Piano Lessons in Fort Collins, CO

Instruments: Piano Voice Cello

What advice do you have about practicing effectively?
One of the most important things about practicing is consistency. It is better to practice 15 minutes every day than to practice 2 or 3 hours in one day every week. It is also important to make sure that you practice with good posture and breath. It doesn't matter if you are a vocalist or an instrumentalist, breathing is essential! How you practice breathing will always affect how you perform. When practicing, feel free to slow things down in the beginning. Use a metronome when appropriate. Also, having a mirror to practice in front of may be helpful. By all means, work on the things your instructor has given you to work on. Stay present and learn to enjoy practicing.

How do I know if my child is ready to start lessons?
Are they willing? If so, they are ready. It may depend somewhat on what instrument they are wanting to learn, but the basics of most instruments can be taught at an early age. Sometimes they will have to start on a miniature instrument. The second question is, "Is the rest of the family ready to deal with them practicing?" Many instruments don't sound good when beginners first start. Beginner level instruments are much more difficult to play than professional grade instruments. Add that to the fact that they are being played by inexperienced students and the sound is not always going to be very pleasant. Still, this does not mean they aren't ready or learning.

When will I start to see results?
There are certain results you can look for within the first week of taking lessons. Does the student have more inspiration, energy and excitement toward learning and practicing? Do they feel confident and encouraged or overwhelmed and discouraged? There are other things to look for when measuring results. Are they making new sounds and feeling more free to experiment? Becoming more aware of freedom from tensions can be a huge result and will often lead into other results like better intonation and improved and fuller tone quality. Some things can happen rapidly at the start. Other results may take years of practice and performing. At times results will seem to come suddenly after months or years of working on the same things. What kind of exposure students have had with music prior to taking lessons plays an important roll. Sometimes, as is often the case with singers, there may be bad habits that have to be disentangled from their muscle memory. Results (in terms of the time it takes for freeing up the vocal chords to phonate without subglottal or supraglottal pressure) will vary from student to student.

Why did you choose your primary instrument?
I chose singing as my primary instrument for many reasons. Firstly, my own body is literally the instrument and I used it with my very first breath. It is easy to bring along, and though difficult to take care of, it is the chief instrument of expression and communication of my life. It is this same instrument I have cried with, laughed with, and sighed with in all the best and worst moments of my life. My voice was there for me when I said my first word. My voice is the best revealer of my heart, my thoughts, and my intentions. While it is the most difficult instruments to master--every feeling, thought as well as sickness will affect the way it sounds-- to me it is the most worthy instrument to learn to wield. When I was born my grandmother looked at me and announced to everyone that I would be a great singer that would travel the world. Since I was a boy I have found great joy in making songs and singing my heart out. There have been great challenges to overcome in learning to sing better, but there are moments when I sing where it feels as though I am making worlds or flying through new realms of consciousness and bliss. I'm able to give myself to others with love and hope. It is these moments that makes all the painful work and resistance worth facing. To sing is to live. To sing well is to live well.

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