Chances are you’ve already started shopping for back to school supplies for the upcoming school year. You’ve stocked up on notebooks, pencils, erasers, folders, and any other necessities. Those are all great, but have you made sure your budding musician has everything they need for success in music lessons?
Having the right tools is the first step to being prepared, and when students feel prepared, they’re more likely to stay engaged and motivated. Want to help your child be the best musician they can be this school year? Here’s a list of tools to set your student up for success!
- A Quality Instrument – We often associate quality with expense, but it’s important to note that these are not mutually exclusive. While you may be tentative about spending money on an instrument you’re not sure your child will stick with, our best advice would be to talk with your child’s teacher. He/she will be able to point you in the right direction towards a quality, cost-effective instrument to start music instruction.
- Method Books – Are your child’s method books up to date? Don’t be afraid to shoot a quick email to your child’s music teacher before the school year begins to find out what books they’ll need to continue music study.
- Tuner/Metronome – Whether it’s an actual gadget or an app on your smartphone, tuners and metronomes help enforce aural and rhythmic skills for accurate practice and performance. As your child will be familiar with these devices from their music lessons, they should be comfortable using them at home.
- Music Stand – Is your kid standing over the kitchen table craning his/her neck to see the sheet music over the instrument? Sounds like it’s time to buy a music stand! Having music sitting at eye level supports good posture, breath support, and embouchure. Make sure it’s sturdy enough to support books and loose-leaf music and that it has adjustable heights and desk angles for any performance situation.
- Instrument Care Kit – Establish good habits early on and make sure your child has the tools to properly clean and care for his/her instrument. Whether you’re renting or owning, instruments that are adequately cleaned and maintenance produce better tone and are easier to play. Stop those unclean habits and help your child sound the best he/she can!
These must-haves won’t only be beneficial for practicing at home, but also encourage skills and talents that will carry over into music lessons. Feel free to reach out to The International School of Music with any questions you might have, and we’ll see you in the fall!
Start Your School Year the Right Way!
Our two locations are reaching capacity fast! Stay ahead of the game and book your back-to-school music lesson times before all the popular after-school times are gone!
NORTH: 301-365-5888
SOUTH: 301-320-4400
