About My Lessons

 

What I Provide

  • Music for practice and performance  Φ
  • Music theory flash cards (as appropriate)  Φ
  • Method books for piano students
  • Book and CD of rhythm drills
  • Blank recording media
  • Practice logbook
  • Metronome (for new students if they do not already have one)
  • Use of the training software in the computer lab – includes ear training, music theory, note reading, and sight reading
  • Use of the music library at the studio
  • Performance opportunities at recitals and less formal occasions
  • One group practice/party per term (generally)
  • Recognition and other incentives

Φ  These items are to be returned to me in good condition upon request.

 

 

What I Expect From You

 

All students

  • Go to the bathroom before you get here.
  • Be on time for your lessons with me.
  • Don’t bring any food or drink into my studio or computer lab.
  • If you didn’t do the assigned homework, tell me what you’re going to do to help with the situation. If I want to know any more than that, I’ll ask.
  • If you are assigned music theory flash cards, drill with them several times per week.

Parents of young students

  • With my permission, you and your other family members may stay at my studio during the lesson. Reading material, coloring books, and crayons are available.
  • If you drop off your child for a lesson, you may not leave anyone else at my studio without my permission beforehand.
  • Be on time for the end of the lesson to pick up your child.
  • Know what your child’s homework is, help them with positive reinforcement, and sign their practice log before their next lesson with me.

Supplies and Equipment List

 

All students

  • Something to carry your music in
  • A regular practice schedule
  • A place to practice that is free of distractions
  • A piano or keyboard (recommended for voice students, required for piano students)

Voice students

  • A full-length mirror
  • Music player (CD, MP3, cassette, iPod, and so on)
  • A digital recorder can also be useful

Piano students

If you use a keyboard instead, it should have:

  • at least four octaves, more is better
  • touch-sensitive, touch-responsive, or weighted keys to feel more like a true piano;
    ideally, the keys should be the same size as on a true piano
  • and a pedal (usually as a plug-in accessory)

Digital pianos are another valid option and they're frequently more suitable than “keyboards.” If you do have a true piano, it should be well tuned with good keys.

 

Student’s Practice Agreement

When I accept a new student, we both sign a document saying basically that I will do my best to provide caring, professional instruction and that the student will do their best to do their homework between lessons, update their practice log, and bring everything they're supposed to with them to the lessons.

 

A Typical Voice Lesson

  • Warmups and vocal exercises for technique, about 15-20 minutes
  • Sight-reading exercises
  • Learning song literature
  • Developing expressive singing
  • Computer lab for 15 minutes with software for sight reading, ear training, pitch drills, and rhythm drills. (This can be either at the beginning or the end of the hour.)

A Typical Piano Lesson

  • Exercises from method books suited to the student's skill – drills to strengthen finger coordination and agility and then scales and other patterns.
  • Sometimes there will also be short sight reading and/or ear training exercises.
  • We'll cover 2-4 pages in the lesson book.
  • We'll spend the rest of the time working on additional literature from supplemental books or sheet music solos that the student will really enjoy playing.
  • Computer lab for 15 minutes with software for sight reading, ear training, pitch drills, and rhythm drills. (This can be either at the beginning or the end of the hour.)

 

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