Hey! We're talking about lessons today, First name / friend! 

 

Whether you have one each week or take them sporadically, we've got some ideas to help you optimize your lessons and get the most out of your time with your teacher(s).

 

We know life is busy, and more often than not you're rushing from one thing to another, but considering that one of the most sacred parts of your path in music is your relationship with your teacher/ mentor, take a moment to ask:  how can I make the most of my lessons? 

 

 

Here are a few important recommendations for students across all skill levels: 

 

⭐️ Keep a notebook of post-lesson thoughts and write in it ASAP. In fact, try not to schedule anything 30 minutes after a lesson if you can! Go back through the lesson, reinforce learning and highlight the takeaways. They'll be helpful and you'll love having them later

 

🔆  Practice on lesson day - you'll remember more. Researchers say reviewing something within 8 hours allows you retain almost all of the learning!

 

🔆  Be proactive and prepared. Come with and ask questions! Don't suffer through being confused - we don't know any teachers that don't love Q's!

 

🔆  Be coachable. This means listening well (not playing over the teacher's talking), adapting quickly, being open and receptive to ideas. It can also mean having your own goals. Having an idea of what you want to achieve helps the teacher better help you!

 

🔆  Get your reeds in order before the lesson - don't be trying 5 or 6 at the start! Unless it's a reed-focused lesson, you'll throw away precious lesson minutes trying to find the 'one'.

 

🔆  Never give disclaimers before you play a scale, etude, excerpt, piece... or anything! Use your lesson as a performance opportunity. Yes, you can talk about your struggles afterwards, but don't give a bunch of excuses before you play a note!

 

🔆  Remember that everyone wants the best outcome. Even when your teacher seems harsh or overly critical don't take it personally -they want the best for you! Try to find the outcome their criticism points towards! 

 

What else would you add to this? 

 

One last little addition to the first tip, we recommend you write with a pen or pencil. When you actually write (as opposed to type into a phone or laptop) your brain engages with the idea, content or thought differently. Look on this site for the best notebooks ever! The Midori Dot Grid was gifted to Ixi by her husband, and then gifted to Tiffany from Ixi and it is AMAZING! 

 

Cheering for ya,

Ixi & Tiffany

 

 

The 28-Day Scale Reset starts today! Basically, you get a packet each day with scale exercises, etudes, even excerpts and some surprise repertoire + some fun surprises every single day. You can join any time this month, but, why don't you join us as we go through it as a group starting today?!  This Winter reset features 3 bonus lessons on fundamentals + an invite to a Facebook group where we will cheer you on, appear live and be a space for other fun surprises!  Join us! 

 

If you have an audition approaching in the next couple months, check this out - it's an Audition Simulator! It'll get your heart beating and nerves going, and it'll be the BEST way to prepare for the big day. It could be a recital, college audition or pro audition. Whatever it is, you can't practice performing enough! 

 

The first simulation session is Dec 5, at 8:30pm. Register now!  And pssstt!  You New Jersey or Nashville people? GET IN HERE! 

 

FREE CLASS! If you're into new music, or just awesome musicians, this is a must attend! Join us for a conversation with Jeff Zeigler on 𝗗𝗲𝗰 𝟳 @ 𝟲𝗽𝗺 𝗘𝗧 talking about:

🔷 how to build relationships with composers
🔷 how to approach really really new music
🔷 how to run the hottest chamber music venue in the country
🔷 his path + more!

 

About Jeff Zeigler: A former cellist of the Kronos Quartet, he's one of the most innovative and versatile musicians of our time. He is the recipient of the Avery Fisher Prize, the Polar Music Prize, the President’s Merit Award from the National Academy of Recorded Arts (Grammy’s), the Chamber Music America National Service Award and The Asia Society's Cultural Achievement Award.