FUNDAMENTALS

The world of professional and serious amateur musicians is filled with stories about the years of struggle required to overcome mistakes learned or taught in the early years of music lessons. When a student first begins piano lessons at age 7, or picks up a flute in school music class, there is no way of knowing she/he might become actually become very good or a serious musician.

Many students pursue music to a very high level of achievement, sometimes competitions, and sometimes just for personal enjoyment without ever once considering music as a possible career. Such achievements usually happen in the high school years, where solos in the band, performances in the talent show, or a lead in the class play are all the highest musical achievements the student will ever experience in life. This is especially true for students whose academic achievements clearly point to possible admission to a competitive college and pursuit of a lucrative professional career. Most often the study of music is the very preparation that helped them achieve all these successes, and very often music is the love behind the scenes that helps them stay focused on the more practical career goals.

If a student's teacher does not provide the best possible fundamentals in the beginning, that student will spend thousands of hours (and likewise thousands of dollars in high teacher rates) correcting deficiencies in technique and knowledge. Many times a good and serious student might lose interest or give up in the face of this very problem, especially if music was never a career goal or serious love.

Provide your child the best opportunities for the future by ensuring that the quality of music education is the best available NOW.