Music is powerful. Since its beginnings music has been used in communication, healing, and to motivate and inspire, but mostly for enjoyment and relaxation. The element of music, rhythm and tempo, are experienced even before birth. The first sound an infant is aware of is the rhythm and tempo of their mother’s heartbeat. Rhythm and tempo are the soul of music in all it forms.  After birth, young children are calmed and soothed by lullabies and simple tunes and songs.

Music, either “natural” or “composed” is all around us. . Birds are natural producers of music, using “songs” as a way of communicating. Even the sounds you hear in your daily chores have a musical pitch and rhythm, the pitch and tempo of a car’s engine, or the rhythmic clicking on a typewriter. Music has been used in different occasions to express and enhance emotion. When used in weddings, it indicates joy and happiness; at funerals, sorrow and remembrance. In movies, stage productions and operas, music enhances the varied emotions expressed by the performers. The sound track of a movie enhances the action. The sound track of a war movie emphasizes and accelerates the sense of fear and danger, while in romantic movies music accentuates the deep emotions of love. Music is an integral part of health and therapy, and also a form of relaxation. The connection between music, and our minds and emotions, supports and improves the mental and physical health of human beings.

Music education allows us to develop skills that create those deep emotions. Music education teaches creativity, teamwork, self-esteem, communication, discipline, and basic study skills. Further study improves the quality and effect of the product.  Music education is especially valuable for children. Children enjoy music and interactive play. Musical lullabies are the first music they hear. Music education — the study of musical forms, of harmony, pitch and tempo; the experience of playing in a band or singing in a chorus has a number of benefits; learning the disciplines of concentration and teamwork, the need for preparation, rehearsal and  practice, are skills that can be used in all aspects of life.

Music is an art form. Music Education provides understanding of the principles and disciplines that are required in any art form. It develops creative thinking skills, allows risk taking, and requires teamwork, problem solving, and communication skills. When children play together, they often sing together, or in turns. Some naturally create their own compositions. These are skills that widen their intellect and perceptions; thinking in broad not narrow perspectives so that they come up with musical compositions that are appealing to all types of people in all types of cultures.  Music Education is one answer to the challenge of how to bring people together, not set them apart. Music is part of all cultures, and is why music education is crucial. Cultures use music to communicate and share its ideas and values from one generation to another and one culture to another. It teaches them values; it teaches them to be productive  members of society; and it develops compassion and empathy for others.

Music education is one of the most noble, and enjoyable professions to undertake. Music education has universal economic value, it creates jobs, and the result is shared between nations and cultures to promote peace and goodwill.

The benefits of music on the minds of young children have been well documented.  However, it is worth revisiting this idea from time to time.  As you consider whether to enroll your child in a private music lesson program in the DC area (such as B&B Music Lessons), here are a few things to keep in mind.

Over ten years ago, researchers at the University of Wisconsin discovered that by simply listening to Mozart triggered a temporary increase in spatial intelligence.  This so called “Mozart Effect” has proven difficult to replicate, but the idea that music lessons can raise IQ has taken hold of the scientific community.  Yet despite any scientific research, it is safe to say that music and music lessons have a positive effect on children.  Here are a few of the benefits:

1. Developing Intelligence:  Without joining the ongoing debate, there are vast amounts of data supporting the long established anecdotal knowledge that music education makes children smarter.  For instance, a study of 237 second grade children scored 27% higher on math tests after starting private piano lessons.

1. Success in Life:  We all want our children to achieve success in life, including social structures, school and employment. Participation in music brings numerous benefits to each of these areas.   The language of music can be shared and understood by any culture or race.  The ability to connect with oneself and others is greatly enhanced through music.  Qualities such as “flexible”,  “listener”, “team builder” are common adjectives used in job postings, all of which are attributes that are strengthened by music practice and music lessons.  Some of the best instruments to get started with for music lessons are guitar and piano due to their popularity and ease of use.

There is much discussion regarding the best instrument to start a younger child with.  The piano is a great place for younger students to start due to its simplicity and clarity.  String instruments such as the guitar, bass and violin are a bit more difficult but are also excellent ways to learn the fundamentals of music.  Keeping an emphasis on ‘fun’ is important for the teacher as it engages the music student, who is then more likely to practice their instrument.  Whatever you do, be sure to support your child’s interest in music.  The investment is in their future.

Purchasing a guitar for a young child is a wonderful investment to make.  Of course, we need to spend our hard-earned money wisely, so it’s good to learn a bit about guitars before making your purchase.

When buying for a child, it’s most sensible to get something that gives the student an adequate instrument for the first several years of his/her study, while not breaking the bank.

There are three types of guitars to choose from.  Electric, steel string acoustic, and nylon string acoustic.   Electric guitars have the lightest strings of the three types, although nylon strings are soft and therefore also easy on the fingers.  Steel strings are, well, steel.  They can take some getting used to for beginners until calluses are developed.

Nylon strings are easier on the fingers, but they also have a softer sound.   Classical, Spanish, and Bossa Nova generally use nylon string guitars.  The strings are set apart further than steel string guitars to accommodate the use of finger picking (fingers naturally need more space than guitar picks).

Steel strings are brighter in sound but closer together on the fingerboard.  Smaller hands might appreciate the thinner neck, but closer strings require additional accuracy with the picking hand.

Each type of guitar can be used to play most styles of music, but they do have distinctively different sounds.  Since the idea is to find the best instrument for the student, it’s good for students to listen to both types of instruments before a purchase.

Here are two videos to show the different types of guitar in action. The first video features two guitarists playing the same guitar. Mozart deserves two guitar players, right???

Here is a video of Eric Clapton playing a blues on an acoustic guitar.  Enjoy!

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There has been much discussion regarding Suzuki method vs. more traditional methods of teaching.  It is helpful to know a bit more about it before requesting a Suzuki method teacher.

Suzuki takes an approach that is similar to a child learning a new language.  Children learn to speak by listening, not by reading.  Similarly, the Suzuki method teaches children to play their instrument without the use of written music.  Instead, they focus on using their ears to learn specific pieces of music which are prerecorded to accompany the student.  Memorization of each piece of music is eventually attained, with the goal of performing the piece.  Performances are frequent and become natural and enjoyable over time.

More traditional methods introduce sight reading, scales, key signatures, sharps and flats, and other theory right away.  These are necessary components of a well-rounded musician.  Therefore, the combination of traditional and Suzuki methods is common, and many versions of Suzuki methods have added sight reading and theory to their programs.

Suzuki method is very popular and it is a great way for younger students to gain confidence and ear training early on.   The added confidence provided by frequent performances also helps.  But the primary consideration is to find the best teacher for your child. With a good teacher, the music should lead the way.  It is first about the music, and then persistence. Suzuki is more about the teacher using Suzuki than anything else.   Find a teacher who connects well with the student and you have a recipe for greatness.

If you’d like to discuss the possibility of working with a private music teacher in the DC area, contact us at anytime and we’ll be happy to help you.

“Because Music Matters”!

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One important factor to keep in mind while practicing a musical instrument is that consistency and accuracy are the most important points to focus on.  This applies to drums, guitar, bass, piano and all other instruments.

Lets say that you can play a piece perfectly 9 out of 10 times.  So you’re feeling pretty good about that, right?  Well, imagine if you have a 5 piece band and everyone plays the piece 90% correct.  Well, the percentage of overall accuracy just went down substantially.  Or if you imagine that each person in a big band or symphony plays his or her piece correctly 90% of the time.  Now the overall percentage drops dramatically!

Therefore, it is best that you can play your required piece closer to 98% or 99% correctly on a regular basis.  The main thing here is that you focus your attention while practicing so that you get the most out of your practice time because the standard for performing in a group is pretty high!

Keep practicing… “Because Music Matters”!

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Wow!  What can I say… I am speechless. Look at how amazing these young music students are from PS22 in New York City.  I am so inspired by these video clips that I couldn’t resist sharing them with you all.  The excitement is written all over these kid’s faces and they will always remember these early experiences for the rest of their lives.  I too, was lucky enough to have an awesome music teacher who inspired me and believed in my ability. Music teachers have a way to transform young lives, and thus the world, into a more beautiful place. Check it out:

Help us share the joy in these videos by clicking on the Facebook “share” icons at the bottom of this post which will post the link to your FB profile. These videos always bring a smile to my face and I want as many people as possible to have the same experience I did.

Triumph of the Cyborg Composer

By: Ryan Blitstein

David Cope’s software creates beautiful, original music. Why are people so angry about that?

UC Santa Cruz emeritus professor David Cope is ready to introduce computer software that creates original, modern music.

The office looks like the aftermath of a surrealistic earthquake, as if David Cope’s brain has spewed out decades of memories all over the carpet, the door, the walls, even the ceiling. Books and papers, music scores and magazines are all strewn about in ragged piles. A semi-functional Apple Power Mac 7500 (discontinued April 1, 1996) sits in the corner, its lemon-lime monitor buzzing. Drawings filled with concepts for a never-constructed musical-radio-space telescope dominate half of one wall. Russian dolls and an exercise bike, not to mention random pieces from homemade board games, peek out from the intellectual rubble. Above, something like 200 sets of wind chimes from around the world hang, ringing oddly congruent melodies.

And in the center, the old University of California, Santa Cruz, emeritus professor reclines in his desk chair, black socks pulled up over his pants cuffs, a thin mustache and thick beard lending him the look of an Amish grandfather.

It was here, half a dozen years ago, that Cope put Emmy to sleep. She was just a software program, a jumble of code he’d originally dubbed Experiments in Musical Intelligence (EMI, hence “Emmy”). Still — though Cope struggles not to anthropomorphize her — he speaks of Emmy wistfully, as if she were a deceased child.

Emmy was once the world’s most advanced artificially intelligent composer, and because he’d managed to breathe a sort of life into her, he became a modern-day musical Dr. Frankenstein. She produced thousands of scores in the style of classical heavyweights, scores so impressive that classical music scholars failed to identify them as computer-created. Cope attracted praise from musicians and computer scientists, but his creation raised troubling questions: If a machine could write a Mozart sonata every bit as good as the originals, then what was so special about Mozart? And was there really any soul behind the great works, or were Beethoven and his ilk just clever mathematical manipulators of notes?

Cope’s answers — not much, and yes — made some people very angry. He was so often criticized for these views that colleagues nicknamed him “The Tin Man,” after the Wizard of Oz character without a heart. For a time, such condemnation fueled his creativity, but eventually, after years of hemming and hawing, Cope dragged Emmy into the trash folder.

This month, he is scheduled to unveil the results of a successor effort that’s already generating the controversy and high expectations that Emmy once drew. Dubbed “Emily Howell,” the daughter program aims to do what many said Emmy couldn’t: create original, modern music. Its compositions are innovative, unique and — according to some in the small community of listeners who’ve heard them performed live — superb.

As professional music teachers, we tend to focus our efforts primarily on our students and their development. However, it is a good idea to stay focused on our own progress as well. Maintaining a fresh perspective keeps both teacher and student engaged and inspired. Below are a few ideas for music teachers to stay ‘on top of their game’, so to speak.

First of all, be open to learning new material at all times. Take the time to research new methods and don’t be afraid to investigate new styles of music. Perhaps classical music is your forte and you feel out of place with improvisation. Be confident enough in your abilities to step outside of your comfort zone and expand your boundaries.This helps  your students know that they are free to explore the expansive world of music. Urge them to attend live musical events. So much can be learned at live performances. There is nothing like live music to catch the attention of students and spark or revitalize their interest.

Perform music as often as possible. Perhaps you play at a church or at weddings on the weekends. Regardless of the venue, these performances will keep your skills sharp and it also helps your credibility as a professional music teacher. And who knows, you may receive inquiries from new students as an additional benefit.

Organization is key for music teachers. Parents and children alike can sense when you are ‘flying by the seat of your pants’ with your lesson plans.  Spontoneity is great but only when it is within the context of an organized lesson program. Keep track of your student’s progress and do your best to keep their development on track. Keep parents updated with their child’s progress.

Be willing to share and discuss teaching ideas with other professional music teachers. There is so much to be learned from other teachers and it is easier than ever in this day and age of technology to share ideas.

Finally, if you prefer not to deal with administrative tasks such as billing and recitals, check with reputable agencies such as B&B Music Lessons. They will do the job of finding you new students as well as providing a safety net for last minute cancellations, etc.

Share the gift of music. “Because Music Matters”!

Beginner guitar students in the DC, MD and VA should work with a private guitar teacher to attain the best results. It is necessary to take full advantage of the opportunity provided by your at home guitar lessons.  Below are a few tips to develop your skills as you practice the guitar on your own time.

First of all, be sure to practice the guitar while you are awake and focused.  A lack of concentration will result in a poor use of practice time and will also develop bad habits.  If you are concentrating, you will have an easier time focusing on the details that are required to advance your skill set.

Paying attention to the details of a scale, chord, song, fingering or movement requires that you practice at a speed that is comfortable.  So set your metronome to a pace that gives you plenty of time to get the details correct.  Your phrasing should be smooth and clear, and your rhythms should be accurate.  When you have the piece sounding correct at the slow tempo, bring the speed up a few clicks at a time.  This gradual acceleration of the piece will allow you to properly learn the lesson material.

As you increase your familiarity with a new song, take the time to play it correctly many times.  Repetition is key in order for your muscle memory to develop.   If you practice a song four times and only play it correctly twice, you are far from mastering it.  Try playing it with minimal mistakes dozens of times.  Patience is required to become a proficient guitar player.  There are many beginner guitar players who never learn to play a single song all the way through.  This is because they learn the easy parts and then give up and move on to another song, which the learn equally poorly.   It is much better to learn one song well than several songs poorly.  To do this takes patience but the result is that you can actually play the guitar well and more importantly, you have learned how to properly practice the guitar.

If you are interested in guitar lessons in the Washington DC area (including MD and VA) contact B&B Music Lessons and we will introduce you to one of our in home guitar teachers.

Because Music Matters.

Here is a great music article regarding music theory.   It addresses the need for theory in private music lessons.  B&B’s private teachers always teach theory during their in home lesson instruction and we provide a comprehensive syllabus to ensure that all of our music students learn the basics of music theory.

“Within the musical community, there is a debate about the value of music theory that will probably never end. Is it important to study music theory scales, or is it much better to just dive into the music and experience it viscerally. The proponents of learning the theory regarded it as an essential part of knowing how to play music. You can learn by trial and error, they say, but you would do much better to benefit from the knowledge of other people. Not learning music theory when you play music is like refusing to learn arithmetic when you are studying math.

The other side, however, has just a strong of an argument. They claim that music theory worksheets are stifling. The point of music, they argue, is creativity. You should dive into it and experience it viscerally. Learning the theory of music too early on can stifle the imagination. Although it is alright to learn music theory chords later on, it is much less important than having some experience actually playing music.

I used to be on the latter site, but I have recently switched opinions. You see, I learned music without music theory. I didn’t even know music colors theory, much less the more formal and rigorous stuff. To me, you see, playing music was almost a physical experience. I could feel the sounds and textures around me. I didn’t really need someone telling me what the structures meant. I could tell what they meant with my entire soul.

As I have matured as a musician, however, I have seen the use and the need for music theory. I have even begun to use music theory worksheets, and I hope to understand it pretty thoroughly within the next couple years. You see, the most important thing about theory is that it gives you a good vocabulary to talk about music.

I believe that you can learn to play anything without music theory. What you can not do, however, is to talk to other people about it. If you don’t know the names of the chords, the different scales and progressions, and the rhythmic patterns that define various forms of music, how can you tell other musicians what you want? Learning about music is almost as important as learning language if you really want to collaborate with other people. Without it, it is very difficult to express yourself and ask people for what you want. Why make life difficult?”

B&B Music Lessons is the premier provider of in home private music lessons in the Washington, DC area (including DC, VA and MD).