Music & Arts | Sound Teaching | November 2017

November 2017

SOUNDTEACHING NEWSLETTER FOR LESSON TEACHERS @ MUSIC & ARTS

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Music is Work

Referring Quality

In the Arts with Laura:

Improving Retention

Teachers

Want More Students?

Through Events

Music is Work

BY J O S E P H R A L S T O N , G U I TA R I N S T R U C T O R I N B U R I E N , WA

Music is work. Being good at it requires

though some scales in the lesson. Tell

scale. After a while of doing this, I told

them, “This is important. Practice this at

him to use these chunks to create a solo.

home.” Send them on their way. Next

The student floundered for a minute. I

week, when you ask if they practiced the

stopped the music and said, “Don’t try

scales, they will probably say something

to write the music as you go. Just let

like, “A little bit.” This means that they

it come out.” Steve Ray Vaughan once

did it once, hated it, and avoided it after

said that about how he played the blues.

the fact. Teachers can talk until we are

I started the music over, and he started

blue in the face about the importance

playing. He struggled for a minute, but

of scales, and most students will not

then it happened. He played a coherent

believe us. We cannot just say it is

solo. It was not the greatest solo ever,

important, and we cannot avoid the

but I saw on his face the exact moment

subject.

when he understood what he was doing.

a major life commitment. When

He now works his scales as well as any

students begin taking lessons, they do

As teachers we have to create a situation

not see the long road of scales, songs,

in which the students figure out for

etudes, reading exercises, etc. between

themselves just how important it is to

Music is work. It is often fun. It can also

where they are and where they want to

practice their scales. There is no cookie

be frustrating and worst of all, if you let

be. The job of a teacher is to guide the

cutter method for creating that situation.

it, it can become boring and tedious.

student down this path in a way that

We have to study our students. We

But in private lessons, we have a unique

encourages the student to continue (I do

need to know how they learn and what

opportunity to teach something that

not envy violin instructors in this task).

motivates them. Every kid is different.

is hard to learn in a classroom. Work

Most beginning students are under the

If you have 20 students, you may need

can lead to something deeper and

age of 18, and this creates a fundamental

to create 20 different approaches to get

more meaningful. Work is fulfilling,

obstacle for the teacher. Music is work.

each studnet to go home and practice.

and hopefully this idea carries to other

This can mean that you need to prepare

aspects of their lives besides music. If

Have you ever tried to ask a kid (or even

for your lessons. Music is work. This is

I have any success, it is because I teach

an adult) if they want to do some work

true for teachers as well as students.

this to my students. Music is work, but it is work that we love.

right now? It does not go over very well.

What can a simple teacher do? We can

As an example, one of my students

teach them how to work. We can teach

needed to practice his scales to play the

them why they should practice. Take

rock/blues solo stuff that he wanted to

scales as an example.

play. Over a few weeks he played his scales a little, but he did not really see

Scales are arguably the most important

how going up and down notes would

thing for an instrumental musician to

enable him to do a solo. In one lesson,

practice. Every single one of us needs

I put on a song. I had him play a little

to do it, and almost no student wants to

piece of the scale. He did it several

actually do it at first. Give a kid a list of

times over to the music. We did this

scales in your lesson. Have them run

with a couple of different chunks of the

S O U N D T E A C H I N G | November 2017

student I have ever had.

J O S E P H R A L S T O N is from Fayetteville, AR where he earned a degree in guitar performance from the University of Arkansas. After college, he spent four years in the Air Force as a radio technician.

Currently, in addition to teaching music, he plays stringed instruments in musicals in the Seattle area. His own recorded music is posted on the youtube channel Hylobatidae.

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Referring Quality Teachers

BY RACHEL STEVENSON, M& A LESSON SPECIALIST

Hello Everyone! My name is Rachel Stevenson and I’ve recently been hired at Music & Arts to help our stores with teacher hiring. In the last year, we’ve added more new stores than ever and have been actively seeking teachers. My role within the company will be to find, prescreen, and place qualified teachers to work in our stores.

Recently I worked overseas in the Philippines as the Assistant Manager at a conference center. Although this wasn’t a music position, I must tell you that the Filipino people have the market on Karaoke! Karaoke is the favorite activity at any event - from birthday parties, to company outings!

Unfortunately for me, I do not have the voice this requires! I am also challenged when it comes to playing an instrument.

She is non –verbal, but through music

As we chatted about his education and

therapy, she developed a system of eye

experience, his passion for teaching was

gaze that enables her to communicate

apparent. I asked him how he heard

with us! I find it fascinating that music

about Music & Arts and he answered

touches her neurologically where

that his first music lessons as a child

nothing else can. The theory is that the

were at Music & Arts! He commended

neurons in her brain do not effectively

his Music & Arts teachers for passing on

make paths to each other. However,

their passion. How exciting to have an

music makes those pathways happen,

opportunity to hire a teacher who grew

enabling her to make connections and

up with Music & Arts lessons!

motivating her to respond!

If you know someone who is passionate I owe music a lot! I love this new

about teaching music and meets our

opportunity to connect teachers to

requirements, please do not be shy

students. I want to find the type of

about referring them to Music and Arts.

teachers who help their students make

Even if there is not a current studio

positive neurological and emotional

opening at the store in which they are

pathways – growing them as musicians

interested, it is great to be able to have

and as caring human beings!

a pool of teachers ready and waiting to fill an empty spot. The best way for

At Music & Arts, we want (more)

interested teachers to apply is through

quality teachers. Yes, this means

the Music & Arts website. There is a

that they have a music degree and/

“Careers” link on the bottom of the page.

or quality teaching experience; but it

I will be checking the database daily!

also means we want teachers who are passionate about music, passionate

In the meantime, do not underestimate

about teaching, and someone we can

your impact as a music teacher! You are

trust with our students! It was so fun

positively changing the way someone’s

for me to recently hold an interview with

brain works!

a young man who plays the saxophone.

I have a guitar which I play for one person only – my eldest daughter, Jamie.

Music changed Jamie’s life. Jamie was born with a neurological disorder called Rett Syndrome. As we learned more about how to help our daughter, we heard that music therapy was an effective tool. Jamie is now 21 years old and music therapy is the only therapy

N E W T E AC H E R O R I E N TAT I O N U P C O M I N G O R I E N TAT I O N DAT E S : Wednesday, December 20th @ 11am EST Thursday, January 25th @ 1pm EST Seminar phone number: 800-531-3250 Conference ID: 3860306 RSVP: e-mail lessons@musicarts.com

that had a proven effect on her disability!

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S O U N D T E A C H I N G | November 2017

Fool Proof Holiday Make-Up Plan

BY GT LITTLE JR, PIANO INSTRUCTOR IN ELLICOTT CITY & TIMONIUM, MD

We’re officially in the “Holiday Season”

I found that during my earlier years of

best interest to do so and that’s always

regarding make-up lessons. If any of

teaching that waiting for the holidays

an “easy sell.”

my students have a lesson that falls on

to try and schedule a make-up would

Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas

become a nightmare! Students had

My reputation for NOT GIVING

Day, New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day,

to cancel because out of town guests

CREDITS is well known and people

then we have to schedule a pre make-

would suddenly pop up. They canceled

want to be sure that they get their

up lesson to cover for that period.

because they were too stressed with

value from the experience. So, if they

That usually comes out to a whopping

holiday preparations. Or most often,

know going in that their only option is

60 extra lessons that will have to be

they forgot the scheduled lesson

to take the lesson they supposedly want

accounted for. So, in order to get them

altogether because they were in “holiday

or lose the payment for it, they are much

all in, I have to start now!

mode.” After all, the “Real Schools”

more motivated to come in. This system

were closed for winter break. How were

makes it far more palatable for them

There are multiple advantages to doing

they supposed to remember an isolated

to comply, as we’re working together

this.

private lesson? In the end, it would be

with a shared goal. I would suggest

1. It guarantees that my students

lost income for me, as the student would

that any of you who are struggling with

will get every lesson they paid for

always opt for the credit (since the

maintaining your studio during these

without interrupting their holiday,

store was closed) to make things easier

periods adopt a similar program. You

as well as ensuring consistent

for them. So, I quickly learned that if I

will find that it is a lot easier to enjoy the

billing (no change in the monthly

got the lesson in BEFORE the holiday

holiday when all of the work leading up

amount makes it easier for students

madness started, everybody was happier.

to said holiday has been done on both

to plan their budgets).

2. It guarantees that my salary won’t

sides of this scenario.

It’s not that much extra work if you plan

drop at the very point where

it out as part of your regular schedule.

expenses are guaranteed to rise!

There are plenty of sports events, PTA

This is a “win-win” for all concerned.

meetings, school concerts, etc. that

3. When I get new students as we

provide the openings necessary to

approach those holidays, my current

squeeze the lessons in. As long as the

students are already covered,

student/parent know that this is the

making it much easier to schedule

situation, they don’t have any problem

the newer students.

with staying an extra half hour or coming in early, or on short notice on a

I have been using this system for more

completely different day to get the pre

than 20 years with iron clad success.

make-up lesson in. After all, it’s in their

G T L I T T L E , J R is a rare combination of avid music enthusiast, experienced professional and university educated music scholar, whose range is virtually limitless. Born and raised in Maryland, GT studied piano at Peabody Preparatory as a child and later graduated from Towson State University with an M.F.A. in Composition. He has over 20 years’ experience teaching piano, theory, and music production, specializing in pop and jazz.

ATTENTION ALL TEACHERS: Please verify with our HR department that we have the correct mailing address on file so your 1099 arrives to the correct address. To correct your address, email an updated W9 form to lessons@musicarts.com.

S O U N D T E A C H I N G | November 2017

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In the Arts with Laura: Want More Students?

BY LAURA ZOLFO, M& A REGIONAL LESSON MANAGER

to internet ads and communicating with

taking place. Giving new customers the

school music students, we’ll impact over

chance to see you and your students at

1 million households with The Lesson

work is a great way help make the idea

Studio at M&A this holiday season.

of learning an instrument more tangible.

The holidays are perfect for this! Break

The Lesson Pyramid

out your instrument and play carols

You may have seen these around

during some bustling shopping hours.

the store, and even witnessed them happening in real time. The Lesson

Connect with local Music Teachers

Pyramid is our time-tested process for

A phone call, email or formal

Whether you’re new to teaching with

getting to know a customer, showing

introduction with a school teacher is

us, or just looking to fill in the schedule,

them what The Lesson Studio is all

a great way to connect yourself with

this is one of the most common

about, and identifying their best-fit

potential students. For an added

questions we get. Please know, I want

instructor and getting them on the

layer, you can offer a masterclass to

you to have students too! And lots

schedule. When new employees join

middle and high school students or

of them. The Lesson Team is always

the team, it’s a critical component of

just a general music demonstration for

looking for ways to put eager new

becoming sales certified in our stores.

elementary students.

learners in those studio chairs. There

These happen all day, every day and

are many things that go on behind the

they’re our strongest recruiting tool.

Offer a First Lesson Experience Taking gigs this season? Your store

scenes, and some things happen right Store Recruiting

manager can provide you with a

Our store teams have various customer

recruiting postcard. It’s like a coupon

Request Lessons

resources to work with when looking

for a first lesson, exclusively with you.

Every M&A store has their own page

for more students. My favorite is the

Fill in the card with your name and store

online, and as an M&A teacher so do

Stopped Lessons List. Each month, the

information. When doing your thing

you. As customers shop online for all

stores receive a list of customers who

around town, give them to potential

their music needs, they can view your

have stopped lessons in the last 30 days.

students as you see fit. It connects

teacher page and request online to take

Since music lessons often follow the

customers to the store, and the sales

lessons with you. Nationally, we get

flow of the school year, this list is my

team can get them on your schedule.

over 1,000 requests a month asking for

favorite opportunity to invite students

lessons this way. If you’re putting your

back into the program.

in your store.

in the past. If they resonate with you

best foot forward online, you’re going to get more requests.

Want even more? Here are some things

as an opportunity to grow your studio,

you can do to help fill your studio.

speak with your store manager about how to implement one or two of them

National Marketing Our Marketing Team is constantly at

In-Store Recitals and Clinics

work bringing musicians through our

It makes sense that customers are more

doors each season. From newspapers,

receptive when they can see lessons

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I’ve had success with all of these tactics

successfully.

S O U N D T E A C H I N G | November 2017

Improving Retention Through Events

BY R E B E C C A S C H I N A S I , M & A S T O R E M A N A G E R I N L I N D E N H U R S T, N Y

important in student retention. Having

people want to perform too! Having

consistency and approachability creates

all parties of the store together in one

a beautiful mentorship between the

room brings of sense of family to these

teacher and student. Coming to an open

students. The last open mic we hosted,

mic night and playing simultaneously

95 people from the community attended!

with your student, being on the stage with them, and supporting them through

Teacher and Store Relationship

nervousness and stage freight is where

Remember earlier when I mentioned

the best part of this relationship is

the word staff and needed to clarify that

built. In addition to this mentorship,

it meant both teachers and retail sales

Retention, as many of you know, is one

the enticing curriculum worked on for

associates? The separation of having

of the significant principles that holds

events helps keep the students excited;

two different “channels” in your lesson

the foundation for a successful and

creating a sense of commitment and

program is common and unfortunate.

consistently growing lesson program.

interest (the exact things we promised

We all have the same goals, run the

the student would feel from the

same program, and care about the same

The easiest way to improve retention

beginning). This can be inspired by the

students. We are one team, with one

for both the store and the individual

student, store, or teacher! I personally

goal. When managers stop looking at

teachers, is having store events. I would

pick out themes like 90s-day, pop punk

their teachers like product or contractors

be lying if I told you that your manager

night, or 70’s night to bring in different

and start thinking of them as part of

is not a big part in this. If your manager

crowds and give different types of

their team, you see a difference in

does not host these events already,

students things to look forward to.

culture and work efficiency. Every

reach out! Often managers assume that

single teacher in our store knows I am

teacher participation is unrealistic and

A Sense of Community

ambitious and quick to get things done,

therefore leave retention in the hands of

Being part of a community brings a

but they also know I love dinosaurs

the teacher. This stress is undying and

sense of commitment from students,

and enjoy a good conversation

painful, but completely avoidable. With

families, staff, and your town’s local

about veganism. Having this type of

better relationships and communication

musicians. At our store on Long Island,

relationship with your manager and

between the student and teacher,

we strive to have open mics every

retail associates is an additional way

teacher and store, and store and student,

month, quarterly recitals, and two

to create an environment full of family

retention improves drastically.

large community events yearly. This

values. Events can contribute to getting

commitment is an easy way to keep

to know each other better in the same

Teacher and Student Relationship

people wanting to stay a part of your

professional and fun environment you

Providing a professional level of

program. Having an energetic and

are giving to the students.

emotional support becomes so

enthusiastic host at these events makes

R E B E C C A S C H I N A S I is a native New Yorker who has an enormous passion for helping people grow. Rebecca is the full-time lesson program director and store manager in Lindenhurst, NY. This is the very same location she began lessons at in 2nd grade. Her passion for helping people has encouraged her to pursue education in human behavior and developmental growth through counseling. This year, she will be receiving her BA in Forensic Psychology from John Jay College of Criminal Justice and plans on continuing her education in Mental Health Counseling.

S O U N D T E A C H I N G | November 2017

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Teaching Classical Guitar Technique

BY S C O T T S C H W E R T F E G E R , G U I TA R I N S T R U C T O R I N B U R K E , VA

The modern, nylon string “classical”

get this instrument for the purpose

Christopher Parkening’s “The Art and

guitar is an amazing instrument

of forming a good foundation, and

Technique of the Classical Guitar”

and vehicle for music expression. It

freeing the hands. Having access to a

volumes one and two. It does an

comes from a long line of distant

bench is better than using any kind of

excellent job of uniting the mind to the

cousins, including the Lute, Vihuela,

chair. A piano bench is most common,

staff, and the hands to the strings.

Renaissance Guitar, and Baroque

and available now through Music &

Guitar. Since the first construct of the

Arts, as well as the standard footstool

Performance Opportunities

modern design in 1859 by Antonio de

for elevation of the left leg for good

Once a student has developed and

Torres Jurado(1817-1892), a rich history

ergonomics. Being centered, and finding

forged their technique, and have

of repertoire and pedagogy has been

one’s center of gravity while sitting

developed some music they enjoy

handed down to us, providing a path

is fundamental to the overall process.

playing, I encourage them to share it

for each unique person to find the best

Chairs that are designed for comfort,

as a live public performance. I never

in their technique. Each person who

thus having sloped seats and arms on

force this, but always encourage it. It’s

begins the quest of the guitar may differ

them work against the ergonomics.

a deep and personal thing to perform,

in their musical background and artistic

Lastly, I recommend having a music

and I believe it’s up to everyone to

desires, but taking time to explore the

stand. Having materials placed on the

come to the decision if they wish to

technique of the classical guitar will

couch or floor or table is going to work

share their music. Finding a venue

provide a strong foundation for playing

against the process. On the music stand,

and creating an environment free of

any kind of guitar (electric guitar,

I would place a metronome, and a pencil

criticism and full of support is fairly

electric bass guitar, banjo, etc.), and if

for taking notes. These things provide

easy. If it’s possible to have a consistent

guided properly, will weed out any flaws

consistency to one’s work and increase

performance opportunity, I’ve seen that

in their technique.

the quality of the results.

it really accelerates the overall growth of what students are doing. In addition,

Consistency and Ergonomics

Supplement Materials

creating performing ensembles for your

Whether a seasoned pro or just starting

Being able to communicate well

students is a wonderful way to break the

out on the journey, having a good

musically is a skill that combines many

ice on performing, and quickly builds

setup and consistent workspace are

factors. I recommend to everyone

confidence.

keys to getting results quickly. Even if

that they learn to read standard staff

their desire is a style that exclusively

notation. For classical guitar there

uses electric guitar, I recommend they

are many methods, but I recommend

S C O T T S C H W E R T F E G E R received his B.S. degree in Interdisciplinary Studies combining Music Performance and Music History from West Liberty State College, studying Classical Guitar technique with Dr. Nels Leonard, student and friend of Andres Segovia. After completing his undergraduate studies, Scott was awarded a teaching assistantship at the University of Akron, where he received his M.M. in Music Performance in 1994, working closely with renowned guitarist and pedagogue Stephen Aron, who chairs the Guitar Departments at The University of Akron and Oberlin Conservatory of Music. Throughout his undergraduate and graduate studies, Scott has participated in Masterclasses with famed and renowned guitarists such as Sharon Isbin, John Holmquist, Ricardo Iznaola, and David Tannenbaum. Scott has participated in numerous projects and recordings since graduating, and has been featured in local and national radio and television broadcasts, in addition to serving on the faculties of the Cleveland Institute of Music and Bethany College as Lecturer and Teacher of Classical Guitar.

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S O U N D T E A C H I N G | November 2017

Inside the Lesson Studio with Hannah

BY H A N N A H B E S T, M & A R E G I O N A L L E S S O N M A N A G E R

Q “What should I be thinking about

If you would like to host your own

2. Network with teachers and potential

right now with the holiday season

performance event, please speak

students. This can come in many

coming up?”

with your Store Manager to begin

forms. Sometimes there are

making arrangements.

tables set up where you can assist

A “It’s during the holidays that many

Another thing to be thinking about is

with instrument demonstrations.

students cancel lessons or request

that Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New

Other times, you may be moving

changes in their schedule. The best

Year’s Day are automatically credited to

throughout the store. When you are

things to be thinking about right now

students. This means that when students

approached by an employee with a

are:

pay for lessons in November, they will

student that would like to meet you,

1. Have you notified your students to

not be charged for lessons if they fall on

this is the perfect time to talk about

find out who is planning on going

the holidays in December (mentioned

the things that make you a strong

out of town or who will be able to

above). You are welcome to make up

teacher!

maintain their normal schedule

those lessons to keep your income

Showcase the unique things that make

during the holidays? We have a

stable during this time. Please notify the

you stand out:

Holiday Letter available for you to

Store Manager so that they’re able to

1. Customized Lessons & Curriculum

give to your students to find out

add charges to offset lesson credits (or

their plans.

refunds) before students are charged in

and how this makes you a

December.”

strong teacher.

2. Do you have all of your students’ contact information in case there are cancellations that you can fill in

Q “My store has an event coming

with make-up lessons? (The store

up and they asked me to participate.

can supply you with a Student

What am I supposed to do during the

Directory, which has your students’

event?”

contact information available).

3. Do you have a plan in place for

A “First, thank you so much for your

•

•

Explain the methods you use

Talk about the supplements you use that make your lessons fun.

•

Show the family how you create the curriculum for your students.

2. Performance Opportunities

inclement weather? Are you aware

willingness to participate. One of the

of which days the store has open

best ways to build your studio is to

types of performance

studios to schedule make-up

participate in events. This interaction

opportunities you coordinate

lessons? Do you feel confident

really helps teachers develop a positive

for your students and/or

about scheduling make-up lessons

reputation in the community!

the performances you have

(maybe this is your first holiday

Steps for Participation:

coming up in the community.

season at M&A)?

1. Performing in the store is a great

4. Are your students performing

way to inspire new students! After

•

•

Tell the family about the

Give out a flyer for upcoming events.

in any upcoming events? If your

you’ve finished a performance, use

For more information about event

students are performing in the store

this as an opportunity to introduce

participation, please feel free to contact

hosted recital, now would be the

yourself as a teacher at Music &

me at lessons@musicarts.com.”

time to notify the Store Manager.

Arts.

S O U N D T E A C H I N G | November 2017

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