Welcome to the wonderful world of musical expression. No matter which instrument or vocal instruction you have chosen,  there are certain items which are required for you to achieve your greatest musical achievement.

Area One: Instrument Ownership: 

You may find this funny, but believe it or not we have actually had parents sign up their students without owning the appropriate instrument additionally they had no intention of ever purchasing or renting an instrument! We offer a short term rental solution for guitar students only  which wish to later purchase a better instrument after "seeing" that their student remains committed to the guitar. Unfortunately we are unable to offer this option to any other instrument at this time. Check with us for a list of music stores that offer other instruments on a rental basis. Remember your first choice of an instrument must be balanced with its playability and performance  specs and with the fact the student will purchase other instruments down through the years as their skill level increases  The instrument purchased for Jr. High will probably not be sufficient for College and beyond. On the other hand, a beginner has no need for the most advanced professional model either. Playability ranks number one on desire-ability scale .followed closely by durability. Name brand recognition next, and finally price. 

Area Two: Practice time:

Learning to speak music upon the chosen instrument is a Lifelong learning experience. There are no secret shortcuts to "learn to play overnight" . The television ads you see promising this type of immediate skill level are all bogus lies! You will notice they carefully never promise that you will be able to play, only that the fellow playing on television can play. Remember if you can walk over to a piano and make a note sound, technically you can "play the piano" No one can learn to play overnight. Yes, you may walk up and hit a single note and the person selling their hyped product will claim you have played. This is not what we call playing by any means. Our students learn the proper methods that will serve them for their entire lifetime.

For anyone to learn any instrument requires they spend time with that instrument. Playing is an acquired motor skill! There are no other methods that allow you to forgo putting in your time with your instrument. We suggest beginners spend a minimum of twenty to thirty minutes each day for a minimum of five days each week. More time each day will shorten the time it takes to become proficient upon your instrument! Parents, practice time is not a reward for accomplishing other goals, or for being "good"! The time set aside for practice should be scheduled and observed each day, good or bad rain or shine!

A Cheap (egg?) timer from 'Walmart', 'Target', wherever... will eliminate the ongoing questions about time. It will also teach the importance of being regular about practice.

The perfect Practice area:

No television,  stereos or video games should be allowed in the practice area by anyone! ...Parents included. (remember mom and dad they don't allow you to watch tv at your students public school either!) To learn an instrument requires the student to be uninhibited by distractions of any type. A quite room alone with no one, or anything competing for attention is a requirement. Keep younger brothers and sisters occupied elsewhere! Older ones as well! For all instruments other than the piano a music stand is most helpful. Let me rephrase that, It is required. It is difficult to hold the music in one hand the instrument in the other and beat time with one foot, balance yourself on the chair with other, We offer a wide range of stands priced from the $15.00 range for a fold up stand, up thru the $100.00 range for the ones that are actually furniture pieces meant to be seen daily.

A good chair without any arms is required. I would suggest a clock be in sight to avoid the interminable question every five seconds "what time is it"? An egg timer set for thirty minutes is also a great idea to help keep minds on work

Every Student needs to have a metronome to help learn timing. they are not expensive, no musical home should be without one!

Practice Methodology:

Put the brain in gear for music when backside  touches the chair seat. Be willing to concentrate on what you are doing musically. Forget everything else except what you are working on at this moment in  time.

Commitment:

It takes a commitment from the student to be willing to learn to play. It takes a commitment on the parents part to help make the space and time for practice available daily. Parents also commit to bringing the student to each lesson. Parents  help by removing any and all distractions from the area of the student as they practice. If baby is crying, remove either the baby or the student to another room in the house where the student may have quite for their practice time. Dad, watch the football game in another room or another house. Mom prepare dinner out in the kitchen , allowing the student time to finish practice and put instrument away properly before dinner is served. Believe it, we have had students complain about each and every one of these problems to us. To learn music is a family commitment!

Expectations:

We base each week's assignment we give  on the abilities of each individual student. It is however up to the student with parental help and involvement to apply themselves to achieving the goals we set for them. We understand students have other interests as well as music,  students are not super boy or super girl. Yet they must learn to balance life's expectations with their time. Cut down on the  television time as well as video game time. There is always a way if you look for it! "I'm bored" doesn't cut it with students that continually perform far below what they are capable of! They are not bored, they are simply not making use of their time properly.

Maybe your student will not make it to the pros in every sport they try but they can have a lifetime of enjoyment from music.

Lifetime choices are being made in every family every day! Help your student make the correct choice!

Performance:

We recommend each student perform whenever possible. If your church has outreach services in one or more retirement facilities they are great opportunities for student performance as well as allowing student the opportunity to reach out to people they do not know and touch them with their music. In addition we put on at least two recitals each year. One at the beginning of Summer, the next at Christmas break time. We also schedule other performance opportunities as they are made available to our student body.

For additional information: or to reserve your time and day
phone 903-581-5461 now!