Learning with the Music Development

At the Music Development we use a lesson plan with all instruments to help students and tutors provide a wide range in each lesson. Every lesson will include aural skills, technical exercises/scale studies, sight-reading and study pieces from the very start. We have many years experience with teaching all ages allowing us to tailor each lesson to focus on students’ strengths and weaknesses to help them advance.

Choosing your instrument

Most students have their heart set on their instrument from an early age but for those who can’t decide we can hold a music session to help them. In the session we will look at many instruments from Piano & Drums to Trumpet & Saxophone. It will become clear which instrument they show more of an interest in and we simply ask them to pick their favorite.  If the student chooses their instrument they will choose to practice.

What parents can expect

Starting early 3-6 years

Fun lessons. The most important part of learning music is that the student feels they are enjoying learning and will feel satisfied when they are practicing. Music is a language so the earlier they start the more advantage they will have when they are older. We currently have students as young as 3 years old where we introduce them to rhythms and sounds and in most cases actually start to play their chosen instrument. Violins are available in many different sizes with the smallest aimed at 3 years of age. Guitars come in 3 sizes to help the smallest student start their musical journey

Learn Music 7-10 years

Most students start at this age after they have seen or heard music that inspires them. Music is often featured in schools with classes introducing them to composers or styles and in some cases playing instruments. At the Music Development you can expect your young musician to play a simple melody within their first few lessons and to show positive signs of musical awareness as well as a keen desire to practice.

Practicing

This is the most important part of learning any instrument. You will achieve the more you put in. With younger students we suggest to start with 5-10 minuets every day increasing to 30 minuets over the following months. Students who have a strong desire to become very efficient will practice all the time with out being prompted. Our goal is to encourage students to practice 1 hour every day following their lesson plan allowing them to progress in all areas as a musician. We use a practice diary with our students and encourage them to fill in their times themselves. The practice diary has proven a great aid to lessons allowing us to work towards exams and performances as well as highlighting goals we choose to set each term.

Sight-reading

This is the most important part of developing and strong understanding of music. In many cases this can be the most difficult part as the number of permutations between individual notes and rhythms can seem overwhelming. When we learn to read we start with letters then words then start forming sentences. Music is the same at the start and can quickly become complicated. Our job is to deliver this information in a way that is understood and will be replicated from then on, when you can read you can play anything.

We have selected the best music books for each instrument that will help this understanding. It is important for the information in the books to be clear and not crammed with too much in each page.

Sight-reading in exams

This is a part of school aptitude tests as well as music exams and often will not reflect the students whole understanding of music. Generally these tests will be slightly easier than a graded piece of music and agreed by experts to reflect a particular grade or level. Students are allowed 1 minuet to play the piece before they are examined. Having a good understanding of sight-reading comes with experience, if you have played the note and rhythm before you will be able to recognize this again and perform successfully.