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When is a good time for someone to start music lessons?

12/11/2020

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​As the studio owner, as a piano teacher and as a mom I am often asked when is a good time for someone to start music lessons.  I am often asked if a child is too young or a senior citizen is too old.  I am happy to address this question here but if you have additional questions, please contact me directly.  I am happy to discuss your specific situation and help guide you in deciding what is best.

For me, the answer is very simple. If someone is excited and interested in learning then that is the perfect time or age to learn.  Students are never too old!  Sometimes students are too young for private one on one lessons and may be more appropriate for a group music and movement setting.  I do suggest starting very young students off with shorter lessons and an instructor who specializes in working with beginner students.

We do not have set semesters and required numbers of lessons for students for these very reasons.  Not all students' needs and interests fit neatly into semesters and lesson packages. I feel it is best for a student to start lessons when they are ready and interested even if it is in the middle of an academic grading period.

Another question I am often asked is how long of a lesson should my student have.  I typically recommend a half hour lesson for a beginner student and then increase the lesson time after a student shows signs of readiness.  To me signs of readiness include when a student says things like, "But wait I want to show you this!", when a student is still asking more questions that are relevant to the lesson even after the lesson is over or when a student simply does not have enough material to practice throughout the week.  In our Frequently Asked Questions section of our website, you can also see our team's recommendations on lengths of lessons.  http://www.note-worthyexperiences.com/faqs.html  these recommendations are truly recommendations and not set rules for our students. I always suggest discussing increasing lesson lengths with your instructor to weigh the benefits and discuss expectations.  

I am also always happy to discuss lesson plans, lesson readiness and goals for students at any time.  Feel free to reach out to me to chat further. 
Musically yours,

Renee K. Bordner
M. Ed., B. Ed., Studio Director
978.443.0480

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Hello Note-worthy Experiences Fans!

11/6/2020

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My friend, Christina Granahan, wrote this piece about how creativity accesses all three centers of intelligence. Please take the time to read her article ​https://christinagranahan.com/category/blog/. By now, all of us have heard that listening to music is "good for you" and "therapeutic". Reading Christina's article may help you understand how and why music benefits us humans. Feel free to send us your thoughts on the article and tell us how music affects you.

Musically yours,

Renee K. Bordner
​NWE Studio Director

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How to support a musician and music educator during the COVID 19 pandemic

10/22/2020

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By Renee Bordner

NWE   Music Studio Director

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If you are reading this blog you more than likely already have a connection of some sort to Note-worthy Experiences Music Studio. You probably enjoy live music and more than likely know a musician who has been negatively impacted by the coronavirus. If any of these resonate with you, please keep reading. If not, please visit another one of our blog articles.


I have been playing music for over 40 years. I LOVE music and the artists who create the music. I have a passion for teaching music and I have a passion for helping musicians. I believe that the world truly needs music more now than ever. I know that music has helped humans through countless difficult times since the first music was ever composed.


This past March as restaurants, bars, churches and large performance venues closed, so did performance opportunities for musicians. As weddings and other religious ceremonies were postponed, so were gigs for musicians. This summer and early fall as restaurants, bars and worship spaces slowly reopened, many performing opportunities for musicians did not resume. As people started having small weddings (and other religious ceremonies) many musicians were not rehired to perform. (While it is frustrating, I certainly understand that if I were getting married and only allowed 10 people present at the wedding, I would have selected my spouse, the officiant, our parents and siblings to attend.) Unfortunately, some of the restaurants, bars and even a local church are no longer open. For the places that have reopened they are not able to open at their full capacity. Most do not have the same budgets for live musicians. As a result, many musicians are looking for alternative venues and income sources in the interim since it can take years of work for a musician and or group of musicians to develop a fan base at a venue. 


I know that this pandemic has affected absolutely everyone in very different ways. I want to be sensitive to all those who have and are suffering. These challenges that musicians and small business owners are facing have been weighing heavily on my heart since early March. I sprung into action this spring with many creative ways to encourage people to support small businesses and musicians. As we settle into the fall routines and prepare for winter knowing that COVID 19 is still present and will be for a little while longer, I am attempting to find additional creative ways to support these people who are so very important to us. The very people who bring the music we love into our lives. In searching for creative ways to support musicians, I found many articles on the internet that stated to purchase their merchandise and songs. I am biased but I also believe that registering for lessons is a fantastic way to support a musician. But I was searching for something with a little more to share with all of you. I discovered this blog post by Jeffrey Pepper Rodgers that I thought was helpful as his suggestions are all FREE! I know that not all of his ideas apply to helping our music instructors at our studio, but there are some great tips here. Take a moment to read his blog and then take a few more moments to do a few! Your favorite musicians will appreciate you.  https://www.jeffreypepperrodgers.com/blog/15-ways-to-support-musicians-without-spending-money


Thank you for your continued support of our Note-worthy Experiences Family.  


Musically yours,
Renee

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October Update from Renee

9/22/2020

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By Renee Bordner

Happy October!

Hopefully this month brings your family some autumn fun and modified Halloween traditions!  We hope that your family has settled into a consistent routine.  The back to school season is one of setting new goals for many.  Our team is committed to helping your students succeed with their music even in this pandemic.  Please connect with your instructor to discuss these goals and methods to achieve the goals.  Your instructor and I can help with setting up a solid practice routine that meets the needs of your family.  Now is a great time to create a map of what your student would like to participate in for the rest of the school year! 

We are offering many opportunities this year, including a composing competition, our annual Winter Holiday Recitals, our annual scholarship competition, Piano Guild Auditions, Royal Conservatory Exams, and our Honors and Senior Recital.  We plan to schedule some informal assisted living facility and Sudbury Housing Authority Recitals and to resume attending youth open mic nights at two local venues.  We will continue to celebrate our students who achieve their Practice Club status as well.  All of these events and programs are optional and our team is committed to guiding our students to be successful at them.  Feel free to contact us at any time for more information.  We will also post more information in our monthly newsletters.

Wishing you and your family the best this Fall!
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Trusting Your Teacher: Considerations for Quality Relationships

6/18/2020

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By Alicia Britton

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After you’ve decided, “Yes, my child will take music lessons!” And after you’ve filled out the registration form, submitted your credit card information, purchased instruments and materials, after a teacher has been mindfully selected, and after you have allowed this teacher into your home—literally or virtually—, it is time to trust the process of your
teacher—and we know it’s not easy!

In-home music lessons are an opportunity to create a unique bond between families and teachers. Most families at home are within earshot of a music lesson, though some family members may not be paying close attention, others may be sitting in the same room. As you’re chopping carrots, you may wonder, “Why don’t I hear more music? Why do I hear
singing in a piano lesson? Why have I been listening to “The Happy Stream” for the last three weeks?” All good questions, and from every Note-Worthy instructor comes great answers! It’s not a saying, it’s a fact: the key to any fruitful relationship is communication.

Please do not mistake this essay as a Note-Worthy advertisement. I write from the point of view of a Note-Worthy Experiences instructor and team member. The following considerations are meant to provide comfort and offer recommendations to families who are experiencing anxieties about their new musical guest and give incite to the process of a successful lesson. By engaging with your child’s music teacher, you open doors to exponential growth for your child’s musical progression and for the interconnectedness of you, your child’s music teacher, and their new music student.

Consider: Experience

Note-Worthy Experiences is true to their name; Renee Bordner is a master instructor hunter and we as teachers naturally strive to maintain the company’s reputation. Your teacher was not chosen for you out of a hat. We do not pick straws to pick our students. Your child has a teacher that has been specifically selected based on traits that include, but are not limited to: skill; personality; and well, experience. Here’s a scenario: You read the profile of the music teacher who is about to teach your child. The teacher has a masters degree and over five years of experience teaching in the real world. They arrive at your door and per previous discussion, you observe the lesson on a couch in the same room. You wonder, “Why is this teacher so nervous? Why are they stuttering? I thought they had years of experience, what’s going on?”

Well, here are two examples of what could be “going on.” One, it is possible the five years of experience were teaching out of a private, sound proof studio room that shut its door adjacent from a family waiting room. Confidence in how we teach is vital in private, and even more-so when the people who are paying for lessons can hear every word and see every step of the process. For me, it was like building a callus, I just had to teach the way I teach and know that there was success behind closed doors, so what difference does it make if they’re open. In fact, now I enjoy in-home lessons so much that when I teach in studios, I frequently invite parents into the room to observe progress.

Another possible scenario is that this is your music teacher’s first time teaching a music lesson—ever. Now, Renee would not hire an instructor that is not fully capable of carrying out Note-Worthy’s mission, so give them a chance! Great music teachers are built with experience and it is impossible to gain wisdom unless they are allowed to teach. You are most likely not the only family they will visit that day which means they are getting a crash course in teaching, say, ten, or even twenty lessons in the week before they see your family a second time. Consistency and confidence will materialize!

So what is the best way to approach your teacher when questioning experience?

Ask! Our ears are for more than music! We’d love to share with you our musical journey! If it hasn’t already been addressed in email correspondence prior to the lesson, please do not hesitate to approach your teacher; the last thing your teacher wants is for you to hesitate about taking lessons!

Consider: The First Lesson

We don’t use the word “trial” at Note-Worthy, the first lesson is the first lesson. However, this does not mean a lesson without first impressions and a teacher’s assessment. Whether you are a musical family or a complete stranger to music lessons, the first lesson is simply a pre-requisite to a second lesson. Keeping in mind every teacher has their own approach and personal flare, below is a list of standard characteristics of a first lesson:

The lesson may go on longer than scheduled. This is certainly at the discretion of mutual scheduling, but consider that initial greetings and settling in will only take this long the first time. It will not add dollars to your invoice; it will only add weight to the initial connection and assessment.

Your teacher will explore strategies to figure out how your child best absorbs information. There is a chance for success in the first half-hour; and there’s also a chance your teacher will connect with you two lessons later and discuss strategies in the best interest of your child.

Sounds may sound simple. I say sounds because it’s very possible what is being played doesn’t sound like music. But it is! There are cognitive reasons you are hearing the sounds you hear. Enjoy it!

Your teacher will find you when they need you. Music teachers are not disciplinarians or force mongers. If your child is exhibiting behavior that requires attention beyond our pay grade, your child will be politely asked to find you to save the moment and disentangle the matter.

The first lesson is often a blast! We want students to know they are capable of anything! We want students to know the glory of their instrument. And though not every lesson will be a walk in the park without stepping in a little sludge, our goal is to introduce your child to music in a way that elicits love at first listen!

Questions? Comments? Ask! Let us know! Our ears are for more than music!

Consider: What is your child telling you? What is your child telling your teacher?

No one knows your child better than you do, but ideas and inclinations of the student may be passed on to the wrong adult. There are a lot of common utterances I’ve heard from students over the years and sometimes they’re taken into consideration, other times they are ignored. Your parenting is not under question; our job is to teach music, not assist in their upbringing. However, if communications about music lessons between student and family
are blurry, it is the teacher’s job to clarify those messages, even if they are silent.

Examples of communication between teacher and student; family and student; teacher and family:

Student says, “I hate the violin.” Teacher says, “Why do you hate the violin?” And there may be many reasons. Maybe it’s physical discomfort. Maybe their dream is to play the flute. Maybe, they never asked for lessons and don’t understand why they are taking lessons. The real problem is when they identify the instrument with music itself and start to say, “I hate music.” No Note-Worthy teacher will let it go that far! It is the job of the teacher to identify issues that may be inhibiting musical progress and then it is the teacher’s job to approach the family with the student’s concerns. Perhaps you had no idea your child wanted to play flute instead of violin. Perhaps a conversation can now be implemented between you and your child to determine the best way to move forward
without sacrificing music altogether.

Haven’t had a progress update in a while? Ask! Our ears are for more than music! I am a huge fan of progress updates! When a student meets a milestone, we’ll let you know! If it’s time to rehabilitate the practice regimen, we’ll let you know! And if it seems like a student has hit a plateau, we’ll let you know! And we will have plans and be ready to discuss any or all of these breakthroughs or concerns.

Long term goals should be discussed early. Goal discussions guide the teacher’s approach and determine the appropriate materials. Teachers and families make decisions together. For example, a music teacher recommends a series of materials for the student, some provided by the teacher, some purchased and provided by the family. If a set of materials isn’t working, we will let you know and make plans for a change, and we will do so with your permission.

Have questions about your teacher’s approach? Ask!…Yeah, yeah, yeah, ears more than music…I know you know!

Consider: Understanding what you don’t understand

Not a musician? No worries, we’ve got this! If you have a desire to become more fluent in what your child is learning, primary level books have the resources you need to follow along and answer common questions your child may have when they practice. Teachers are ready to help families navigate their child’s materials for the sake of practice progress and unification. It is important to us that you know what your child is working on, even if you
don’t read music.

Consider: What if a different teacher is the answer?

This is an awkward question to consider, and that is why I saved it for last. If after a solid probation period you think your child’s teacher is not the best fit for your family, your musical guest is likely aware. We deliver the best of our abilities to each lesson and sometimes, the delivery ends up at the wrong house! Great music teachers do not take these changes personally, we take them thoughtfully, and there are only great music teachers at Note-Worthy. Music is valuable and we want to make sure that students continue to value music, even if we are not their teacher.

Thank you for your consideration!

There are plenty of resources provided on the website and in the monthly newsletters that can help answer a lot of questions. Renee Bordner has made herself more than available to all families and teachers who have signed on to the Note-Worthy team, and your teachers are also available to you for you to express any interests or concerns. Allow me to say, we are Trust-Worthy!

Alicia Britton is a voice and piano instructor for Note-worthy Experiences. Read more about her here. 

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The Benefits of Learning Music

6/12/2020

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By Renee Bordner 

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Studio director Renee Bordner was honored to be asked to contribute to Comeback Momma's blog. Her article goes over the the benefits of learning music from a young age. Read the full article here. 

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Learning About and Supporting Black Musicians

6/5/2020

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In light of the current events and the issue of racism in this country that is being highlighted right now, we have compiled a list of resources to learn about and support Black artists, particularly Black musicians. 

Where to donate

Here is a list of organizations and nonprofits that support Black artists: 
https://news.artnet.com/art-world/where-to-donate-black-lives-matter-1879701 

The Coalition for African Americans in the Performing Arts has additional information and resources: 
https://4caapa.org/ 

Black musicians in music history

Root of African American Music: 
https://music.si.edu/spotlight/african-american-music/roots-of-african-american-music

The Evolution of African American Music: 
https://www.unf.edu/uploadedFiles/committee/AAFSA/The%20Evolution%20of%20African-American%20Music.pdf

Black Composers Who Made Classical Music History:
ttps://www.classicfm.com/discover-music/black-composers-who-made-classical-music-history/


African Heritage in Classical Music: 
http://chevalierdesaintgeorges.homestead.com/index.html

Russell Thomas on Diversity, Activism, and Blackface in Opera: 
https://www.coc.ca/coc-news1?entryid=19173&fbclid=IwAR0E3Iye2zB-_QnVfEF1KhXSmv28fwAADuTvYuRad83Na098E00o7NeOUCk 


The Birth of American Music Podcast: 
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/06/podcasts/1619-black-american-music-appropriation.html?action=click&module=audio-series-bar&region=header&pgtype=Article&fbclid=IwAR3Xz7zDeXfva0v64jToQB13TMUixBdWcP-7Hs-QNiQkXzorVBiwXLsGGDQ

Black composers in American Classical Music: 
https://www.facebook.com/stephenjeanie/photos/pcb.3071716352872025/3071704579539869/?type=3&theater


Where to shops

Black owned music and book shops: 
https://www.supportblackowned.com/category/56-musical-instruments
https://www.okayplayer.com/originals/black-owned-vinyl-record-stores.html  
https://aalbc.com/bookstores/index.php?statename=Massachusetts

 
 

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Virtual Learning and Lessons Tips

3/22/2020

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By Renee Bordner 

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Dear Note-worthy Experiences Family,

Thank you for your patience in these very uncertain times.  

As a small business owner and a musician, I have been overwhelmed with your support. Thank you.

Our mission today is the same as when we started and that mission is to provide our students with meaningful musical learning opportunities. However, these opportunities are now occurring with social distancing.  

Below are some thoughts on how we can improve our students' musical experiences during the COVID-19 crisis.

Our instructor, Leonardo, suggests calling the practice sessions "rehearsals".

We are discovering that if a lot of people are using the home wifi the more issues we have. I am asking my family to limit their wifi use when I am teaching in hopes to help our lessons go more smoothly (and to encourage them to take a screen break).

If you are using a free version of Zoom, the time limit is 40 minutes. For our students who have lessons longer than 40 minutes, we are able to work around this by having two separate sessions with a 5 minute snack and water break in between.

For younger and beginner students, it is useful if a helper is nearby to help spot incorrect notes, hand position, etc. 

We are trying hard to keep our families up to date through our mass email distribution list (Constant Contact) and social media. Please refer to these sources for updates.

If your family has an Apple product - encourage your child(ren) to try GarageBand.

Please encourage your kids to go back and play their favorite songs.

Encourage your child(ren) to put together family recitals and family sing alongs. Make movies of your children playing to send to those who you are socially distant from.  

Encourage your child(ren) to write music. They can start with a topic, lyrics or just their favorite note combinations and rhythms. Here is a link to free printable staff paper  https://www.printablepaper.net/category/music

If your child(ren) are bored with their same music and would like some fresh fun music to try, check out supplemental library at the bottom of their home page. Many of these books can be ordered on Amazon too. https://pianoadventures.com/  

Did you know that there is an app for your children's Piano Adventures Books?  https://pianoadventures.com/resources/piano-adventures-player-app/ 

This is my favorite link for printing free piano and guitar music at each level.
https://gmajormusictheory.org/Freebies/freebies.html  

This game is highly recommended by several students and our instructor, Kailey
 https://musiclab.chromeexperiments.com/Experiments.  

Our instructor, Maria, suggests http://www.themusicinteractive.com/. It’s GREAT for practicing note reading, and fun too! It has all 4 clefs. Makes “drilling” music notation fun. Only available for Apple devices.

Sheet Music Direct is offering a free for one month promotion (however I hear that you need to pay to be able to print music and it is not free after one month.)
https://www.sheetmusicdirect.com/en-US/  

Stay tuned to our group emails and social media as we have added enrichment classes for our students. We are offering Advanced Theory with Daniel, Songwriting with Kailey (both are good for students in level 1 or up, and fun for kids to do in online groups). We are also offering Practice Hotline Tips with Jay and Audition Prep with Nina.

If your family would like extra lessons with your current instructor, or another instructor, just let us know. All of our instructors have additional scheduling flexibility currently. Unfortunately, all of our instructors' rehearsals and performances have been cancelled. Some events have been cancelled through September.

The vendor that I use for the Practice Club Trophies is currently closed due to COVID-19. When they reopen, I am optimistic that I will be placing a large order of customized trophies for our 100 Consecutive Days of Practice Club Winners. I also will order trophies for our students who complete 200, 300, etc. consecutive days of practice. These students will also be invited to a VIP Ice Cream Party at my home (when we are allowed to socialize again). To make tracking our students' practice easier, you can use this tracking sheet: Download PDF.

We have a FREE music trivia family fun night scheduled for next Thursday! Think Disney name that tune!

Please stay tuned for more information about a FREE Faculty Recital or maybe even Recitals to raise money for a local relief fund.

The April Youth Open Mic Night at Serendipity has been cancelled.

Our Final/Round 2 of the Scholarship Competition will occur with modifications.  

Our Honors & Senior Recital is cancelled.

I have a message out to Piano Guild Headquarters on their status of our 2020 Auditions. I also have a message out to our Judge. Auditions will occur with modifications.

Thank you for your support during these uncertain times!

--

What people are saying about online lessons with Note-worthy:

"I'm surprised how well the technology worked--not just from a logistical point of view, but for delivering a very constructive lesson. I didn't have doubts about the ability to teach, but I thought perhaps on our end it wouldn't feel 'real.' But it certainly did!"

-Jeanette from Natick

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Great Gift Ideas for Musicians!

12/8/2019

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By Maria Price

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Whether or not you celebrate any of the upcoming holidays, the end of the year is a great time to reflect with your student about his or her musical journey so far, and set goals for the year ahead.  It may also be a great time to ask if your student is ready and willing to perform for friends and family, to show what pieces they have learned or the progress they have made.

Below is a list of some musical accessories that can greatly enhance your student’s home practice and lesson time.  Other items are there just for fun! 

I also encourage you to check out local brick-and-mortar music stores like Leonard's, Johnson String, Spencer Brook Strings, and Strike Up the Band.  These places have great selections of sheet music and also fun music-themed accessories and gifts.  Plus, you’ll be supporting small businesses in your area.

-- ALL INSTRUMENTS --

Lesson Notebook - This is a system that I use with my students.  I encourage other students and instructors to give it a try!



I ask all my private lesson students to keep a small notebook like this one in their case.  Ideally, it would be small enough to fit in their case or their case pocket.  This allows me to write down what we covered in the lesson, and to write down their practice assignment.  It is beneficial to me as a teacher, as it allows me to keep track of my students’ progress, and it is beneficial to the students, as they will be able to remember exactly what to work on in the time between lessons.  They can also use it to log their own practice time and playing goals.  Parents can also check their students’ notebooks to see what they are currently working on.  The notebook is also a great place to put stickers, which I use with some of my younger students.

The notebook doesn’t have to be the version in the link above.  Any small notebook you have around the house is fine.  They can choose one for themselves to make it more personal and fun! 

Music Stand - A music stand is extremely important for at-home practice.  Many students start with a cheap foldable wire stand, but those can be extremely flimsy and can hardly hold anything more than a few sheets of paper.  The stand in the link I’ve given is portable, but also very sturdy.  Here is another great option that many of my students use.  If you’re looking for a professional-quality music stand, the Manhasset brand will not let you down!  (not as portable, although I have brought it in the backseat of my car at times for gigs!)

Electronic Tuner - Great for home practice for all instruments, but especially for strings students who can tune independently, or are learning to tune.  This is a solid brand at an inexpensive price.  However, if your student has a device he or she regularly uses like a smartphone or tablet, you can download a free tuner app.  The one I use is called Tuner Lite by Piascore, but there are many similar ones out there.

Metronome - Essential for all musicians!  Playing in time to a steady beat helps with rhythm, temporal awareness, and ensemble skills.  While Korg is a very reliable brand, free metronome apps are also widely available for smartphones or tablets.  You can also simply Google “Online Metronome.”  I use an app called Pro Metronome (Free Edition).

If you like the look of an old-school metronome (which has appeal as a decorative item), you may want to get one like this.


NoteSpeller Books - I highly encourage these books for my private lesson students.  They are workbooks that include lots of exercises meant to increase skills of reading music notation.  Every week, I assign a few pages from the workbook for the student to fill out.  I’ve noticed that it really helps students improve their music reading skills. 

NoteSpeller for Violin

NoteSpeller for Viola

NoteSpeller for Trumpet


-- TRUMPET --

Trumpet Stand - This is the best $25 I’ve spent in my 20 years playing trumpet.  This fits in the bell of the trumpet and the legs fold out.  Students can place their trumpet on the floor during lessons, band rehearsals, or practice time.  It avoids students trying to balance the trumpet on its bell (which never stays upright and could lead to a trip to the repair shop to get some dents out!), placing the trumpet on their chair (also a risky move), or on the floor (asking for trouble!) 
You can shop around for a better deal if you like, but the brand I recommend is K&M.
This is my #1 recommendation for my trumpet students!  


Trumpet Practice Mute - Insert into the bell and the sound is GREATLY reduced.  Helpful if your student wants to practice something like scales or fingerings but doesn’t want to disturb anyone.

TRUMPET LESSON BOOKS/SONGBOOKS

(This list is by no means exhaustive.  I encourage you and your child to use this as a springboard to find method books or songbooks that work best.  I encourage students to have at least one “serious” method book for their lessons and one “fun” book to keep them motivated to play.)

My First Arban’s Book - Best for students in grades 4-8.  Great book for scales, exercises, warm-ups, duets, and pieces.

The Arban’s Complete Conservatory Method for Trumpet - THE trumpet book for intermediate to advanced high school students.


The B-flat Real Book - Best suited for high school students who are interested in pursuing jazz seriously

The Big Book of Christmas Songs for Trumpet - for fun!  Beginner to Intermediate

Easy Duets from Around the World for Trumpets - Beginner to Intermediate

The Big Book of Disney Songs for Trumpet - Beginner to Intermediate



-- VIOLIN/VIOLA --

Microfiber Cleaning Cloth - After a lesson, rehearsal, or practice session, it’s important to wipe off the violin or viola.  Wipe off any sweat from your hands, and also wipe off the rosin from the strings.  It’s great to have a cloth like this in your case.

Everest Shoulder Rest - This is my favorite brand of shoulder rest.  If you are looking for an upgrade, this is a fantastic brand!  Just make sure you get the appropriate size (½, ¾, etc.)  Many of their shoulder rests are adjustable, so if you currently have a ¾ size violin, it will be able to adjust to accommodate a full size violin as well.

Bow Hold Buddy - For beginners, or older students who may struggle with bow hold.  If your child needs or wants a little extra support with the bow hold, this tool is great!  It does require loosening the screw and removing the frog of the bow, so I usually put it on for students during lessons. Otherwise I recommend that it be put on carefully by an adult.  Comes in a variety of colors! 

BowRight - This device fits onto the violin and helps to keep the bow straight and parallel to the bridge.  If your student is struggling with keeping the bow straight, this might be a worthwhile purchase for home practice and developing good habits.

BowRight (¼ - ½ size)

BowRight (¾ - full size)

Practice Mute - a very inexpensive practice mute.  Place it over the bridge to dull the sound.  This helps to cut down the volume and resonance.  Great if your student wants to practice without disturbing other people, or if they are a bit self-conscious about their practicing and want to sound quieter.  Note that the link is for a full size (4/4) practice mute.


VIOLIN LESSON BOOKS/SONGBOOKS 

For private lessons, I use the Suzuki method.  These are great books for developing technique through enjoyable repertoire that gets progressively more challenging.  As a supplement, here are some suggestions for developing technique, or just to have some fun with practicing.

(This list is by no means exhaustive.  I encourage you and your child to use this as a springboard to find method books or songbooks that work best.  I usually encourage students to have at least one “serious” method book for their lessons and one “fun” book)

Easy Violin Duets for Beginner to Intermediate Players

101 Christmas Songs for the Violin (Beginner to Intermediate) 

101 Disney Songs for the Violin (Beginner to Intermediate) 

101 Hit Songs for the Violin (Beginner to Intermediate)

101 Movie Hits for the Violin (Beginner to Intermediate)



Christmas Melodies for Violin Solo (for Intermediate Players) 

Easy Songs for Shifting in the First Five Positions - for students who are learning how to shift on the Violin

Solos for Young Violinists, Volume 1 - for intermediate players

 Written by Maria Price, Violin/Viola/Trumpet/Ukulele Instructor at Note-Worthy Experiences.

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MTNA 2019-20 Guide to Music Schools

11/15/2019

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Is your child considering pursuing a degree in music? Researching music schools can be a daunting task, so the Music Teachers National Association has compiled a list of their recommended music schools to help in your search. From the MTNA: "We hand-picked more than 60 schools from the 1,200 in our data base for a deep-dive into the critical elements making for a great music school experience." Follow the link below for the entire list and more info about the schools. 
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MTna Music School List
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