When to let your kid quit*
Parents have to tread a pretty fine line when it comes to encouraging/harassing/bribing/browbeating their kids to practice an instrument. My angle is that, after the age of 10 or so, it is up to the student whether or not to continue. If the teacher’s guidance is rebuffed for more than 3 lessons (and you need to be able to hear these things from your child’s teacher without defensiveness), it’s time to move on. Answer these questions: 1)... Read More
So you wanna go to music school?
This list, like the last one, is drawn directly from my experience. This is hopfully going to be the emphasis of my next book, tentatively entitled something like, “Ignore This Book if You Want to Go to Your 9th Choice Music School”. You get my drift. Some things to do when you are certain you want to go to music school: 1) practice better. Don’t just throw yourself at the instrument for an hour or two a day. Have a look through... Read More
Be Prepared
Maybe you don’t need this list. But maybe your students do! Things to have in your cello case: 1) spare bow and rosin 2) at least a good spare A (whole set is ideal, but pricey, I know) 3) nail clippers 4) ibuprofen for headaches and sore arms 5) fabric band-aids (plastic rattles against the fingerboard and you can’t feel the instrument as much) 6) rock stop 7) lint-free cloth ear plugs 9) business cards, if you have them 10) a few dollar... Read More
