Sight-Reading Tips for Beginners: A Simple Guide

Sight reading is an essential skill for professional musicians. Being able to sit down at an instrument and play the bare bones of a piece really helps to both learning music quickly and making use of often limited rehearsal time. Sometimes, musicians will have gigs where sight reading is essential such as playing for churches, weddings, or parties. For beginners, the idea of sight reading can be rather terrifying. When you are still learning how your instrument works, playing a piece without practice can be a daunting task. Below you will find some tips and tricks to improve your sight reading and help make it a bit less of a mountain to climb!

1. Start with Simple Pieces

The likelihood of having to sight-read a complex piece early on is quite low. While honing your sight reading skills, choose music slightly below your playing level. The main goal with sight reading is to expose yourself to music you don’t already know to allow yourself to read it more quickly. Rhythm and pitch accuracy are important, but WILL NOT be perfect. Hymnals and exercise books can be really helpful to sight read out of. Once you learn a style of music (such as religious hymns or etudes), sight reading them becomes significantly easier as your ear and muscles begin to recognize what to expect.

2. Look Ahead While Playing

Train your eyes to read one or two measures ahead. It’s always important to know what’s coming next, especially if you’re playing a piece you haven’t practiced. You’ve always got to be thinking about what’s down the line. This awareness can allow you to prepare for difficult spots and maintain the flow of the piece.

3. Focus on basics

When you’re sight reading, it’s not important or even essential to play all the notes. Depending on the reason for your sight-reading, the main goal might simply be to get through the piece. If you have a moment to look through the music before playing it, clap or tap any rhythms you think might be tricky. Make sure you notice the key and time signatures at the beginning and any points at which they might change. If you get tripped up, eliminate inner voices or ornamentation—melody and bass line are often the most important parts to play. Practicing chords and scales regularly will make a huge difference in sight-reading ability. The vast majority of music I’ve had to sight read has a basis in tonal harmony (meaning major/minor chords and scales). Being fluent in those basics means that my hands are already primed to play music in that frame. Although learning scales can be a bit boring, it is an essential tool for many other musical skills down the line!

4. Don’t Stop for Mistakes

This is the most important part of sight reading. Keep the tempo going, even if you miss a note. Stopping to make corrections will disrupt the flow of the piece and can cause you to get mixed up. The goal of exercises like these is to develop fluency, not perfection. You’re never going to give a recital make up entirely of sight-read pieces. But, you may need to sight read for an audition, a service, or a gig. This skill is very important and helpful, but perfection is not the purpose.

5. Practice Regularly in Short Sessions

I would usually begin my practice sessions with some sight-reading practice. 5–10 minutes daily is much better than long sessions once a week. Sight reading books tailored to different skill levels can be helpful, but they’re not necessary. As long as you have access to music you can practice sight reading! The only way to get better at it is to continually work at it. Plus, it can be lots of fun!

Be patient and consistent. Sight-reading takes practice, and is a skill that doesn’t usually come easy. However, it’s a wonderful and important skill that is worth the time it takes to master. Happy sight reading!

~ Charissa Garrigus, Instructor at Vibe Music Academy

Cheerleader, Not Conductor: Supporting Music Practice Without Stress

You don’t need to be a musician to help your child succeed in music! There are numerous ways you can encourage and assist your child in their musical journey. In fact, it’s absolutely essentail that parents and caregivers take part in their student's’ muisc education. Read on for ways you can help your young musician learn and grow.

Music, just like academic work or sports, requires consitancy and discipline. As an important adult in your student’s life, your participation and guidance can make a huge differnce in their success.

1. Create a Consistent Practice Routine

• Set a regular time each day for practice. Forming practice habits that are consistent is essential, especially in young learners. I would often fold practice into my homework routine as a beginning pianist. It may be necessary you to sit with your student as they practice. Learning how to practice takes work, and having an adult to give advice and assistance can be really important in the early years. Ask your student’s teacher what your student should be doing during practice sessions and make a list to refer to at home.

• Keep sessions short and focused—especially for young beginners. I used to set a timer for practice sessions. Very beginning students who are young usually only need about 10-20 minutes of practice time a day. Similar to exercise, practice is about building up muscle memory along with cognitive function. As your student grows, the time spent at the instrument should increase. It’s nearly impossble to “cram” for lessons: shooting for daily practice sessions as your schedule allows.

2. Provide a Dedicated Practice Space

• Create a quiet, well-lit area with all materials easily accessible. I’ve written a previous post about how to set up a practice space for your student. You’ll want to ensure your student has access to their music, a music stand (if necessary), their instrument, a timer, and anything else they may require. Having to stop practicing to get up and find a necessary item can mess up the process. It’s also important that your student’s practice space is quiet. Since sound is the focus of practice, having to compete with other noises makes it a much more difficult endeavor.

• Minimize distractions like phones, TVs, and siblings. It’s necessary for your student to stay focused and having things like the TV on can make this very difficult. Practice should be treated like homework with intentional, dedicated time and space and withouth interruption.

3. Encourage and Celebrate Effort

• Focus on progress, not perfection. Ensure that you are maintaining a positive attitude towards practice time. Pay attention to the things your student is doing well and what they are struggling with. Playing a piece perfectly isn’t likely to happen every session, but playing it better than the last time is a huge success.

• Offer specific praise: “I noticed your rhythm was really steady today!” Kids are aware when adults offer empty compliments. Showing that you are paying attention to your student’s efforts and invested in their sucess makes a huge difference in their own perception of themself as a musician. This can also help with goal setting. If your student has been struggling with a specific passage that they finally play right, point out the measure numbers and give them clear-cut compliments.

4. Be Present and Show Interest

• Ask your student to “teach” you a concept they’ve learned. Teaching is actually an incredibly helpful way of learning. Young students are capable of this as well as older students. Pay attention during your student’s lessons and make sure to follow up with requests made by the teacher.

• Attend lessons, recitals, and check in on what they’re working on. If you have to miss a lesson, ask your student to tell you about what they accomplished during it. Oftentimes, instructors are willing to take notes during a lesson—if you cannot attend lessons, this is a great way to stay connected to what your student is learning. Get involved in the performance preperation process, and make sure to attend recitals and performances. If your student knows you are as invested in their success as they are, they are more likely to succeed.

5. Use Tools and Resources

• Check out other posts on this blog for suggestions to help your student with pactice. Things like metronome apps, practice logs, backing tracks, recordings, etc. can be really useful in

• Follow any recommendations from their Vibe instructor. Your student’s teacher is a great resource. If you’re unsure how to help your student do well in music lessons, ask their teacher for suggestions.

As an adult in your student’s life, your enthusiasm and support go a long way. It doesn’t matter how much musical experience you have—your willingness to engage in your student’s musical education is absolutely necessary. Here at Vibe, we would love to help support both you and your student in their musical journey! Thanks for reading!

~ Charissa Garrigus, Instructor at Vibe Music Academy

Ready, Set, Play: When Should Kids Start Music Lessons?

As a musician and music teacher, I have been asked often what the best age is for a child to begin taking piano lessons. My answer is always something along the lines of, “it really depends on your child and when they’re ready.” Some kids can jump into music lessons very early: I started at age four myself, partly because the kindergarten cut-off date where I lived meant that I wouldn’t start school until later and would be on the older end of my class. Piano lessons gave me something to do that helped me learn fine-motor skills, literacy, and things along those lines. Some kids, however, aren’t ready to begin learning an instrument until first or second grade. This guide breaks down some things to consider when thinking about when to begin music lessons with your child—it’s not a hard and fast set of rules, but things to keep in mind. Read on!

Readiness Over Age

As mentioned before, readiness is the most important factor when deciding when to begin lessons. Age is a piece of that, of course. But, consider the items below as they play a large part in determining how a child will do in lessons.

Key signs your child might be ready:

• Focus for 20–30 minutes without distraction. Lessons usually last at least 30 minutes. Your child’s teacher will know how to make lessons fun and exciting, but if your child isn’t ready to sit at a piano bench or hold an instrument for about that length of time, it might be a bit early to start.

• Fine motor control (e.g., using fingers independently). This isn’t to say your child should already know how to or be able to play already. Your child’s teacher will know how to help develop finger strength and independence. However, it’s important that some sort of fine motor control exists to build off of. Children around age 2 or 3 still tend to be developing those skills, which makes taking up an instrument more challenging for them.

• Can follow instructions and routines. These things depend on a child’s personality and home structure as well. Learning an instrument takes dedicated practice and a great deal of grown-up support. Practice is essential, as is following directions.

• Shows enthusiasm for music or instruments. Teaching a student who is uninterested in learning an instrument makes the job near impossible. A child’s buy-in to learning makes all the difference! That isn’t to say a student who isn’t passionate about learning an instrument at first won’t grow to love it—music takes dedication and persistence. However, a student who is blatantly uninterested can make the teacher’s job much more difficult. If you want your student to be interested in music, ensure that you expose them to it early on. Sing with them at home, play your instrument (if you play one), be intentional with listening to music. Watching my dad play the piano as a little girl and singing along to the radio was a large part of why I wanted to learn!

Age Guidelines

This guide is based on my experience as a music teacher. I taught general elementary music, beginning band, and beginning choir for about 5 years after graduating with my music education degree. As a band instrument specialist, my knowledge of when to start string instruments is more based upon the experiences of my colleagues. Once again, this guide could change completely based upon your own child’s readiness.

Ages 3–4

• Best for early childhood music classes rather than private lessons. I taught a preschool music class that focused on movement, rhythm, and singing. We didn’t do a lot of formal music literacy, and instead worked on developing kids’ senses of rhythm, beat, and singing.

• Activities like rhythm games, movement, and singing build a strong foundation. These were the main facets of my classes for this age group. Children at this age tend to have an attention span of about 3-5 minutes per activity. For a 30 minute class, that meant at least 6 different songs, movement games, or rhythm activities. Focusing on learning the intricacies of a singular instrument might be a bit beyond the scope of kids in this age range, though some may be ready. The famous Suzuki method encourages children to begin learning the violin at about 3.5 years old. I’ve never used this method myself, and can’t speak to its efficacy. Should you elect to go this route, a half-size violin and an instructor proficient in this methodology are essential.

Ages 5–6

• A good time to begin piano or violin lessons. Most of the beginning piano students I’ve taught were in this age group. Students at this age are ready to start school usually, and tend to be able to dedicate focus to both a weekly lesson and independent practice. The most common instruments to start at this age are piano and violin due to the physical capabilities of students at this age. Wind instruments are a bit on the large side and can’t really be altered, making them much more difficult to being this young.

• Can start reading music, developing technique, and forming practice habits. Being able to read music is so important. Musical literacy is akin to learning a new language. Students at this age have usually begun learning to read. Music can help develop that skill, and vice versa. As I said previously, building and maintaining practice habits is so important. Students of this age are more equipped to start this than younger kids oftentimes.

Ages 7–9

• Ideal for most instruments (guitar, voice, winds). This is the age most students begin instruments in school. Middle school or late elementary grade levels are oftentimes the first to offer band, orchestra, and choir classes. At this age, students are usually in the habit of independent work and discipline—learning an instrument can be a fun way to bolster those skills while also providing outlets for creativity, team building within ensembles, and artistry.

• Stronger attention span and motor coordination. Although children’s bodies are definitely still changing and growing at this age, they’ve usually developed enough so that holding an instrument, creating an appropriate embouchure, and learning proper playing techniques are much easier.

Ages 10+

• Great age to begin with deeper musical understanding. One is never too old to start an instrument or deepen one’s understanding! Although I had piano lessons starting very young, I didn’t take my first clarinet lesson until I got to high school. I’d played the instrument all throughout middle school, but had never taken a lesson. Starting lessons at that age allowed me to grow far more proficient in technique and skill—I’d always recommend taking private lessons if able!

• Often more self-directed, leading to faster progress. Much of the work older students do comes from their own practice. Private lessons allow students to dig more deeply into solo repertoire and explore aspects of their instrument that might not be available during ensemble classes.

Matching Instrument to Age

Based on these guidelines, here is a snapshot view of potential instrument starting ages. Once again, your student’s own interest and readiness are the most important piece in selecting an instrument!

• Piano: Versatile starter for nearly all ages.

• Violin: Potentially appropriate for age 3.5 and up with smaller sized instruments

• Winds and Guitar: Best at age 7+ due to finger strength

• Voice: Formal lessons around age 8+, but early musical games are helpful. Due to vocal changes during puberty, formal lessons usually wait until the voice has developed more. However, the vast majority of general music I taught from preschool onwards included singing.

If you’re curious about starting your child out with an instrument, one of the best things you can do is schedule a trial lesson or consultation with a private music teacher. Here at Vibe Music Academy, we always offer free first lessons. These usually include a consultation regarding what your child is interested in learning, any previous skills or knowledge, and what your child would like to get out of lessons. Having a trial lesson can help establish your child’s readiness and the appropriateness of an instrument for your student. Remember, t’s never too early to explore—and never too late to start! Thanks for reading!

~ Charissa Garrigus, Instructor at Vibe Music Academy

Why Recitals Matter (And How to Help Your Student Prepare)

I remember my mom telling me after my third college audition that even though she knew how terribly anxious I was, she thought that she might be even more nervous for me than I was. I didn’t believe her at first (I mean, I was clammy, shaking, red-faced…all the hallmarks of intense performance anxiety) . But, as time goes on and I have stepped into mentoring, teaching roles at times I do think she may have been right. As supporters, guardians, parents, loved ones of musicians, it is difficult to see a young person struggle to overcome extreme nerves. So, why do we make ourselves do this? Because, recitals aren’t just about performance; they’re about growth, confidence, and celebration. Read on to learn about why these events are so essential and how to help your student succeed.

Why Recitals Matter

1. Build Confidence

• Performing in front of others teaches resilience and self-assurance. I am a very laid back person. My partner once referred to me as the “queen of the introverts” which I must admit isn’t entirely inaccurate. So, why on earth did I choose to be a professional musician? It’s because of recitals and performances. I found myself so much more confident in myself after playing in a recital—even though concerts were really hard for me (I also am an extremely anxious person), doing them anyway built a sense of pride and accomplishment in me that I wasn’t finding anywhere else. I’ve seen my students who are unable to give speeches or class presentations shine in band concerts where even other teachers didn’t think they would be able to succeed due to their nerves. The smile on a young musician’s face after a recital makes the stress worth it and teaches them that they can in fact do things that are difficult. Confidence is just as much a reward as demonstrating musical success.

2. Set Clear Goals

• Having a performance date gives students a static goalpost to work towards. I know for myself that if I don’t have a performance on the books I find it hard to motivate myself to practice. I’m much more goal-oriented then self-starting, which is the case for many musicians. This is the reason lots of runners sign up for 5ks or readers join book clubs—deadlines are so helpful in getting ourselves to put in the daily work in order to accomplish a task. Though there is certainly value in learning for the sake of learning, building up towards a performance goal can help push a student to give their best effort. It’s much easier to get lazy when one knows there’s no chance of anyone besides an instructor knowing about it. Demonstrating skills in front of an audience is an excellent motivator for a good work ethic!

3. Celebrate Progress

• Recitals let students and families see how far they’ve come, not just the mistakes. My grandparents who came to pretty much all of my recitals would always comment on how much progress I made year to year. When it finally came to my senior recital from college, I remember them talking about how far I’d come from my first performances at 5 years old. It’s always important to celebrate the strides one is making and recitals provide excellent milestones by which to measure progress. Watching them back can be a fun experience that helps young musicians see their growth along with capturing memories.

4. Share Music With Others

• Music is meant to be shared — it connects people, inspires, and builds community. This has always been something that has drawn me to music. I was a very shy kid who had a hard time talking to people. Music was where I felt I could express myself, and I remember feeling so much joy when people would come up to me after a performance and mention the connection they had with the music. This was such a central piece in why I chose to continue performing, and it’s a special part of recitals. Sure, the music may be selected by a teacher. But, music brings people together in unique ways. It builds a community that comes together to celebrate success.

5. Learn From Peers

• Watching others perform opens students’ eyes to new music, techniques, and possibilities. Returning to my own experience, listening to the older students perform was always a huge motivator for me. When I became one of the older students, I felt pride at demonstrating what could be accomplished. Peers are a large part of a student’s success, and performing at recitals allows a showcasing of talents and progress that are really valuable in a young musician’s development.

How to Help Your Student Prepare

1. Encourage Regular, Focused Practice

• Help your child break their piece into small sections, practice slowly, and repeat intentionally. There are several posts on this blog regarding proper practice techniques so I won’t spend too much time here. Suffice it to say that being involved in your student’s practice helps build a feeling of teamwork. Knowing that they have a solid support system who values and cares about their music is so important to a young musician. Invest in your student’s success by helping them utilize good practice techniques that will help them have the most successful performance they can.

2. Create “Mini Performances” at Home

• Have your student play for family, friends, or even stuffed animals to practice nerves. My parents had me do this all the time as a kid. Every time we hosted a birthday dinner or other event, I’d get asked to show what I was working on in lessons. I absolutely hated it, and also loved it at the same time. Whether or not I did an amazing job, my grandparents would applaud and be so proud of me. It also helped to practice the feeling of nerves, so they weren’t as much of a surprise when it was time for recitals. It’s also super helpful to work on playing a piece all the way through without stopping and being aware of how it feels to be watched and listened to while playing.

3. Normalize Mistakes

• Remind them it’s okay to make errors — the goal is expression, not perfection. A 100% perfect performance is very rare. I’ve attended professional orchestra concerts and noticed wrong notes. One of my undergraduate piano professors told me that any performance is only going to be about 70% as good as your best practice session. This was meant to encourage excellent practice, and it worked. In any event, part of the reality of live performance is that mistakes will happen. The goal is to prepare extensively to minimize mistakes, and not panic if and when they happen onstage. This is not to say that we should encourage lazy practice or sloppy playing—it means that focusing on recovery, and the parts of the performance that went well will help a student to avoid fixation and perfectionism. A few missed notes are almost a guarantee, and that’s ok. What matters is the effort, progress, and success of performing an instrument in front of others!

4. Support Positive Mindset

• Praise effort, not just results; help them visualize a successful performance. Self talk is a big deal. Even as a professional pianist, I sometimes get in my head during a concert. This can be dangerous as I lose focus on what I’m doing and am more prone to anxiety and mistakes. Focusing on the positive, and trying as hard as possible to be in the moment are so important. Encourage your student to remind themselves how great they will feel afterwards, and how much fun it is to show off their hard work to family and friends. Make sure you focus your encouragement on effort, and not a perfect performance. Being brave enough to perform is a huge deal in and of itself, whether there are a few wrong notes or not!

5. Prepare the Logistics Early

• Make sure they know what to bring (music, instrument, water), what to wear, and when to arrive. I’ve written a post before about how to prepare for a performance. Running through all the materials needed, setting out an outfit the night before, visiting the venue if allowed—these things will all helped to calm nerves and help reduce the uncertainty that a performance can bring. The more preparation that can be done beforehand, the better!

Conclusion

Recitals may feel intimidating, but they offer irreplaceable life lessons. With encouragement and preparation, students walk away proud — ready for their next musical milestone. Thank you for reading and best of luck at you or your student’s next performance!

~ Charissa Garrigus, Instructor at Vibe Music Academy

Practice. Plateau. Power Through.

What to Do When You Hit a Plateau in Your Playing

Every musician hits a plateau—when you’re practicing but not seeing much progress. It’s frustrating, but it’s also completely normal. In fact, it usually means you’re close to a breakthrough. Here are a few ways to get unstuck and keep moving forward.

1. Set Smaller Goals

It’s so easy as musicians to become over-ambitious! We feel the need to cram as much learning as we can into a short timespan and it’s easy to become frustrated when learning takes more time than anticipated. Instead of focusing on big outcomes (like mastering a whole piece), zoom in. Work on just a few measures, improve one tricky transition, or bump your scale speed by a few BPM. Small wins lead to big progress. I like to break larger pieces into sections either by page, rehearsal letter, or measure number. This can also help keep you from getting overwhelmed when starting something big! Keep track of those sections in a notebook or practice app, and it will help your practice to become more structured and progress more visible.

2. Change Your Routine

If your practice feels stale, switch things up. It’s easy to go through the motions especially in something as necessarily repetitive as practicing an instrument. Though this can be helpful cognitively, it can also be detrimental. A new approach can refresh your focus! Here are some small ways to change up your practice sessions if you feel like you’ve fallen into a rut.

• Try a new warm-up. Maybe this is a new scale, a short etude, or even something fun that’s completely not what your normally do: a lick from a pop song, or a silly party-trick to show your friends.

• Practice at a different time of day. Sometimes the brain just needs to be surprised by different lighting or background sounds in order to wake itself back up!

• Use a metronome or backing track. Like I mentioned in my last post, using backup tracks or other digital methods can help switch up the mindset especially if you are used to playing in a group or ensemble.

• Record and listen to yourself. This can feel somewhat daunting, but it’s a very helpful way to hear things in your playing that you may have missed initially. It’s also a great way to practice for performance!

3. Adjust Your Mindset

Progress isn’t always visible day to day. Don’t confuse a lack of obvious improvement with failure. Keep showing up—that consistency is powerful growth in itself. As long as you sat down at the piano, or picked up your horn, you’ve made progress. Keeping track of where you’ve come from is super helpful here. Have a practice goal relating to time such as practice an hour a day. That way, instead of feeling like you’ve failed if you don’t perfectly polish the spot you’d intended, you’re still making strides towards your goal by taking the time to practice.

4. Learn Something New

Step outside your comfort zone. It’s easier to get burned out if you are doing the exact same thing every day. If you need a little break, try something you don’t ordinarily do to get some spring back in your step. In addition, exploring something new can re-energize your practice and teach you skills that transfer back to the repertoire you’re working on.

• Pull out an old piece. What’s a piece you really loved that you haven’t played in awhile? Try it out and remind yourself how much fun it was to play!

• Learn a song by ear. This is great aural training, but it can also challenge the musical brain in ways normal practicing does not. Plus, it’s a good excuse to listen to your favorite song a whole bunch!

• Try a pop song or soundtrack piece for “fun music” at the end of a session. I had piano teachers that would let me play what they called “fun music” when I needed a break from repertoire. Get a book with songs by your favorite singer, a musical that you really love, or a soundtrack you enjoy. Choose one and spend time learning it at the end of each practice session—now you’ve got something to look forward to if you’re in a practice rut!

5. Ask for Feedback

Sometimes a fresh set of ears makes all the difference. Ask a friend to listen, show a recording to someone you live with. You might discover small changes that unlock big progress! This can also help with practicing for performances. Reach out to other musician friends to get their advice on beating a progress plateau—changes are they’ll have some great suggestions as they’ve also been there too!

Bonus Tip: Take a Break

Sometimes rest is the most productive thing you can do. Step back for a day or two—you might return with a clearer head and new motivation. Burn out is a real problem for lots of people, no matter how young or old. Make sure you’re taking care of yourself and know when you need a little rest!

Practice plateaus are a normal part of the learning process. If you feel like you’re stuck don’t worry—it definitely won’t be forever. You’ve got this! Thanks for reading and happy practicing!

~ Charissa Garrigus, Instructor at Vibe Music Academy

From Playback to Performance: Using Recordings to Elevate Music Education

How to Use Recordings to Enhance Music Education

Incorporating recordings into music education can transform the learning experience for students of all levels. Whether teaching in-person or online, recorded music provides an invaluable tool for improving listening skills, technique, and musicality. Here’s how educators and students can use recordings effectively as both practice tools and teaching aids.

1. Active Listening Exercises

Encourage students to engage with recordings through focused listening. As a primarily auditory learner myself, I benefit so much from listening to a piece while I’m learning it. This is not to say that one should simply have a student copy a recording—it can just be immensely helpful to organize a melody or pattern aurally and recordings are perfect for that. Furthermore, active listening is an essential skill for musicians, especially if one is playing in a group. To encourage active listening, recordings can be utilized both during and outside of lessons. Students can be instructed to:

• Identify different instruments and timbres. Which instrument has the melody? If it is a solo instrument performance, how is the musician changing their sound to create musical interest and timbral change? How could these changes be incorporated into the student’s own repertoire?

• Analyze structure and form. How is the piece organized? Are there methods in which understanding the organizational structure can help with interpretation? This skill is very important for any students wanting to go into music as a profession!

• Compare different interpretations of the same piece. Especially for more advanced students, having musical opinions is very important. Which interpretations does the student prefer and why? Are there things that can be taken from different recordings to create a new understanding of the piece? Help the student articulate using musical language why they do or do not enjoy particular interpretive choices. This is a fantastic opening for discussion!

• Transcribe melodies, rhythms, or harmonies by ear. Transcription is another skill that advanced students will benefit from especially if they plan to study music in college. Having a solid dictational foundation can really set a student apart in auditions and interviews. Beyond that, some students are very skilled in playing by ear. Encouraging them to write down what they hear builds musical literacy by allowing the student to make associations to what they hear and read in notated form.

2. Play-Along Practice

Using recordings as a practice aid helps students improve their timing and ensemble skills. This technique must be used with care as it can become a bit of a crutch. However, if used correctly, it can be extremely beneficial. When I am preparing a larger piece, I do try to play along with recordings at times to see how I fit into an ensemble, especially if I have limited rehearsal time. Try these techniques:

• Practicing with accompaniment tracks to simulate playing in a group. Playing along with an accompaniment track can be helpful when rehearsal time is limited, or if a live accompanist will not be present at a performance. It’s very helpful to understand where one fits into the musical landscape of a piece and to hear how one’s part interacts with the rest of the musicians. Playing with a track can help a musician situate themselves within the piece. It’s also great practice for listening to another part—if you just practice your part and then try to add it into a larger group, you can run into unexpected stumbling blocks!

• Playing along with professional recordings to match articulation and dynamics. This should not be an everyday tool nor should it become the only way one rehearses a piece. This can lead to robotic playing or simple mimicry. However, it can be helpful for trying out different touch, textures, articulations, and so what. Playing in ways one normally does not can help encourage musical variety and offer different styles and techniques outside of one's comfort zone.

3. Studying Performance Styles

Expose students to different recordings of the same piece to highlight stylistic variations. Encouraging a student to locate particular performances they enjoy can open discussions about lots of musical areas. Have a student locate several different performances of a piece, and spend some time analyzing the differences. What is it about a particular performance that the student likes or dislikes? How might those techniques be applied to the music being learned in lessons? Consider discussing the following:

• Differences in phrasing, tempo, and interpretation. What is written in the music and how does the performer choose to apply it? Is there a wrong way to play a piece? If you were (or are) performing this piece, what would you do differently or the same? Why make those choices? Use the score as evidence and to promote analytical thinking.

• How historical recordings compare to modern performances. Is modern recording accurate when performing historical pieces? This is a whole topic in musicology of course, but it can lead to some interesting conversations and interpretive options for advanced students.

• The unique characteristics of various genres and cultures. How does the playing of your student’s instrument change when performed by in a different genre? Compare classical, jazz, and folk versions of violin playing, piano, and any other instruments. What do those musicians do differently? Encourage your students to listen to music they might not normally choose—what to they like or dislike about it and why?

4. Self-Recording for Feedback

Motivate your students to record their own playing to track progress and refine technique. Though this can be difficult to do, it’s so helpful for self assessment. I avoided recording my practicing for a long time as I didn’t want to listen to my own mistakes. However, I’ve learned that it can be extremely useful. Benefits of self-recording include:

• Identifying mistakes that might not be noticed while playing. When practicing, there are so many things to think about. One might be focusing on rhythm and miss a note, or considering phrasing and skip an important dynamic change. Recordings are helpful tools that point out these issues so that they can be addressed quickly and efficiently.

• Comparing recordings over time to measure improvement. Sometimes it’s tricky to evaluate one’s own playing and notice the progress that’s being made. Recordings of progress are very helpful in this way as they can easily provide demonstrations of success as well as showing improvement.

• Building confidence before recitals or performances. Recordings can serve as a performance simulation. This helps to practice confidence and recovery if mistakes are made. Making a “one take” recording is just about as close to performing as one can get in a solo practice session! I find this very helpful at the end of my practice sessions when I’m doing a run-through of a full piece and would recommend it especially as performances get closer.

Final Thoughts

Using recordings in music education enhances ear training, technique, and appreciation. Whether analyzing, playing along, or self-recording, students can deepen their musical understanding in ways that traditional methods alone may not achieve. Thanks for reading, and happy practicing!

~Charissa Garrigus, Instructor at Vibe Music Academy

How to Choose the Right Musical Instrument for Your Child

As I have written in numerous posts, learning an instrument can have a host of benefits for a child. Social, emotional, and academic growth are common results of studying music. Once you have decided that your student will be learning music, though, how do you choose which instrument they should play? Many factors including personality, physical ability, and interest play a part in this selection. Read on!

 1. Consider Your Child’s Interests and Personality.

Does your child prefer soft or loud sounds? Are they drawn to rhythm, melody, or harmony?  Their favorite music styles may indicate a preference for certain instruments.  When listening to music, what songs spark joy in your student? Does she have a preference for instruments that fit in a band or an orchestra? Is he always imitating the drums? Selecting an instrument that fits your student’s desires can really help motivate them to practice and continue to work on improvement. Just because you have Aunt Debbie’s old clarinet in the closet or because the Smith family always plays brass instruments doesn’t necessarily mean those are the correct choices for your budding musician. Take your student’s interests into account when choosing their instrumental path!

2. Assess Physical Factors

• Size & Age: Pretty much all instruments can be played by anyone regardless of size, age, physical ability, etc. However, some may be more difficult than others if your student is particularly young or small. Some instruments (such as the tuba or bassoon) require larger hands or strong breath support. What instrument will be the most comfortable for your student’s physical makeup? Is there any pain when trying the instrument out?  

• Dexterity & Coordination: Does your student have especially nimble fingers that could be well suited to the piano? How about an innate sense of rhythmic coordination that could be excellent in a drummer? These things once again can pretty much always be taught regardless of existing skills. However, some students might be innately more successful with different instruments. I was much more successful trying out the clarinet than I was the trombone due to my body composition and lip shape. Instrument try-outs are a must!

• Braces & Dental Considerations: Brass and woodwind instruments may be affected by orthodontics.  If your student is due to have severe dental work done, a string instrument or percussion might be a better choice. Many students do have braces at some points during their high school career—I did, and was able to play my clarinet just fine. However, this is something to think about as it can be a bit of an issue for some players.

3. Think About Practicality

• Cost of the Instrument & Lessons: Some instruments are more expensive to purchase or rent, while others are pricey to maintain. What fits in your family budget? If you do have a quality instrument that just needs some repair, how much will that cost? Does the school provide instruments, or is there a local business that can allow for leasing/rentals? Many music stores offer very reasonable rates on instruments that either include repairs or offer substantial discounts. Connect with local music educators and see what you can find!

• Portability: Consider how easy it is to transport. If your student is taking an instrument on a school bus, the harp might not be the best choice. Where will the instrument be kept at home? Pianos are wonderful, but a keyboard might be more practical if it will need to be moved regularly. If your student does choose a large instrument, consider seeking out a teacher who travels to students so that the instrument doesn’t have to be moved as often and risk damage.  

• Noise Level: Is it suitable for home practice? Throughout my time as a music educator, I have had multiple students come to me with the excuse that they couldn’t practice at home because they were “too loud.” Are you prepared to listen to a beginning trumpet player? Of course, your student will sound better as time goes on and no one needs to play at the loudest possible level all the time. However, it seriously inhibits a young musician’s growth should she not be able to practice due to “noise.” Think about a practice mute/pad, a designated practice space, and your own sanity before choosing an instrument that could be detrimental to this.

4. Try Before You Commit 

• Rent or borrow an instrument before purchasing.  It is absolutely essential to try out an instrument before purchasing one! I have had many students who think they want to play one instrument only to discover that they are far more excited about a different on once they try it out. Instruments can sound and feel completely different when actually being played, and some students have more success with different instruments than others. Never purchase an instrument online without trying it out or having a trusted advisor vet it for you—local music stores will often be able to secure instruments that are affordable and quality. Amazon and ebay are not the way to go!

• Attend instrument demonstrations or beginner classes. When I was directing a beginning band, I always hosted an instrument try-out day so that my students could experiment and see what they were best suited to. As an early college student, I decided to upgrade my clarinet and went to a local music store with my teacher to try out instruments. This is so important for a student who will be pursing music—there is no way to know if the instrument is the right choice until it has been played. Below are some Indianapolis music stores to consult you are searching for somewhere to try out instruments.

  • Musicians’ Repair and Sales: Located downtown Indianapolis. Offers brass, woodwind, and string instruments. https://www.musiciansrepair.com/?srsltid=AfmBOopnqewG2yfCoD3cfnVrDvN0fXK7IXrCgfkCz1rxpqZ1QUkI2Drf

  • Arthur’s Music Store: Located in Fountain Square. Offers mostly guitars and string instruments. https://www.arthursmusic.com/

  • Paige’s Music: Located in Fishers. Offers brass, woodwind, and string instruments. https://www.paigesmusic.com/paiges/run?id=6

  • Guitarworks: Located in Greenwood. Offers primarily guitars. https://www.guitarworksin.com/

  • Piano Solutions. Located in Carmel. Offers pianos new and used, and guitars/ukuleles. https://www.pianosolutions.net/

Choosing the right instrument makes learning music more enjoyable. Encouraging exploration and having patience are extremely important as part of this decision-making process. The best instrument is the one that keeps your student engaged and excited to play! Best of luck and happy hunting!

—Charissa Garrigus, Instructor at Vibe Music Academy

Creating Harmony: Building a Positive and Inspiring Music Classroom

Creating a space in which students feel comfortable being vulnerable is one of the cornerstones of successful music education. Whether you are teaching in a classroom or a private studio space, building an environment where your students feel safe, respected, and challenged is absolutely essential. Read on for some tools to help you get started!

There are both physical and social/emotional steps that can be taken to ensure an environment that fosters creativity and growth.

1. Set Clear Expectations: As any teacher who has ever stood in front of a classroom full of kids knows, ground rules are a must. This is true for both a classroom and a private lesson space. Having an established set of guidelines and boundaries that set the music space apart both prepare the student for what is expected of them and allow them to know their limits. These rules should be clear and stated outright—this will help to establish respect, focus, and collaboration between teacher and student. Alongside this, expectations need to be set that the music space is a safe place for mistakes and questions. Because of the nature of music itself, mistakes are a huge part of learning. Creating an environment in which mistakes are allowed and questions can be asked helps to build a solid mentoring relationship between teachers and students and can help the student take ownership of their own learning.

2. Foster a Growth Mindset: It is very easy for students to be hard on themselves, especially in our culture of intensity and perfectionism. This means that It is the job of teachers to support and encourage their students to focus on the value of effort over perfection. Teachers should encourage students to view mistakes as part of the learning process. This doesn’t mean students should be allowed to take advantage of grace given to them as they learn—having high expectations is also essential as discussed in the last point. However, building a growth mindset creates trust and will pave the way for success.

3. Promote Inclusivity: Especially in a larger classroom setting, it is very important to ensure all students feel valued, regardless of skill level. Everyone needs to feel seen and heard, and they can certainly tell if this isn’t the case! Furthermore, adapt lessons for diverse learning needs. Classroom teachers often receive instruction regarding how to do this, but it is equally necessary for private students. Everyone deserves equal access to music education and it’s on us as music educators to ensure that they do!

4. Make Learning Interactive: This touches on points I’ve made in several other blog posts. The most that we can do for our students is encourage their gifts and joys. What are your students passionate about? What are their goals and dreams? How do they learn best? Incorporate engaging activities like games, technology, and hands-on exercises into your lessons if you believe that would be the most helpful for your students. Cater to different learning styles and musical interests—composition, history, theory, and all of those things!

5. Support Creativity: Encourage creative exploration in music. This ties into the last point, but it also goes further than that. Oftentimes, music lessons can be reliant on the teacher lecturing. What does your student bring to the table? What are their talents and how can they be nurtured? Allow students to express themselves through improvisation and composition, and instill in them the ability to express themselves in music.

Creating a positive learning environment fosters student growth and enjoyment in music. Try out some of the tips above, and make your musical both safe and challenging for students. Happy teaching!

—Charissa Garrigus, Instructor at Vibe Music Academy

Music Education for Adults: It's Never Too Late To Start

Ever wished you had learned an instrument as a child? It's never too late to start! Oftentimes, we are socially condition to be nervous about trying something new at an older age. However , there are so many incredible benefits to learning an instrument as an adult! Read on to find out more.

In my mind, there are three huge benefits to learning an instrument or participating in music as an adult beginner. I have had the privilege of working with adults in instrument lessons but also as part of ensembles and choirs. Especially when participating in groups with older adults, music can be extremely helpful in retaining cognitive skills.

• Mental Health: Playing music reduces stress, boosts brain function, and improves memory. I remember a singer in one of the choirs I played for who was struggling with dementia. He had difficulty keeping names in his head, but was able to sing beautifully from memory. Similarly, I have heard from my adult students that playing their instrument helps them deal with stress in a healthy manner.

• Emotional Health: Participating in music provides an emotional outlet, increases self-esteem, and brings joy. Playing an instrument is so much fun! Some of the feedback I’ve gotten from adults who either begin or restart lessons talks about the enjoyment of being able to express themselves in a new way. Music can be so helpful to process emotions in a healthy manner. Learning a skill increases self esteem!

• Social Connection: Music generates opportunities for joining groups or learning in community settings. Many adults don’t take time to do things for themselves. Joining a choir or community ensemble can foster connections between other musicians of similar experience levels and allow for important social interactions. Especially in the case of older adults, being connected to a community can be difficult. Music is an incredible way to bridge that gap!

There are many potential concerns that adults express when starting something new. These are some of the most common.

• “I’m too old.”: Many argue that it is more difficult for an adult to learn due to decreased neuro-plasticity. However, I think that the discipline and patience adults are able to exert over their practice makes them sometimes more effective learners. Lesson time can be spent on acquiring techniques and more complex skills since adult learners can be trusted to practice and follow through on their own. I find it often far easier to teach adults than children!

• “I don’t have time.”: In our fast-paced world, it can be hard to consider adding things to the plate. However, learning an instrument does not have to be a huge time commitment. Short practice sessions can be very effective as long as they are consistent. With the advent of zoom and other online interfaces, lessons can even be given digitally. I’ve taught and received lessons virtually and had great success with them!

• “I have no experience.”: The best way to get experience is to begin! Learning an instrument takes time and patience: beginners can start simple and progress at their own pace. The key is setting realistic, achievable goals and making sure to take note of progress. Choosing pieces that are fun to work on can also be a big help in motivating one to practice.

Once you’ve decided to take the musical plunge, what’s next? I’ll outline the first few steps here below.

• Choose Your Instrument: Start with beginner-friendly instruments like piano, guitar, or ukulele. These instruments can be acquired easily and are faster to start on. There is no need for secondary instruments to accompany, and music from all different genres is easily available.

• Learning Methods: Once you’ve chosen an instrument, then it’s time to choose a teacher. Private lessons are a fantastic way to get one-on-one instruction catered to your own goals, experiences, and strengths. Oftentimes, private teachers offer flexible locations either in their own home studio or yours. Virtual lessons are also an option and can be very convenient. Group classes are another great possibility as they will provide opportunities for social connections as well as performance practice. There’s no wrong way to go about it, take the path that fits best with your learning style and needs.

• Set Realistic Goals: As I mentioned previously, it’s really important to focus on small achievements and celebrate progress. Learning any new skill takes time, and it’s really necessary to have that in mind when taking up a new endeavor. A Beethoven Sonata might not be the ideal first choice. However, celebrate progress! Once you’ve studied your instrument for a month or so, look back and be amazed at all you’ve learned and how much you’ve grown.

To conclude this lengthy post, it’s never too late to start. The the benefits of learning an instrument far outweigh the challenges! And of course, what better place to start your musical journey than here with us at Vibe? Happy practicing!

—Charissa Garrigus, Instructor at Vibe Music Academy

Why Music Education Matters: More Than Just Notes and Scales

Music education benefits students in ways beyond musical skills, focusing on cognitive, emotional, and social growth. As we move into the next phase of the school year, I’d invite you to consider all of the benefits music lessons provide beyond just learning an instrument—which is very valuable in and of itself of course! In any case, read on to learn about why music is such an important tool for learning!

As a lifelong musician, I have benefited so much from taking lessons. I started early and have continued up through my current Masters degree program. It is always important to learn and grow no matter how old we are! Even though I’m a professional performer at this point, it is still so essential to continue working to better myself as a musician and person. In any event, I don’t know what I would have done without music as an option inside and outside of school. Young learners particularly derive so much good from learning an instrument, both musically and extra-musically. Here’s how!

1. Boosts Cognitive Skills: Learning an instrument improves memory, focus, and problem-solving, with benefits extending to math and language skills. When you learn to read music, you are essentially learning to communicate via a new language. Counting rhythms involves the mathematical part of the brain, and spending time practicing encourages discipline. Hand-eye-coordination is another huge benefit that comes form playing an instrument—so much time nowadays is spent on screens that doing something kinesthetic becomes rare. Playing instruments can help young musicians build muscle memory and foster fine motor skills.

2. Emotional and Social Growth: Music helps students express emotions, build empathy, and develop teamwork skills through group activities like choirs and bands. As a member of an ensemble, young musicians have to develop patience, listening abilities, and group understanding. Just like being part of a sports time, ensembles require participants to go beyond self-gain and work together. Many bands and choirs expose students to music and cultures they may not be familiar with, which can build social connections and encourage compassion and empathy for those who might not look, think, or speak the same.

3. Fosters Creativity: Music encourages creative thinking, especially through interpretation, composition, improvisation, and expression. As someone who struggles with social anxiety, music has always been my avenue for connecting with others. It allows people to communicate beyond words, and creates space for individual expressive growth. Even within a large ensemble, creativity is the backbone of music. Learning to stimulate one’s creativity takes practice—music is a unique method by which one can accomplish this.

4. Real-World Skills: Time management, discipline, and resilience are key life skills honed through music practice. It takes time to learn an instrument. No matter which one a young student selects, it will take time to learn how to produce a good sound and even more time to become proficient in musical literacy. Practicing often and well, eliminating distractions, and encouraging persistence are all absolutely essential for learning an instrument. What better way to instill values like patience and discipline than through honing a skill that will be with you forever?

Music education is about much more than just learning to play an instrument; it’s about developing well-rounded individuals who excel both inside and outside the classroom or studio. Of course, there are many more advantages to learning an instrument than just the ones included above—it’s also so much fun! Thank you for reading!

—Charissa Garrigus, Instructor at Vibe Music Academy