Tag Archives for " violin lessons "

The Ideal Age to Begin Violin Lessons

By billalpert | Bill Alpert Journal , music education is essential , violin

Thousands of students over many decades remove any doubt. Even at a tender 4 years old (or even earlier), kids can almost miraculously play a string instrument with beautiful posture and a rich, vibrant tone. So just what is the ideal age to begin violin lessons?

Violin Lessons for Kids and Teens
Of course your own family’s progress may vary, but it’s rarely a lack of natural talent that limits stellar results. Are you able to provide the kind of parental support that is needed to take a 4 year old from raw beginner to “polished performer?” Here are some clues to help you decide:

Over many years of teaching today’s super-busy Suzuki families, I’ve found the common bond between the most successful is a long standing, deep and abiding love of music. This is the one ingredient that seems to motivate kids to stick with the program over the long haul.

Let’s face it; learning to master a musical instrument is a long term project. The rewards are great; if you are willing to make a family commitment to the see it through.

Other important factors to success:
• One or both parents with at least a modest background in music
• No more than one or two other regular after school activities
• A reasonably calm and stable home atmosphere
• Especially for younger students: a parent who will be physically and mentally present for all lessons and practice sessions, who will take careful notes, and who will be support the practice process, no matter what is required.

What’s a good starting age for kids?

Taking the above factors into account, I’ve found that it is rare to find a modern family that can find the time to fully support a 3-4 year old Suzuki violin student. Still, a few super patient parents will find themselves with an unusually well-focussed four year old and the results look almost magical to someone on the outside.

If you have a five or six year old child and as a parent you’re willing to learn more than your ever dreamed of about the violin, success will almost surely be yours! Even 7-12 is an ideal age to begin violin lessons.

Adult Students: Violin Lessons for the Young at Heart

I’ve successfully started beginners at every stage of life. And I’ve rekindled violin journeys for many an adult whose instrument has been gathering dust in a closet for decades. As an adult student, you have many unique advantages, and you have the ability to leapfrog your progress very quickly, if you so desire.

The short answer: there is no “ideal” age to being violin lessons when you bring your curiosity, your patience, your love of music and a youthful can-do spirit to your violin journey.

Happy Holidays from the Alpert Studio

By billalpert | Bill Alpert Journal , Studio News

It’s our first Christmas on the Central Coast! We’re thrilled to bring music lessons to Morro Bay, Los Osos, Cayucos and all of San Luis Obispo County!

For our violin and singing students: No lessons the week of December 21 and December 28. Lessons resume as normal on the week of January 4.

Enjoy your holiday! We’ll see you in 2015!

Thinking about Singing Lessons? New violin under the tree?
If you’re looking for “singing lessons near me” or “violin lessons near me” were currently enrolling for the 2015 term. Call the studio at 805-254-2704 for more information!

The Joy of Performing

By billalpert | Bill Alpert Journal , Events

One of the joys of being a musician is the ability to be part of a special experience for a live audience. Today’s Easter Service at the Hollywood Bowl was such an occasion for me. Sharing your music with 15,000 people at once may not happen every day, but when it does, it’s a unique thrill. And yes, performing can be stressful to be sure, but the transcendent moments when you’re truly in the zone, are the moments your remember.

Whether you are performing for thousands or just for a few friends, whether you’re paid for your work, or just performing for the love of it, being that musician in the center of a live performance is unlike anything else in day to day life.

Most of all, as a performer and a teacher it is an honor and privilege to be able to share great music with others. I always hope that my audience (and my students) understand the motive and spirit behind what I do. Music is transformative in every sense of the word. When all is said and done, making the world more beautiful is the ultimate legacy for a true musician of any level, age, or genre. It is our reason for being.

Studio Violinists Receive Advancement Certificate

By billalpert | Studio News , violin

Sarah Pastor and Jessica Chao receive ASTA Certificate of Advancement

Recently two Alpert Studio of Violin students participated in the American String Teachers Association Certificate of Advancement Program, for the national association’s Southern California chapter. Students who are nominated to participate must prepare a rigorous audition including scales, etudes and performance pieces played from memory.

Congratulations to students Sarah Pastor and Jessica Chao for receiving their certificates as well as excellent comments from the adjudicator.

Violin Student Summer Schedule

By billalpert | Studio News

Violin Schedule for December

By billalpert | Events , Studio News , violin , voice

Photo: A. Bloom (click to enlarge)

Violin students: our work for the year isn’t over quite yet!

Violin Lessons will continue through December 14th. There will be no lessons between December 15 and January 4. Lessons will resume according to normal schedule on January 7, 2013.

Please remember that this is my normal December teaching schedule; regular tuition applies for December, as your annual tuition is simply divided into 12 monthly payments.

Congratulations to all our violinists and singers on a wonderful recital performance! Remember to share your talents and continue to sing and play through the holiday season.

Happy Holidays to the entire student family!

Winter Recital Reminder

By billalpert | Studio News , violin , voice

It’s recital time! This year’s Winter recital will be held on: Saturday, December 1 at 5:30 p.m. (rehearsal November 30 approx. 4:30 – 6:30 p.m.)

Rehearsal for this year’s recital will be on Friday, November 30. The rehearsal will start approximately around 4:30 at the recital hall and we hope to finish up around 6:30ish. You will be given a rehearsal time slot during the month of November.

Thanksgiving Week: Remember, no regular voice or violin lessons will be held during Thanksgiving week.

Violin Lesson Schedule for November and December 2012

By billalpert | Studio News , violin

Dear Students and Families:

Here is my violin teaching schedule for the next two months:

There will be no violin lessons between Nov. 19th through the 23rd. Happy Thanksgiving! Lessons will resume the following week, and continue through December 14th. There will be  no lessons between December and January 4. Lessons will resume according to normal schedule on January 7, 2013.

Please remember that these are regularly scheduled breaks in my teaching schedule; normal tuition applies each month, as your annual tuition is divided into 12 monthly payments.

Last, but not least, remember to play your instrument during the holidays! Use the time for review, polishing up songs or just playing holiday tunes for fun.

Happy Holidays Everyone!

–Bill Alpert   

Solofest Competition Time

By billalpert | Events , voice

The 2009 San Bernardino County Music Educators Association Solofest will be held on April 4, with finals on April 11. You can find more information online in this document. The application form can be found here.

Interested students should download the application and send it (along with application fee) directly to the SBCMEA by March 20. Additional information and a contact e-mail can be found on this page.

We encourage everyone who has two polished and prepared selections to participate. There are age categories from 4th grade through high school. If you choose to participate, please let us know!

Remember, if you’d like to receive early notification of updates to the studio website, just sign up for e-mail notification by following Subscribe to The Alpert Studio of Voice and Violin by Email this link

The Touch of the Master’s Hand

By billalpert | The Kitchen Sink , violin , voice

I ran across the following old poem, and thought I’d share:

’twas battered and scarred and the auctioneer
Thought it scarcely worth his while
To waste much time on the old violin,
But he held it up with a smile:

“What am bidden, good folks?” he cried,
“Who’ll start the bidding for me?”
“A dollar! A dollar!” then “Two! Only two?”
“Two dollars, and who’ll make it three?”

“Three dollars once, three dollars twice . . .
And going for three . . . ” but no.
From the room, far back, a gray-haired man
Came forward and picked up the bow.

Then, wiping the dust from the the old violin,
And tightening the loosened strings,
He played a melody pure and sweet,
As a carolling angel sings.

The music ceased, and the auctioneer
With a voice that was quiet and low
Said, “What am I bid for the old violin?”
And he held it up with the bow.

“A thousand dollars! And who’ll make it two?
“Two thousand! Who’ll make it three?
“Three going once? Three going twice?
“And going . . . and gone!” said he.

The people cheered but some of them cried,
“We do not understand!
What changed its worth?” — Swift came the reply,
“The touch of the Master’s Hand.”

And many a man with life out of tune
And battered and scarred with sin
Is auctioned cheap to the thoughtless crowd
Much like the old violin.

A “mess ‘o pottage”
A glass of wine
A game and he travels on.
He’s “going” once
And “going” twice
And “going” . . . and almost “gone”

Then along comes the Master, and the foolish crowd
Never can quite understand
The worth of a soul or the change that’s wrought
By the touch of the Master’s Hand.

By Myra Ross Welch (1926)