How Your Building Block Creation is Just Like Learning Music
Imagine this scenario: A student brings in music that is above their playing ability. It could be Beethoven’s Fur Elise or the last movement of Moonlight Sonata, or a Taylor Swift songbook. As their music teacher, we need to explain why we cannot work on this in their lesson. It’s time for The Lego® Speech.
Teacher: Do you like Legos?
Student: Yes!
Teacher: So, when you get a brand new set, you open the box, dump out all the pieces, and then open the instruction booklet to the last page, right?
Student: *shaking head* Nooo!
Teacher: Well, why not? If you start on the last page, you’ll get done sooner, correct?
Student: But then it won’t be built right.
Teacher: That’s exactly right. What page do you start on?
Student: Page one!
Teacher: Yes! With Legos® you have to do every step, so it turns out right. The same thing goes for learning music. We have to learn every step along the way, not try to just jump to the end.
[End scene]
No Shortcuts
It’s our job as teachers to be your instruction guide. We know not only what you are trying to learn, but a step-by-step plan that helps students develop the skills they need and do so in a way that allows the skills to build upon one another. There are no shortcuts. We can’t skip ahead.
Our goal is for students to be able to find the music they want to play and have the skills and confidence to work on it on their own independently of their music lesson assignment.
We welcome providing assistance for pieces students are working on outside of lessons when the music is at their skill level. But we reserve the right to say “that’s a little above your level and we have some work to do before we get to that point.”
Learning Music Step by Step
When you build a Lego® set, you typically begin with the foundation pieces — the flat, large pieces that serve as a base for your creation. Becoming a musician requires that you build a strong base or foundation upon which to build your skills. That’s why, just like building a Lego® set, learning music is a step-by-step process:
- Reading Music: Understanding the basics of music notation. Sometimes it helps to break the piece down into smaller sections, so the piece feels more manageable.
- Learning fingerings: Whether you play the piano, flute, or clarinet, you’ll need to memorize the specific finger positions on your instrument that correspond with the notes on the sheet of music.
- Rhythm Practice: Focusing on mastering the rhythm of a piece. Clapping or tapping out the rhythm helps you become familiar with the timing.
- Slow Practice: Starting at a slower tempo to ensure accuracy. Use a metronome to maintain a steady beat.
- Gradual Increase in Speed: Gradually increasing the tempo as your confidence builds and your performance improves.
- Musical Expression: Adding dynamics, phrasing, and expression.
- Practice Performing: Keep practicing and polishing the piece.
- Ask for Feedback: Ask your music instructor for constructive feedback and determine if you need to make adjustments.
Finally, you’ll never feel the sense of satisfaction in completing your Lego® set if you lose patience and throw all the bricks around the room in frustration. Learning to play an instrument is the same — it requires patience, persistence, and practice. Fortunately, you have lots of time to work on your skills and inevitably, you’ll enjoy the wonderful creation you’ve built in the world of music.
Questions? Contact us for more information about music lessons and more.
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