Free Music Lesson

Take your Paradiddles move them around your drumset add in some bass drum groove.

I don't speak slow or clear enough but it is my 1st web tutorial

Spring is here!

Spring is here and in the music lesson business that is not always a good thing. On one hand it is a great feeling when the snow melts and the bird chirp and (at least here in Winnipeg) you don't need a hazmat suit to go outside. Many music schools are planning their recitals and we plan our year end recording sessions.

It is the time of the year when we in private music education lose varying percentages of our students. Now music student attrition is nothing new for music studios but something about the nice weather really drives the exodus. This is also not the time when we lose the non practicing type student it is the time we lose the music students who are doing well and fully intend to return in "the fall". I put that in quotes because of the irony. When we quit something in April 'for the summer' we are actually stopping in early spring and when we start something in early September it is actually late summer (and our summer is too short to be chopping any part of it of).

I think the number one reason for turnover at this time of year is a new outdoor sport taking over. I like sports but what message does it send our kids to be able to quit something long term like music (10 months per year and a life time of enjoyment) to take up something short term (6 weeks spring football or soccer)?

Now if the student is not doing any sports and show some interest around spring then I would be first to say sign 'em up and add that activity to the school/music/life mix. But most times the kids are already over burdened with school sports, homework and then on top of it hockey, martial arts, tutoring, dance etc. and so when they want to add a new sport something has to be forfited. And never in the history of families has anyone said to a sports coach "my kid has to stop playing for your team because he is too busy with his music". Logically if a person is doing 3 sports and one art (music) then if they want to add another sport they should exchange it for another sport and not replace the only art in the mix!

Now we all are aware of the benefits of physical activity and of team sports but lost in the shuffle are the benefits of arts and in particular the benefits of music.

• Early musical training helps develop brain areas involved in language and reasoning. It is thought that brain development continues for many years after birth. Recent studies have clearly indicated that musical training physically develops the part of the left side of the brain known to be involved with processing language, and can actually wire the brain's circuits in specific ways.

• There is also a link between music and spatial intelligence the sort of thinking necessary for solving advanced mathematics problems

• Students of the arts learn to think creatively and to solve problems by imagining various solutions, rejecting outdated rules and assumptions. Questions about the arts do not have only one right answer.

• Recent studies show that students who study the arts are more successful on standardized tests such as the SAT. They also achieve higher grades in high school.

• In music, a mistake is a mistake; the instrument is in tune or not, the notes are well played or not, the entrance is made or not. It is only by sustain attention and work that a successful performance is possible. Through music study, students learn the value of sustained effort to achieve excellence and the concrete rewards of hard work.

• Music study enhances teamwork skills and discipline. In order for an orchestra or band to sound good, all players must work together harmoniously towards a single goal, the performance, and must commit to learning music, attending rehearsals, and practicing.

• Music provides children with a means of self-expression. Self-esteem is a by-product of this self-expression.

• Music study develops skills that are necessary in the workplace. It focuses on "doing," as opposed to observing. Employers are looking for multi-dimensional workers with the sort of flexible and supple intellects that music education helps to create as described above.

• Music performance teaches young people to conquer fear and to take risks. Dealing with it early and often makes it less of a problem later. Risk-taking is essential if a child is to fully develop his or her potential.

(the preceding was paraphrased from http://www.childrensmusicworkshop.com/advocacy/12benefits.html )

Now I get the attraction of the sports over arts scene:

It is immediately social for both the child and the parent. The kid is amongst peers for games and practices and the parents socialize on the sidelines. With music there are one on one lessons with the parent in the waiting room alone.

Sports activities have early defined boundaries you show up for 'x' numbers of games and practices for a predetermined period of time. Music lesson have one session per week with no obvious end in sight and the real work is done at home (hopefully) with adult supervision and encouragement.

But life is supposed to be about balance. It also should be about commitment.

 Music Lessons Winnipeg Manitoba

A Little New Music With My 7 string guitar

Pics are mine as well

Winnipeg Music Lessons

Long time no write/ Happy New Year/Todd Rundgren

Well it has been a long time since I have written but that is because shattered my elbow, had re-constructive surgery and i am now in the middle of 1½ years of rehab (ya it's that serious). If you have the stomach for it you can read about it here.

So Happy New Year and I will re-enter the blog-o-sphere with a little praise for one of my bigger influences as a musician...Todd Rundgren.

12 years my senior I think I first encountered his music full on with the release of Back to the Bars and The Hermit of Mink Hollow.

On the Live album he was just great with a good band but on hermit I learn how good someone could be playing ALL the instruments. The inspirational message here to those who know me is obvious. At that time I was 'just' a drummer but between Todd and Stevie Wonder I knew music, good music, could be made by just one person.

Todd, while not the household name his career should invoke, he is the writer and/or performer behind such hits as Love is the Answer, I Saw the Light, Hello it's Me, Can We Still Be Friends, Bang on the Drum All Day, A Dream Goes On Forever etc. Part of his "Rock's Biggest Cult Musician" Status could be placed on his eccentric non pop star way of behaving. Even now he seems to loath self promotion. His website used to be more a work of art now at least it provides a bio, store and something very unique a Rock camp???  But tour dates?? New record releases?? Naw that is only for insecure types.

Anyhow I will leave with an obscure Todd vid. him Playing Wait for Me with Darryl Hall.

Winnipeg Music Lessons, Jazz Bands and Recording

The Work of MY Students

I put together a 10 medley of my students year end recording work.

enjoy.

Winnipeg Music Lessons

My YouTube Channel

http://www.youtube.com/user/riverheightsmusic


Winnipeg Music Lessons

How to hold the Pick

I am a big fan of simple so when explaining things to students I like the number 3. Three seems to be the number of items I can get at the store without needing a list. 3 legs are more stable they say than 4 that’s why a tripod is used for that kind of work I guess. So here are my 3 rules for holding a pick. If followed correctly they it will minimize the myriad of wrong ways to hold a pick and give us one of the many correct ways.


1. The pointy end goes toward the guitar

2. Only 2 fingers should touch the pick (index and thumb)

3. The pick should be held on the side of the 1st finger with the pad of the thumb

Once you have done this go back to rule one.

Now outside of doing anything whacky or unconventional this should work just fine. Make sure the hand is in a natural, flat and relaxed state.

I recommend the use of hard picks for the best sound and action. Soft picks make things easier at the beginning but are a liability in the long run. Only a small portion of the pick should ‘peak’ out from between your thumb and 1st finger (it should look like you aren’t even holding a pick). The tip of the pick should glide over the strings and not get caught deep inside the strings. The pick can either attack the strings flat or at an angle.

I use #3 Jim Dunlop Stubby, it is very hard and very short, but I do not recommend it or other exotic pick as they seem to go through times of being hard to get. Better to go with a more traditional size and shape of pick while still going with the thick and stiff variety. As well avoid metal picks they wear your strings and the ‘shavings’ get picked up but the magnetic picks of electric guitars and they just don’t sound good.



Winnipeg Music Lessons