Teachers

When I started lessons in music many years ago, I went through a number of teachers. I really do not remember many of them now, but I do support the idea that one should try to study with many teachers because you learn different ideas and of course are challenged differently by each teacher based on their experience. We have all learned that we have many teachers through books, videos, and readings we encounter.  Books are useful and there are many available to experience.  Today, you can arrange a skype lesson with anyone located anywhere in the world.  Of course, we learn best through attending concerts, and listening to recordings.  I think recordings are the best teacher!

Sightreading or reading new music everyday

Haopy New Year! The weather is just turning bad today, January 10th, 2016.  Amazing, but I think we have arrived or rather, winter has arrived.  I just completed a posting in the Accordion blog, a similar posting about the importance in reading new music daily.  This skill is so important.  I have noticed that over the last couple of years in my teaching, I have tried to incorporate more reading opportunities for my students.  It is challenging to do daily, but I think the benefits are worth the time invested in this.  Reading new music requires the culmination of all music skills - control, listening, attention to detail, and challenges the student to apply these skills in time, at a comfortable tempo.  Also, it challenges the student to be musical, to pay attention to sound quality, tuning, expression, and more.  So, every practice routine at home must include a portion of time dedicated to reading new music.  Over time, the student will improve in so many areas, including a gain in confidence!