Why are the Modes Important?
Modes have noticeably distinct sounds and feels which make it fun, interesting, sometimes even exotic sounding. This unique nature, sound, and feel alone is enough of a reason to make the modes worthy of study, because without a proper understanding of them musicians that have learned only their foundational 48 will often accidentally play natural minor instead of Dorian, or major when they should be playing Lydian, etc. For piano and guitar players, the modes are also quite useful in that learning them requires the pianist to learn new fingering patterns that will help with more complex melodic lines as they learn more challenging repertoire.
It Will be Worth It
Struggling with an embouchure week after week or even month after month can be a real downer. Of course I do everything I can to encourage students that struggle like that to keep going, that it will get better, that it is going to be worth it! What are your goals? What are you pushing through? What are you doing with this pandemic? Have you considered a musical journey? I can’t promise it will be easy, or that you won’t face similar struggles, but it will be worth it! And we would love to work with you.
The Arts Portfolio
music is so important, and not just for those that will go on to major or even study music in college. Many of the finest universities in the world see musical education, skill, and ability as just one of the many unique personal and character pieces that students bring to the table. Stanford University for example practices what they call “holistic admission” where “Each piece in an application is part of an integrated and comprehensive whole.” Read their explanation here. Nursing music education, creativity, and passion is not only right for your child (and yourself), but it may also provide an important competitive edge in today’s growing competitive world. . If you, your child, or someone you know is considering college or university study and are not yet working with someone—we would love to work with you at TIA. If you haven’t yet, you might check out Stanford’s program.
Always committed to growing. As people. As musicians. As educators.
The TIA team is committed to the journey of music; always learning, always growing, always challenging ourselves in new ways. Always committed to growing. As people. As musicians. As educators. That’s our team.
Developing Your Sound
Developing different tools and sounds can be an incredible asset and a lot of fun to develop. And remember, they never take away from who you are. In fact, I would argue, they make you a better musician, one that doesn’t just have one sound, but one that uses a variety of sounds.
Joy, Wonder, and Fun in Music, not Drudgery and Misery
We care about the music, deeply. And technique matters, but primarily as a means to better music. More importantly however, we care about our students. We want all of our students to find joy, wonder, and fun in music, not drudgery and misery.
Six Essential Elements of Private Lessons
Private lessons should be personal, friendly, engaging, and fun, regular lessons. But they should also provide musically some key elements that will stretch beyond what a student may experience in a great band, orchestra, or choir program.
What to Expect from Private Music Lessons
Your private lessons should be personal, friendly, engaging, and fun, regular lessons
Learning to Make Your Own New Ending
Sometimes musicians may need to cut a piece they have been working on short. It could be because they are slated to play their piece for an event, but it is too long for their allotted timeslot. Maybe they are working on an accompaniment piece to accompany a vocalist or a group, and the vocalist or group has decided not to play the whole piece for whatever reason.
Other times it may be a more frustrating reason. Sometimes no matter how hard you work on your music; you just might not be ready to present the whole thing. This can and has happened to some of the best and most disciplined musicians. Don’t hate yourself for it. Don’t punish yourself. By all means, do not throw the piece out as a waste or whatever. Look at this as an opportunity to practice how you might handle one of the scenarios above.
Fun with Multiple Instruments
One of the advantages of having faculty that know and teach multiple instruments is the flexibility to meet those needs. Are you learning an instrument and would like to learn another? Learning multiple instruments usually becomes a little easier with each new instrument, and it will always help you learn to love and appreciate music on a new level. All but two of our faculty teach piano. At least five our faculty teach multiple instruments. Looking to learn? Call or drop us a line today and start the journey!