Incorporating new literature into your practice sessions not only challenges you as a musician, but it also puts you at a significant advantage by providing new ways to approach your instrument. As musicians, our goal is to have musical...
Read morePractice Smarter Not Harder
Everybody is under intense time pressure these days, and musicians are no exception. Here are some tips that can help you make the most of your practice time! ⦁ Get organized by Prioritizing! Which pieces do you have to work on most? Teachers...
Read moreOvercoming Performance Anxiety
You know that nervous feeling right before performing in front of people? You know that feeling where your stomach starts turning, your mind starts racing at 100 miles an hour, and all you can think about is how much you wish you would have...
Read moreBuilding Your Repertoire
So you just finished performing your new piece that you've been working on for months, and now it's time to put it away and move onto something new. While it is exciting to begin something new, it is important to keep up with your old music. By...
Read moreSlow Practice and Sleep
Imagine getting better at a musical instrument twice as fast, with only half of the effort you are currently putting in. Sounds crazy, right? Well, if slow practice isn’t a priority, then music learning is not at its optimum. The same goes for...
Read moreHow Long is This Going to Take?
This question puts a lot of pressure on all involved - on the teacher to meet the unspoken goals of the student, on the student who feels that progress is not coming quickly enough, and the overall environment of the studio. There is never an easy...
Read moreInstrument Upgrades
As a teacher I often get questions from guitar students and parents about choosing an appropriate beginner instrument. However, I’ve noticed that I rarely get questions about upgrading instruments and often see students playing on instruments they...
Read moreAppropriate Performance Attire
The dilemma: it’s the night before your performance and you are not sure what to wear. If you are like me, your internal dialogue might go something like this, “I know the standard concert attire for years has been black...JUST BLACK!?” “It is...
Read moreWHY PRACTICE? Three Different Perspectives
The YOU Perspective: I don’t think it is stated enough, but the more you practice and put in the hard work, the more music gives back to you. And that’s a direct benefit to you. The more effort you make, the more rewards you will reap, and music...
Read moreStudent Spotlight
Before I began my guitar lessons, I was very shy, awkward, and I wasn't sure of myself. I didn't know how I could become confident or even just more outgoing. It was hard for me to fit in anywhere because I felt like I didn't have anything to...
Read moreBecoming Inspired to Achieve
Have you ever been to a live concert by your favorite artist and then returned home, only to have the strongest desire to practice your instrument or voice? I call that being “Inspired to Achieve.” Often times in our daily lives, we get bogged...
Read morePracticing Performance
Developing practice skills are of paramount importance in our personal and musical growth. However, there is another level of practice that is often overlooked in the studio. That is: practicing performing. I have spent many years practicing and...
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