Building Strength and Creating Less Fatigue During Drum Lessons

If your child is new to playing the drums, lessons might be in order. To help your youngster play well, you might need to let him or her practice on a pillow.

While a pillow does not allow the sticks to bounce, it can give your child a great wrist workout. When the sticks hit the pillow, they stay there, requiring your child to physically pull the sticks back up. It is this action that creates stronger wrists, which means less fatigue when the child is playing real drums at practice, or the ever-important recitals.

Ask your instructor if they want your child practicing on a pillow. Start your child off with drum lessons in Frisco, TX by calling Matt Burk Music Studio.

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

Selecting the Right Instrument for Your Child for Music School

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

Before You Take Bass Lessons, Read About These 3 Popular Bass Myths

The bass guitarist is often the unsung hero of a band. They aren’t in the front and center like a singer or guitarist is, and they don’t get to sit and have a cool drum set up like a drummer does. However, they are often the backbone of the band, musically supporting everyone in the group with their bass lines. Bassists also often get a bad wrap and are the subject of a lot of popular misconceptions. If you’re thinking about taking bass lessons, you’ll want to know if these misconceptions are in fact true, or just myths.

Misconception Number 1: Playing Bass is Easy Because It Only Has Four Strings
While it’s true that a bass has four strings as opposed to a guitar’s six, there’s nothing easy about playing the bass. The person playing it has to have incredibly strong hands, because the strings are thicker than what is found on a guitar, which means you have to apply more pressure. Additionally, the bassist’s fingers have to spread far distances in order to play notes. The bassist’s hands can tire quite quickly, which means that playing can become physically taxing unless the player practices stretching and strengthening exercises.

Misconception Number 2: Bassists Can’t Sing and Play Simultaneously
Usually, when a singer plays an instrument, it’s the guitar that is used as the weapon of choice. However, this doesn’t always have to be the case. Playing the bass and singing at the same time can present challenges, as the bass line usually goes along with the drums, while the lead guitar line typically mirrors the vocals. Playing and singing rhythms that are opposite of each other can be extremely confusing and requires excellent coordination. However, with practice and determination, a bassist can certainly belt out some vocals, as well.

Misconception Number 3: Bassists Can’t Use Picks
The beauty of the bass is that the player can choose whether or not a pick is used while playing. Some find that playing with a pick is easier and creates a better sound, while others prefer using their fingers to do the strumming. Whether or not a pick is used is completely up to the player. Some bassists like to use picks when performing certain songs and only use their fingers while playing others. You’d be hard-pressed to find an electric guitarist who has the same freedoms.

Bass Lessons Can Help Both New and Experienced Players
Taking bass lessons is a perfect way to decide your preferences while playing. They can also help even the most experienced musicians build upon their skills. The Matt Burk Music Studio in Frisco, TX, offers lessons to learn everything from basic notes to advanced rhythms. Find out more about the lessons we offer by calling 469-353-6100.

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

The Benefits of Taking Music Lessons in Frisco, TX

No matter your age, taking music lessons in Frisco, TX is an invaluable investment that you will never regret. For most people, the decision to take music lessons is simple enough, but deciding what kind of lessons and which instrument can take considerably longer to sort through. While the idea of learning a new skill or simply choosing which instrument you would like learn may seem daunting at first, these four benefits of taking music lessons in Frisco, TX will far outweigh any doubt or questions you may have.

You will make your brain and body stronger
Studies have demonstrated that taking music lessons even late in life can still have significant impact and benefits on the brain. Your body will benefit as well, as music and the playing of music have been linked to improvements in pain, immune system functionality, nervous system, skeletal system, and cardiovascular system.

You will experience personal growth
The perseverance and patience required when you learn a new instrument will help you improve your attitude and cultivate character traits that will be valuable to you for the rest of your life. Some of those character traits include self-confidence, self-discipline, delayed gratification, respect for others, humility and creativity.

You will improve your social skills
If you take music lessons in a group setting, you will quickly learn to become comfortable with two things that can be a struggle for most people — making mistakes and receiving feedback or constructive criticism. The fact that this is all occurring with an audience may make your pulse quicken a bit, but the thing to keep in mind is that both will occur in a supportive environment. You will be surprised to see yourself taking this new comfort with making mistakes and receiving criticism into other scenarios of your life and excelling. This makes you more thoughtful and mature and will help people see you as a leader.

You will learn about new cultures
One of the more beautiful benefits of taking music lessons in Frisco, TX is the unbelievable amount you will learn about other cultures as your studies progress. Different music by different composers, as well as the instruments required for each unique composition, will help you appreciate the sounds and traditions that make up cultures all around the world.

If you are ready to take music lessons in Frisco, TX  Matt Burk Music Studio caters to students of all ages. 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.

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

Practicing When You Learn to Play Piano in Frisco, TX

When your child wants to learn how to play the piano, you might think that there is too much involved. The truth is that all your child needs to do to play well is practice.

Practicing a little and often (every day) will yield better results than practicing for hours on end in one big chunk. While daily practice is necessary, it is the quality of the practice that will provide better results over time than only focusing on the amount of time spent.

Your child's piano instructor can provide more information on the best amount of practice. This instruction will include when the best time of day to practice is for your child. For the best method to learn to play piano in Frisco, TX call Matt Burk Music Studio.

Learn to Play Piano 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

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

Learn to Play Piano With These Strengthening and Stretching Exercises

Playing piano is far more than just making beautiful music. It’s about discipline, mental prowess and, believe it or not, finger strength. If you’ve ever sat down and tried to play a song or two, you may have noticed just how sore and tired your fingers and wrists can be afterward. After all, your fingers are stretching and pushing the entire time you’re playing. Along with memorizing notes and understanding the technique, learning how to play the piano is also about having strong enough fingers to reach the keys and make them sound great. By practicing these strengthening exercises, you can enhance your playing skills and prevent your hands and fingers from becoming fatigued.

Individually Strengthen Each Finger

Find a stable, flat surface and spread your fingers apart. Push down slightly in a series of light pulses, allowing your knuckles to bend slightly. Try to relax your wrists as much as possible. This type of exercise helps to create microscopic tears in the muscle tissue, which will help to strengthen them over time.

Work Your Weaker Fingers

Generally speaking, the fifth finger, or pinky finger, is the weakest on a person’s hand. Having such varying finger strengths can make playing evenly quite difficult. To strengthen your finger, practice playing scales with even volume across all fingers. Additionally, you can play a run of two or three notes with your weakest finger and two stronger fingers. During this, it’s important to maintain an even rhythm and volume. Lastly, play two alternating notes with your stronger and weaker finger. Here, be sure to maintain an even rhythm and volume.

Stretches

Stretch your fingers and make playing easier and create flexibility by playing two notes at least an octave apart, with your thumb and fifth finger. Next, play a third note somewhere in between them, then jump staccato from the lower note to the higher note and back again. Lastly, hold your thumb down on a note and play ascending staccato notes as far as possible with one of your fingers.

Gripping Devices

Give your fingers a workout by squeezing a gripping device. Using them before and after practice, you can improve finger independence and knuckle strength. For the same workout without the weights, hold your hands up with your fingers stretched apart and slowly contract the muscles to bear claws. Open them back up quickly, then repeat the sequence.

Learn How to Play the Piano From the Best

Matt Burk Music Studio offers piano lessons from some of the best teachers in Texas. To learn more, call 469-353-6100 and schedule an appointment today.

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

5 Tips on Learning How to Play Guitar Better with the Help of a Studio

www.wannalearnmusic.com At Matt Burk Music Studio, we specialize in private lessons for piano, drums, bass, guitar, voice and songwriting. Our lessons are tailored specifically for each student - we teach classical, pop, rock, praise & worship, jazz, and countless other styles. Students are encouraged to learn whatever styles interest them!

A wide variety of musical interests and the versatility and popularity of the guitar are what draw many students to want to learn how to play guitar in Frisco, TX. It's always possible to learn a new skill if you have the desire and determination to follow through with all it takes to get you to your goal. Here are 5 tips to follow that will help you as you begin your quest:

1. Learn something new every day
2. Learn the major skill intervals
3. Run through every chord you know
4. Learn your favorite guitar solos verbatim
5. Track your progress

At Matt Burk Music Studio, we strive to create an environment where, as students advance, they can easily develop their own style and unique voice. Call us today at (469)353-6100 today to schedule a tour of our studio in Frisco, TX. Or visit us online at www.wannalearnmusic.com.

How to Play Guitar 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

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

What to Buy (and not buy) For Your Beginner Guitar Lesson in TX

If your child is considering playing guitar, he or she likely wants all the greatest gadgets to go along with their guitar. While pedals, amps and other accessories sound cool, they won't make your child a better player.

Once your child learns the chords, finger placement, and knows how to play the guitar that is when it's best to invest in other gadgets to accessorize the guitar. To get your child started in guitar lessons, invest in the best guitar that you can afford and move up as they get better and can handle the more expensive versions.

Also, sign your child up for the best beginner guitar lesson in TX by calling Matt Burk Music Studio.

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