the instrument. As a beginner, it does take a certain time as your muscles and your mind are exposed to something new but once you gain the experience, it starts showing in your ease of performance.



2. Correct Understanding of Music

Rushing through things aren’t often helpful. Sometimes, shortcuts can be taken to reach the goal but in music you will always leave behind a lot of components that are needed in understanding music which, are areas you will have to come back to if you have the interest of learning your instrument further. A step-by-step process of all the basic theory and understanding of its application will help you towards your instrument in the long run. For example, you may play songs but have no idea what chords or notes are been played, then you will have no idea how to playing other songs nor will you be able to transpose or change to suitable rhythm. However, if you do have the knowledge, then you can take the ideas from these chords, rhythm and notes and use it in your own melodic ideas. Sometimes it may feel like it is taking a long time and it is sometimes frustrating not be able to execute things the way you want to, but have patience, commitment and the correct way to do your exercises, it will show in your playing after few months.

3. Basics are the Foundation

Like a building structure needs a solid foundation to stand strong for years and years, musician needs their basics to be done properly and lay down the foundation to add or improve all the techniques required to play the instrument. When your basic technique are done properly, advanced techniques will come into your skill set quicker and you will be able to achieve your sound more efficiently.

So be patient, realistic and believe in the system, as long as you do the work given to you, you will definitely see the results that you hoped for yourself and be the musician you always dreamt of. The next time you decide to enrol for music lesson for yourself or your child, invest a minimum of 3 months period to see the desired results.


BlueTimbre is a unique Music Company that provides Music Education and  Recording Studio services. BlueTimbre also works with schools to provide end-to-end Music Education solutions for schools. 


The BlueTimbre team comes with decades of cumulative experience in running Structured Businesses, Music Curriculum Development, Music Education and Performance.