With such a wide price range of new and used instruments ranging from $100 to thousands of dollars, how do you decide which one to get? Some of you might be thinking “just get the cheapest one because I don’t know if my child is going to stick with it the whole year.” While on the surface, this may seem like a rational decision, buying the cheapest instrument will most definitely cause a great deal of unnecessary aggravation and headache for you, your child, and the band director. The main reason for this is because inferior components are used in manufacturing these economical instruments, which contributes to frequent repairs and inability to play proper notes on the instrument. It’s hard enough for a beginner to develop the proper wind technique necessary to get a good tone out of a high quality band instrument. And these “economical” instruments are typically set up so poorly by the manufacturer that even professional players have a hard time getting a decent sound out of them.

So, if these economical instruments are no good, does that mean you have to spend thousands or even hundreds of dollars just to get a decent instrument for my child? Not necessarily. For example, there are violins that you can purchase brand new starting at $200 dollars that are decent enough and durable enough for the first year student. Other instruments, such as a flute, or trumpet you can find brand new at a similar quality level for about $350. Also, you can sometimes find a great quality and name brand used instrument for a very low price. But like a used car, there can be many intricacies and unknown history with these instruments. So if you choose to go the used route, I would highly recommend you find out everything you can about the instrument, such as how old is the instrument, who was the owner, why is it for sale, etc. I would also strongly encourage you, if possible to have the instrument checked out by a music store, and/or a music instructor.

So you might be asking, how do I know what a good quality instrument is? The internet has a wide array of resources describing the criteria for this. For details on various instruments, you can goto www.childrensmusicworkshop.com/instruments/index.html

If you are not one for mundane details, here are a couple of basic tips to determine what makes a good instrument: Find out what kind of materials are used. Are parts made of plastic, wood, or metal? Do they feel flimsy and seem prone to bending easily or do they feel durable? How much hand crafting is done when instrument was made (particularly crucial for violins)? When instrument is put together, do you notice any gaps or loose parts. Do pieces connect smoothly? When you press down keys for notes, do the pads cover the holes completely and do they move freely and evenly?

So, if you want to insure you are getting a good quality instrument for your child, keep these two things in mind. One, you usually get what you pay for. And two, in the long run, it may be better to spend a few dollars extra and help guarantee your child success in the music program.

That person is your child’s sibling. It is a little more effective if the brother or sister is younger. However an older sibling can certainly be helpful as well. The key is to have your child teach your sibling how to play the instrument. Teaching is one of the most powerful means of learning because when you show or explain to another person how to do something, it forces you to really understand how it all works. And the process of teaching reinforces your understanding of that technique or method everytime you show it to other people.

It also promotes a healthy social interaction with another family member. And when your child can make a game out of it, the practicing become more fun and enjoyable, and most importantly will help your child learn and progress more with playing his/her instrument. This method may even entice your child’s brother or sister to want to start learning how to play music as well.

It is much more effective to practice for a few minutes a day, five times a week than it is to spend one day a week practicing for an hour. The reason is muscle memory. When it comes to music, the muscles in our fingers do a lot better with a series of repetition spaced at small time intervals. This is true with muscle endurance as well as muscle memory. If we wait more than four days before touching our instrument again, a lot of times we have to essentially relearn what we practiced the previous time. This is why it can be hard to make any real progress if you’re only playing your instrument once or twice a week, even if it is for an hour each time.

A little practice each day for most days definitely goes a long way. Even if it’s just a few minutes. As long as it’s almost every day, it’s much better than cramming it all into one day a week. And it’s certainly much, much better than nothing.

Build practice time into his/her daily activities. Setting aside a set time before leaving for school or right after dinner each day will help your child remember to make rehearsing a routine.

There are lots of commonly held perceptions about guitars that are, well, somewhat off-base today. Here are the five biggest mistakes people typically make when buying a guitar.

1. What if my child doesn’t like it?  I don’t want to spend a lot of money on something that’s going to end up sitting in a closet collecting dust.

2. If it says “BRAND X” on the headstock, it’s gotta be good.

3. Guitars from China are junk.

4. Only the biggest stores and the internet have good prices. Everybody else is a ripoff.

5. All the best guitars are at the biggest stores because they buy the most.

The Truth, One Step at a Time

Here’s the real deal on those myths, in order:

1. Buying an instrument such as a guitar is an investment and I can understand any apprehension about being sure your investment is put to good use by your child.  However, a really crummy guitar is going to ensure that your child will not stick with it for more than a couple of months. Factors like how easy the guitar is to play, how it sounds, and whether or not it will stay in tune all influence the beginner’s experience.  So, in fact buying a poorly made guitar like ones typically found in big-box stores can actually discourage your child from wanting to play music.  In addition, it may actually be the reason why your investment ends up sitting in the closet collecting dust.  A beginner doesn’t need a $1,000 guitar, but they do need a decent starter guitar if they are to succeed.  That and a good lesson program will help insure your investment will be put to good use and provide your child with a gift that could potentially last a lifetime.
2. The brand on a guitar means less than ever before. Many of the largest brands don’t even make most of their own guitars anymore. That’s right, that guitar that says “BRAND X” on the headstock very likely came out of a factory owned by another company entirely, and that company probably has its own brand of equal or superior quality that’s a whole lot cheaper than “BRAND X.” There are far fewer factories than there are guitar companies, and many guitar companies are sharing factories with one another. Surprising, eh?
3. Though there is certainly a fair share of scary junk coming out of China, there are also very good guitars being made there for shockingly affordable prices. The same is true of Korea and Indonesia. Overseas manufacturing can be a great thing for the first-time buyer. Just make sure you use the shopping criteria above and you’ll be in good shape.
4. Most independent music retailers are very motivated to compete in today’s marketplace and willing to work with you to get you the best possible price. Many will match or beat competitors’ prices and/or provide you with additional service and incentives to win your business. If there is an independent store in your area, stop by. It certainly doesn’t hurt to ask, and you may very well find that you are much happier in the end.
5. All retailers get shipped the same stuff. Independent stores are far more likely to actually inspect the guitar, make adjustments, and catch any defects.

So, there you have it.  Even though we talked about mistakes people making when buying a guitar, this concept can be applied to any other musical instrument.  For more information on buying an instrument, look for our upcoming blog on the Guitar Buyer’s Guide.

BM

Is your child starting their band career?

Want to try out a new instrument?

Don’t run to eBay, buy something

novelty, or spend more than you

should.

Instructions

1. Determine the instrument you or your child would like to obtain. Make sure the instrument fits the needs of your practice space – if you don’t have room for a drum kit, it’s probably not a good idea to get one.
2. Do basic research online for the instrument. DO NOT BUY YOUR INSTRUMENT ONLINE. At least not yet anyways. Figure out the brands, what variations of the instrument exists, and what else you will need to buy to accompany the instrument (case, cleaning supplies, reeds, etc).
3. Physically go to a music store and try out the instrument. This will allow you to tinker with the instrument and learn its nuances. Maybe your 6th grader who has his or her heart set on playing the French horn decides having his hand inside of a horn isn’t as cool as he thought it would be.
4. Once you or your child has selected an instrument, inquire with the store clerk or manager about instrument rentals for school band. They hear this question all the time and either provide rental instruments themselves or will refer you to someone who does.
5. Browse their rental selection and find an instrument which is right for you / your child. These instruments are usually not high-end professional instruments, but they are great for beginners to determine if that specific instrument is right for them. If later you or your child decide to change instruments or upgrade, you’re only out the small rental fee and don’t have to deal with the hassle of re-selling the instrument (usually at a highly reduced price than what you initially paid for it). There are also “rent-to-buy” programs for instruments available which are very affordable ($50-$300).

For your child, music participation will enhance problem solving, teamwork, goal setting, self-expression, coordination, memory skills, self-confidence, concentration, poise, and more! New studies show that students with music training perform better in other academic areas. If your child has asked to join the band, the first important step has been taken.

What are my responsibilities as a prospective band parent?

Your initial responsibility is to obtain a quality musical instrument complete with accessories and a music book. Since all of the instruments that can be rented at Bigel Music are built and set-up to national educational standards, you can be sure that the school band director will approve the instrument you rent from Bigel Music.

What type of rental program is available?

Bigel Music has a special introductory rate, including a monthly rent-to-own plan that is perfect for beginning band parents. Keep the instrument as long as you like…returning it whenever you like! The monthly rental fee is actually a payment toward the purchase price of the instrument. When all payments equal the price of the instrument, you own it! What could be more simple or convenient?

Will I be getting a new instrument?

The choice is yours. While Bigel Music offers new instruments for beginners, they also offer previously rented instruments which are typically in like-new condition. These instruments have been examined, adjusted, sterilized, and made ready to play for the beginning band student.

How much will my monthly rental payment be?

The low cost monthly rental payment will be calculated based on the value of the instrument you choose.

What if my child wants to switch instruments?

Talk to your band director. A student may change to another type of instrument with the music teacher’s recommendation. Special arrangements are available.

To make a reservation to rent an instrument go to www.bigelmusic.com/rentalappl.html

The greatest advice I can give you is to start slow.  Don’t try to start playing your song at full speed.  First play your notes clean without any buzzing or scratchiness in the sound.  Then, play those clean notes in the right order.  Then play those clean notes in the right order with the right timing.  Once you can do all of those perfectly, then and only then should you try to play at a faster pace. 

 Think of these concepts as a pyramid.  Without a good foundation, your song will crumble and fall.

Speed

TIMING

CORRECT ORDER

PLAYING CLEAN WITHOUT BUZZING

 One other thing to keep in mind is that many short playing sessions is much better than a couple of long ones.  In other words, it is much better to play five days a week for fifteen minutes, than it is to play for an hour twice a week.  This helps to keep the muscle memory in your fingers and vocal chords fresh.  Plus if you or your child is involved in other activities, it makes it easier to squeeze in 10 minutes as opposed to 30 minutes to an hour.

 Also, when you are trying to master a long song, it is usually better to break it up into smaller sections and work on getting the sections right by themselves.  This is easier and less frustrating than trying to muddle through the whole entire piece.  Don’t move on to the next section until you can play that part 3 times in a row without making a mistake.

The next blog will talk about ways to make practice and learning more enjoyable.

So to practice more effectively, the three most important concepts are play slow, practice frequently for short periods at a time, and break up the song into smaller pieces.  Remember practice doesn’t make perfect.  Perfect practice makes perfect. 

For more information, go to www.bigelmusic.com

First of all, how do you describe music in its simplest term?  How do you explain the beauty of a perfectly executed classical minuet, or the wonder behind a lightning fast guitar solo?  What about the raw power and sheer earthiness of rock & roll, or the tear jerkiness and thought provoking lyrics of country music?  Is it possible to understand the massive energy and influence behind R&B and hip-hop where practically every kid from age 8 to 18 can recite all of the Black Eyed Peas’ lyrics from memory?  Music is so much more than a means of recreation and entertainment.  It is an art form that breaks down all language barriers and allows us to express and release emotions that we often conceal in everyday life.  The great part about playing music is that it’s not limited to professional artists like the Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Maroon 5, Dave Matthews, Garth Brooks, and Eminem.  Anyone can do it and beginner instruments don’t cost nearly as much as they did several years ago.

When it comes to playing music, some people have natural gifts, and others claim they are physically inept.  The fact of the matter is music is in every single one of us, whether we choose to accept it or not.  It is basically an expression of our being by means of sound whether through another instrument or by our own instrument the vocal box.  So you may believe that your music is really good.  Or you may believe you must have been absent the day musical talent was being handed out.  Well, regardless of your musical ability or beliefs, to truly appreciate and play good music, it’s important to know what makes music “GOOD”?  Some people think rap and hip-hop is “GOOD” music.  Others think heavy metal is “GOOD” music.  Still other people think country music is “GOOD”.  So who is right and who is wrong?  In true art, is there really a right or wrong?  I think music is “GOOD” when it’s sincere and is played from the heart. 

So two basic concepts to master when playing any musical instrument is melody and rhythmn.  I’m going to talk about basic concepts to master playing the guitar, since it’s generally the most popular instrument to learn.  However, you can apply these principles to help learn how to play any instrument better.  Mastering the guitar is about putting the following three elements together.  One, strum the proper strings with one hand.  Two hold the proper strings down with the other hand.  Three, putting elements one and two together in various timing (rhythm) patterns.  Of course, just as the basic principle for making money in the stock market is buy low; sell high, this is easier said than done.  The good news is that 75 percent of all popular songs can be played if you know how to finger a few basic chords and apply simple strumming patterns when playing and changing between these chords.

So where do you begin?  The first thing I would suggest is to decide what your goals are.  Where do you see yourself after playing the guitar for a year?  Are you in a band?  Are you playing songs for people at a campfire?  Are you still trying to figure out how to keep the strings from buzzing?  If you are unsure of your goals, here are some questions to ask yourself to better understand what you want from playing an instrument. 

Do I want to play with other people in a band?  Do I want to become a rock star?  Do I want to be able to write songs or put my poetry to music?  Do I want to be able to play songs that I like to hear?  Do I simply enjoy playing the guitar for fun?  Are my parents forcing me to learn an instrument?  Do I want to learn how to read sheet music?  Do I want to show my friends that I can play cover tunes note for note?  Think of your goals or dreams as a road map.  It’s hard to get to your destination if haven’t the foggiest idea of where you want to go.

The second thing I would recommend is to find out who your favorite group or artist is?  What is it about them that you like so much?  What style of music do they play?  Ask your instructor if you don’t know.  Pick 5 bands that you want to sound like.  Find out something personal about each one of them, such as where they grew up or the age when they first started playing.  Here’s an example:

My favorite artist is Stevie Ray Vaughn.  He started playing guitar at the age of 8 with a Roy Rogers guitar.  He had a very genuine personality.  He poured his emotions into his music.  I can relate to the way he seemed to view music and life.  He believed music has the power to heal.  He was truly amazing on the guitar. His style is blues/classic rock.  It’s the style I am most familiar with and most passionate about when I’m playing the guitar.  It’s packed with a great deal of raw emotion, energy and sincerity.  For 5 artists to sound like, I would have to say James Taylor, Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, Alex Lifeson from Rush, and Jimmy Page from Led Zeppelin.

James Taylor was in a mental institution twice and through the power of music overcame years of substance abuse and addiction to heroin, ultimately becoming a legend in acoustic folk rock.  Jimi Hendrix started playing air guitar on a broom cause his family was too poor to buy him a guitar.  Eric Clapton had a thing for George Harrison’s wife.  Rush pretended to be like Cream for a while cause each of them were a 3-man band and started playing together when Cream was getting famous.  Led Zeppelin got booed off the stage before becoming a classic rock legend where kids to this day are still intrigued by Jimmy Page solos.

These are some basic concepts that will help you get the most out of music lessons and learning to play an instrument.  For more information, go to www.bigelmusic.com

 Stay tuned for future blogs that will discuss specific techniques to improve your playing and practicing.