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Music Schools Frisco TX

The Benefits of Playing Music with Others

The Benefits of Playing Music with Others

As a parent, one of the best ways to provide an enriching and interactive education for your children is involving them in music, whether singing or playing an instrument. Learning and creating music in a group setting, particularly at a young age, can greatly enhance their quality of life and value of meaningful relationships. At Matt Burk Music Studio in Frisco, Allen and Plano, Texas, we encourage our students to participate in ensemble programs whenever possible, as a vital supplement to their private lessons.

Parents are responsible for providing a safe and enjoyable environment for their children to develop and cultivate wholesome passions and pursuits. Of course, circumstances may vary from child to child, however conquering shyness, increasing motivation, developing teamwork skills, and cultivating purpose are all important advantages of early enrollment in group music lessons.

What’s so good about playing music in a group?

Learning music theory and technical music skills is challenging for children, especially those with less inherent interest and motivation to do so. Private lessons motivate children to focus and become more comfortable in a learning environment free of judgment and exterior critique. One-on-one lessons boost confidence and identity while instilling a strong sense of responsibility. It allows shy and introverted children to step out of their comfort zone, eliminating the possibility of blending into a crowd. These personalized lessons are an important preparatory step to playing in a group setting. When children play together in a group, they begin to sincerely enjoy the process, collectively enduring whatever trials or difficulties they may face along the way. In short, playing music in a group is fun. The amount of love, motivation, and support available in group settings is unmatched.

Regularly practicing and playing music in the presence of others is an important step in reducing feelings of nervousness or fear during a set performance. If your child is shy or reserved, adding a group jam session into their schedule of private lessons will help them overcome insecurities and cultivate meaningful friendships. It’s less intimidating to them, knowing that they are part of a team.

Children also have unique opportunities to flex their technical muscles playing in an ensemble. Listening to their peers play different parts of a piece of music helps them learn the importance of orchestration and tone balance. They can practice counting and generate strong rhythmic skills. Playing in a group setting is often when music “clicks” for a young student, and things go from “playing an instrument” to “making music.”

In reality, there are innumerable benefits connected with playing music in a group setting. By pairing ensemble playing with the expert private lessons like you’ll find at Matt Burk Music Studio, students can boost their confidence, become more well-rounded musicians, and inspire a deeper love for music than they ever would just playing alone. Sign up your budding musician at Matt Burk Music Studio, music lessons in Frisco, Allen and Plano, Texas.

5 Ways to Help Your Child Choose a Musical Instrument

5 Ways to Help Your Child Choose a Musical Instrument

The choice to play an instrument can bring a lifetime of benefits to your child, no matter what age they begin. But which instrument to choose? Here are five things to keep in mind when your child is making this life-changing decision.

How You Can Determine the Length of a Music Lesson For Your Student

Music Lesson Frisco TX

In the world of music lessons, everyone starts at a different level. A few factors determine how long a student's lesson should be.

  1. What level is the student? Typically, beginners will have shorter lessons while they practice and build their skills.
  2. How long or short is the student's attention span? If they seem bored with the lesson, then at that point they are not learning effectively.
  3.  How old is the student? Usually, the older a student is, whether new or experienced, the lesson is over 30 minutes.
  4.  How interested is the student in the lesson? The more involved a student is in their music, the longer the lesson may be.

Lessons can be anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour or more. Let us help you find the right length for your lesson. Call Matt Burk Music Studio for more information at 469-353-6100.

Music Lesson Frisco TX
Matt Burk Music Studio
1701 Legacy Drive, Ste. 150
Frisco, TX 75034
United States
(469) 353-6100

 

Don't Sing too Much: Learn to Sing and Stay Vocally Healthy

Learn to Sing Frisco TX

Have you ever heard the phrase, “too much of a good thing”? Just as this popular saying applies to candy or french fries, it also applies to singing! While singing is some people’s favorite activity, too much of it can damage your vocal cords and prevent you from singing in the future. Matt Burk Music Studio wants to share the importance of vocal cord health and give you tips for staying vocally healthy while singing.

Why Singing too Much is Dangerous

When you begin learning to sing, you may practice consistently or continue singing for fun during free time. While singing is a beautiful talent and rewarding hobby, it’s important to give your vocal cords a rest sometimes. Just like any other part of your body, you can damage your vocal cords with overuse.

Walking barefoot all day would leave your feet swollen and blistered, clapping for hours would leave your hands red and sore, if not blistered and bleeding. The same goes for your vocal cords.

The first sign of overuse is vocal cord swelling. If you continue to sing with swollen cords, you may develop nodules (calluses), polyps (blisters), or a hemorrhage (bloody cords). Treatment for issues associated with vocal cord overuse ranges with a variety of practices including vocal rest and vocal therapy, but severe cases may require surgery. If these problems are left untreated, they can permanently damage both your speaking and singing voice.

Staying Vocally Healthy as a Singer

The threat of damaged vocal cords might sound scary, but there is good news! The right practices and vocal health maintenance can prevent damage to your vocal cords. In fact, some singers are required to use their voice for six or more hours per day, but focusing on vocal health keeps their voice sharp and clear through even the longest performances. Here are some steps you can take to keep vocally healthy:

  • Drink plenty of water.  Try carrying a water bottle around with you and be sure to stay hydrated. Hydrated vocal cords remain plump, making them less prone to injury.
  • Get enough sleep.  Just like fatigue affects your other muscles, lack of sleep can put a strain on your vocal cords. Find time in your schedule to ensure you’re getting enough rest.
  • Stay active.  Exercise is a great way to relieve tension. Most of today’s desk jobs create muscle tension that centers around your neck and throat, so get out and get moving today!
  • Address allergies and acid reflux.  Seasonal allergies often lead to the dreaded post-nasal drip that can irritate your throat and vocal cords. Try antihistamines and nasal sprays to keep your allergies in check and your vocal cords free of mucus. Acid reflux, on the other hand, repeatedly bathes your vocal cords in stomach acid. Reflux can cause a myriad of vocal cord issues for singers, so speak with your doctor about treatment options if you think you may suffer from acid reflux.
  • Remember to warm up.  Just like an athlete will stretch before an intense workout, a singer should warm up before tackling a complicated piece of music. Warm ups get your voice ready for the task at hand and lead to less vocal injuries overall.

The #1 Rule for Singers

An athlete with poor form will end up with injuries. The same rule applies to singing. To stay healthy when you sing, you must learn proper vocal practices. Your voice teacher can help you learn to sing better overall by first perfecting your technique. If you want to learn to sing and keep your voice healthy too, give us a call at (469) 353-6100 or visit us online today http://www.wannalearnmusic.com.

Matt Burk Music Studio | Learn to Sing Frisco TX | (469) 353-6100

How a Music Lesson in Frisco can Help Your Child in Math Class

Music Lesson Frisco TX

Math and music may seem like classes on opposite ends of a spectrum, especially from a child's point of view. As it turns out, though, math class and a music lesson aren't all that different. Practicing a beat and rhythm when playing an instrument can help determine patterns in mathematical problems, according to a study co-created by San Francisco State University. This news can be beneficial to many students who want to both pursue music while also keeping up with schoolwork.

A unique experimental music curriculum was given to children and then tested with a math exam. Connections were made to distinguish similarities between fractions and music notes using both music and math information. The method of teaching involved designated parts to a whole, which is a similar concept with both musical notes and mathematical fractions. Students who were given the music-infused lesson scored on average 50 percent higher when solving fractions than their peers who were only taught regular math instruction.

Giving children a lesson in basic math while using music as an example created multiple ways of learning. Regular math classes can make simple concepts difficult, but adding a component to help kids relate has increased test scores dramatically. These results mean that even if your child struggles in math class, scheduling a music lesson in Frisco, TX will help your child gain both music and math skills. With teachers that explain hard concepts in notes instead of numbers, connections may come more quickly than from a standard classroom.

This study has gained popularity in recent years and is already due to be published in the journal Educational Studies in Mathematics. It has additionally been incorporated into individual schools for a decade, reaping positive results. The curriculum is based on a Hungarian approach to music and involves personal associations with musical notes to connect to fractions. When referencing music notes as quarter notes, half notes, whole notes, and beyond, this can be used as math functions to solve problems.

Even those students who had little to no experience with solving fractions and math problems scored as highly as many of their peers with a background with fractions. Not only will this help students understand real life situations that use math, but they will become excited about solving problems. Rote memorization will be replaced with genuine excitement as they have examples of why fractions are important in life. A music school in Frisco may be more than a luxury - it may just be a necessity.

If your child is struggling with fractions, incorporating music into their routine may help. To help your child excel in both music and math, sign up for the best music lessons in Frisco, TX by calling Matt Burk Music Studio at (469) 353-6100.

Music Lesson Frisco TX
Matt Burk Music Studio
1701 Legacy Drive, Ste. 150
Frisco, TX 75034
United States
(469) 353-6100

Top 5 Reasons Why a Music Lesson Is Good For Children

Music Lesson Frisco TX

Research over the years has shown that learning an instrument benefits kids. Here are five main reasons why it's good for them.

  1. Learning an instrument helps brain development. Music can help children develop better math, reading, and memorization skills.
  2. Learning music helps children set goals. They develop the skills to pursue and achieve a desired outcome, short and long term.
  3. It helps develop self-discipline. Learning music will teach kids how to practice hard and overcome tough obstacles.
  4. It helps kids become more independent. Kids will need to make their own, independent choices and learn responsibility in practicing and caring for their instrument.
  5. It gives kids the opportunity to express themselves. Learning to play music allows students to be more creative by expressing their emotions.

Call Matt Burk Music Studio today for more information.

Music Lesson Frisco Texas
Matt Burk Music Studio
1701 Legacy Drive, Ste. 150
Frisco, TX 75034
United States
(469) 353-6100

What You Need to Know Before Your First Beginner Guitar Lesson

Beginner Guitar Lesson TX

Everyone has dreams of becoming a rockstar, but learning to play the guitar can seem like a daunting challenge. By taking a customized beginner guitar lesson in Allen, TX, with Matt Burk Music Studio, learning the instrument can become a reality. Although they can help you with any questions you have, it is helpful to know a few things before your first guitar lesson.

Parts of a guitar:
The three main parts of a guitar are the head, the neck and the body. The head of the guitar has the tuning keys that create the string's sounds. The neck of the guitar contains frets and position markers to help you create certain sounds by making chords. The body holds the sound hole, the pickguard and the bridge that holds the strings in place. A beginner guitar lesson will teach more elaborate technicalities, but knowing the basics of a guitar will help you to progress more quickly.

Types of guitars:
The two main types of acoustic guitars are the steel-string guitar and classical guitar. The steel-strings have thinner necks than classicals and are usually strung with steel strings while the classical guitar has nylon strings. Classical guitars are sometimes called Spanish guitars because they originated in the area of Spain. Electric guitars, twelve-string guitars and bass guitars are also popular instruments, but most guitar lessons for beginners start on an acoustic guitar.

Guitar strings:
The names of guitar string notes are important when learning to tune your guitar. When each string is tuned correctly, the strings should be tuned to E, A, D, G, B and E. This can be remembered easily with the mnemonic saying "every artist does get better eventually." Once you become proficient, the strings may be tuned to different notes for certain songs, but knowing the standard notes are important.

Reading music:
Reading tabs and chords will come in handy when you start playing songs. Though your instructor may teach you this, knowing how to read tabs and chords will speed up your progression and fluency with the guitar. Taking beginner guitar lesson is the best thing you can to do learn the guitar, but learning to read music beforehand will score you points with your instructor and get you closer to nailing that guitar solo.

Taking a beginner guitar lesson in Allen, TX  is the best way to learn how to play the guitar. By taking a few initiatives before showing up for your first lesson, you can impress your instructor and yourself on day one. To schedule your own lesson, call Matt Burk Music Studio at (469) 353-6100.

Beginner Guitar Lesson TX
Matt Burk Music Studio
1701 Legacy Drive, Ste. 150
Frisco, TX 75034
United States
(469) 353-6100

Three Things to Know Before You Learn to Play Drums

Learn To Play Drums TX

Learning an instrument is a hobby that can bring joy to a musician for a lifetime. Like most things, the hardest part of playing the drums is starting the learning process. With studios in the area like Matt Burk Music Studio in Frisco, TX, learning to play the drums becomes easier than you think. Even with lessons, though, it's good to know some basics about drumming before you sit down to play. There are three things you should become familiar with before you stop in for your first drum lesson:

  1. Learn how to read music. Drumming requires physical skill but getting to know the notes on paper is a mental exercise that will make learning the drums easier for both you and your instructor. There are books and sources online that teach about the staff, clefs and notes that fit together to become sheet music. The faster you can interpret your sheet music, the better drummer you will become. Plus, if your instructor doesn't have to teach you how to read music, they can spend more time teaching you that drum solo you've always wanted to learn.

  2. Practice rhythm. Drumming is a technical skill to hone and isn't something you can learn overnight. Something that will help the learning process, though, is to practice tapping with your hands and learning the rhythm of how to use a drum. Figuring out what a downbeat is, becoming familiar with how you use your hands and maybe even practicing holding drumsticks will all make your music lesson much easier. Practice your rhythm, and you'll be on the fast track to becoming the best drummer in Frisco.

  3. Learn the parts of a drums set. The drums involve many different components, and since you'll be spending a lot of time on a drum set during your lesson, it's good to know beforehand what you'll be using. Drum kits can have many parts to them, but most kits almost always have a bass drum, a snare drum and a few tom-toms. Cymbals are also attached to the kit. By knowing what part of the drum set is what, you'll not only impress your instructor, but you'll impress yourself with how quickly you can progress with your music lessons.

With just a bit of research and ambition, your first drum lesson will be much more relaxed and much more fun. To become your own rock star, the best music lessons in Frisco are at Matt Burk Music Studio. Visit https://www.wannalearnmusic.com/ to book your personalized drum lesson with a qualified instructor.

Matt Burk Music Studio  |  Learn To Play Drums TX  |  469-353-6100

Selecting the Right Instrument for Your Child for Music School

Music School Frisco TX.jpg

You likely know some of the benefits of playing a musical instrument, which is why you’re considering sending your child to music school. Along with boosting their self-esteem and exposing them to other cultures, playing instruments can also improve a child’s social, academic and physical skills. The key to ensuring that the child enjoys what they do is picking an instrument they’ll like. With so many options from which to choose, however, it can seem like an overwhelming task. Fortunately, you have a high chance of success when you take your child’s personality, body type and other traits into consideration.

Instruments Based on Your Child’s Personality

When you think about it, it likely makes sense that certain personality types gravitate towards some instruments. Take a look at a rock band. The lead guitarist and singer are usually filled with big personalities, are very outgoing and engaging. They often represent the band, so it’s important that they are comfortable with taking center stage.

The same concept works for your child, even in a school orchestra. Children who like to have the focus on them tend to do well with instruments that are typically featured, like the flute, saxophone and trumpet. Violins and pianos also help to lead an orchestra and often have solo parts, so if your child is comfortable being the center of attention, they may enjoy this.

If your child is on the shy side, consider an instrument that doesn’t attract as much focus, such as the viola, cello or clarinet. If your child doesn’t feel comfortable about what they're playing, they won’t excel at what they're doing.

Take Your Child’s Size and Strength Into Consideration

Part of being able to successfully play an instrument is having the ability to handle its size. Small children won’t be able to hold something large like a tuba or bassoon. Hand strength can also play a role when determining the proper instrument. For instance, guitars, violins and instruments that have widely-spread finger holes require hands and fingers that can spread out and press down quite forcefully. The piano is also played best by those who have long fingers and large hands, as they are better able to reach all the keys in a chord.

The size of a child’s lips is also important. Children who have larger lips do well with the tuba, as they can make the proper sounds. These same children probably wouldn’t do as well playing the French horn or trumpet because the cup sizes are too small and it would be too difficult to produce the proper sounds.

Music School Can Help Your Child Exceed

Sending your child to music school in Frisco, TX, is one of the best things you can do for them. The result is a well-rounded youngster who will likely do better in school and social settings. Matt Burk Music Studio offers lessons for a variety of instruments for children of just about any age. Call (469) 393-6100 to learn more about what we can do for your child.

Music School Frisco TX
Matt Burk Music Studio
1701 Legacy Drive, Ste. 150
Frisco, TX 75034
United States
(469) 353-6100

3 Tips on How to Write A Song From Matt Burk Studio in Frisco, TX

Write A Song Frisco TX

If you love music, you have probably always wanted to write a song and hear it on your Frisco, TX radio station. Hit songwriters make it seem so easy. The stories they tell in their songs seem to be so obvious, the feelings and emotions they stir universal, that you often think to yourself, “Man, I could’ve written that song!” However, if you actually sit down to try and write your own song, you may discover that it’s harder than you think. Here are three tips on how to write a song from Matt Burk Music Studio in Frisco, TX.

Focus on an emotion

The best songs resonate with listeners and fans because there is something inherently true about it, something that everyone can relate to because they have felt it before. Think about the moments, people and emotions that have moved you in the past. Hope. Loss. Sorrow. Joy. Love. Really focus on the feelings you had during that moment or time. Now start putting those feelings into words. Don’t worry about rhyming just yet. It’s more important to focus on how you are telling the story.

Choose a song style or structure

Now that you have some rough lyrics down, take a look at them. What kind of music and sounds do you hear when you read them? Slow, dreamy acoustic? Angry, clanging rock guitars? Delicate piano? Do these words go best with breathy, transcendent vocals, or something more gritty? Is there any phrase that jumps out at you as a potential chorus? Consider contrasting the song’s style or structure with a sound incongruous to the emotion you are conveying in your lyrics. For instance, a sad song to a happy tune, or vice versa.

Find the melody in your lyrics

Now that you kind of have an idea of the structure or style you are going for with your lyrics, start playing around with sounding out the lines you’ve written. Don’t be afraid to repeat a line, or even just sing a little “Blah blah blah I need more words here.” This part is all about finding the melody and cadence hidden in the lines you have written. Once you have discovered a core melody, start picking it out and refining it on your instrument.

 

If you have been dreaming of learning how to write a song in Frisco, TX or further your songwriting career, Matt Burk Music Studio offers lessons for students of all ages, from 5 to 95. Our instructors build lessons around your interests and favorite type of music. Call us today at (469) 353-6100 to schedule an interview with one of our instructors.

 

Write a Song Frisco TX
Matt Burk Music Studio
1701 Legacy Drive, Ste. 150
Frisco, TX 75034
United States
(469) 353-6100

5 Things For Beginners Taking Guitar Lessons To Remember

Guitar Lessons For Beginners Frisco TX

For beginners taking guitar lessons, there’s no bigger thrill than learning to play a favorite song or at least a favorite guitar riff.  But learning that one piece of music isn’t the purpose of guitar lessons; the purpose is to get better and develop new skills every day.  If you’re interested in learning how to play the guitar or you’ve already started learning either alone or with a teacher, you should know that there are 5 things you need to remember that will help you become a better guitarist:

Learn Something New Every Day

The best thing you can do to improve your musicianship is to learn something new every day, whether it’s a riff, a chord, a scale, a song, an altered tuning or a strum pattern.  When you make this a part of your day, you’ll find your knowledge and skills increasing exponentially and you’ll also find yourself wanting to add to the number of new things you learn every day.

Play With Other Musicians

Playing guitar by yourself is great, especially if you’re just starting out and you’re self-conscious about your playing.  The reality is that you’re going to eventually want or need to play with other musicians - guitar players, drummers, piano players and more - to grow as an artist.  If you don’t have a garage band to jam with, there are a number of other possibilities, from using apps designed to accompany your guitar playing to playing along with your favorite songs.  Playing with other musicians or a musical accompaniment will improve your consistency, endurance and improvisational skills.

Record Yourself

Recording yourself playing is a great way of not only keeping track of your progress and growth as a player, it’s also a great way to hear yourself playing with fresh ears.  You’ll find that recording yourself will make it easier to pinpoint your strengths and weaknesses and allow you to focus your practice accordingly.

Take Lessons

If you’re not already, you should be taking guitar lessons for beginners.  If you’re advanced beyond the beginner stage, you still need lessons from an experienced guitar teacher.  An actual, flesh-and-blood teacher can do for you what no online tutorial or YouTube video can; he or she can identify your strengths and weakness, help you sharpen your skills and help you eliminate your flaws.  In addition, when you’re paying someone to teach you how to play the guitar, you’re going to be more likely to stick with your lessons and practicing.

Focus Your Practice Schedule

We’re all busy, either with work or school, and there isn’t always time for marathon guitar practice sessions, which is why it’s important to focus your practice schedule and stay consistent with your practicing.  If you only have 10 or 20 minutes a day to practice, you’ll be better off than if you skip daily practice only to try to cram everything into 6 or 8 hours every once in awhile.  Practice should involve maintenance exercises and focused work that gives you the opportunity to integrate new knowledge and techniques into your playing.

 

For guitar lessons for beginners in the Frisco, TX area, call Matt Burk Music Studio at (469) 353-6100.  You can also visit www.wannalearnmusic.com to find out more about us and the lessons we offer.

 

Guitar Lessons For Beginners Frisco TX
Matt Burk Music Studio
1701 Legacy Drive, Ste. 150
Frisco, TX 75034
United States
(469) 353-6100

Music Lessons Frisco TX: How to get the most out of lessons: part 1

Students getting the most out of music lessons is one of the most important things to us at MBMS Frisco TX.  We want every students' learning experience with us to be a fun, positive, creative, and productive time. So whether you're taking piano lessons, drum lessons, bass guitar lessons, voice/vocal lessons, or guitar lessons we desire for it to be a fulfilling and enriching experience for you. So regardless the music lessons your in or contemplating, the following items can really help you get the greatest benefit from your lessons with us. We believe in a three pronged approach to getting the most out of music lessons.

Teachers: 

As teachers, we certainly play a key role in each student’s overall success. One of our primary goals is to listen carefully to find what inspires and motivates the student, and then to customize a lesson plan with that in mind. We use a lot of encouragement and positive reinforcement in the teaching process. Our purpose is to help students achieve their unique goals in music. Our teachers work with each student to customize lessons and a practice plan that will work with their specific goals, interests and schedules.

Students:

Each week, students spend a relatively short amount of time in lessons – typically either 30 minutes or 60 minutes in one-on-one lessons with their teacher. As such, the majority of the progress a student sees will typically take place at home, between lessons. What happens at home is one of the biggest factors that determines a student’s progress. With this in mind, our teachers work with students very specifically to understand how much practice time you can realistically commit to each week, and then set practice goals appropriately. Then they will work with you and structure lessons accordingly. We do not have any set amount of practice time that we expect, but rather understand that each student’s schedule is different, and work from there. It is important to keep in mind that often times, if practicing is not a scheduled part of the student’s week, then it simply doesn’t happen.

Parents:

Parental involvement is also a very important element in the student’s musical journey. Our desire is to keep the parents informed about what is happening in music lessons, and to keep the lines of communication open at all times. The more information that we receive from parents (and students), the better. If the student’s musical interests have changed, or they need some different inspiration, or they would like to further explore another aspect of music (e.g., songwriting, improvisation, etc.), or whatever it might be - we would love to know that, so we can adjust lessons accordingly. So communication is key with us. We want to make sure that we continue to meet each and every student where they are.

 Parents also play a huge role at home. The support a student receives at home is critically important in the overall success of music lessons. In order for the student to get the most out of lessons, the parents need to be involved in a positive, encouraging manner. Some students thrive with more parental involvement and some students thrive with less. We know that you know your child best, and as such, we generally defer to you in this area. However, from time-to-time, we may make suggestions and ask you to help us by trying different approaches (e.g., being more or less actively involved in lessons or practice) as a part of our teaching process.

We will have many more practical tips, coming up, for how parental involvement can really help students progress!