Thursday, March 9, 2023 by Jamie Brown | Uncategorized
If you are thinking of ordering a new instrument or exam book or even wanted to get an item you may have seen here in the studio, please do follow the link below which will take you to my amazon associate store.
If you find something you want to buy, but it isn't in the store let me know and I will provide you with a link to order it from.
Please note that for every item purchased amazon give me some commission with no extra fee to yourself. The intent is that this will be put back into resources for the studio as and when required.
Please note that as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. All pricing, terms of sale, rules, policies, and operating procedures concerning customer orders, customer service, and product sales set forth on the Amazon Site will apply to you and may be changed at any time. As such any customers must follow contact directions on that Amazon Site to address customer service issues.
Thursday, October 10, 2019 by Jamie Brown | Uncategorized
10 Easy Ways To Optimize Your Music Practice
Find somewhere quiet. This seems too obvious for words, but not only will you be far less likely to succumb to all sorts of distractions, but entering a special practice area, whether it's a certain room or just a corner of the living room, will help prepare you mentally for this very particular kind of work. Mindful intention is everything, and having the ritual of going to the same place every time can help set that intention.
Have your supplies nearby. I really love cellist David Finckel's "Cello Talks" 100-video series on YouTube; you don't have to play cello to get a lot out of many of them. Some of what he covers seems like impossibly basic advice — as in the discussion (below) of his practice space. Part of his advice is to keep a pencil sharpener and a very clean eraser within arm's reach, along with a pencil to mark up your music. Simple, right? But those little things are easy to forget, and if you have to go searching for them, add up to a big waste of time.
Technology can be an amazing aid — as long as you don't spend too much time futzing with it. Three free or low-cost apps I have on my phone and iPad: a metronome, a tuner and a timer, which are all essential tools for practicing. And I always have my phone with me (see above).
Begin with the end in mind: Have a goal for each practice session before you start playing. Just playing through your music isn't the same thing as practicing.Before you start, think: What do I want to accomplish today? If you're not sure what you need to focus on, ask your teacher for a few concrete goals to work toward before the next lesson — and write them down so that you can refer to them during your practice sessions.
Map a practice session out like a workout. Lots of musicians start with a few actual stretches and breathing exercises before they pick up their instruments. Even if you don't go quite that far, a pretty common scenario is to start with scales as a warm-up, to loosen up your muscles and get your brain thinking about technique; move on to the "working" part where you analyze and try to solve problems; then cool down by improvising or revisiting some music you already know well.
Practice smarter, not necessarily longer. You'll probably accomplish a whole lot more in a short amount of time if you have a very focused objective — and science tells us that we have a limited amount of willpower to draw upon anyway. So make the most of the time you have. Say you are having trouble with two very tricky measures. Set your timer for a short period (like five or 10 minutes), and then work just on one problem in as many ways as you can — break it down into even smaller and more manageable bits, go super slow, try to play the passage backwards, change the rhythm, whatever. If that trouble spot is still giving you agita, then make yourself a mental note to come back to that section again tomorrow. Chances are it will be much, much easier the next time around.
Don't always start at the beginning every time. Remember what I said about maximizing your time and your willpower? This. It can feel really good to hear yourself playing the beginning of a piece beautifully, but you may wind up wasting the limited time and energy you have. (Also, it leads to performances that start strong and then, well, wilt.)
Challenge yourself — physically. Especially if you're trying to wrestle down an element that you find problematic, scientific researchers say that if you add a physical challenge to the difficult task, such as trying to play that part while standing on one leg or while walking, your brain is likely to start carving out new neural pathways — and the original task will be easier when you return to just doing that.
Practice away from your instrument. Many musicians use visualization in the same way that athletes do: They run through their music without touching their instruments. Try bringing your music along with you (either on paper or a mobile device) when you know you'll have some downtime, such as during a car or train ride, and read through the piece silently.
Reward hard work — in positive ways — to help your brain automate good habits. That sounds like out-and-out bribery, but again, science! Finding something that your brain likes helps it remember the "habit loop," writes Charles Duhigg, author of The Power of Habit.
Tuesday, August 22, 2023 by Jamie Brown | Uncategorized
Here we are again, starting back for September!
Please note that the invoices have now gone out. Please note that due to INSET we are not working on Monday and Tuesday the first week back. If you have a lesson on these days it will be the following week. (check your invoices or the online calendar for days and times!)
Please remember that there are only 3 parking spaces marked with a sign just before the entrance to the carehome. Please don't drive past other houses as there is no other visitor parking on the site. Should the spaces be full please park on the roadway outside No. 78 leaving room for other cars to get past.
Remember half a terms notice is required to cancel your lessons.
The code for the vehicle gates is * 2354 *
The code the the pedestrian gate is 2354
I look forward to seeing you all back here in September!
I am writing to you to inform you that lesson costs will rise from January 2023 to £16.50 a lesson per 1/2 hour. The current systems of payment and booking etc will continue as previously. This amount is still below our current competitors and below the Musicians Union for contacts and legal recommendations.
I wanted you to know that this wasn’t a decision I really wanted to make as I understand many are struggling, and with uncertainty still on the horizon this is unlikely to change. However; this is the first change I have had to make in 4 years and I have made the change to enable the ability for the business to continue to be viable to provide lessons and services into 2023 and for the future.
I hope you understand the reasons behind the decision and are able to continue lessons in January 2023. Should you wish to cancel your slot please do let me know ASAP so that I can re-allocate to students on the long waiting list. Thank you for your time and support in this matter and also to the students who I have taught over the last 19 years of my teaching career, of which 11 years teaching piano here in Hertfordshire I send my many thanks.
Friday, February 11, 2022 by Jamie Brown | Lesson slots
Dear Parents & Students,
Thank you for supporting us through another difficult half-term. Even with the virus around we have continued and managed to get students ready for exams and have many lined up for the next few coming months.
Now that the world has settled a little around us again, we can once again OPEN the studio up for your lessons. If you wish to stay on video lessons please do let me know so I can have it noted on the system. In the meantime I will be cleaning out the studio ready for your arrivals the first week back.
Can I ask that where possible students should try to have taken a LFT test prior to their lesson to try to keep infection rates as low as we can (particularly in the small studio and sharing equipment) We also ask that they use the Hand Sanitiser provided before touching the equipment.
A quick reminder about the terms and conditions for lessons which are signed up to upon starting lessons are displayed in the entrance to the studio, many forget our protocols regarding these, please have another read prior to the new term starting. They are also in the online system of files. Also please remember if driving onto site that there are 3 spaces just before the care home entrance with signs on for you to park in, please don't drive up to or past the houses, this is a private road and residents will complain.
We hope you all have a lovely well deserved Half-term break and look forward to see you all again starting on the W/C 21st February.
Tuesday, January 4, 2022 by Jamie Brown | Uncategorized
Dear Parents/Students,
I hope you all had a good Christmas & New-year.
I have asked the system to generate and send out the next batch of invoices today for your reference. (Lessons start W/C 10th Jan)
I have been monitoring for the last week news outlets and watching what schools are planning and also seeking advice from the Musicians Union who provide the public liability insurance for the premises. It still seems we are in a little bit of limbo without any proper guidance to follow currently. I have therefore taken the difficult decision by using the background science of the ease of transmission of the variant in enclosed small premises to keep lessons online (Zoom) for the current period. This will be monitored week by week and as soon as we are able to return once again, we will do so as we have done in the past.
I'm sorry this isn't the news we were hoping for. If you will be unable to make your lessons online please do inform me ASAP so they can be offered out to other students awaiting a place.
Wednesday, December 8, 2021 by Jamie Brown | Uncategorized
8/12/21
Dear Parents & Students,
As we start to come to the end of another calendar year I wanted to thank you all again for your continued support for the studio and your children. We have finally managed to have students enter and pass exams again this November and December and most recently had our first Grade 8 achievement! It is also the studios 10th year running this December.
I am writing to you to inform you that after seeking advice from the musicians union regarding the omicron variant and the uncertainty surrounding it. We have been looking at the local community and what is happening in local schools currently such as moving back into bubbles, cancelling trips and concerts and in some cases closing the school early for the Christmas break. I have taken the decision to better protect you, your families and my business to move back to Online lessons for the duration of this term. This way you will have no contact with people who you don’t regularly see eliminating the chance that you will pick up the virus prior to the Christmas break from your lessons.
Hopefully I will be able to update you on when we will return to face to face lessons once we have more guidance from central Government over the next 3 or 4 weeks.
To confirm:-
1) Lessons on 9th December - 17th December 2021 will on Online via Zoom.
Confirmation will be sent to you once we can return to face to face again. If you will be unable to make these lessons please let me know ASAP.
In the meantime and will see you on Zoom for your lessons and I wish you all a Merry Christmas & New Year in which ever form it will be this year. (Please look at the sheet music folder in my music staff for Christmas music to print and try out)
Friday, September 3, 2021 by Jamie Brown | Uncategorized
Dear All,
Welcome back to a new-term and new academic year for 2021 - 2022
Please check the online calendar for your start dates and times. Once we have started if people request changes we can see if people are able to swap around. Please familiarise yourself with gate codes, places you can and cannot park on site etc. Remember that to improve neighbour relations please be quiet arriving for and leaving from lessons.
I look forward to seeing you all and hope this year will be easier for exam students to take their exams!
In the mean-time, if you have any questions please do email me:- jamielcm@hotmail.com
