Ukulele Band

By Kevin Tuck

 One very important thing that every teacher is taught is that you always need to be prepared for every lesson you teach. Of course, that is if you want to end the day in a stress free fashion!

A lesson plan can be very simple, and teachers who have been in the game a while can do it almost without thinking, however they always have to be prepared with something ready to do in their lessons.

In our area of music there are a few tips that make elementary classes much more fun, both for the students and the teacher.

1. Mix up the activities

There is a saying that goes “Too much of a good thing….”, and in teaching is is very apt! Even if the children love a particular game or song they will eventually lose interest in it, so make sure you stop while they are still liking it and move onto a new one.

2. Keep the activities short and sweet

Depending on the nature of the lesson it it always best to structure your lesson into short 5-10 minute segments. In a general music/singing lesson at elementary level you would normally start with a song or two, break it up with some percussion or rhythm work and them move onto another song and maybe a game at the end.

3. Break up the routine with something unexpected!

Its definitely a good thing to keep the students guessing about what they might expect next! You should always keep some stability of course, but you may wish to break it up by heading out to the playground for a lesson with some games, or visiting another class to sing them a song. Do something unexpected and you’ll suddenly find that some students really love coming to your class!

4. Have a surprise around every corner

Young children especially love getting a surprise! Get your students inspired by having a reward for the best singer one class, then the most well behaved the next! Incentive schemes always work, but mix it with surprises and you’ll find they’ll respond even better.

Don’t call it “work” - its a “game”!

Any activity will be more fun if you approach it like you would approach playing a game! So for example if you’re going to do some theory, just say: “Lets go and do some games on the board over here.” One small change to your expressions and what you say will make a huge difference!

Always have plenty of “spares” up your sleeve!

Whenever you’re lesson planning make sure that you keep plenty of material in reserve, and always have far more than you need for each lesson. You can always have a bunch of simple music theory worksheets copied and ready if you need them, and learn a couple of songs that you know will work every time.

Your music lesson plans will be much more fun and enjoyable for your students with a couple of these simple ideas.

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Kevin Tuck is an experienced music teacher, having taught music both in schools and in his own music school business. Kevin is now editor of music teaching materials for the Fun Music Company.

Music Instruction is Integral for Childhood Advancement

By T. Mills

 Starting at the moment someone first sees their new baby, they want options to provide that child the finest things in life, states LaRae Mills, piano and music teacher at Kindermusik Cottage Grove, MN.

Studies made during the past two decades have disclosed significant findings in the field of music relating to everything from brain improvement to physical and mental health therapies.

According to the American Music Conference, children who are affected by music reveal a marked distinction in their school performance. Also sited are a number of studies which indicate the subsequent vital facts relating to musics beneficial effect on child development:

Pupils who took part in instrumental music rated drastically better than their peers upon testing.

Music classes can enable little ones to comprehend complex music concepts. Children who fail to master essential areas that music teaches, such as ratios, fractions, proportions and thinking in space and time, may not have an understanding of harder math which will be critical to their academic performance and could even affect their abilities when they enter the work force.

A McGill University research project uncovered that pattern recognition and mental representation standing improved for individuals given piano courses over a three-year period. Research workers also unearthed that self-worth and musical skills rankings were elevated for the children provided music instruction.

Music participants obtained more academic honors than their peers who did not get music coaching, and the number of music students who obtained As, As/Bs, and Bs was greater than the number of non-participants obtaining those grades.

Young children with enhanced rhythm capabilities perform better academically in elementary school.

Music instruction helps under-achievers.

(Source: American Music Conference)

“It’s been long understood that music is great for youngsters, but now studies indicate that music classes should be an essential part of a child’s education. It’s fun, creative and it’s an established system by which one can grow areas of the mind for later educational areas such as reading and math,” says Elizabeth Stilwell, ECC director at Cornell University. (Cornell News, 1999)

For adults in the Twin Cities, MN, its easier than ever to put their young kids in voice lessons or piano lessons. For example, St. Paul is one of many establishments of Kindermusik instructional classes in the Twin Cities, MN where boys and girls are signing up to find out about music and have a fun time. Cottage Grove, MN is also currently a hotbed for helping young children learn how to play the piano and also for engaging in group music sessions with Kindermusik.

With a background steeped in voice, piano and instrumental instruction, and abilities as an accomplished musician and performer in her own right, Kindermusik Cottage Grove, MN instructor LaRae Mills has specific understanding of teaching voice and piano lessons she also teaches Kindermusik lessons in St. Paul, MN. The Kindermusik method gives group class presentations as well as individual voice and piano classes for kids from the age of one year.

Whether your child is in the beginning stages of his or her education, or is ready to explore greater challenges, music instruction will accelerate personal, social and academic development. And, after all, isnt that what people want from the moment they first set eyes on their children?

Parents want to give their children the best chances for development and success through private music lessons and group lessons, and they can with programs like Kindermusik.

Enhance your childs academic, social and emotional development through Kindermusik classes Cottage Grove, MN.Help define your childs future with piano lessons in Cottage Grove, MN.Give your child the best things in life through music at www.asharpmusicstudios.com.

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Five Essentials For Getting Your Big Break In Music

By Gen Wright

 Has music always been your passion? Do you find no greater joy than performing for a live audience? Are you looking to make your passion become a reality? If you can answer yes to all of these questions, then you should seriously think about working toward your passion at all costs. There are ways you can do this. Even ways you can go about getting your big break in music. But first, you have to be smart. Plan for the big time by knowing the essentials. Know the absolute musts before you get started, and you’re halfway to reaching your dream. And these essentials are:

Hone your skills locally: Music distribution and single song distribution will only take you so far. You must play off an audience to see what works and what doesn’t. This can be a scary step in the beginning, but it gets easier the longer that you play. And the adrenaline makes any case of stage fright completely worth it.

Work every day on the creative side: You have to show the right amount of business acumen to make a career in the music industry. You cannot simply create and leave it up to your music distribution service or manager to turn you into a superstar. You have to put yourself out there. No getting around it. Still, it can become a chore really fast if you are not constantly revisiting the creative side. Keep your skills sharp by returning to what you love every day. Even though it may count as work, it will certainly not feel like it. And if it does, that can be a good gage for whether or not you belong in the industry.

Be confident and realistic: Marketing your music to major record labels cannot come, realistically, until you have taken the steps needed to start your career. Once you are ready, be confident and realistic about where your efforts will take you. If you’ve built your music into something, you will have the platform necessary to break in. When this occurs, network with people inside the industry. It doesn’t matter how small. Everyone is connected. Everyone is always looking for the next big thing. Be friendly and open to anyone you can within the industry. Let them know who you are and what you do. Taking it one step further, give them examples by pointing them to your audience. Turn them on to demos and quality archived performances. Achieve this, and your dreams will fall into place.

Music distribution or single song distribution is essential to future success, but you’re not going to get in with the big boys until you’ve become as comfortable with performing and publicity as you are with your music.

Billy Rock is the leading provider of music distribution services. Get your music heard with single song distribution on iTunes, AmazonMP3 and many more.

ukulele band

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