MTMS is now two years old, and we would love to have a stronger online presence in the Columbus area. Would you consider helping us? If you feel so inclined, here are some online directories that link to us, which offer customer reviews:
Google Plus Citysearch MerchantCircle Yelp! LinkedIn Foursquare Facebook Angie’s List Continue reading “Online Directories”Learning Music Isn’t Just About Learning Music
Music is important in daily life, and kids often consider listening and playing music playtime. Fun is good, but music teaches students so much more than just performance. Playing an instrument focuses fine and gross motor skills. It takes a lot of coordination and reinforces good posture. Many instruments, including voice, also require breath control. Beyond the physical, here are the benefits of music.
Music training, especially done early in life, leads to brain development for language and reasoning. This is a specific change in the left side of the brain, which processes language. Other things that music learning develops are standardized tests, math, science, spatial intelligence, and get higher grades. >Spatial intelligence helps students plan what they need for a day or form mental pictures in their heads.
Students must practice to learn craftsmanship. They learn details to identify the good from the average and apply that to their own music. Music is an art form where creativity is needed to find answers where more than one may be permitted and outdated rules or assumptions must be overturned. It is also a science where there is one answer: in tune or not, the right note at the right time or a mistake. Music learning also bridges between cultures by giving the student an inside view and teaching respect for others.
Benefits of music training extend far into the future. Teamwork skills and discipline lead to students who work together for one goal and each do their own practicing and group rehearsals to achieve that. Music focuses on action, rather than passive observation. Students also learn to cooperate and communicate. They overcome fear and take risks. These traits lead to a flexible mind that is in high demand in the workplace.
Learning music guides the student to self-expression. The student learns who he is at the core, and being in touch with himself leads to self-esteem.
When music teaches students so much, it is amazing that kids still find it fun and look forward to it. Take that playtime to give children something that will help them their entire lives and sign up for music lessons.
Frolic Time
Frolic Time
by Michelle Tuesday
Sammy, the little wolf-pup, loved to frolic in the sunshine and roll in the grass. It was his favorite time of day, when the trainer threw balls around for him to chase and catch. He especially liked the little light-up ball, the one that flickered every time it landed. Sammy would pick that one up and flick his head, firing the ball up and over his back, so he would have to twist to see where it landed. Sometimes, the lion cubs on the other side of the fence would wander near his pen, and Sammy would go crazy, growling and barking, showing them how mean he was. It was so much fun!
Lately, frolic time was getting weirder. Continue reading “Frolic Time”
Reading Music Part 2: Pitch
Last month, we talked about reading rhythms. Today, we’re going to talk about reading pitch.
Now that you know how to count notes and pitches, how do you figure out which string to pluck, which key to strike, or how high or low to sing? The location of the note on the staff tells you the PITCH of the note. Continue reading “Reading Music Part 2: Pitch”
How to Write Song Lyrics
So you want to be a lyricist! Congratulations, because the drive to create is the first thing you need to write a song. You know you want to do it, and you think you have the passion, but you’re not sure what comes next. Start by asking yourself this question: For whom are you writing? Song lyrics are meant to be heard, so you’re writing for an audience, not for yourself. This cannot be emphasized enough! Keep it in mind as we go through the steps of writing good lyrics.
Step 1: The premise. Continue reading “How to Write Song Lyrics”