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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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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Being able to read music is one of the most essential elements in early musical development. We often hear different approaches in introducing music to students. It is believed that learning music is like learning a new language and should be...
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No instruments make music by themselves. Their value is revealed when someone has the audacity to pick them up and try to make them sing. Our capacity as humans to act upon the world and our ability to breathe life into inanimate objects...
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Having been welcomed into SAMA so pleasantly made quite the impression on me. Though the changes have been new, many of the experiences I’ve been through before many times and have learned many things from them. As a young person myself, I highly...
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Absolutely everything. I would say they are good for absolutely everything. Now that I’ve gotten that reference out of the way, I would like to address the topic of music itself very briefly. Unfortunately, we are living in a time where the...
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What makes you study music? What makes you practice daily (I hope you do) for your lesson? Is it your parents that encourage you to do it? Is it fear of your professor? Of course this is not applicable for SAMA professors, ha! Or is it watching...
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