As the 2019-2020 school year ramps up, we know getting back into the groove when it comes to school and extracurriculars can be tough. So, to help make the transition a little easier, we've put together a guide to making the most of your music lessons.
A new family signed up their teenage son for lessons with me. He’s had a classical background full of of exams and evaluations. He practices an hour a day and spends twenty minutes on scales. His parents warned me that he wants to quit. At our first lesson, he plays a Bach piece. The notes are right but uninspired. I ask him what he listens to. Pop. So we learn “All of Me” by John Legend. An hour later he's playing it and sounds great. He's having a good time. The parents are totally confused. To them Bach is greater than John Legend. I ask the parents what they listen to – John Legend.
Listening to music and experiencing is the most important part of learning to play. Take advantage of what NYC has to offer this fall with these family friendly events.
People ask us if it's ok to start out on a keyboard or if a piano is necessary. A piano would be the ideal but a keyboard can be just as good, sometimes even preferable. Keyboards are more helpful for DIY music production and can teach students about sound design. As a working musician, most my performances are on keyboards. I practice mostly on an upright. Below are our recommendations for each.
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AuthorWill Armstrong is the founder of WillYouLearn. He's a professional pianist with over 20 years of teaching experience. Archives
October 2023
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