Sound Off

Choosing an Instrument

As we near the end of a school year, your child may be hearing about musical options available for next year. In many area schools, rising fifth and sixth graders have the option to begin band or orchestra. They will probably have a lot of questions, one of which will undoubtedly be "What instrument should I play?"

So, how can you help your child choose the right instrument? Here are a couple of starting points:

1) Find out if they have heard an instrument that has piqued their curiosity. If a child is interested in an instrument they will be more willing to practice.

2) TRY TRY TRY! Let your child test several instruments. Talk to the band and orchestra directors at your child's school. They may have an instrument testing time set up. If not, most local music stores have staff available that can work with your child, letting them try out different band and orchestra instruments. At Roberson's Music, we are always happy to assist you and your child with "testing" out the different instruments.

3) Encourage! Encourage! Your child has the opportunity to start a wonderful musical journey. Music can open the doors to many experiences in life and has been scientifically proven to help raise test scores and improve discipline.

A musical education is one of the greatest investments you can make in your child's future. I hope this is a fun and exciting journey for your whole family.

User Rating:  / 0

You Get What You Pay For

Today let’s talk about the old saying, “You get what you pay for.”

This is especially true in the world of musical instruments.  If a new musical instrument is on your child’s list the importance of having a quality instrument is immeasurable.  Cheap poorly constructed instruments are often more difficult to play and have inferior sound quality.  This can cause a great deal of frustration for your child and lead to them giving up the instrument when they are unable to get a good quality sound.  The sour notes of a “cheap” instrument can cause severe damage to a young musician.  In addition, many of these instruments  can not be repaired as parts are not available and/or do not fit properly.  In some cases repair technicians will not even perform basic adjustments on these instruments due to the high likelihood of causing further damage because of the poor materials. Remember too, that the strong, established brand name instruments carry a better resale value than cheap off brands. 

Where you purchase your child’s instrument is also very important.  A good rule of thumb is: Don’t by your instruments where you by your milk.  Make sure the retailer is authorized to sell the brand and has staff on hand that can answer questions about the different instruments.  What happens if there is a problem with your instrument or the instrument need adjustments or repair?  Much like your car, instruments need regular maintenance to maintain proper play condition.  Most repair technicians recommend having your instrument inspected at least every 6 months.  This helps in catching small repairs or adjustments before they become major issues.  This is especially important with  students just beginning on an instrument to make sure they are not having to “fight” the instrument. 

 Remember, you are investing in your child.  Investing in a good quality instrument can bring you and your child many years of enjoyment.  It’s proven (as noted in previous blogs) that studying, playing and listening to music improves brain function and increases test scores.  So not only is your investment helping your child discover their creative side but it’s helping them perform better in core school subjects.

User Rating:  / 0

Does Music Make My Child Smarter?

Does music make my child smarter?

Yes, absolutely. Children who are consistently exposed to music show different brain development and better memory compared to those who have not experienced “The Mozart Effect”.  In 1993, Gordon Shaw, one of the founding faculty members at the University of California, led a study that concluded that students who took reasoning tests while listening to Mozart performed better exams than those who sat in a silent room. This prompted what we now call the "Mozart Effect."  As a result, childcare centers throughout the world began playing classical music CDs during naptime, and expectant mothers used headphones to prenatally play Mozart and other music for their babies. While the study has always had its detractors, researchers at Vienna University found in 2010 that ANY music played for children, whether it was rock and roll, country or classical, aided those children scoring higher on reasoning tests. 

Preschoolers love music. They love to sing and dance and make joyful noises, and music provides them with a fabulous sensory environment that promotes imagination! Researchers believe that by exposing children to music more pathways, or neural connections, are formed between the cells in the brain. Listening to music helps with these pathways, but it is through actively participating that children form the strongest connections.  Children who are exposed to music learn faster. They are better at reading and math, and are better able to focus and control their bodies. Through happy play dancing and handling instruments, they improve their fine and gross motor skills. Vocal and speech development can be improved through singing. Children have better listening skills when they have been exposed to music. They play better with others and have better self-esteem.  It’s easy to find ways to incorporate music into their everyday activities. Play a kid-friendly CD while riding in the car or doing chores.  Dance together to silly songs.  You can even look for a good, solid preschool music class such as Music, Mommy and Me, or Baby Beethovens.  Most of our local Parks and Recreation Departments have early childhood musical offerings. It’s never too early to start.

For older school-age children, listening is terrific, but being actively involved in MAKING music is even better. In kindergarten and first grade, when children are learning basic reading skills and can recognize letters and numbers, they are ready for private instrumental music lessons. Studies show that these music-making children excel in every aspect of their academic lives. Keyboard training prior to entering middle school will make a world of difference when a child is ready to enter orchestra or band. Lessons are recommended throughout middle and high school to keep your child on top of their musical game.  The U.S. Department of Education recommends the arts and music to children who are looking ahead toward college.  In fact, the arts are one of the six subject areas in which the College Board recognizes as essential in order to thrive in college (Source: Academic Preparation for College: What Students Need to Know and Be Able to Do, 1983, The College Board, New York).  Also, students taking courses in music performance and music appreciation scored higher on the SAT than students with no arts participation. Music students scored an average of 57 points higher on the verbal and 40.5 points higher on the math portion (Source: 1999 College-Bound Seniors National Report: Profile of SAT Program Test Takers, The College Entrance Examination Board, Princeton, New Jersey).  Additionally, according to the National Education Longitudinal Study of 1988, music students received more academic honors and awards than non-music students. A higher percentage of music participants received As and Bs than non-music participants. (Source: NELS: 88 First Follow-up, 1990, National Center for Education Statistics, Washington D.C.)

So, as you can see, music makes a difference.  Now go play some music with your family and "Grow Musical Children"!

Ok, so this blog article got a little more serious and scientific than usual.  In the words of Rick Perry  "Oops."  But, this is a very important topic so I wanted to do it justice. Tune in next time and I'll keep it a little more light and fun.

User Rating:  / 0

Practice Makes Perfect

Has anyone ever told you that "practice makes perfect"? This idea can be applied to many skills, but for the purpose of this blog we will apply it to learning an instrument. As the parent of a young musician you’ve probably used this line more than once and probably been met with some resistance. Practice is unavoidable if you want to enjoy the reward of a musical instrument. Here are a few ideas to make practice a little more fun for your student.

Probably the most important element: Instrument Choice
Make sure that your child WANTS to play the instrument chosen. This is especially true for those just beginning in music. Don’t choose the instrument based on someone else’s desire or because “we’ve got one of those in the basement.” Choose because he or she likes the instrument, its sound, its feel. If your child is forced into an instrument chances are high they will not be as excited and want to achieve success.

Be comfortable:
Make sure to provide your student with a nice, quiet and comfortable place to practice. If your student is comfortable and happy while practicing it will promote a positive and enjoyable outlook of practice

Set Goals:
Help your student set reasonable goals. This gives them a mark to strive for and something to look forward to. It also provides a sense of accomplishment when they reach the goal.

Have FUN:
While practicing scales, chords and other basics are necessary, make time for something fun too. Maybe pick up a book of songs from your students favorite movie, play or pop artist. Not only will this introduce different styles but it will be exciting and rewarding to reproduce a familiar song

Slow down:
If there a couple measures or particular part of a piece that is giving difficulty, have your student slow it down and repeat that section over and over. Carefully execute the fingerings / positions / strokes at a snails pace. As they perfect them, gradually speed up and before you know it will be at tempo. This will train the muscle memory and when they come back to that piece later it will be a breeze.
 

Now..GO PRACTICE!

User Rating:  / 0

My child has started a school band/orchestra program..NOW WHAT?

Keep in mind that your support is a key element in your child's success for any venue.  Achievement in music requires effort over a period of time.  You can help your child by making sure they understand they are going to make mistakes and that's OK.  Here are a few steps that will help nurture your child’s experience.

1.       Encourage Practice – Practice should be fun, not a punishment.  Find a quiet spot in your home where your child can focus on their instrument.  Try to be nearby when your child is practicing to offer occasional encouragement.  Having a consistent daily practice time will help to make practice a part of each day and promote dedication and discipline.

2.       Expose your child to a wide variety of music -  Go see live performances.  The Fredericksburg area is blessed in this manner being in between Richmond and DC many national artists come thru the area.  There are also a number of groups made up of local musicians that perform regularly in the area.

3.       Encourage your child to play for others -  Performing for others will help to build your child’s confidence.  Don’t force it, let them perform at their own comfort level

4.       Make sure your child’s instrument is in good repair -  An instrument that is not functioning properly will make it hard or impossible for your child to play and lead to discouragement.

5.       SUPPORT .. SUPPORT ..  SUPPORT!!!   Compliment your child’s progress, talk with them about their lessons, be enthusiastic and involved…it’s contagious!

Your decision to provide your child with a quality musical education is an investment in their future!  Music study promotes problem solving, teamwork, self-expression, coordination, memory skills, self-confidence and so much more.  Numerous studies indicate that parental attitude, support and involvement are important factors in a child’s ability to successfully learn to play and enjoy music.  Like any skill, interest counts far more than talent.  With the right support, playing music will become a natural part of your child’s life!

User Rating:  / 0