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music lessons frisco tx

The Benefits of a Music Lesson on Your Child's Academic Achievements

The Benefits of a Music Lesson on Your Child's Academic Achievements

Research has shown that music lessons can enhance your child’s cognitive, social, and verbal skills. While classical music may seem to be the best choice in music studies to improve academic success, in fact, with active participation, any genre of music can help your child.

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

Top Things Great Music Teachers Include In Their Music Lessons

Music Lessons Frisco TX

When choosing a music teacher for yourself or a family member, it’s important to consider the characteristics of successful music lessons. You want a great music teacher, and great music teachers use specific strategies to help their students reach the highest goals possible.

Robert Duke and Amy Simmons studied the pedagogical approaches of a highly-regarded music teacher to determine what made their lessons so successful. They identified several important factors common to all of the approaches offered by the teachers. These factors were divided into three categories: Goals and Expectations, Effecting Change and Conveying Information.

Goals and Expectations

The lessons provided by these teachers were centered around interpretation and expression and were within the skill capabilities of the individual students. While some students required more time to practice fundamentals, they all had the capacity to learn the pieces over time.

The music teachers were able to apply their expertise and experience to unknown pieces of music, enabling them to guide students through the works as if they had earlier experience with them.

A consistent standard of quality was expected of each individual student. If the sound being produced was less than standard, the lesson was halted and that part of the piece was practiced until standards were met.

The teachers had a clear memory of the past lessons they had with students and would make comparisons to those lessons to point out positive and negative issues.

Effecting Change

The individual pieces performed by students were presented from the beginning through to the end. This enabled students to develop a habit of playing music as though each practice was a performance.

The music being played was halted only when a major error was presented. This gave students a truer sense of the sounds of an accurately played performance in its entirety.

The teachers set lesson targets and had their students repeat the target pieces until they were of a performance standard. Achievable areas of improvement were selected, feedback and guidance were offered and students were expected to continue to play until the piece was performed correctly.

Students were allowed to make their own interpretative decisions in a repertoire performance. However, the range of options was limited and determined by the teacher.

Conveying Information

Effective music teachers are able to make consistent, precise discriminations about the performances of their students, teaching the students to independently make similar discriminations. The feedback provided helped students to hone their listening abilities in order to better appreciate the subtle details of their performances. This ability to better discriminate allowed the students to raise their performance standards.

The feedback provided was always given in terms of technique mastery and the music being expressed. Both positive and negative feedback was provided. Positive feedback was intermittent and infrequent but powerful. Negative feedback was more frequent, clear and specific to the performance of each student.

Teachers played examples from the repertoires of the students to model accurate technique and standards and demonstrate crucial points.

For information about highly regarded music lessons in the Frisco, TX, area, call Matt Burk Music Studio at (469) 353-6100 today!

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

Three Tips on How to Make Your First Music School Lesson Rock

Music School Frisco TX

Music students awaiting their first lesson typically experience a variety of different emotions. Although feeling excited usually tops the list, they may also feel a little nervous, intimidated and overwhelmed. Not knowing what awaits them, as well as not being clear about the expectations of music lessons, can have them feeling a little uneasy leading up to the big day. Students can make their first lesson at music school as good as possible by following these tips.

Be Patient  

Unfortunately, you’re probably not going to become a musical superstar after just one lesson. It takes time--and lots of practice—to become proficient. Malcolm Gladwell famously wrote in his book Outliers that it takes 10,000 hours of practice to become an expert in any field. While this has received criticism, it does hone in on the point that the best thing to do before going to your first lesson at music school is to understand that it may take time and arduous practice to become the virtuoso you dream of being.  Realize that a music teacher can only guide you and it is up to you to put in the work and commitment to become the musician you dream of being. Attempting to rush and skip the basics will only hurt you in the end.

Be Open to the Process

You may expect your first lesson to include a serious jam session. The truth is, however, you may not even pick up your instrument until you have a few lessons under your belt. Your instructor will likely teach you how to read music and tell you what certain musical terms mean. They may also teach you in ways you don’t expect. This is why you’ll need to be open to whatever happens when you walk through the door. Just because you aren’t learning in a way you may have anticipated, it doesn’t mean the lesson won’t be beneficial.

Be Confident in Yourself

You may be doubting your skills if you’ve never played a musical instrument before or taken a voice lesson. Your first inclination could be to clam up and not truly engage in the lesson. Acting like this only hurts you. Your teacher wants to help you achieve your musical goals. A lack of confidence can hinder your progress. Sure, you may make mistakes, but everyone does. Your teacher has seen it all and will be there to encourage you every step of the way.

Let Matt Burk Music Studio Give You a Great First Lesson

Matt Burk Music Studio in Frisco, TX, has a team of experienced and dedicated music teachers who want to help you have a great first lesson and musical journey. Contact us today to find out how we can help and what we have to offer by calling (469) 353-6100.

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

Form to Consider When You Learn to Play Drums in TX

Learn To Play Drums TX

During your drum practices, there are various things to consider if you're not getting the sound you want. One consideration might not be the first thing you would think of. However, make sure that you are using proper form and posture to get the best sound.

For proper form, be sure that you are not hitting the drums straight up and down. Check to see if you are leaning in, or if you're sitting too close to the bass drum. Also, make sure that you are not holding the sticks too far back.

Consider other form techniques that your drum instructor has taught you. Get the best lessons on how to learn to play drums in TX by calling Matt Burk Music Studio.

Learn to Play Drums 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

The Benefits of Taking Music Lessons in Frisco, TX

Music Lessons 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