Private Music Lesson Primer - by Mick Radford
Congratulations!
Welcome to Moore Brothers Music! First, we would like to thank you for choosing us for your music education needs. We take pride in providing you with only the best in music instruction. Our instructors are handpicked professionals who possess a vast array of experience and education and are given the highest recommendations. The following information has been provided to help insure the student’s success in their musical education. Please take a moment to review the information and if you have any questions or comments please bring them to the attention of our staff and we will be happy to assist you.
GETTING STARTED
Now that you have taken the first step to learning your instrument, it is important to get off to a good start. Prior to attending your first lesson you will want to get organized. Be sure to have your instrument, music, and all necessary accessories with you at the time of your lesson. If you do not have an instrument, please talk to our staff and we will make sure you get set up with the right instrument and the appropriate accessories. As lessons usually begin on the hour and half hour, you will want to be a few minutes early so you can start your lesson on time. If you have any question as to your lesson day and time, be sure to contact Moore Brothers Music at (425) 836-2263 and we will provide you with your lesson day and time. You should also receive an email a day before each lesson as a reminder. If you do not receive a reminder email, please notify the front desk.
THE FIRST LESSON
The first lesson is often the most important one. This is where the instructor reviews the instrument with the student to insure it is in proper working order. If not, the instructor will make recommendations and, in most cases, adjustments and repairs can be effected at Moore Brothers Music. The student learns the care and maintenance of the instrument as well as reviews the lesson curriculum and discusses goals and objectives with the instructor. The instructor will then outline and explain the student’s first assignment. It is important to address any questions the student may have with the instructor at this time.
PRACTICE TIPS
To insure the student’s success in the learning process, we recommend the student practice a minimum of 30 minutes per day. It is important for the student to have privacy and a consistent time and place to practice. Parents can ask the instructor for pointers on how they can help the student practice. Learning and playing an instrument is a performance-oriented art form and requires practice in order to reach desired musical goals. The instructor will develop a personalized practice plan with the student and make it as easy as possible for the student to reach those musical goals.
Parents sitting in lessons
Parents who wish to observe a lesson are encouraged to make arrangements with the instructor, in advance, to audit either the first five minutes or the last five minutes of a lesson. Please keep in mind, when visitors are present during a lesson it can be a distraction as well as create performance anxiety and preclude the learning process. So, if arrangements are made in advance the teacher can prepare the student properly.
SPECIAL NEEDS
If the student has any medical issues, learning challenges, or behavioral issues, it is important to bring these issues to the attention of Moore Brothers Music staff. This is so we can properly match the student with the appropriate instructor as well as advise you in other related matters in an effort to better tailor the lesson plan to the student’s needs.
RENTAL INSTRUMENTS
Moore Brothers Music has a large selection of rental instruments and provides them to most of the students in our local school music programs as well as the community with very affordable rental plans to meet your needs. If we don’t currently have what you need at our location, we have many resources and can locate what you need and, in most cases, have it for you in a few days. Once you have been issued a rental instrument it will be important to learn about its care and maintenance. Should your instrument not function properly, please bring it to Moore Brothers Music as soon as possible for inspection. If it needs to be repaired, in many cases, it can be fixed at our location. If it needs to be sent out for repair you will be provided with a replacement until yours is returned. In order to avoid incurring extra fees, please return your rental instrument by the date stated in your rental contract. If you are satisfied with your instrument and decide that you would like to purchase it, we will gladly help you become the proud owner!
Thank you again for choosing Moore Brothers Music! We look forward to serving you now and in the future!