Interview: ADR School of Drums and Guitar

 

1. What are the benefits for kids to learn music/guitar?

 

One may think that learning to play an instrument simply provides a student with one more talent or skill but the process of learning can also benefit students in many other ways. Learning to play an instrument requires patience, perseverance and self-discipline and all of these are important life skills. Remembering notes, chords and scales tests and strengthens the mind and memory and the challenge of playing them requires co-ordination.

 

Students of music often begin to hear music differently as they progress with their playing and learn to take notice of the individual instruments and sounds in songs. They develop a respect and appreciation for other players and performers and for different styles of music. Many students also find that they feel good about themselves and have more confidence in themselves and their abilities as they see improvement in their playing. 

 

Learning music and playing instruments can also relieve stress and anxiety as well as provide a limitless creative outlet that can be enjoyed alone and with other musicians.

 

 

2. Some kids find practicing boring, is there any way to make practice more fun?

 

Practicing can be tedious at times and when quick results are not seen some students lose interest and practice less and less. I find that structured and planned practice session activities are more beneficial for students as variety is important. I’d suggest that students work on the more challenging exercises first and then reward themselves by playing along with songs and jamming away once the hard work is done. For those students who have friends who are also learning an instrument it is always fun to practice together too.

 

A great way to monitor your progress when starting out with a new instrument is to record yourself playing some of the exercises and then file the recording away and keep practicing. Have a listen to those files a few weeks later and you'll hear the difference. This is a great thing to do as it shows you exactly how far you've come with your playing. The other thing you can do is to flip your guitar upside-down after practicing for a few months (if you are right-handed guitar player then try playing it left-handed or vice-versa). You will quickly notice how difficult and uncomfortable it feels and how awkward it is to play and then see just how far you have come with your playing and practice.

 

Kids love to create and that is what music is all about so by showing students how to apply the given exercises to their own musical compositions and creations can give them the drive to learn the things that may initially seem to be unimportant.

Some exercises can be done while watching TV too and though some may disagree I find that simple finger strengthening exercises and picking exercises can be played throughout a single TV show and this can work out to be 20 to 40 minutes of practice on its own, a great addition to their focused practice sessions.

 

As a teacher I feel it’s important to observe and establish what each student enjoys and to help each student manage their practice session structures depending on their individual wants and needs.

 

 

3. From your experience, what are the common problems that faced by the beginners (Guitar)?

 

The first month of learning guitar is the hardest and this is because both the left and right hands are required to do different things to get a sound or note from the guitar. The co-ordination develops in time but initially a guitar can seem to be a difficult instrument to play.

The style of guitar and strings can also make or break the success that a child may have with the instrument. Young children tend to struggle with large body acoustic guitars and acoustic guitars with steel strings. Thinner bodied acoustic guitars with nylon strings or a thin bodied electric guitar is often more comfortable and suitable for younger students.

 

It is important that each student is comfortable with their teacher and that the teacher does observe and help each student by providing suitable and fun practice routines and practical exercises as well as music theory. Each student has their own goals and reasons for deciding to start playing the instrument of their choice. A good teacher will help each student work towards their personal musical goals. If the student does not feel that they are getting anything out of their lessons they may end up giving up on the instrument altogether. It is not just about showing students what to do, it is important that the student understands why it’s important and when and where it is useful.

 

Students who have a love for music and have favourite bands and artists seem to be the ones who practice the most and improve the fastest as they carry the desire to play like their idols. Students who don’t have the interest in listening to music tend to see practice as a chore.