Learning Tips for Better Playing

‘Tis the season, I suppose. While reading an article about returning students and lessons, it hit me that whether student or not, taking lessons or not, we could all use some pointers on how to learn – and thus play – better.

Making the most of music lessons is an article from our friends at Violinist.com. If you’re a string player, you owe it to yourself to check out this site; and whether you play a violin or Vulcan lyre, you can benefit from the advice within the linked article. Case in point: the author, Professor Klickstein, is a guitarist.

In the article, the author highlights the attributes of “adept learners” – personal goals to aim for in your (and my!) playing obsession that will only help us grow as musicians and human beings. He also lays out tips for improving your communication with your teacher, but here’s the secret: those tips work to polish your playing in any circumstances, even if studying alone. Record yourself. Assess yourself. Exchange information. Even if you don’t have a teacher at the moment, you aren’t off the hook! Read the full article to get the full scoop.  :-)

Next time, I hope to share some observations from my own “teaching” experiences…and yes, I did put “teaching” in quotes. If you want to know why – and trust me, you probably do! – you’ll have to check back in to find out. Until then…

Keep playing,
Mark

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Music training boosts learning

This study has gotten a lot of coverage lately, and at the risk of “piling on”, I wanted to offer a few tidbits that seem to be missing from the discussion.

In the latest article I saw about NU’s findings, published in the article Music can boost language skills, they offer the following conclusions:

“But Kraus said currently what is known about the benefits of music training on sensory processing beyond that involved in musical performance is largely derived from studying those who are fortunate enough to afford such training.

The researchers concluded that there needed to be a serious investment of resources into music training in schools accompanied with rigorous examinations of the effects of such instruction on listening, learning, memory, attention and literacy skills.”

Where to start…  :-)

First, I fully believe that during many (if not most) rounds of budget cuts in any school district, music education gets short shrift. Unfortunate? Yes. Unfair? Absolutely. Can it be fixed? Yes…but it’s not going to happen on its own, or by accident. Until music parents support the music programs with the same energy that sports parents bring to their programs – in terms of time, commitment, and monetary investment – the music department continue to be seen as an easier target. Yes, we’re all busy, and studies like this do help; but pointing to a study and wishing our music teachers “good luck” won’t change anything.

Second, the conclusion as published in the linked article above indicates that only the wealthy are beneficiaries of music training because of its expense. This should never be the case.

Our family certainly is not wealthy, but music training has always been a priority in our house. Why? Because of the values it brings to a developing child (focus, discipline, teamwork, etc.), of course…but also because it enriches lives throughout those lives. Musical training develops a talent that can be used at 8 or 80, and “sacrificing” a temporary thing for a lifelong gift to our children always seemed like a wise investment to us.

The idea that musical training has to be expensive is also a fallacy. How many stories of pop icons have you heard in which the story begins with “my grandfather gave me this old guitar/violin/piano and I taught myself how to play”? The field of music is diverse, and each area carries different hurdles; but even in the classical music field – arguably the one with the highest barriers to entry – examples of success without extensive, expensive training exist. When will we stop making excuses and start learning, regardless of the obstacles? When will we help eliminate some of those obstacles?

As PTMs (Part Time Musicians), we bear some responsibility for that. How can we help kids learn? How can we make the world just a bit better? Volunteering to teach, helping with ensembles and events, collecting used instruments, fixing donated instruments – these are only a few ideas, and there are many more.

The important thing is to get involved! Our kids’ brains depend upon it.

Keep playing,
Mark

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Learn music and learn everything better

Let’s reach into the news pile and check out something that ought to make anyone who plays an instrument feel just a bit smarter.

I just ran across an article entitled How music training boosts learning and wanted to share it. Findings like this, while possibly a bit self-congratulating, ought to remind us (and those we ask to support the arts and arts education) of the far-reaching value of music training. To quote the article:

“The brain is unable to process all of the available sensory information from second to second, and thus must selectively enhance what is relevant,” Nature quoted Kraus as saying.

Playing an instrument primes the brain to choose what is relevant in a complex process that may involve reading or remembering a score, timing issues and coordination with other musicians.

And that’s only a teaser. 

Just some food for thought to make your day. Now, pull out that axe and practice, encourage your kids and/or spouse to practice, or volunteer with a youth music group. Better yet, do all three! After all, it’s up to all of us to do all we can to make the world just a little smarter… 

Keep playing,
Mark

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Culture through music

As lifelong students of music, language, and other cultures, we have long observed how an understanding of another culture deepens one’s appreciation for both: “ours” and “theirs”. We’ve also found that the best way to really know a culture is to learn its language, both in terms of the spoken word and its music.

This article (click link to read) addresses that subject in a way that is particularly meaningful to us as Part-Time Musicians (PTMs). We’ve mentioned before how live performances can boost your motivation…but they can also unlock the “secrets” of another culture – and in so doing, your own – better than most other experiences available to us.

Without regard to the style being played, have you ever walked out of a performance knowing that, in some way, you just connected with the music? Did your appreciation of that genre of music deepen dramatically? And if it was different from your preferred style, did it have the same effect on your music? If so, you understand already. If not, you need to get out to see some live performances!

Exposure to more types of music increases your appreciation of other cultures…and your own as well. Try something new musically! You’ll be surprised where you see the benefits appear.

All the best,
Kathy

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Learning a new instrument…as an adult

Those of us who have begun studying a new instrument as an adult realize just how challenging it can be. The greater the challenges, though, the greater the rewards!

This article from our friends at The Violin Case highlights some of the health (“good for you”) benefits of playing music…and some of the just-plain-fun aspects, too. While the article speaks primarily of fine stringed instruments, the benefits apply regardless of your choice of axe. 

If you’ve been wondering if you’re too old to learn a new instrument – perhaps one you’ve longed to play since you were a child – wonder no longer! You are never too old to learn if the desire is there. The fact that it’s good for you is just icing on the cake.

All the best to you in your musical journey,
Mark

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