Sydney Brass Lessons

Brass Instrument Lessons

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Private study with a good teacher is the best way to make efficient progress when learning to play an instrument. It allows the teacher to work closely with the student to quickly correct bad techniques (before they become bad habits) and to offer guidance and encouragement during the important stages of learning.

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Students can expect to work through all key aspects of playing their chosen instrument, such as:​

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- warm up methods​

- breathing exercises

- good sound production

- major and minor scales

- etudes (studies)

- technique/dexterity work from the well known study methods

- solo & duet work

- band / ensemble music

- classical and jazz/pop styles

 

No matter what style of music you are interested in, mastering the basics is where it all begins.

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All of my lessons are tought one-to-one and not in groups as I feel that this gives much more focus on the needs of the individual student and the lesson plans can then be personally tailored to cover specific requirements.

Why take private brass lessons?

 

Anyone can benefit from taking private music lessons no matter what age or level of experience. You don't need to be an aspiring professional musician or even plan on playing in bands and groups.

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5 reasons to give your children music lessons:

(original text thanks to Nora Beane on Yahoo Voices)

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Children love music. Form the time they are very young children begin to respond to musical sounds or repeated melody lines with smiles and their own vocalizations. With even marginal small motor skills they add to their delight in music by banging on a drum , plunking a piano key or strumming on a toy guitar. For school age children, musical opportunities take on a more structured format. Through school, community or private venues music lessons are available that can help transform enthusiastic young people into skilled musicians. But giving your child the gift of music lessons can also provide five benefits you may not have yet considered.

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1. Music lessons connect young people with the sheer joy of music. Stimulating the mind and the imagination through sound, music is a language all its own. For young people, music lessons are the first and most important step to making that language their very own. The joy of playing a musical instrument can last a life time. The basics learned as a fourth or fifth grader open the door to more advanced participation in bands, orchestras or combos in junior and senior high school and possibly even into college. Even more important learning the fundamentals involved in playing and instrument allow children to make the joy of music their very own.

 

2. Music lessons can help children to build confidence and self esteem. Children taking music lessons learn to play notes sequentially from lesson to less. With each simple skill they acquire children add to their own pyramid of musical knowledge and achievement. Learning to play even that very first note provides its own unique sense of accomplishment. Children can listen to and marvel at their own strides. Playing "Twinkle, Twinkle Little star is truly miraculous for someone who a few weeks ago didn't know how to h old an instrument in the correct fashion. As a regular activity in a child's weekly schedule music lessons give children the structure within which they will gradually build confidence and self esteem. For children who may be struggling even at an early age with academics or with social adjustment, music provides an avenue for success and socialization with other fledgling musicians.

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3. In a world where they may feel bombarded by violent or highly competitive activities, children are likely to find that music lessons provide skills that can be used to build their own calm, peaceful and enjoyable leisure activity. There are many children who do not feel drawn to hard hitting or confrontational sports or games ore even the computerized versions of such games. Providing your child music lessons may well mean giving them an option for the productive and enjoyable use of their free time. In time music lessons can help your child to build the kind of skills that will allow him or her to participate in a band or other musical ensemble. There your child will find large numbers of other young people who have discovered the joy and sense of personal accomplishment that music lessons can bring into their lives.

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4. Parents want their children to grow not just in stature but also in their seen of responsibility. Music lessons can help children to become less dependent on adults and more likely to take charge of their own free time. Attending music lessons requires that children practice between sessions. As a results children learn to make decisions and choices about how, where and when they will practice. They will learn that to be successful at the next lesson they have to develop a personal schedule for practice and then they have to stick with it. According to the instrument that your child selects, he or she will have to learn the basic care and maintenance neede to keep the instrument performance ready. Perhaps more than anything they have experienced before , music lesson truly belong to children and this sense of ownership can encourage young people to develop both personal discipline and responsibility.

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5. Music lessons can give you and your child a new place to bond. Even though you as the parent are not taking music lessons yourself the experience is something you can actively share, encourage and nurture. Listening in and providing encouragement as your child struggles with a new tune can create a new bond of two way respect . Taking your child to a concert where his or her instrument is featured prominently can give re-enforcement to your child's willingness to develop skills. Providing CD's, even borrowed ones from the library , unexpectedly can show your child your interest and may help you to get a better comprehension and appreciation for his or her own growth as a musician. And of course attending any and ll performances in which your child takes part and then sharing the highlights and the low can help you and your child to see each other with new eyes and new respect.

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Music lessons and the skills which they help to produce can give you a new road into the mind, heart, imagination and life of your child. Your openness to music lessons and music in your child's life may help your children to see you in a new way as well.

 

AMEB exams | 5 reasons to do an AMEB exam

(original text taken from AMEB website)

 

Every year thousands of Australians of all ages sit AMEB exams in music and speech & drama for a variety of reasons. Many take exams at the advice of their teacher or as a prerequisite for tertiary entrance or as a benchmark of their education or for recognition of their year’s hard work and achievement. Preparing for exams can be challenging and time-consuming and sometimes the effort and time required to complete an exam seem insurmountable. So why sit an AMEB exam at all? Here are 5 good reasons why it really is worth it after all:

 

1. TO ASSIST IN SETTING GOALS

Preparing for an exam requires a significant amount of planning and hard work. Exams provide clearly defined goal posts that are a powerful motivating force. Leading musicians and educators set realistic and appropriate goals within AMEB syllabuses and examinations are an opportunity for students to measure themselves against these goals.

 

2. TO ENCOURAGE THE DEVELOPMENT OF A BROADER RANGE OF SKILLS

AMEB exams challenge students not only to perform repertoire on their instrument or subject of choice, but also to demonstrate other important skills like sight reading, technical prowess, aural recognition and general knowledge. These additional requirements support their learning and provide context and meaning to the experience. Gaining this full range of skills supports their overall music education creating succesful musicians and giving them the tools required to develop into well-rounded, professional players.

 

3. TO GAIN VALUABLE PERFORMANCE EXPERIENCE

For many people, one of the hardest parts of taking an exam is presenting your programme on stage in front of an audience of strangers. Performing in front of others helps to develop poise and confidence: life skills that are useful for all sorts of future endeavors including making presentations, public speaking or even just giving a toast at a party.

 

4. TO GET CONSTRUCTIVE FEEDBACK

Every candidate that completes an exam receives a personal written report from their examiner. This independent feedback encourages the student to progress by highlighting areas of strength and weakness under performance conditions to help guide students in their development.

The feedback provided can confirm issues previously identified by the teacher and also introduce areas for improvement and further study.

 

5. TO RECOGNISE ACHIEVEMENT

Each successful candidate receives an official certificate recognising their achievement. This certificate is a tangible reminder of a milestone achieve and a source of great pride. AMEB’s qualifications provide a national benchmark and are recognized across Australia and internationally.

Most students completing exams are not necessarily on their way to becoming professional musicians or actors. That being said, there is overwhelming evidence demonstrating that childhood music and speech education leads to well-rounded, high performing adults across all fields. For students to set and then achieve a goal such as an exam, they are learning the value of hard work, discipline, and the incredible feats they are capable of in their lives ahead.