Dear Parents,

 

When you sign up your child for music lessons, you hope for more than just learning to play an instrument. You envision them developing a deep appreciation for music, understanding its nuances, and, perhaps most importantly, cultivating a lifelong love for music.

 

However, there's a crucial element often missing at home—
A Musical Environment.

 

Learning Music is Like Learning a Language: Just as with any language, consider how we learn English in a non-English speaking country compared to immersing ourselves in the language in a place like Australia. The environment is crucial. A rich musical environment at home can significantly influence how smoothly and joyfully your child progresses, not just how hard they practice or how the lessons are taught. We've found a common thread among musically talented students: they all actively listen to music frequently!

 

Recognition—The Key to Musical Enthusiasm: Do you remember the smile that lights up your child's face when "Baby Shark" or "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" begins to play? That joy comes from recognition — the comfort of the familiar. Now imagine that same bright smile when they recognize a piece played in their music lessons. The more music they know, the more likely they feel connected and excited about learning new pieces. Unfortunately, if they're only familiar with a few songs, everything else seems foreign and less engaging. By broadening their musical horizons at home, we can turn each lesson into an opportunity for that joyful recognition, motivating them to dive deeper into their musical studies.

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Rhythm Struggles: A lot of students have a tough time with rhythm. Even with regular practice, they might only get better at the piece they're working on, not necessarily building the rhythm skills they need for other music. This often happens because there isn't enough daily music in their lives. Just like soaking up a language, soaking up music every day at home can really help make sense of those tricky rhythms.

 

Beyond Playing Notes: Have you ever noticed how some musicians bring any piece to life, regardless of its difficulty? That's musicality. It's not just about hitting the right notes; it's about feeling and understanding the music. Sadly, some students are technically proficient but musically disconnected after years of lessons. They play without passion or a deep understanding of the music's emotional or historical context.

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Cultivating a Genuine Passion: It's disheartening to see students lose interest or quit because they never truly connected with the music they were playing. We want our students to learn pieces because they love the sound of it, not just because they're on an exam syllabus.