5 Ways Parents Can Encourage Music Practice at Home

Has Music Become just another subject for your child where you have to keep reminding them about their practice time and lessons to be completed? If such interactions are creating some unnecessary tension between you and the child, then it is a solid reminder that the child has lost interest in the learning. However, if they are monitored and guided in a certain way, the child begins to pick up the interest and understands the benefit of the instrument they are learning to play. If you are pulling your hair out imagining ways to get your child to practice which will bring progressive improvement in them, here are some of the very helpful tips collected from the experiences of teachers, researchers and parents.

Practice should be a shared activity

Music is not one of those subjects where you imply forced discipline and tell your children to spend time in the room with their instrument and practice. That forces the child to perceive the instrument as just another subject he needs to learn to meet certain parameters. Learning Music should always be a fun activity. In fact, it should be an activity that you should do with your child. Once you sit down with them and try to tackle the lessons to be learnt and finally reach the conclusion of the lesson, the child sees that achievement as enjoyment that encourages an environment where music is a vital part of household. It gives them joy to play alongside you and to perform in family meetings where the child is applauded just for their willingness which encourages to spend their time more with their instrument.

Time Restraint

“30 Minutes” Practice every day!! Is that what you’ve been telling your child? Well, the problem with this is when the child is been told to do that every day, he/she is been asked to endure those 30 minutes to play something or the other in their instrument which the child may find very frustrating, thus creating a negative environment to learn. Instead, let your child decide when do they want to give time to their instrument. When they are the decision makers, they feel responsible and often follow up on the promised time they decided to practice their instrument. Also, A practice session should be goal based rather than time based. Give them small goals to complete, for example, 2 - 4 measures of a lesson with minimal mistake. It doesn’t matter if it took them 15 minutes or an hour, but they keep on achieving small achievements along the way with the view of the larger goal of playing the whole piece in about two weeks. This helps them understand the value of practicing their instrument.

Rewards

A reward for achieving something has the capability to uplift anyone, be it child or an adult. It gives them a sense of pride and happiness for the hard work they have done. A child should be rewarded appropriately for their effort and willingness to practice their instrument which encourages them to learn more about music. However, you should not compromise on their playing time and other fun activities for their practice. If they are rewarded those playtimes only after they finish practicing their instrument, it encourages a notion that Music is not a fun activity and they may lead to disinterest in child about their instrument.

Inform the long-term benefits

The child should be given the knowledge and information about how learning the instrument can go a long way in their life, and also how can they benefit from it. This helps them to develop an internal motivation once they understand that the instrument can play a vital role in his adulthood.

Engage Them with Music

More than rewards, the best way to encourage and motivate your child about music is by getting them curious about music. Once they develop the desire to learn, listen and engage with music, they tend to simultaneously engage more with their instrument. In their weekly routine, let them play the music they truly enjoy which helps maintaining their interest in music and also encourage them to listen to more songs, so that they can play in their routine. You can also share your favorite song with them, while also giving some of your time to the type of music they love. An environment where there is always some kind of music can help stimulate much needed curiosity towards music.

It could be a daunting and challenging task to always monitor your child but with a little help and your positive involvement in their routine can bring a whole lot of difference in their progress. We all know the benefits of learning music and how it helps build essential skills in life, but in the end, it is under your guidance and care, that they truly reap the benefits of engaging with music.  

References

https://theconversation-com.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/theconversation.com/amp/how-to-stop-nagging-your-child-to-practise-their-musical-instrument-100594

https://takelessons.com/blog/motivate-your-child-to-practice-music-z15

http://www.pbs.org/parents/education/music-arts/how-to-motivate-your-child-to-practice/

BlueTimbre is a Music Company with Music Education spaces, Jam Room and Recording studio located in Whitefield, Bangalore, India. BlueTimbre provides complete 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.

4 Things to Consider When Choosing A Music School

Are you interested in learning music? Or do you want to enroll your child in a good music school? There are dozens of music school to choose from and you do not know how to verify the authenticity of their education and structure. How do you decide?

Here are some things you should know in order to choose the best music school for you or your child.

Professional Setup

You want to make sure that the music school is ran by dedicated group of professionals who are passionate about giving the right music education to everyone and not a side business which is run to profit from you financially. Do a research, explore their social presence and ask the existing students about how they feel about the institution and its method. So, make the necessary enquiries, check ratings online and choose the institution you are most comfortable with.

Curriculum

Curriculum or the syllabus of your music course decides what and how much will you be learning throughout the course. There are various curriculums available now. Some emphasize on the classical theory and pieces while some encourages contemporary approach towards learning. It all depends on you, you should understand what you want to achieve through the course and make the choice on the curriculum that you think is the best suited for your goals as a musician. An organized curriculum, a well-planned execution is very important in fostering the right habits and effective exercises in strengthening the basics.

Faculty

You want to make sure that the instructor that you want to learn under really understand your goals and know how to help you achieve them. Some schools employ very informed musicians; however, they may fail to pass down the information to you in an effective manner. It is thus very important for a music school to train their teachers to “teach”. Check with the school about their methodology, teacher training and approach to music education.

 

Infrastructure & Resources

It is also important for the school to have the right quality and quantity of equipment and infrastructure so that students can learn effectively. Every student should have access to the basic instrument with its required accessories to learn. It is essential to understand your instrument and equipment to grow as a musician and improve your creativity.

Finally, remember that Music learning is not a one-way street. Teachers will do their part by teaching you the required techniques, concepts and songs however you need to practice. Research indicates that all you need is 20 minutes a day to make effective progress. So, if based on this information, you believe your objectives are met – try out the music school and enjoy your music learning journey!

BlueTimbre is a Music Company with Music Education spaces, Jam Room and Recording studio located in Whitefield, Bangalore, India. BlueTimbre provides complete 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.

5 Reasons to Choose a Good Music School over Private Tutoring

Dr. Robert Pace who was the leader of one of the most prestigious music teacher’s college during his time had done experiments to understand the advantages of ensemble learning for beginner students. Interestingly, he was a staunch believer in private format but he noticed an essential dynamic in the group format during his experiments which was absent from the private classes. After various observations, he finally concluded in a keyboard journal in 1978 that ensemble learning created better results for young learners.

Let us understand why beginners should avoid private music classes for better progress.

1. Expensive : Private lessons are expensive as most of tutors charge you per session. It can cost you around Rs.500 - 1000 per hour which can add to Rs 4000 -Rs 8000 a month. As beginners take longer time to grasp the basics, it eventually will burn a hole in your pocket. You might not be able to afford that every month.

2. Repertoire of Teacher : You are basically depending on the knowledge of one individual which may just be his/her perspective. In a good institution, a teacher goes through various training and builds a wider perspective of learning and teaching music. A private tutor, although a great musician may not be a good teacher whereas in institutions, they are trained to handle a class and different kind of students.

3. Limited Time Resources : A private tutor can find it hard to be flexible with timings and students may miss out on gradual progressive learning which is very important to build on their basics as initial training requires a lot of dedicated and structured practice sessions. If the private tutor is charging you monthly, they may be very hesitant to extend the month or take an extra session if you miss a class.

4. Unstructured Lessons : Although private classes can be tailored according to the want of a student, for instance a focus on playing songs instead of learning the techniques and concepts before learning a song by heart. It will also lead to unstructured relaying of information. There should always be a planned, structured and gradual progress to every lesson, otherwise students tend to not understand the complex information later on in their learning process. Without learning the techniques, concepts and theory behind a song, students will be unable to progress beyond a point.

5. No Class-Engagement : One on one sessions can be pretty daunting, sometimes too monotonous and the student end up feeling bored in the class which is a very bad sign when learning music. Music should be fun, interactive and engaging. Students learning through private tutor can end up shy and reluctant to play in front of others as they get no exposure to the social and interactive dynamics of a group class. Social interaction when learning encourages more practice, positive competition among peers and actual understanding of what playing music stands for. For instance, you can compare this to sending a child to school vs home tutoring - social interaction and learning from peers is a key factor.

Good Music Schools have dedicated teams who is focused on providing the best quality music education to young and new learners with a professional, well-planned and a structured curriculum that ensures that the student enjoy the process of learning their music while learning all the essential elements of music. With the right guidance and an intelligently designed curriculum, a generation of young musicians can be inspired to connect with music and understand music in most meaningful, engaging and enjoying ways.

BlueTimbre is a Music Company with Music Education spaces, Jam Room and Recording studio located in Whitefield, Bangalore, India. BlueTimbre provides complete 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.

References:

1. https://blog.tutorhub.com/2013/11/22/private-tutoring-the-pros-and-cons-of-getting-extra-help/amp-on/
2. http://www.onestopenglish.com/business/teaching-approaches/teaching-one-to-one/methodology/one-to-one-methodology-advantages-and-disadvantages-for-students/144655.article
3. https://www.merriammusic.com/teachers/private/private-vs-group/

Audio Engineering vs. Music Production

We often find students enquiring about "Audio Engineering" when in reality they mean "Music or Audio Production" and vise versa. So, what really is the difference between the two?

While many music producers are also good sound engineers, sound engineers don't necessarily make good music producers. The main difference between the two is that is that while both professionals have a deep understanding of the technical aspects of music production, music producers also have a hefty dose of artistic and creative vision to make a recording the best it can be.

Sound Engineer

A recording engineer or a sound engineer is a technical expert who operates the soundboard and other equipment during a recording session, under the supervision of the Music Producer. They also set up studio and recording equipment. An Sound engineer's main job is to use his/her technical skills to bring the producer's and artist's vision to fruition.

Music Producer

Just as in the film industry, Music producers are the behind-the-scenes makers of a song/track. The best and most revered music producers have a heavy hand in every aspect of a record’s production, from selecting which songs should go on a record, to working with the studio to achieve a particular sound. In fact, most Music producers have extensive knowledge of how the studio’s audio recording equipment works, and use that knowledge to help the artist achieve the exact sound they want for their record.

Modern Producers and Engineers

Just because these two job descriptions are different, doesn’t mean the role can’t be occupied by the same person. As modern recording has become more simplified, these jobs are accessible to more people. Home studios, small-scale studios, and those who like to have as much creative influence on a record as possible have the option to reach across these positions to both produce and engineer a piece of music.

Becoming a Producer or Engineer

To succeed as a Music producer or an Audio engineer takes determination, skill and a sense of musicality to help customers and artists achieve the best results. Becoming a studio engineer requires specialised training and may require a college degree. Certifications in equipment and software are also as important.

BlueTimbre is a Music Company with Music Education spaces, Jam Room and Recording studio located in Whitefield, Bangalore, India. BlueTimbre provides complete 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.






Reference:
http://work.chron.com/differences-between-music-producers-engineers-25047.html
    https://www.musicbed.com/knowledge-base/music-production-vs-audio-engineering/122

10 Benefits of Music Education

• Improves Academic skill - "More and more studies show a correlation between higher academic achievement with children who are exposed to music," says children's music specialist Meredith LeVande of MonkeyMonkeyMusic.com. "Music simply stimulates parts of the brain that are related to reading, math, and emotional development. "Help your kids remember more (and learn more!) with music. "Further research has shown that participation in music at an early age can help improve a child's learning ability and memory by stimulating different patterns of brain development," says Maestro Eduardo Marturet, a conductor, composer and musical director for the Miami Symphony Orchestra.
• Cultivates Social Skill - Picking up an instrument can also help your child break out of their social shell too, experts say. "Socially, children who become involved in a musical group or ensemble learn important life skills, such as how to relate to others, how to work as a team and appreciate the rewards that come from working together, and the development of leadership skills," says Marturet, who also oversees the MISO Young Artist program in South Florida, which allows young musicians to hone their musical skills as part of a professional orchestra.

• Improves Discipline - In order for an orchestra/band to sound good, all players must work together harmoniously towards a single goal, the performance, and must commit to learning music, attending rehearsals, and practicing. To improve in music, you have to not only do well in classes, but devote time to practicing outside of the lessons too. That requires discipline. "Exposing kids to musical instruments is the key. They are naturally curious and excited about them -- and the discipline that parents AND kids learn by sticking with it is a lesson in itself," says Mira Stulberg-Halpert of 3D Learner Inc.
• Increases Patience - We live in a world of instant gratification, but real life demands having patience. When you are playing in a band or orchestra (and most musicians do), you have to be willing to wait your turn to play otherwise the sound is a mess. That inadvertently teaches patience. "You need to work together in a group to make music," says Dotson-Westphalen.
• Boosts self-esteem/confidence - Are there any areas of life that aren't enhanced by having good confidence? Probably, not. And if you want your child to develop their confidence, learning to play a musical instrument can help. "They find that they can develop a skill by themselves, that they can get better and better," says Elizabeth Dotson-Westphalen, a music teacher and performer.

• Great form of self-expression & Fosters creativity - Music provides people with a form of self-expression. Now that there is relative security in the basics of existence, the challenge is to make life meaningful and to reach for a higher stage of development. Everyone needs to be in touch at some time in their life with their core, with what they are and what they feel. Self-esteem is a by-product of this self-expression. Above all, playing music - particularly as people get to more advanced levels in it - is a creative pursuit. Creatively is good for the mind, body and soul.
• Makes you Happier - Research proves that when you listen to music you like, your brain releases dopamine, a “feel-good” neurotransmitter. Valorie Salimpoor, a neuro scientist at McGill University, injected eight music-lovers with a radioactive substance that binds to dopamine receptors after they listened to their favourite music. A PET scan showed that large amounts of dopamine were released, which biologically caused the participants to feel emotions like happiness, excitement, and joy. So the next time you need an emotional boost, listen to your favourite tunes for 15 minutes. That’s all it takes to get a natural high!
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• Reduces Stress - Listening to music you enjoy decreases levels of the stress hormone cortisol in your body, which counteracts the effects of chronic stress. This is an important finding since stress causes 60% of all our illnesses and disease. To stay calm and healthy during a stressful day, turn on the radio. Be sure to sing along and tap your feet to the beat to get the maximum healing benefit.
• Improves Health and Immune System - Studies show that if people actively participated in making music by playing various percussion instruments and singing, their immune system was boosted even more than if they passively listened.
• Helps you Sleep better - A study showed that students who listened to relaxing classical music for 45 minutes before turning in slept significantly better than students who listened to an audio book or did nothing different from their normal routine. If you’re having trouble sleeping, try listening to a little Bach or Mozart before bedtime to catch some Zs.

These are just a few of the innumerable benefits that Music Education can bring your child. We hope this will provide a guide to why organised Music Education is essential has always been a part of curriculum of school education around the world and yet not implemented correctly in India. However, it is interesting to note that while music and other arts are completely ignored throughout the year, during Annual day functions in all schools - Music, Plays and Dance and always foremost. Maybe it is time for us to acknowledge the importance music brings into the lives of our little ones and step up to ensure that it is not a neglected subject anymore!

BlueTimbre is a Music Company with Music Education spaces, Jam Room and Recording studio located in Whitefield, Bangalore, India. BlueTimbre provides complete 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.

4 Things to Consider When Choosing a Music School in India

People we know are always asking the question "How do we choose a Music School or Music Institute for our child?" and after extensive research and talking to several parents of students attending music lessons, we have compiled 4 things that you must look into when choosing the right place for your child's Music Education.

#1 - Quality of Music Education

The first thing we must understand that music is a language just like English, Hindi, Russian and others. The school you pick must teach the music alphabets, then onto reading and writing music. All musical concepts such as pitch, melody, rhythm must be taught. The student must begin with the fundamentals of music and then build upon that with songs and other musical pieces.

Students must be able to read and play music NOT learn a tune by-heart. If a student does not know the fundamentals of music then a student will be unable to learn more songs/pieces as they go forward. Ensure your child is being taught correctly. Ask the schools how they teach music.

#2 - Curriculum & Infrastructure 

Curriculum - A music institute will typically follow either a contemporary or classical curriculum. You need to understand the difference between the two.  Classical Music is music produced or rooted in the traditions of Western music. While a more precise term is also used to refer to the period from 1750 to 1820 (the Classical period), during which, this type of music was created. Noted Classical music composers include Mozart, Beethovan, Bach, Vivaldi etc. Contemporary Music is the current music (30-60 years) and covers all the modern genres including Rock, Pop, Jazz, Funk, Country etc.

Infrastructure - A good music institute will invest a certain amount of funds in providing the right infrastructure for students to learn in. Quality instrument(s), acoustically treated room(s) and brightly lit classrooms are a must. In some institutes, the student will be required to carry their instrument, this is alright as long as the required infrastructure to learn to play is provided - for example, notation stands, instrument stands, benches etc:

#3 - Quality of Teachers

A good music institute will go the extra mile to ensure that they have good teachers who are qualified to teach what they are hired for. For instance, a guitar teacher must be certified in a renowned curriculum (Rockschool, Trinity, ABRSM) for guitar. In addition, a teacher must be trained and familiar with the curriculum being followed at the music institute. For beginner students, you must have a teacher who has completed their Grade 3 or 4. For intermediate to advanced students, you must have a teacher who had completed their Grade 7 or 8 or holds a Diploma in music.

#4 - Policies, Terms of Operation

Last but not the least, every company operates in their own manner under certain policies. You must read and understand their terms of functioning thoroughly before enrolling the student in any music institute. However, we often find that if a school is strict with its policies, they tend to deliver better quality services. Find the right balance between the quality of services and their terms of operation.

We hope these 4 points are useful to help you make an informed decision about how to choose the right music school for yourself or your child. Don't compromise on a good school because of distance, time and price - if you can help it. It will really go a long way in learning music and setting the foundation correctly.

BlueTimbre is a Music Company with Music Education spaces, Jam Room and Recording studio located in Whitefield, Bangalore, India. BlueTimbre provides complete 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.

What is the Best Age to begin Piano Lessons?

The benefits of learning music and playing musical instruments enhances your, ability to learn, memory, happiness, discipline and so much more! Music Education enriches the lives of so many children and it is the best gift a parent could give their child.

As music educators, we are often asked 'What is the best age for my child to begin piano lessons?'. Although there is no exact age to begin instruction, in our experience the best age is between the ages of six and eight. 

You may come across the occasional YouTube videos of children as young as three years playing complicated Mozart sonatas but that doesn't mean every 3 year old is ready to learn the Piano.

Children under the age of six who show an interest in the piano should be allowed to explore and learn on their own time table. They won’t always respond well to an adult-imposed learning structure. Always active and curious, a toddler might pay attention to an adult who is trying to teach them something for about three minutes, but then they notice something else they want to check out. If you put a child at this age in piano lessons, most of the teacher’s time will be spent in redirecting the child’s attention to the piano. It just isn’t a very effective use of your time and money.

Instead, parents of children under age six should be doing things to cultivate a general interest in music. Singing and listening to recorded music are things you can do at home with children at any age. Also, consider enrolling your child in a good preschool music program, like BlueTimbre's Junior Music Program (JUMP). This program build awareness of musical concepts like rhythm and pitch, musical alphabets, music notes, music appreciation and introduction to musical instruments and lays a good foundation for learning a musical instrument.

So, How do you know if your child is ready?

1. Size of Hand - Can your child easily place five fingers on five adjacent white keys? For some five-year-olds, that’s a big stretch! Before beginning piano lessons, make sure your child’s hands have grown enough to be comfortable using a keyboard.
2. Finger Independence - Before beginning piano, children need to be able to move individual fingers. A child who can use three different fingers on three black keys to play is ready for lessons. A child who can only play by picking out the tune with one finger is probably not ready.
3. Interest in Music and Desire to Learn - Probably the most important thing on this checklist is your own child’s desire to learn the piano. If the motivation to learn comes from your child, it will help them overcome all sorts of difficulties they might encounter. If the motivation only comes from you, then sooner or later you’ll end up with a power struggle.

If you’re a teen or an adult beginner, you might get frustrated and want to give up because you feel awkward at first. It may seem easier to stick with the things that you’ve already mastered. If that happens, remember, you are doing this because you want to! Don’t give up. Be patient with yourself as you learn the piano. You’ll feel like a little child all over again. Set aside twenty minutes a day and enjoy that process of learning something completely new. If you can find thirty or forty minutes a day, you’ll progress even faster.

BlueTimbre is a Music Company with Music Education spaces, Jam Room and Recording studio located in Whitefield, Bangalore, India. BlueTimbre provides complete 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.

Source: 

https://www.hoffmanacademy.com/blog/best-age-to-begin-piano-lessons/