December 2007 Archives

Dec 28, 2007

Need More Students?

Posted by Thom in All, Teaching No comments

“I need more students!”

Are you a beginning teacher? Perhaps you are a high school student just starting, or maybe already an experienced instructor looking for more students. This guide will help you, no matter what you teach! When I was in high school I began working at a local music store. One December evening, the [...]


Dec 22, 2007

Access To Music Winter Concert 2007

Posted by Thom in All, Pages, Videos No comments

The students of Access to Music did a fantastic job performing at their concert earlier this week! Congrats! Watch the video of their performance below!


Dec 16, 2007

Practice Makes Perfect?

Posted by Thom in All, Mastery, Teaching 2 comments

We have all grown up hearing the familiar phrase, “Practice makes perfect!” There is the idea that the more you practice, the better you’ll get. But does it really end there, or is there something that your parents missed?
Practicing is really the process of creating a muscle memory, which is defined as “a phrase referring [...]


Dec 16, 2007

Keeping a Journal

Posted by Thom in All, Mastery, Teaching No comments

Several years ago I took an independent study class at my high school. Every day I had 90 minutes of practice time and had to prepare something for a recital at the end of the term. On the very first day of this particular class my orchestra director, always full of music wisdom, shared a great nugget with us.

“I always practiced, but I never really knew how to practice until I had gotten to college. Had I known and used this before- I could have excelled so much earlier and faster!” Not only did he tell us to keep a journal, but also how to keep a one in such a way that will really show us improvement. “Its important to structure and plan out your practice session in order to be the most productive with your time.”


Dec 16, 2007

“OOH I have ALWAYS wanted to play violin!”

Posted by Thom in Featured No comments

“OOH I have ALWAYS wanted to play violin!”
I hear this all the time! I often ask them, “Well why don’t you take lessons? I could teach you!” That’s when the flood of excuses comes in.
“Oh no I don’t have time, I wouldn’t be good at it, I’m terrible with music, I can’t afford a violin, [...]