by Alyssa Cowell, The Catoctin School of Music With so many of us spending more time at home, we have more time than ever for practicing music. How is your music practice holding up as we enter another week of quarantine and social distancing? Here are a few practice ideas for those of us who are feeling a little stuck or need a change to refresh our practice habits: Review your...
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by Robert Fisher, The Catoctin School of Music The challenges of social isolation, the suspension of ensemble gatherings and an overall sense that live musical performance with large audiences may not be the norm for some time can certainly discourage budding and professional musicians alike, especially in this season of uncertainty. You or someone you know may be facing challenges with staying motivated and optimistic with...
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Making the decision to take music lessons is not something that should be taken lightly. Learning an instrument is an investment of time and money. Students and parents must be ready to dedicate the time to take the lesson and the time at home to practice the instrument. They must be ready to make the financial commitment to pay for the lessons, the instrument and other materials the student will...
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A little over a year ago I started practicing the harp – an instrument that I had never touched before receiving a kit to build one for Christmas of 2018. By April of 2019 I had finished putting it together, installed the strings, and started working in a curriculum series. In late July of 2019 I bought a book of “easy” Christmas songs with the intention of playing a selection...
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by Jamey Mann, Catoctin School of Music Something I say several times a day to students is please slow down. Students playing too fast is an issue students of all abilities must work on. Many listen to their favorite songs or artist and are eager to play just as fast as them. In addition, students may have difficulty recognizing the piece or song they are playing at a slower tempo which...
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