Did You Know?

What Is The Best Age To Start Voice Lessons?

Voice Lessons

When parents are considering music lessons for their child, many times they will gravitate to voice lessons because their child loves to sing. But what is the best age to start voice lessons? Many parents ask for voice lessons for students as young as 3 or 4 years old, but formal vocal training is not usually successful or appropriate for students this young.

It is best to begin voice lessons once the student’s voice is more grounded and they have begun to go through puberty. Similar to how a fine wine gets better with age, the vocal quality and tone of a person’s voice continues to change through different phases of their life. Once a student has started the process of going through puberty, they will achieve more significant and measurable progress on their instrument.

Puberty can occur at different ages, but typically around age 11 or 12 most children’s voices are in the process of undergoing drastic changes, influenced by hormones. So, use this as a guideline for when the correct age is to begin vocal training.

Once a boy’s voice has begun to grow lower, deeper and more mature sounding, like a man’s voice, then he would definitely be at the right age to begin serious vocal training, and similarly once a girl’s voice grows lower, and begins to sound less “child-like” and more like an adult woman’s voice, then she is at the right age. Obviously a teen girl’s or woman’s voice will always be higher sounding than a boy’s- but it does undergo a significant lowering in the teenage years. You will notice this change in their speaking voices in particular, but also in their singing voice.

Younger children might love to sing, but a focused lesson that focuses solely on vocal technique can be extremely difficult on young, undeveloped vocal chords. In addition, young children seldom have a strong sense of self or the physical awareness to process the teachers directions in a meaningful way. Therefore, we recommend starting young children on piano, violin, or guitar in order to build a solid foundation for their musical future. By studying notes, sight reading, music theory, and working on their musicianship skills, they will be greatly aided in the future when its the best time to start voice lessons.

Give us a call at 828-693-3726 for your FREE Consultation to see if you or your child is ready for voice lessons.

20 Important Benefits of Music In Our Schools

musiccreates

Nearly everyone enjoys music, whether by listening to it, singing, or playing an instrument. But despite this almost universal interest, many schools are having to do away with their music education programs. This is a mistake, with schools losing not only an enjoyable subject, but a subject that can enrich students’ lives and education. Read on to learn why music education is so important, and how it offers benefits even beyond itself.

1. Musical training helps develop language and reasoning: Students who have early musical training will develop the areas of the brain related to language and reasoning. The left side of the brain is better developed with music, and songs can help imprint information on young minds.

2. A mastery of memorization: Even when performing with sheet music, student musicians are constantly using their memory to perform. The skill of memorization can serve students well in education and beyond.

3. Students learn to improve their work: Learning music promotes craftsmanship, and students learn to want to create good work instead of mediocre work. This desire can be applied to all subjects of study.

4. Increased coordination: Students who practice with musical instruments can improve their hand-eye coordination. Just like playing sports, children can develop motor skills when playing music.

5. A sense of achievement: Learning to play pieces of music on a new instrument can be a challenging, but achievable goal. Students who master even the smallest goal in music will be able to feel proud of their achievement.

6. Kids stay engaged in school: An enjoyable subject like music can keep kids interested and engaged in school. Student musicians are likely to stay in school to achieve in other subjects.

7. Success in society: Music is the fabric of our society, and music can shape abilities and character. Students in band or orchestra are less likely to abuse substances over their lifetime. Musical education can greatly contribute to children’s intellectual development as well.

8. Emotional development: Students of music can be more emotionally developed, with empathy towards other cultures They also tend to have higher self esteem and are better at coping with anxiety.

9. Students learn pattern recognition: Children can develop their math and pattern-recognition skills with the help of musical education. Playing music offers repetition in a fun format.

10. Better SAT scores: Students who have experience with music performance or appreciation score higher on the SAT. One report indicates 63 points higher on verbal and 44 points higher on math for students in music appreciation courses.

11. Fine-tuned auditory skills: Musicians can better detect meaningful, information-bearing elements in sounds, like the emotional meaning in a baby’s cry. Students who practice music can have better auditory attention, and pick out predictable patterns from surrounding noise.

12. Music builds imagination and intellectual curiosity: Introducing music in the early childhood years can help foster a positive attitude toward learning and curiosity. Artistic education develops the whole brain and develops a child’s imagination.

13. Music can be relaxing: Students can fight stress by learning to play music. Soothing music is especially helpful in helping kids relax.

14. Musical instruments can teach discipline: Kids who learn to play an instrument can learn a valuable lesson in discipline. They will have to set time aside to practice and rise to the challenge of learning with discipline to master playing their instrument.

15. Preparation for the creative economy: Investing in creative education can prepare students for the 21st century workforce. The new economy has created more artistic careers, and these jobs may grow faster than others in the future.

16. Development in creative thinking: Kids who study the arts can learn to think creatively. This kind of education can help them solve problems by thinking outside the box and realizing that there may be more than one right answer.

17. Music can develop spatial intelligence: Students who study music can improve the development of spatial intelligence, which allows them to perceive the world accurately and form mental pictures. Spatial intelligence is helpful for advanced mathematics and more.

18. Kids can learn teamwork: Many musical education programs require teamwork as part of a band or orchestra. In these groups, students will learn how to work together and build camaraderie.

19. Responsible risk-taking: Performing a musical piece can bring fear and anxiety. Doing so teaches kids how to take risks and deal with fear, which will help them become successful and reach their potential.

20. Better self-confidence: With encouragement from teachers and parents, students playing a musical instrument can build pride and confidence. Musical education is also likely to develop better communication for students.

This article originally appeared on Bachelor’s Degree

Guitar Players’ Brains are Especially Intuitive, According to Science – December 7, 2015

Guitar Players’ Brains are Especially Intuitive, According to Science

Playing the guitar requires hand-eye coordination, creativity, memory, intuition, improvisation, and countless other functions of the brain. Anyone who has ever tried learning the guitar knows just how difficult it can be, and even professional players struggle sometimes. It seems that common bond goes beyond the frustrations of playing, however. In fact, according to a scientific study, all guitar players’ brains share a special chemistry.

One of the findings concluded that guitar players have the ability to “sync” their brains, and essentially read each others’ minds while playing and even anticipate what is to come. This all has to do with neural networks and brain chemistry, which explains the phenomenon of a band seemingly being a single functioning unit, and perhaps even makes it clear why there are so many successful bands made up of family members. In other words, the closer the brain chemsitry, the better the band chemistry.

Another common conclusion from one of the studies is that guitar players happen to be more intuitive than most and thus have exceptional improvisational skills.

According to Mic.com, researchers found that “when a guitarist shreds, he or she temporarily deactivates the brain region that routinely shuts down when achieving big-picture goals, signaling a shift from conscious to unconscious thought. And when mere mortals (non-musicians) attempt a solo, the conscious portion of their brain stays on, which indicates that real guitarists are able to switch to this more creative and less practical mode of thinking more easily.”

It seems obvious that musicians are more artistic, right-brained people, but these studies show just how special guitar players are in particular. According to a Vanderbilt study, guitar players are better than other musicians at understanding a song via observation or listening than just reading the sheet music.

In the end, it all happens in the brain, but for guitar players, it seems their brains are just a little different. As if we didn’t already know!

Music Lessons At The Music Academy of Western North Carolina

The Music Academy of WNC offers the most comprehensive and largest variety of music lessons than any other music school in Henderson County. All of our music lessons incorporate classical-based musicianship and technique within the style(s) our students wish to learn. Plus, they are LOTS OF FUN! We currently offers private music lessons in the following:

* Guitar (Electric, Classical, Acoustic)
* Bass (Electric, Upright)
* Drums & Percussion
* Piano & Voice
* Violin, Viola, Cello, & Double-Bass
* All Woodwind and Brass Instruments

Give us a call at 828-693-3726 to schedule your FREE Consultation to discuss your musical direction at Hendersonville’s #1 Choice, Best Value, and LARGEST Music School.

Did You Know We Offer a FREE Consultation Before You Register?

DID YOU KNOW? The Music Academy offers a FREE Introductory Consultation before you register! Our FREE Consultation allows students and their parents to meet perspective faculty members, tour our facilities, and review our programs before they commit to private music lessons. Please give us a call at 828-693-3726 or click HERE to schedule your FREE consultation and see why the Music Academy of WNC is Hendersonville’s #1 Choice, BEST VALUE, and LARGEST Music School.

Did You Know? Our Private Lesson Offerings

Music Academy of WNC,

Did You Know? The Music Academy of WNC offers the most comprehensive and largest variety of music lessons than any other music school in Henderson County. All of our music lessons incorporate classical-based musicianship and technique within the style(s) our students wish to learn. Plus, they are LOTS OF FUN! We currently offers private music lessons in the following:

Give us a call at 828-693-3726 to schedule your FREE Consultation to discuss your musical direction at Hendersonville’s #1 Choice, Best Value, and LARGEST Music School.

Did You Know? Our State-of-the-Art Facilities

Music Academy of WNC, music lessons, guitar lessons, bass lessons, drum lessons, piano lessons, voice lessons, violin lessons, viola lessons, cello lessons, trumpet lessons, flute lessons, oboe lessons, saxophone lessons, brass, woodwinds, Hendersonville, North Carolina, NC

DID YOU KNOW? The Music Academy of WNC has the LARGEST, state-of-the-art, teaching facility of any private music school in Henderson County. We have a 3,000 sq/ft facility with five large teaching rooms that accommodate private lessons and ensemble rehearsals. We also have a 1,000 sq/ft rehearsal and recital room with seating for 80 people that incorporates a 14’x10′ stage, full stage lighting, and sound system. Our teaching rooms are stocked with pianos, multiple guitar and bass amplifiers, drum sets and percussion equipment, keyboards and synthesizers, audio and video playback equipment, and multiple computer software packages that make our music lessons fun and more enjoyable. There is also FREE Wi-Fi, U-VERSE for Internet, a comfortable parent’s lounge, and a refreshment area with snacks and drinks. Give us a call at 828-693-3726 to schedule your lesson time TODAY at Hendersonville’s #1 Choice, Best Value, and Largest Music School!

Did You Know? Our Refer-A-Friend Program

Refer A Friend Gift Certificates

DID YOU KNOW? We LOVE customer referrals because we get to work with more great people just like our students and their family. That’s why we created our “Refer A Friend” program to say “thank you” for our student’s continued loyalty and support. Every time a current student refers a new student to us who registers for private music lessons, then that current student will receive a $25.00 retail gift card of their choice. Please visit our Refer-A-Friend page for more information and register your referrals today at Hendersonville’s #1 Choice, Best Value, and LARGEST Music School!

Did You Know? Our AWESOME Faculty!

MusicAcademyFaculty

DID YOU KNOW? The Music Academy of WNC employs the most qualified and largest number of faculty members of any private music school in Henderson County. We currently have eleven faculty members on staff and are hiring more to accommodate the large amount of growth experienced over the past year. All of our faculty members have university, college, or conservatory training; hold advanced music degrees or possess comparable professional experience; and are full-time music educators and performers. 65% of our faculty (7 out of 11) hold a Master’s or Doctorate degree in their field of study. Please visit HERE for more information about our faculty and the music lesson options we offer.