Whether you yearn to be the next Katy, or just earn first chair in your orchestra, it will take hard work, dedication and a commitment to practicing to get there.  Yesterday we discussed some tips for avoiding injuries as a musician, including warm-up exercises, stretches and proper posture.  But if you’ve been playing for a while and adopted bad habits from the start, it may take the expertise of a professional music teacher to help you correct those habits.  While YouTube videos may be good for learning a couple of guitar chords, they don’t provide the one-on-one feedback that a private teacher will.

Music lessons are a very personal experience, and finding the best teacher for you is often half the battle.  Here, TakeLessons Student Counselors Kathleen V. and Danae G. explore the most important things to consider when finding a music teacher:

First, think about why you are learning to play your instrument.  Are you trying to get a scholarship for college?  Are you a stressed-out business executive unwinding after work?  Are you an aspiring artist or rockstar?  Do you just want to have fun and check this off of your bucket list?  Once you have that figured out, you’ll have a better idea of what you need in a teacher.  Of course, use your intuition to feel everything out. For a student to grow to their full potential and learn the most effectively, safety and comfort are very important.  For example…

- Has this teacher had a criminal background check done?
- Have you seen any letters of recommendation or feedback from previous students?
- Are the lessons taught out of a safe and comfortable home or studio location?

Next, you want to find out about quality. This is something that causes many people to be misled.  If you lower your standards too much, you will end up taking lessons for double the amount of time, causing you to pay far more in the long run and feel frustrated with the lack of progress.

Here are a few more questions that may help you to make a decision:

- Does the teacher have credentials to teach?
- Are there any videos of the teacher performing or teaching that you can watch to get an idea of their style in teaching or performing?
- What level does this teacher teach up to? (Beginning – Advanced)
- Does this teacher work best with adults or children?
- Is this teacher connected to a reputable affiliation?
- How many years of experience does he/she have playing? Teaching?
- Does the teacher have group lessons and individual lessons available?
- Is there any type of Money Back Guarantee if it isn’t a perfect fit?

Music is such a fun, creative way to express yourself, and with the perfect teacher at your side, you may be surprised at how quickly you excel!  Still have questions?  Leave us a comment on our Facebook page – we’re happy to help!

Even if you’re not jumping around on stage, musicians of all kinds are prone to injuries.  Especially if you’re a beginner, it’s important to know how to play your instrument properly in order to avoid injuring yourself over time.

In order to protect yourself, consider these important tips for musicians to prevent injuries:

Assess Your Instrument: Is your instrument the right size, shape, weight and height for you? Would an adjustable chair, footstool, strap or cushion make you more comfortable?

Know Your Body: Choose pieces that are reasonable for your body to play. If you have small fingers, playing repertoire that requires you to stretch beyond your finger span is a recipe for disaster. However, if you really want to learn a particular piece (or you need to learn it), make adjustments to make it easier to play. If you are a student, let your teacher know right away whether a piece or technical exercise is causing you pain.

Appraise Your Playing Technique: Is your body relaxed? Are your hands, arms, neck, head and core positioned to allow for fluid and comfortable playing or singing? Are you moving with the music? Are you using excess movements? Is your fingering logical and comfortable?  Videotaping yourself is a valuable method to assess your playing technique.

Evaluate Your Non-Musical Activities: Desk and computer work, sports, dancing, carrying heavy objects and hobbies can adversely affect your body.

Do Warm-Up Exercises and Stretches: Musicians are sometimes called “small muscle athletes.” Stretching exercises and gentle warm-ups result in increased range of motion, strength, coordination and flexibility.

Take Breaks: One’s muscles, ears and vocal chords need regular breaks to return to their relaxed state. Not doing so tricks the body into thinking that “tense” is the “relaxed state,” resulting in chronic pain and stress.

Engage in Active Sitting: Most musicians remain in a seated position for extended periods of time. Active seating helps ease chronic back pain, promotes correct posture and maintains general health.

Overall lesson here?  Music should be fun, not painful!  Take care of yourself to ensure many musical years to come.

What other precautionary advice has helped you?  Share your thoughts by leaving a comment on our Facebook page!

Image courtesy of http://www.rollingstone.com/music/artists/red-hot-chili-peppers.

But besides organizing our calendars and feeding our Angry Birds addiction, the iPhone is a great resource for music teachers and music fans alike.  Check out our original list of 5 apps for music lovers – now, here are 5 more especially great apps for teachers to check out, courtesy of www.funmusicco.com:

1. ACappella – This simple song recording app can be used to record voices into tracks that can be played at the same time or one by one. The user can adjust the volume, tempo, and time signature. The app was designed for ease of sharing files: song URL’s can be posted to Facebook and Twitter or shared on a special website called “SingSing.” ($1.99)

2. Notes for Little Composers – Designed for ages 3 and up, this app can be used to introduce beginners to music notation and basic composition. The user taps on the treble clef screen to make notes, hear the names of notes, and create simple songs. Ideal as an accompaniment to starting music lessons. ($0.99)

3. Ear Trainer – This app is designed for beginning to advanced music students, and provides exercises on intervals, chords, scales, and relative pitch. A virtual piano keyboard helps you recognize the notes that have been played. Individual progress is tracked so that users can pinpoint areas of strength or weakness. ($6.99)

4. ImproVox– Record your voice into your device and create harmonies as you sing. This app demonstrates effects such as reverb and echo, and enables you to generate 4-part harmonies in different styles. ($3.99)

5. TabToolkit – This guitar tablature and notation viewer can be used for learning guitar and practicing music. The interface shows a fret board or keyboard with finger positions and/or standard music notation. Upload tabs from your computer or download from the Internet. ($4.99)

What other music apps do you love?  We want to know – click on over to our Facebook page and leave a comment for us!

Image courtesy of http://www.appstorehq.com/playthisnote-guitar–iphone-89811/app

While you might think good breathing is only important for singers and for wind instruments, the truth is, it’s essential for everyone to master.  Proper breathing means you’re more relaxed, which helps with any performance, on any instrument.  Here are some great exercises that will help musicians of all kinds, as published on the Music Made Easy blog:

For Singers:
If you are a singer, your whole body is your instrument, so in the following exercise, try to be aware of how your body feels in relation to your breathing.

- Focus on your posture and your breathing. Standing, make sure your feet are at shoulder-width distance apart and you maintain a relaxed and grounded posture, feeling the support of the floor.
- Place the palms of your hands just under your rib cage so that your fingers are just touching.  Focus on your natural breathing and notice how your fingers come slightly apart as you breathe in, and as you breathe out, they come together again.
- While doing this, mentally check your body for any tension and purposefully relax muscles in you neck, shoulders, arms, upper and lower body which may be tense.
- On your in-breath, through your nose, count that breath as ‘one’ and release it naturally through your mouth and adding a relaxed vocalization.  Be aware the whole time of the movement of your diaphragm as well as relaxing your body.  Try to exaggerate the ‘out’ movement of your stomach, so that the air flows deeper into your lungs.  Then let the air out, making sure all air is expelled.

For Piano Players:
- Place the five fingers of your right hand on any consecutive five white notes above middle C and press down all the notes at once.  Your left hand should be relaxed by your side or on your lap.
- Focus on your posture and your breathing, sitting on the edge of your seat with your feet flat and firmly on the floor, so that your weight is on your feet.  Relax your wrists and make sure they are in line with your hand and the tips of the fingers are resting on the notes as the weight of your arms help to press the notes down.  Fingers should be rounded and comfortable.
- Focus on your natural breathing.  Mentally check your body for any tension, purposefully relaxing any muscles in you neck, shoulders, arms, upper and lower body which may be tense.  Continue to do this throughout the exercise.
- When you take a natural breath in, lift up your 5^th finger (while all other notes are held down) about a centimeter off the key and when you naturally breathe out, press the key down again. Repeat the exercise, this time with the 4^th finger (this will be difficult at first).  Remember the 5^th finger should be holding its note down now too. Repeat the exercise through 3^rd, 2^nd and 1^st fingers and then do the same exercise over again but with your left hand, choosing notes below middle C and relaxing your right hand in your lap or by your side.

For Drummers and Percussionists:
Tension in the body and breathing are linked.  If you are able to focus on your breath, you will be able to purposefully relax your body.  It is important to be able to relax because tension can interrupt your ability to play when you are attempting new and more complex rhythms and/or soloing.

- Focus on your posture and your breathing.  Sit on the edge of your seat with your feet flat and firmly on the floor, so that your weight is on your feet, and the palms of your hands resting on your legs.   You can also stand, making sure your feet are at shoulder-width distance apart and you maintain a relaxed, yet grounded posture.
- Place the palms of your hands under your rib cage so that your fingers are just touching.  Focus on your natural breathing and notice how your fingers come slightly apart as you breathe in and as you breathe out they come together again. While doing this, mentally check your body for any tension and purposefully relax muscles in you neck, shoulders, arms, upper and lower body.
- Count your in-breath, through your nose as ‘one’ and release it naturally, being aware the whole time of relaxing your body and the movement of your diaphragm. As you breathe in, try to exaggerate the ‘out’ movement of your stomach, so that the air flows deeper into your lungs.

For Wind Instruments:
Developing good breathing technique is vital for playing a wind instrument because it dictates the way notes begin (intonation), the sound quality of the note (tone quality), how long you can hold notes (sustaining), how loud or soft the notes are (dynamics) and how you get from one note to another (flexibility).

- Focus on your posture and your breathing.  Sit on the edge of your seat with your feet flat and firmly on the floor, so that your weight is on your feet, and the palms of your hands resting on your legs.   You can also stand, making sure your feet are at shoulder-width distance apart and you maintain a relaxed, yet grounded posture.
- Focus upon your natural breathing.  While doing this, mentally check your body for tension and purposefully relax any muscles in you neck, shoulders, arms, upper and lower body, which may be tense.  Continue to do this throughout the exercise.
- Breathe in through your mouth for two counts and be full of air by the end of this count then breathe out through your mouth for four counts, being empty of air by the end of it.  When you breathe out make an ‘s’ sound with your mouth (like a snake).  Make sure you push all the air out.

Readers, what other breathing exercises have you tried that have helped you?  Stop by our Facebook page and leave us a comment!

When you’re first starting out learning an instrument, memorizing music is an important, although sometimes difficult, task – even if your memory is intact.  Practice sure makes perfect, but we also wanted to share some additional memorization tips to keep in mind:

1. From day 1, practice your music with the intent of internalizing and memorizing it. Don’t wait until you’ve learned the piece to begin memorizing it.

2. Use good fingering and use it consistently. It will take a lot longer to learn the piece if you are using different fingerings every time.  Writing your fingerings in the score will help (especially if you decide to use fingering other than what is indicate in the score).

3. Always memorize the dynamics, articulations, and other markings on the page along with the notes. Don’t wait until you have the notes mastered!  It’s difficult to go back and fix things later.  It’s better — although perhaps more tedious initially — to learn it right the first time.

4. Watch your hands as you play. Closing your eyes all of the time isn’t a good idea: when performing, you might look at your hands and suddenly everything looks foreign.  Get used to watching your hands.  Look for patterns as you play.

5. Practice slowly. If you play with a fast tempo as you are trying to memorize, you are strengthening mostly your muscle memory (which is not enough, on its own).  Practicing slowly is harder, and forces you to strengthen other memories, like your visual, tactile, and intellectual memories.

6. Memorize in small sections, usually just four measures at a time — but sometimes two measures at a time may be necessary.  Once you’ve gone through the entire piece in this manner, try doubling the number of measures and going through the whole process again.

7. Repetition, repetition, repetition! Don’t be discouraged if you return to the piece the next day and find that everything you worked on memorizing yesterday seems to be gone from your memory.  It’s part of the process.  Re-memorize those sections.  Each time you return to a section, it will become more solid in your memory.

Once the music is in your head and you’re not relying on a music stand, you’ll have much more freedom to really feel the music and become a true performer.  We hope these tips help you along the way – and we’d love to hear any others that have helped you!  Make your way over to our Facebook page and leave us a comment!

Kristi’s journey began when she came into contact with a 9 year old battling cancer, and her heart was immediately inspired to do everything in her power to help that child’s family. Since then, Kristi has helped over 15 families and brought smiles to each of their faces through the gift of music. A musician and songwriter herself, Kristi wrote the song “Already an Angel,” which was inspired by the children she helps on a daily basis and brings about a message of hope through tumultuous times. The song can be purchased through the Music 4 Miracles website, and all proceeds are used toward helping more families and bringing music to children’s lives.

TakeLessons is happy to be able to help set up piano lessons for Bella, one of the Music 4 Miracles children, with our rock star teacher Karen J.  This coming July, we will also help set up another Music 4 Miracles child named Shiloh with in-home guitar lessons! Our thanks goes out to Kristi and the sponsors who make in-home music lessons possible for these children, while also offering hope and the gift of music education that can last a lifetime. To learn more about Music 4 Miracles and how you can become a sponsor, please visit www.music4miracles.org.

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Last fall I began teaching a 90-year-old woman who has moderate stage Alzheimerʼs. Knowing this in advance, I thought I was up for the challenge; however, things changed when we sat down at the piano for our first lesson and she looked around the room with a confused look on her face and said, “Iʼm sorry, I have no idea what Iʼm doing here.”

I can honestly say I might have had some second thoughts at that point. I looked at her and calmly replied, “Well, Iʼm Windy and youʼre here to play the piano with me. So letʼs have some fun!” But in my head I was mildly freaking out and thinking “Oh my goodness, what the heck have I gotten myself into? How am I going to do this? I never learned how to teach someone with no short term memory in college!”

I came home after that lesson and scoured the internet and college text books for tips on teaching music to people with dementia – but I came up with nothing. What I am about to share is what I have learned through my experience with Ms. Jimi. I am not a doctor, nor am I an expert on how the brain functions, but I strongly feel that what I am about to share can help anyone working with people who struggle with early to moderate stage dementia or Alzheimerʼs.

Over the past year, Ms. Jimi and I have built a wonderful relationship and I look forward to her lessons more than all my others because I never know what to expect.  All the orthodox ways of lesson planning, goal setting, and progressing go out the window and our 30 minutes together are more like a session of music therapy. Here are five practical things that I have learned from teaching Ms. Jimi:

1. Give The Student The Opportunity To Reach Small Goals

Early on, I realized that Jimi was not going to progress as a typical student would. She could not remember from week to week what we had played the lesson before, so it was obvious that our lessons together needed to be taught in the moment, as an exercise time for her brain.  For 30 minutes, Jimi and I play through pieces that she enjoys and that challenge her, but do not frustrate her.

Ms. Jimi can play simple songs with both hands in C position, G position, and middle C position. We have about six songs in each position that we cycle through. Occasionally, I will add a new one. Usually I will help her through the song the first time. Then we will play it again, and she almost always improves the second time. I’ve noticed when Jimi can play through an entire song by herself, she feels very accomplished. However, she never remembers from week to week what we played during the previous lesson.

2. Use Teaching Aids

As I said, Ms. Jimi is 90, so her eyes struggle at times. Large note music, with the letter written inside the note head, helps her immensely. Sometimes I put stickers on the keys to label them just like I might do for a child when he or she is first learning a position. Having the keys labeled is one less thing she has to figure out, which allows her to play through the piece more fluently and enjoy the melody.  I have also found that staying in the same position for an entire lesson helps her to feel more successful. Switching positions between songs causes her to become confused, which then leads to frustration.

3. Know When To Take Breaks

Jimi loves chocolate. If I sense that she is having a rough day and not enjoying the music, we eat a chocolate together.   Sometimes I pull out books that I’ve brought along and ask her if I can play a song for her. She loves “Claire de Lune” and each time I play it, she reacts as if itʼs the first time I have played it for her. “Oh Wow! I love that song!” she will say, often teary eyed.

4. Know When To Keep Quiet

There are times when Ms. Jimi says “Donʼt touch my fingers this time!” or “Now let me do it and you donʼt talk!” I love her wit, her will and her determination. And I have definitely learned that it doesnʼt have to be perfect, but she needs to do it on her own. Sometimes I just need to sit back and let her play; if she stumbles, I try to let her figure it out unless Iʼm asked for help.

5. Be Flexible, Creative and Make it Fun

Iʼm always looking for ways to improve Jimi’s experience at piano lessons. Even though I know I could teach Jimi the same exact lesson every single week and she would probably never know – I WOULD KNOW. I mean, good grief, if I live to be 90, I hope that someone makes sure Iʼm still having fun!

One time her grown son came to town and brought her to her lesson. We worked on a simple waltz. She played it for him. Then I asked her if she wanted me to play it so that she could dance with her son. They floated around the room and it was a special moment. On another occasion, I showed her a YouTube video about a 100 year old woman who was a Holocaust survivor and still loved to play the piano every day. Jimi loved it!

Each music studentʼs needs are different. No two students are the same, and that’s what makes our job as music teachers exciting and ever-evolving! My challenge for other teachers is to take the time to experiment and think outside the box to help enrich the lives of their students, not only musically, but also emotionally and spiritually. Music reaches deep into the soul and can bring so much joy into the lives of others!

Enjoy the Journey,

Windy C.

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Christina L. from Carrollton, TX

Inspirational, professional and friendly are all words that have been used to describe Christina, who teaches piano & voice lessons in the Dallas area. Christina has been teaching with us for just over a year and has worked with 24 students in that short amount of time!  She grew up studying music & knows how to keep her students on track while also making their lessons productive and fun, which is why they love working with her!
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Mark H. from Osseo, MN

Mark has been teaching music for over 20 years, and specializes in a variety of subjects including guitar, bass guitar, singing and acting.  He loves what he does and his passion and enthusiasm for his students and his music shines through in every conversation we have with him. In addition to teaching, he has done his fair share of performing and touring. He has even composed songs for many local bands and produced musical scores for local theatrical productions.
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Dorothea G. from Sherman Oaks, CA

Dorothea has been teaching piano lessons with us for over a year. Her students love her because she is great at challenging them and encouraging them to keep setting goals.  In addition to teaching, Dorothea has experience composing and has even composed for movies! She is currently working with some of the other TakeLessons teachers in her area to create a TakeLessons recital down the road. If you get a chance, check out the amazing introduction video on her profile!

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Scott F. from Rutherford, NJ

Scott has been teaching voice lessons with us since 2008 and comes with the highest recommendations from all of his students, who say he is patient, charming and talented. He helps them gain not only vocal skill, but self-confidence as well.  Here’s a quote from one of his students: “There is nothing worse than a teacher who’d rather show off the entire lesson than teach; thankfully Scott is nothing like that.  He is a very fun, energetic and uplifting teacher who, still after eight months, leaves me waiting for my next lesson with fervor.”  What a gift!

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Congratulations to all of our outstanding Teachers of the Week for the month of March!

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Jim P. from Wheaton, IL

Jim has been teaching guitar lessons in the Chicago area for over a year, and in that time has worked with eight students. Jim is proficient in a variety of styles (everything from rock to jazz to blues) which his students absolutely love – check out his profile videos to see him show off his skills! His students have also found that he is very patient and is a pro leading them in the direction they wish to go with their lessons, which keeps them excited about coming back for more.

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Dena C. from Horsham, PA

Dena teaches music lessons in the Philadelphia area and has worked with over 30 guitar, piano & voice students in the nearly two years she has been with us. In addition to teaching with TakeLessons, she also has experience performing professionally and working as a music therapist.  We love working with Dena because she is committed to providing a First Class Experience for every student we send her way! Her students say they have learned more from her than they ever imagined they would when they began lessons – which is music to our ears!

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Jackie R. from Elkridge, MD

Jackie teaches piano and singing lessons at several of our Best Buy stores in Maryland, and has worked with a total of 16 students since the program launched last fall.  Jackie’s students love her because she is so positive and encouraging.  She even calls and emails her students throughout the week to remind them to practice and see what kind of progress they are making between lessons – talk about dedication!  We applaud her for her positivity and commitment to excellence.

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Steven B. from Las Vegas, NV

Steven is a piano, bass and guitar teacher in Las Vegas.  He is incredibly proactive, responsible and genuinely committed to providing a stellar experience for each of the students he teaches. His students describe him as charismatic and praise his ability to cater lessons toward their individual needs.  He’s an expert at developing not only their skills, but improving their confidence as well.

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Congratulations to all of our outstanding Teachers of the Week for the month of February!

Adjoa S. – Singing Lessons in South Pasadena, CA:

Mike G. – Guitar Lessons in Dublin, CA:

Scott M. – Guitar Lessons in Denver, CO:

Jason W.  – Guitar Lessons in Burbank, CA:

Gianni D. – Guitar Lessons in Denver, CO: