Piano Lessons in Parma, OH

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Drums Bass Guitar Banjo Ukulele Double Bass Keyboard Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

What advice do you have about practicing effectively?
It is important to realize that any practice is good even if it is just for 5-10 minutes a day. The idea is to develop a positive habit and to know that even the smallest amount of time can help you to get better. Students that can do 5-10 minutes a day usually will find that the amount of time spent on their instrument will increase as they begin to play. Most people assume that you have to spend hours a day to become good and get frustrated and then don't practice at all. It's better to do a little at a time and see how it goes. It's like meditation- when you start it may be hard to focus for a long time but as you practice it becomes easier to stay focused for longer.

How do I know if my child is ready to start lessons?
If your child shows an interest in music then it is time to try some lessons. I've taught young children in the 3-5 year range who just want to hold a guitar or to hit the drums. Those experiences can be really powerful in getting a kid excited to play and practice and can help a student to a deep understanding of music at a younger age. Concepts like rhythm and melody can be taught to the youngest students and I think the most important part is that parents not develop overly high or unrealistic expectations. Fun and appreciation of music are most important with younger students.

When will I start to see results?
It all depends on the student, practice time, motivation, desire. Everyone progresses at a different rate and we all have so much going on that it is hard to prioritize. Learning music is a long process where there are lots of plateaus and climbs. For a beginner it is easy to get better quickly since everything is new and can be seen as an improvement whereas an intermediate or advanced student may take longer to get to the next level. The important thing to know is that if you practice you will get better.

Did you have a teacher that inspired you to go into music? How did they inspire you?
My orchestra teachers in 5th grade through high school inspired me- Elenore Osborne, Rich Osterling and Ken Brown- and my jazz teacher Bill Tiberio all had a profound effect on my love of music. I was fortunate to go to a high school that had a very strong music program where all of the teachers were supportive of students involved in the arts. My college teachers- not so much- but after college as I began my career as a professional musician I met older cats who taught me how to be a musician. They challenged me to get better and to constantly strive to learn more and not settle. They also taught me the importance of being able to communicate effectively and the importance of being fun to hang out with. My peers continue to challenge and inspire me to be a better performer, teacher and person.

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