Should you encourage your child to learn a musical instrument? Do music lessons have benefits beyond the ability to "Rock"!
According to Gary Marcus:
"There is a myth that children don't really enjoy learning new things, but as every video game maker has realized, the truth is just the opposite. From "Space Invaders" to "Halo," "Grand Theft Auto" and "Zelda," practically every video game is in part about mastering new skills.
As video game designers realized long ago, if you can keep a player poised on the knife's edge of conquering new challenges, neither too easy and too hard but square in what the cognitive psychologist Vygotsky called the Zone of Proximal Development, you can keep gamers engaged for hours. As long as we constantly feel challenged but never overwhelmed, we keep coming back for more and constantly sharpen new skills.
The trouble, though, with most video games lies in what they teach, which often stays with the game when the game is complete. A game that makes you good at shooting aliens may have little application in the real world.
Learning a more lasting new skill - be it playing guitar - can equally harness the brain's joy of learning new things, but leave you with something of permanent value, in a way video games ever could. It leaves you with a sense of fulfillment, which goes back to what pioneering psychologist Abraham Maslow called "self-actualization."
As Aristotle realized, there is a difference between the pleasures of the moment (hedonia), and the satisfaction that comes from constantly developing and living one's life to the fullest (eudaimonia). In recent years, scientists have finally begun to study eudaimonia. Research suggests that the greater sense of purpose and personal growth associated with eudaimonia correlates with lower cortisol levels, better immune function and more efficient sleep."
At Creative Soul, we offer music lessons to children ages 7 to 17. Whether your student wants to learn guitar, piano, voice, drums or violin, we have the program for you!
"Research shows piano students are better equipped to comprehend mathematical and scientific concepts.
Second Graders were divided into three groups: one group received private piano lessons. A 
second group received private computer lessons. The third group received no training.
Those children who received piano lessons performed 34% higher on tests measuring spatial-temporal ability than the others-even those who received computer training.
"Spatial-temporal" is basically proportional reasoning-ratios, fractions, proportions and thinking in space and time. This concept has long been considered a major obstacle in the teaching of elementary math and science."
Reference: Suburban Parent Magazine January 2012
Neurological research, February 28th 1997
Songwriting Lesson: Hooks Make Hits. Make Sure Your Songs Have Great Ones!
"If you as a songwriter aren't paying attention to hooks when you write, it's time you re-thought how you work. Most writers are familiar with the "hook." It's the part of a song usually repeated over and over — the phrase that listeners sing along with and remember most about the song. Hooks are super important in creating radio hits, and as the following points out, important when it comes to getting your music in film and on television.
One of the prime sources of income from songs is that earned from synch arrangements. "Synch" is short for synchronize, the process of using music in film, videos, commercials, etc. Income from "synchs" comes from two sources: fees from the rights granted to use the music and performance royalties paid when the synched music is played on radio and television.
A great example is The Black Keys, an Alternative band who records in Nashville. According to Billboard, the group gets about one synch offer each day, both for new music and older material. Black Keys manager John Peets of Q Prime South, who handles the requests in-office, describes the volume of licensing inquiries as "shocking."
"They write such strong hooks... that's why they've been successful with licensing," Peets says. "Most people think about synchs in terms of complete songs, but really, it's more about which 30-second snippets will work."
So the "hook" works not only to gain radio popularity, but to get into the lucrative business of providing music for television, film, etc.
The hook and the title are often the same thing, which means that the hook, the title and the idea for a song could start out together and combine to make a powerful impression for the songs that make hits and go on to be recorded and synched many times. So when you come up with an idea, try it on as a title (untitled is not an option). And make sure it works well when repeated several times as part of a chorus.
Be aware of it. Pay attention to it whenever you write. If you use them well, listeners will pay much more attention to your songs."
-By Norm Daniels
Songwriting Tips From ParamountSong Nashville - January 11, 2012
If your new to music or a seasoned pro, it can be very difficult to find the best school or instructor that would be a good fit for you or your child. If you want to make sure you don't waste your money and time on your instrument and lessons, only to quit 3 months later when your disinterested, then you should know it might be your learning strategy that needs to change. Here are a 3 successful learning strategies we have learned from our best students.
1. Choose private lessons for one on one encouragement
Pros
A private lesson instructor is essential to giving students the tools they need to succeed. If chosen correctly, only a private lesson instructor can tailor to the student’s strengths and weaknesses. It’s also a good way to get specific advice from week to week with the current challenges of practice, songs, and technique. Private lessons should also be a very supportive environment where you can receive reassurance on how well you are doing. Some of the best instructors will challenge you to go farther then you could have ever realized.
Cons
Only taking private lessons to learn music, is like having to eat only meat for dinner. Over time every student needs more. In private lessons you are watching your instructor effortlessly play through the songs or use the technique that you have been struggling for a month to learn. Though you try to remember your instructor has been playing longer and paid his or her dues, it is hard not to get discouraged if this is your only learning environment. A "well-balanced meal" for learning music lessons so to speak, requires learning in a supportive group environment with those of similar skill level.
2. Choose a group experience whether it’s a band or learning with others
Pros
Learning in a group can be so much fun. It is a good way to also measure how well you are learning and progressing in comparison with the group. If the class is structured right, it should feel like a mini performance every week which can be exhilarating and inspire you to practice even more.
Cons
In almost every group there are times where you will feel like the class is either “over your head,” or “going too slow. “ Even if you have a group of students at the same level, some people are going to catch on faster or slower at different times of their learning process. Also the group experience is not made for tailoring to your special needs but to the whole group.
3. Attend jam sessions and any other specialty classes
(ex. Jam Session 101)
Most of us feel uncomfortable in a new setting, especially when your playing music in front of others for the first few times. It’s a vulnerable feeling and some people will avoid it at all costs. However, these types of experiences can change your whole perspective about what you currently think is good music. When your interest in music grows to other genres or styles your love of learning will follow suit.
The combination of these 3 learning strategies will help the complete beginner to the experienced musician have the most success to learning music.
Casey Thomas is the owner of Creative Soul School of Music and has been teaching for over 10 years to complete beginners and professional musicians.
- Find musicians. Typically, for a rock band, you will need at least one guitarist, one bassist, and a drummer, and the lead singer can either play an instrument or not.
- Come up with a name. You can pick something meaningful or just one that sounds cool. Typically the band will decide on the name. The best names are usually short and easy to hear, read, and spell. That way it's easy to remember
- Pick Your Genre(s).If you can't all agree on one genre play a bit of both or mix together and create your own genre. Have everyone bring a mix cd of their favorite music.
- Consider making an Interband Contract or "band agreement". This contract will offer some protection for what a member can do with the name, payment, ownership of songs, equipment, etc if/when he/she leaves the band.
5. Find a practice space! Will it be in someones basement? garage? Will you keep all you equipment there? Get permission from whoever owns the property.
6. Practice! Becoming a good band takes time and effort. Practice will also ensure that you and your band-mates develop a rapport
7. Begin writing songs after you practice a lot. Write as many as you can, but you'll want to have a repertoire of about 11 or 12 to headline at a show
8. Record a Demo or Record. This will be your best piece of promotional material. It can be sold at shows, used to get record deals, agents, managers, etc.., and used to promote to fans online
9. Start seaching for gigs. You may want to build a press kit. This is the music Industries standard for a resume. Venues will look at your EPK (electronic Press Kit) before deciding to book you or not.
10. Spread the word. Make flyers and take them to your school and paste them in places you are allowed to. see if you can get friends to help you with this so the work goes faster.
Can't wait to rock? Check out ROCK CAMP