Summer Practice Tips

Summer break is a well-deserved time for kids to relax, explore, and have fun. If your child plays a musical instrument, it’s also a critical time to maintain their skills—and even grow them! Without the routine of school, it’s easy to fall off the wagon with practice. But with a little creativity and encouragement, it can feel less like a chore and more like a fun part of the day.

First of all…

Permission to take time off!

Take your trips and vacations! Go to sleep-away camp. Take time away from your flute. If you need permission to take a break, here it is! Even the professionals need time to rest, relax, and be away from their craft.

When you get back and are ready to resume music practice, here are some ideas to keep kids motivated:

1. Create a summer flow

Summer schedules are not as rigid for most families. There might be more time for free play, exploring hobbies, and hanging with friends. This free time is soooo important for kids of all ages! However, there might be certain things that still need to get done each day. If you develop a loose routine, your child will go through the day knowing what to expect. Practice won’t be a shock, just a regular thing they do!

2. Get organized

If you want your child to practice on their own without nagging, make sure everything they need is easily accessible. Keep your music organized and your flute clean and ready. Half the battle is starting so make sure that doesn’t take any extra effort.

3. Set a Goal

Help your child pick a fun goal to work toward—like learning a favorite song, writing a simple composition, or mastering a tricky technique. Clear, attainable goals give practice a purpose.

4. Mix it Up

Summer is a great time to explore different genres of music! (Jazz, pop songs, rock, movie soundtracks, or music from other cultures). Keep your teacher updated on your musical interests!

Beginners might want to create a “Flute Wish List” if there are specific songs that they want to learn but are too advanced for their current level. That way, you and your teacher will remember and come back to the song in 6 months or a year, when you have built the skills necessary to play that song!

5. Make a Practice Chart

Create a simple weekly or monthly chart. Add stickers or checkmarks each day they practice. You could offer small rewards for hitting weekly milestones. (This works well for some families and not for others. You know your child best!)

6. Take Your Instrument Outside!

As long as the weather is good and it’s okay with your neighbors, playing the flute outside is so relaxing. It’s the perfect way to mix things up and enjoy some sun while still getting your practice time in.

7. Attend a Music Camp

It might be too late to sign up for something this summer, but keep this in mind for next year! Local colleges often host a camp or program for middle and high schoolers. And Suzuki Institutes run through the summer months all over the country!

https://suzukiassociation.org/teachers/teacher-training/institutes/

8. Catch some Live Music

Most towns have free outdoor concerts in the summer. You might also find some live music in a coffee shop or summer festival! Keep your eye out for flyers and take advantage of all of it!

9. Play with others

If anyone else in your family plays a musical instrument, try a family jam session! If your child has a friend who plays, maybe they could pair up and practice together.

And of course attend our online group classes, recitals, and summer events at Tutti Flutes! This helps your child to see the big picture, develop intrinsic motivation, and follow their passion for music.

With the right approach, summer music practice can be something your child looks forward to—and it will definitely pay off when fall rolls around!

Flute Maintenance

A well-maintained flute not only looks great but also helps you sound your best and extends the life of your instrument. Here’s a quick guide on keeping your flute in tip-top shape!

Daily Cleaning:

Every time you play, moisture builds up inside your flute. If not cleaned properly, this moisture can cause damage the key pads, making them sticky and unable to close properly. Mildew and odor can can also build up inside the headjoint.

After each practice session:

• Swab the inside with a cleaning rod and soft cloth to remove moisture. Always disassemble your flute first and clean each piece individually.

• Wipe the exterior with a microfiber cloth to remove fingerprints and oils.

Occasionally:

• Disinfect the head-joint by using a small amount of rubbing alcohol on a Q-tip. You might want to do this if lip plate has any crusty build-up or perhaps after you have been sick.
  

When to Take Your Flute In for Maintenance

Did you know that flutes are kind of like cars? In addition to good day-to-day care, they still require yearly maintenance visits at a professional repair shop. It is recommended to take your flute to the shop every 1-2 years for a professional tune-up. In the flute world, we call this a “COA” or “Clean, Oil, and Adjust.”

At a COA appointment, the technician will…

• Clean and polish the body and mechanism, removing any tarnish or discoloration

• Inspect and replace any worn pads

• Ensure the flute is free from leaks and has smooth key action (which makes it easier to play!)
  

Where to take your flute for a COA?

If you have a local music store in your area, call to make an appointment or sometimes you can even walk right in with the flute. They should be able to give you either a flat rate price for a COA or at least an estimate ahead of time. A full COA for a student flute is generally around $80-$150. Intermediate flutes and professional flutes would be more expensive.

If you don’t have anywhere to take your flute locally, you can ship it to one of these places:

The Flute Pro Shop:
(Wilmington, DE ):
https://www.fluteproshop.com/pages/contact-form

Music & Arts
(Locations across the country):
https://www.musicarts.com/repairs/flute?srsltid=AfmBOooyaim3DFyBCQqozAAvfwFezgJNGh8fbxkJgXkUjObna4R61GEZ

Flute Authority
(Ship your flute in for repair)
https://fluteauthority.com/services/

Flute Specialists
(Ship your flute in for repair)
https://www.flutespecialists.com/repair-service/

Flute Center
(ship your flute in for repair)
https://flutecenter.com/pages/repairs-page-new?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22102732052&gbraid=0AAAAADnrodkiIiLGG0c_EIuY1QjlzBf64&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI_ZTUvKKAjQMVZZ5aBR2yfxf9EAAYASAAEgJUhvD_BwE

How to Set Up for a Successful Lesson

Online flute lessons are very convenient and effective, as long as you set up properly and come prepared! Here are some tips to help you get the most out of your lesson and ensure a great experience for your child.

pick a good spot

Ideally we would love for the student to be in a quiet space away from other noise and distractions. Please try to keep pets and siblings out of the room. (They are welcome to visit at the end of the lesson!)

Rolling desk chairs are not ideal for flute playing. If you have other options, a non swivel chair is best.

be Prepared

If possible, please have your flute out of the case and ready to go before logging on to a lesson or a group class. Make sure to have your music and a pencil!

Limit distractions

Keep an eye on your child to make sure they do not have other apps or websites up during their lesson. We can tell when the students are looking at other things instead of focusing on their lesson.

Please do not blur your background. This makes it hard for us to see the student’s flute and fingers!

Unless directed by your teacher, do not draw on the screen.

Set up Zoom Settings

In order to give the best feedback on your playing, our teachers need to be able to hear you clearly! Make sure your audio settings are either set to “Original Sound” or “Background Suppression Low.” On iPads and phones, this usually has to be done before entering the Zoom meeting. On computers, you can adjust the settings from inside the meeting. We are happy to help you set this up!

No snacking

We know everyone has really busy schedules but please try to plan ahead so your child is not eating during their lesson. It is not possible to play flute and snack at the same time.

Thank you so much! Let us know if you have any questions or concerns!

Help Your Child Discover Their Passion

Every kid deserves to find their passion!

Here’s how you can help your child to discover theirs…

1. Free Time

Make sure there is down time every day where nothing is scheduled and the child is free to play and do what they choose.

2. Try Something New!

Visit a museum, attend a concert, or go on a hike. You never know where you might find inspiration.

3. Support Their Interests

If you see that your child has found something they love to do, help them to find the resources to explore it!

4. Model

If you want your child to stick with something and overcome challenges, they need to grow up seeing how that is done. The best thing to do is practice your own passion.

Why is this so important?

Because no one is good at everything and when you have that one thing that gives you joy and fulfillment and confidence, it’s easier to overcome the inevitable challenges of life. Plus, when you do what you love, it comes with the added bonus of community, friendship, and a feeling of belonging. And that is what every child deserves!

Flute Playing Strengthens the Body

Many children are drawn to the beautiful sound of the flute! But did you know that playing the flute also brings incredible benefits to your child’s developing physical strength, balance, posture, dexterity, and lung capacity?

Upper Body strength

One might not immediately associate playing the flute with physical strength, but the act of holding up the instrument for an extended period of time really strengths muscles in the arms, shoulders, and back!

Core Stability and Abdominal Engagement

To produce clear and controlled notes, flute players need to use their abdominal muscles to control the airflow. This continual engagement of the core is necessary for strong high notes and producing vibrato.

Balance and Posture

Good posture and body alignment is crucial not only for good technique, but also for avoiding injury. Musicians learn how to properly stand and balance the instrument so no strain is put on the body.

Breath Control and Lung Capacity

Flute players learn to take deep, controlled breaths to sustain the air and produce long notes. This practice can expand lung capacity, which is beneficial for overall respiratory health. But that is not all! Having mindful control over the breath is also deeply beneficial for stress reduction and mental health. (Just ask any yoga teacher!)

Finger Dexterity

The intricate finger movements required for playing the flute help to strengthen the muscles in your hands. Not only does this lead to improved fine motor skills but also to greater dexterity and agility in your fingers!

Playing a musical instrument will obviously never replace the need for good healthy exercise! But, it is interesting to know how intensely various areas and systems of the body are physically strengthened when we play the flute! Music is not only great for the mind and the soul, but apparently the body too!

Playing an Instrument Fosters a Growth Mindset

Playing a musical instrument can be a fun and rewarding experience for children, but did you know that it can also help them to develop a growth mindset?

According to psychologist Carol Dweck, who developed the concept, a growth mindset is the belief that abilities and intelligence can be developed through dedication and hard work. In contrast, a fixed mindset is the belief that abilities and intelligence are innate and cannot be changed.

Practice makes perfect

Learning to play an instrument requires practice. Children quickly learn that they won't become a virtuoso overnight. They need to put in hours of practice to improve their skills. Through this process, children learn that hard work and dedication can lead to improvement. They begin to understand that their abilities are not fixed, and they can develop their skills through practice.

Learning from mistakes

Playing an instrument requires precision and attention to detail. Children learn that mistakes are a part of the learning process. Instead of feeling discouraged by their mistakes, they learn to analyze them and learn from them. They begin to see mistakes as opportunities for growth rather than failures. They learn to persevere even when things don't go as planned, and they develop resilience.

Seeking feedback

Learning to play an instrument requires feedback from a teacher or mentor. Children learn to take constructive criticism and apply it to their playing. They begin to see feedback as an essential tool for growth and improvement. They learn that seeking feedback is a sign of strength, not weakness, and that it can help them achieve their goals.

Setting goals

Playing an instrument requires setting goals. Children learn to set realistic goals and work towards achieving them. They learn to break down larger goals into smaller, more manageable steps. They begin to see the value in setting goals and working towards them, and they learn that achieving their goals requires hard work and dedication.

Collaboration

Playing an instrument often involves collaboration with other musicians. Children learn to work with others towards a common goal. They learn to listen to others, communicate effectively, and compromise. They learn that working together can lead to greater success than working alone.

In conclusion, playing a musical instrument can teach children valuable skills that they can use throughout their lives. They learn the value of hard work, dedication, and resilience. They learn to embrace mistakes and seek feedback. They learn to set goals and work towards achieving them. They learn to collaborate with others towards a common goal. These skills are all essential for developing a growth mindset and achieving success in any area of life.

7 Ways to Tell if Your Child is Ready for Flute Lessons

There are so many incredible benefits to starting music lessons at a young age! However, it is important to start at the right time and with the right teacher. Here are some indicators that your child will be successful with flute!

1. They have shown interest

If your child has been asking repeatedly to learn the flute, they are ready! Learning comes naturally and easily when we support the child’s natural curiosity and intrinsic motivation.

Children that have parents or older siblings that play instruments almost always grow up wanting to play too! If you are already a very musical family, it is basically guaranteed that your child will follow in those footsteps.

If your child is not exposed to music on a regular basis but you are looking to spark their interest, the best thing to do is to get your own flute and begin to learn so they see how much fun it can be! Your skill level does not matter! What does matter is that you model joy and a love for music.

2. They can focus for a period of time

Young beginners should ideally practice 5-15 minutes per day (or as many days as you can!) If your child can stick with the same activity for that amount of time, they are ready for music lessons!

The actual lessons will be longer than that amount of time, but the right teacher will be able to flow with your child’s interest and attention span and move from one activity to the next as necessary. Plus, if your child is young, part of the lesson time will be allotted for the teacher to teach the parent. There will also be time for movement, singing, and games. So if your child can focus on a task for about 5-15 minutes, they will do great!

3. They know their ABCs and can count to 10

The music alphabet goes from A-G so being able to recognize these letters is very helpful. Playing music also involves counting beats and rests so that’s a good thing to explore before starting lessons!

4. They can take a deep breath and exhale slowly

Woodwind instruments involve breath control so practice taking some deep breaths and blowing air out slowly. Flute teachers have many fun ways to help little ones practice this skill. Some of the games include blowing through a straw, air hockey with pom-poms, and bubbles!

5. They have developed some fine motor control

To play the flute or any instrument, fine motor skills are a must! Pressing the keys, stretching fingers, and moving certain combinations of fingers at a certain times are all challenging skills that build over time! Your teacher will have little tricks and fingerplay games to break down these intricate skills. Some fun ways to build up your pre-schooler’s fine motor skills before starting music lessons include cutting with scissors, holding a pencil, play-dough manipulation, snapping together legos, and stacking blocks.

6. They fit the instrument

This one may seem obvious, but if your child is not physically tall enough to play the instrument, then it is too soon to begin lessons. Yes the flute is a very long instrument and the full size would be too big for a small child. But luckily for us, flutes actually come in child sizes, which makes it one of the best instruments for young children to start off with! Check out the chart above for some of the smaller flute options.

7. YOU are ready to learn with them!

And lastly, the best time to start music lessons is when YOU are ready! It’s a journey of many ups and downs, hard work and challenges. The younger your child is when they start, the bigger the role you will have. So just be prepared for that and commit to it when you have the time, the patience, and the willingness to learn something new.

If you and your child are ready for flute lessons, we would love to help you start the journey! Join us for a free trial online at tuttiflutes.com

3 Common Reasons Your Child Wants to Quit

Has your child ever said that they want to quit playing their instrument? Here’s what might actually be going on underneath the surface.

1. Novelty is wearing off

When kids first get their shiny new instrument, everything is brand new and very exciting. But eventually, that initial “honeymoon period” ends and we have to rely on other ways to keep them engaged and inspired.

2. It’s becoming more challenging

It could be that your child is in the middle of acquiring a new skill and things are feeling really hard and frustrating at the moment.

It is 100% normal for kids to say that they want to quit when the going gets tough. Just remember that if you encourage them to stick with it, they build resilience and many other valuable life skills.

3. The are simply “stuck in a rut”

If you do the same thing for too long, you get bored! If your child says they want to quit after they have been playing for a while, they might just need to switch things up and get some fresh inspiration.

Try exploring a different genre of music or learning a new skill!

In conclusion

It is crucial for parents to look beneath the surface and understand the reason behind why their child wants to stop playing. This will guide you in how to best proceed.

It’s like the saying “Listen to what kids mean, not what they say.” Children do not always have the vocabulary or the life experiences to explain exactly what’s going on in their head. It is our job to translate these messages in order to best help them.

Empower Kids Through Intrinsic Motivation

Intrinsically motivated children are internally driven by a desire to explore, create, and master their skills. There’s no need for external rewards or punishments because the motivation comes from within. There is satisfaction in doing the thing itself.

For music (or any educational pursuit), it is crucial that children develop their own motivation for practicing. If they don’t, the process becomes infinitely more difficult. If we can avoid making children feel like they have to do something, and replace it with a genuine desire to learn, we align with the true meaning of education.

the process of motivation

Angela Duckworth’s book “Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance” talks about working on something you care about so much that you are willing to stay loyal to it through all the ups and downs. She goes on to explain that the four components of grit are interest, practice, purpose, and hope.

But here’s the catch, they naturally develop in that specific order.

You cannot diligently practice something that you have no interest in. Before a child is ready to spend hours practicing a skill, they must have plenty of time to first “goof around,” experiment, and play! This is why the primary purpose of music education in the early years is to cultivate curiosity and support the child’s budding interest in music.

Angela Duckworth says it like this; “Experts and beginners have very different motivational needs. At the start we need encouragement, freedom, and choice. We need applause, and only a little bit of critique. Practice, but not too much too soon. Rush a beginner and you’ll bludgeon their budding interest.”

If the initial instruction is playful and the learning is pleasant and rewarding, we tend to stick with it, going on to develop more challenging skills.

This formula is often helpful when pinpointing the needs of students:

• Early years are for cultivating interest.

• Middle years are for developing skills & practice.

• Later years are for finding purpose.

Instill Intrinsic Motivation in Music Students

The Early Years (Ages 3-7):

There is a huge advantage to starting music lessons at a young age, but practice looks very different than it does for older students. Young children will naturally pick up their instrument and teach themselves though play, if we provide a supportive environment and create opportunities for them to explore and experiment.

If you have a young child, try modeling your music practice after these four points:

PLay

Music practice is all play-based. It’s casual, relaxed, and flexible. Include lots of games and activities. Let the child take the lead.

Experiment

Leave the instrument out of the case for them to tinker around, make discoveries, and practice what they learned in the lesson. Children teach themselves this way! If they are focused, don’t interrupt!

Model

Learn along with your child and let them see you enjoying music too!

Inspire

Go to concerts, watch videos, and come to group class to see what you are working towards!

The Middle Years (Ages 8-12)

To stay engaged and motivated at this age, students need to know that what they are learning is relevant to their own life and is aligned with their interests.

Personalize

In addition to core classical repetoire, students might also have an interest in film music, jazz, music history, world music, or pop songs. Personalizing lessons and letting them choose at least some of the music helps to develop their own motivation to practice!

Relate

Relate to the student’s non-musical interests! You could map out the form of a song and name each phrase after a Harry Potter character. Suddenly a Minuet that the student had no connection with is now their favorite piece.

Or if the student has an interest in art, you could paint a picture to go with the song. If they feel like their ideas and creativity are valued, they are more likely to practice!

Appropriate Level of Difficulty

If something is too easy, you get bored and move on. If something is too hard, it becomes very frustrating and uncomfortable. That feeling in small does is very healthy for children! It’s important for them to struggle. But if the struggle is too severe, they might give up, breakdown, and not want to come back. It’s all about breaking things down, learning in small steps, and developing one skill at a time.

Games

Games are not just for little kids! Including complex card games, music math equations, and movement activities in lessons can be a great way to learn music theory concepts while having fun!

Compose

Many students find composing their own music very fun, rewarding, and a great motivation to develop their music skills!

The Later Years (Ages 13+)

Older students obviously have an interest in music and have already developed great skills over the years. So what is it that keeps middle and high schoolers motivated and progressing to even higher levels…Purpose!

Ensembles

Advanced students need a place to play to put their skills to good use! Students could join the school band or a community orchestra. They could play at a church or perform a recital. Or at the very least, just playing music with friends provides a nice creative outlet.

Auditions

Auditions provide excellent motivation to practice hard! Having that specific date gives students something to work towards.

Goals

Even if a student doesn’t have an interest in playing in many ensembles or taking auditions, simply setting some goals for their playing keeps them inspired and working hard.

Conclusion

Students will develop intrinsic motivation if we follow the natural process of cultivating playful interest, developing skills through meaningful practice, and finally discovering purpose!

Practice Independently!

Are you wondering how to get your child to practice independently? Here are a few easy tips!

Get Organized

Make sure that everything your child needs is easily accessible and well organized. You won’t find them practicing a song if they can’t find the music! Create a binder, a box, a folder, or whatever you need so that your child can find their notes and find them fast!

Make a practice List

When you don’t know what to do, it’s hard to get started! Creating a detailed practice list with your teacher at the end of each lesson will make practice more efficient and effective! It’s important to remember that children don’t know how to practice unless we teach them! Writing out exactly how many times to play various songs and exercises will insure that the practice session is longer than a few minutes. And of course, make sure to put that list somewhere visible! (Ex: Hang it on the fridge, tape it on your music stand, etc.)

Leave the flute out

Sometimes the task of taking the flute out of the case and putting all the pieces together is just tedious enough that it discourages students from playing. We want to set them up for success and make it as easy as possible! You can purchase a flute stand on Amazon or simply leave the flute out on a shelf or table. (Keep it safe and accessible.)

Of course the flute still needs to be cleaned out several times per week. If you are having issues with tarnish build-up, it is best to keep the flute in the case, but you could take it out for them right before practice time.

Put Practice in your schedule

We know how busy you are! Kids participate in so many after-school activities these days that it’s likely your schedule is pretty maxed out. Try actually putting practice time into your weekly schedule just like you would for a lesson, an art class, or a soccer game. Maybe there’s not time for music practice every single day, but at least you will have a plan and a time for which days it will happen.

If you want your child to remember to practice by themselves, you could make sure they have access to a visual calendar in their room with scheduled activities. You could add it to a school planner or even set a daily alarm for practice.

Create a practice space

If you want your child to develop the independence to practice on their own, than they need a quiet space (away from you) to do so! You could create a corner in their bedroom where all the music and materials are kept. You could set them up at a desk or even outside on the porch. Just make sure that there are no siblings around or other distractions while your child is trying to concentrate!

Playing a musical instrument is a wonderful way for children to develop independence and responsibility! Even the youngest child is capable of doing so much on their own, as long as we set them up for success!

Did these tips help you? Please leave us a comment down below!

The Big Picture

As parents and teachers, it’s easy to get caught up in the day to day results that we see or don’t see from students. This is especially apparent when practicing is not going well or when a student is going through a plateau stage. During a time like this, it’s easy to consider quitting, However, it is completely normal for all students to have many ups and downs. The important thing is to look at the big picture and not give up!

Here is what actual progress look like for 95% of Suzuki students over 10 years:

Suzuki teachers are in it for the long haul!

When we accept new students, we commit to our relationship with you all the way through high school! This includes being your partner in navigating through all the ups and downs throughout your musical journey.

Ways to look at the big picture

• Observe advanced students in recitals. Most of them have been playing since they were 3-5 years old.

• Visit a group class with older students to see where you’re headed (or a younger group class to see where you’ve been!)

• Talk to other parents

• Reflect on how much your child has learned since they started lessons.

• Think about the life lesson we would be teaching if we allowed students to quit just because something was challenging.

and Remember…

“It’s never easy, just sometimes easier!”
- David Gerry, Suzuki Flute Teacher

Musical Stocking Stuffers and Holiday Gift Ideas

Here are some fun gift ideas for music students this holiday season!

Magnetic Musical Staff Dry Erase Board

Use the magnetic rainbow notes to build scales, arpeggios, songs, or practice note reading. This board is also dry erase which makes the possibilities endless!

Magnetic Musical Staff Dry Erase Board

Musical Dice

Dice are a great way to add variety to your practice and make learning fun!

Musical Alphabet Dice

Rhythm Dice

Tempo Dice

Lines & Space Notes Dice

Dynamics Dice

Key Signature Chips

Since these chips are blank on the back, you can flip them over one at a time and play the scale associated with that key signature.

Key Signature Chips

You can even purchase a magnetic fishing pole to go with the chips!
Magnetic Fishing Pole

Blue Jello Rhythm Cards

Perfect for beginner music students, these basic rhythm cards are printed in simplified stick notation and are great for learning to say & play basic rhythms.

Blue Jello Rhythm Cards

Rhythm Puzzle

This is an excellent toy for tactile, hands-on exploration of notes & rhythms.

Rhythm Puzzle

Rhythm Playing Cards

These rhythm cards are great for matching and memory games plus other Music Mind Games classics like War and Five Hiding!

Rhythm Playing Cards

Suzuki Flute Coloring Books

These beautiful, imaginative coloring pages go with each of the Suzuki Flute songs! Color while you listen to the recording or use it as a practice challenge!

Buy Now: Book 1 (Part 1)

Buy Now: Book 1 (Part 2)

Buy Now: Book 2 (Full)

Pneumo Pro (Flute Air Tracker)

This useful tool is great for beginners and advanced flute players! It allows students to track their air direction and air speed, which improves tone quality on the flute.

Pneumo Pro Air Tracker

Flute Stand

Sometimes it's convenient to be able to leave your flute safely out of the case!
Flute Stand

Bead Counters

This is used for counting repetitions while practicing, making it more engaging and rewarding for young children. It can be helpful to see how many times something has been played and how many more times are left. Once all the beads have been moved over the the other side, the task is complete! The Bead Counters come in multiple color and style options!

Bead Counters

Flute Hats!

Decorate your flute for the holidays with these adorable handmade “Flute Tuques.” They come in a wide variety of colors!

Flute Tuques (Cool Colors)

Flute Tuques (Warm Colors)

Benefits of Virtual Music Lessons

There is no doubt, the Covid-19 pandemic changed the world and highly impacted education. Many families now find virtual music lessons to be highly effective, convenient, and extremely time efficient. Plus, having access to highly trained teachers and a global Suzuki community, makes virtual music education more than desirable!

Convenient & Time Efficient

Particularly for busy parents, the idea of one less after-school activity to commute to is very intriguing!

Controlled enviornemnt

With music lessons at home, parents have control over the environment and have the ability to set up a space where the child can thrive!

Beter focus

Many parents actually report that their child has better focus during virtual lessons due to having one small area to center in on. Even if this is not the case for your child and they naturally have a harder time with virtual lessons, we have adapted many ways to engage students through hands-on activities and full body learning.

Access to quality teachers

With virtual lessons, you are no longer limited to whatever is available in your local area. Families now have the benefit of working with highly trained teachers regardless of where they live. We recommend finding a teacher that is not only an experienced musician, but someone that specializes in working with children and makes learning fun!

Community

Online lessons offer such a unique opportunity for students and parents to connect with families from all over the country and even across the globe! It is very valuable for children to interact with a diverse community and form friendships with others that share the same interests.

Digital benefits

It is much easier to utilize technology with online lessons and students are reaping the benefits! With the screen share option on Zoom, students have access to shared music, digital books, recordings, videos, and more! Plus, teachers are able to highlight phrases, draw in notes, block out sections, and mark up the music without destroying the original copy. Many musicians even prefer to read music on the computer since you can zoom in and control the size & brightness, making it easier to see!

In today’s world, being proficient in technology is crucial. With online music lessons, children learn very useful computer skills that translate to all areas of modern life!

Ability to record lessons

Particularly when learning something new, it is very valuable to record the teacher explaining or showing the concept so that it can be rewatched and practiced at a later time.

Recorded & Live-Stream Recitals

The days of out-of-town family members missing recitals are over! With online performances, family & friends can log on from anywhere to watch! Virtual events are also very easy to record and replay. Plus, students that can’t make a performance can submit a pre-recorded video and still participate!

Less Missed lessons!

This is a very important side benefit of virtual education! Families now have the option of logging on and attending their lesson from anywhere! Student attendance has improved significantly considering it is now possible to take a lesson while traveling, on vacation, or even mildly ill or covid-positive.

Of course virtual education has draw backs as well. But we have found that for many families the benefits outweigh the imperfections. Have you tried online music lessons? Let us know about your experience in the comments below.

Zoom Lesson Hacks!

Virtual music lessons can be very effective (and very convenient) given you have the proper set up! Following are some important considerations to help you make the most out of Zoom lessons.

Consider the device

Laptops or desktop computers are ideal for Zoom. Phones are small which makes it difficult for students to see music and notes that the teacher might share on the screen. Group zooms are also difficult on small devices because you have to swipe to see all the participants. When it comes to Zoom, bigger is better! iPads and tablets are great, but they don’t offer all the same options for audio settings.

Zoom Settings

After you join the meeting, click the arrow that is next to the mute button. Navigate to “Audio Settings” and scroll down to the section titled “Suppress Background Noise.” The default setting is “Auto,” but it needs to be switched to “Low.” This will prevent the flute sound from being cut off.

Unfortunately, you need to be on a computer to be able to adjust these particular settings. If you do the lesson from another device, it is likely that your teacher will have a hard time hearing you play because Zoom registers the flute as background noise and cuts it off.

Internet Speed

This one is tricky because it is usually out of our control. However internet speed makes a huge difference in the quality of the lesson. If your internet is slow, you might consider plugging in to an ethernet cable or moving closer to the router. If you are traveling or are having difficulties with the internet, turning off your video is a good last resort.

lesson location

Make sure to set up for a virtual lesson in an area of your home that’s away from distractions and other family members talking. It’s very difficult for students to hear their teacher on the screen and stay focused if there is noise around them.

The best case scenario for younger children is to have a parent sitting with them engaged in the lesson or at least a grownup in earshot. However, if there is going to be excessive noise from siblings, etc., then sometimes it’s actually better to put the child in a separate room and then check in with the teacher at the end of the lesson. Older students that can take notes and practice independently can be on their own for lessons.

Of course there are many circumstances that are out of our control and not all of these recommendations may be possible for everyone. However, if you do take the time to really set up the environment and create a dedicated place for lessons, your child will reap all the benefits of virtual music lessons!

Fun Ways to Incorporate Movement into Music Practice

Children of all ages benefit immensely from whole body learning! Movement activities are a great way to keep kids active and engaged while promoting better focus and improving cognitive thinking. Here are some fun and simple activities to incorporate into your daily music practice!

Ball Bouncing

Ball bouncing is so much fun and allows students to experience steady beat, meter, and time signatures! Get creative with different ways to use the ball such as bouncing, rolling, tapping, or spinning. Find a pattern that matches the number of beats per measure in the song. (Example: a simple bounce & catch pattern for a song in 2/4 time. Or a roll-tap-roll-tap pattern for 4/4 time.)

Check out this instructional video for some great ball bouncing ideas:
Ball Bouncing video

Body Percussion

This is a very simple way to get away from the instrument, while still practicing a song! Tap various body parts (head, shoulders, belly, knees, toes) to match the notes to a song. You can also use taps, claps, snaps, or other creative sound effects to explore steady beat, rhythm, scale degrees, or high/low pitches. Body percussion is also an excellent tool for memorizing!

Yoga

Yoga is a wonderful practice for connecting body, mind, and breath. As musicians, especially as woodwind players, we need to develop good breath control and air support in order to produce a beautiful tone. Yoga poses are a fantastic way to stretch and move before and after music practice! It helps with balance, posture, and stability. You could even try out some poses while playing!

Dance

Listening to the flute songs is a crucial component of daily music practice! But active listening does not have to be done sitting still. In fact, it’s a great idea to combine listening with dancing! Freeze Dance is a always a hit with younger children, while older students might enjoy learning the actual steps to the waltz or the minuet.

Scarves

Scarves or play silks are always popular with young children. They provide a wonderful sensory experience while offering opportunities to explore advanced concepts such as musical phrasing and expression. Older students could even create and memorize an entire scarf dance routine with complicated movements to match the form of the song.

Musical Twister

Twister is a classic game that everyone loves! It gets kids moving, falling, laughing and learning all at the same time! To create a musical version of the game, draw notes or rhythms on the dots and on the spinner. Instead of calling out “left hand yellow”, you would say “left hand quarter note.” Or “right foot whole note”. This is a fast and fun way for students to practice note and rest identification!

Flute Hopscotch

Another classic game that can easily be adapted for music practice is hopscotch! Students can draw the hopscotch design outside with sidewalk chalk, but instead of numbering the boxes, draw whatever notes, songs, or scales need to be practiced! To play the game, toss a rock or small object on the board. Play whatever it lands on and then hop through the squares skipping over the one with the marker.

Obstacle Course

It could be as simple as laying out some notes on the floor, hopping from one to the next. Or set up a full on obstacle course in the living room that your child can run through each time they complete one repetition of a song. That movement break where they get to jump from pillow to pillow, crawl under the table, and roll into the finish line will reset their brain and allow them to focus on the next one!

So the next time your little one is too wiggly to stand still, remember that music and movement go hand in hand! Try out some of these ideas at home and let us know which one is your favorite!

The Complete Guide to Music Practice

Why is practice important?

Practice directly relates to progress! The more time you put in, the faster your progress on the instrument will be. Without practice, your child will be stuck learning the same thing over and over again during their lessons. Things will feel hard and they will be frustrated and bored. Playing an instrument is difficult enough, so we want to set children up for success!

And of course you have made the investment in an expensive instrument and lessons, so it’s important to get the most out of the experience!

Take charge!

This might come as a surprise, but at least for younger children, it is 100% the parent’s responsibility to make sure that the music practice happens. Even if your child loves their teacher and loves music and loves their lessons, they are most likely not going to have the thought “Oh I haven’t played my flute today, I should do that before playing with my toys.” Expecting that kind of mature discipline at a young age is just going to set you up for failure.

Of course we want them to eventually get to a point where they practice on their own! With years of music study, your child will without a doubt develop self-discipline, a strong work ethic, time management skills, and hopefully a genuine love of music! But in the beginning, they will need your guidance.

An important step in establishing great practice habits at home is to have realistic expectations that are developmentally & age appropriate and to adjust your own mindset with the understanding that you are in charge of your child’s education.

How do I get my child to practice?

You can minimize nagging and set your child up for success by following these tips!

Invite them in:

• Give the child a heads-up that practice time is coming & allow for adequate transition time

• Try putting on some flute music to signal practice time rather than verbal cues

• Leave the instrument out of the case so that it’s easily accessible

• Set up a hands-on music game to ease into practice

Set a routine:

• Design a cozy practice corner that’s dedicated just for music

• Set an alarm for practice at the same time everyday

Have a plan:

• Create a practice list with your teacher

• Check items off the list or use stickers

Make it fun!

• Make a paper fortune teller with practice items inside

• Build a musical board game with songs, scales, and exercises. Use a dice & game pieces to play around the board!

• Have a pretend recital and set up an audience with all of your stuffed animals & dolls

• Incorporate your child’s interests into music practice

• Don’t even call it practice, call it play! “Flute play” is more appealing that “flute practice.”

How much should we practice?

The wonderful thing about taking private lessons, is that each student and family can set their own pace. Realizing this really helps to take the pressure off! Some families make flute a major priority and are able to practice every day (or most days). It’s a set part of their routine so they reap all of the benefits! While this is definitely the ideal situation, it might not be realistic for every family and that is OK!

It is also important to realize that it takes a while to work up to a consistent practice routine. If you just started taking lessons, you have to give yourself and your child some time to settle in and find a practice flow that works for you.

If you are looking for a little more guidance on exactly how long to practice each day, check out this sample practice plan for each age group:

AGES 3-5:

• 5 minutes of focus time working on a particular skill

• 10-15 min of musical play time (music activity, movement, listening, dance, etc.)

• 10 min of parent practice time (allows child to learn through immersion)

AGES 6-9:

• 10-20 min of focus practice time

• 10-15 min of music activities, movement, or listening on alternative days or weekends

AGES 10-12:

• 20-30 min of focus practice time

AGES 13+:

• 30 min-1 hour of focused practice time

Understand the Honeymoon Phase!

Of course the best case scenario is that your child loves the flute so much that they are intrinsically motivated to play everyday without even being asked! In fact, you might find that this is the case when you first start taking lessons. The flute is this shiny new toy and they simply can’t put it down! But as the weeks or months go by, you might find that the novelty of it starts to wear off. Lessons start to get more challenging and the child realizes that this is going to take hard work and effort! It might appear that they are loosing interest in the flute, but really it’s just the end of the honeymoon phase!

So what do you do?

1. Realize that just because the novelty has worn off, does not mean that your child no longer likes music.

2. Remember why you decided to start music lessons and hold the expectation that it is an important part of their education.

3. Understand that progress is not a straight line and there will be ups & downs and high & lows, and it’s all part of the process!

4. Follow the tips above in order to make practice consistent, fun, and meaningful for the child.

And remember, you don't have to do this all on your own! Your teacher is there to support you and will help you to navigate practice through your child’s musical journey.

Create a Practice Corner!

Setting up a designated practice space helps to be more consistent in your routine! Plus, its so much fun to design a little place just for flute!

First consider the location:

Find a spot that is generally quiet and away from distractions and siblings. Having a door, curtain, or some sort of divider might help to contain the space and help your child to focus.

If you have a young child and want to get really creative, you could set up a play tent and practice inside! Blanket forts work great too, but are more temporary.

Older students might prefer to practice in their rooms. You could hang some twinkle lights, artwork, or other decorative items to make the space more inviting.

When setting up your space, you might include these items:

-A music stand
-Your flute
-A flute stand
-Music/method books
-Pencils
-Crayons, colored pencils, or markers
-Sticky notes or note cards
-Blank Paper/Notebook
-Dice
-Counters for keeping track of repetitions
-Stickers
-Air toys (bubbles, pinwheel, pom-poms, etc.)
-Mirror (to keep an eye on flute embouchure & posture)

Other things to consider:

-Lighting: maybe set up next to a window for natural light or find some extra lamps
-Acoustics (a room with hardwood floor and less carpeting will offer more projection)
-Seating: will you sit or stand while you practice?

Hopefully this provided some inspiration and helpful ideas to set up your very own flute corner!

Music Theory Games for Kids

Scales & Key Signatures

The Scale Builder Game

Materials:
-Key Signature Chips Buy Now
-Circle of Fifths (Print out)
-Bingo Chips Buy Now
-DIY note cubes Buy Now

Play:
STEP 1: Place the key signature chips face down. To start the game, draw a chip and find the matching key signature on the circle of fifths.

STEP 2: Use bingo chips to mark the two scales that have that key signature. (One major scale and one minor scale).

STEP 3: Build those two scales with the note cubes, making sure to include the correct sharps or flats.

STEP 4: Play the scales!

Circle of Fifths

Circle of Fifths Puzzle Game

Print out a circle of fifths and cut it up! Mix up the pieces and students have to build it from scratch. This is a great way to test their knowledge of key signatures and relative minors!

For a modified version, leave some of the pieces intact. (Ex: Leave the minors attached to the key signature and just cut off the majors.)

Note Values & Rhythm

Copy the Song Rhythm Game

Materials:
-Rhythm Clock Buy Now
-Sheet music of your choice (in 4/4 time)

Play:
Find the pieces that match the note values in the first measure of your song. Put them together in a circle formation. Once you have built a full circle, the student sees that all four beats have been accounted for and that measure is full.

Continue building different measures for your music. By the end of the game, students understand note values, counting beats, and fractions!

Intervals

Interval Composing Game

Materials:
-Musical Staff (print out)
-Gems for notes
-Dice
-Coin

Play:
STEP 1: Place a starting note on the staff. (Use a gem)

STEP 2: Roll a dice for the interval:⠀
6= 6th⠀
5= 5th⠀
4= 4th⠀
3= 3rd⠀
2= 2nd ⠀
*1= 7th⠀
⠀
STEP 3: Flip the coin for the direction:
Heads =up⠀
Tails =down⠀
⠀
STEP 4: Fill up your staff with a variety of intervals and play the song! ⠀
⠀
Adapt level as needed! ⠀
Add major/minor intervals for advanced students. ⠀

Note identification

Place the Note Game

Materials:
-Magnetic musical staff with notes Buy Now
-Musical alphabet dice Buy Now

Play:
Roll the a musical alphabet dice.

Place that note on the staff. For advanced version, place that note in multiple octaves on the staff!

Music theory concepts are an important part of music education, but it doesn’t have to be boring! With a few colorful materials and a bit of creativity, students can learn while having fun!

Benefits of Listening

Music is like learning a second language. And we all know that language is best acquired through immersion! If you moved to another country and surrounded yourself in the culture, you would learn much faster than just taking a class once a week.

The same is true for music! We need to hear beautiful flute tone before we can create it. We need to listen to our pieces before we can accurately play them.

So how do you know if you are listening enough?

If you find yourself or your child humming the Suzuki songs then you are doing great! It is very difficult for your child to learn a new piece if they don’t know what it sounds like.

We can’t speak flute, unless we hear flute!”

-K. Lorimier

Here are some suggestions for consistent listening:

1. Download the Suzuki songs to your devices. That way it’s easily accessible.

2. Get into a listening routine. (Maybe you always have the flute music playing on the iPad before bed or have it on in the car.)

3. Explore YouTube for flute music! There are lots of great options there.

4. Create a flute playlist on Spotify!

5. Use music to set the atmosphere in your home.

6. Add 5 minutes of listening time to your regular practice!

In addition to the core Suzuki repertoire, here are some great pieces of music to get you started:

1. Chaminade Concertino for Flute

2. Regrets and Resolutions by Gary Shocker

3. Poem by Griffes

4. Flute Sonata: Undine by Carl Reinecke

5. Orange Dawn by Ian Clarke

6. Mozart Flute Concerto in G Major

7. Hungarian Pastoral Fantasy by Franz Doppler

8. Suite for Flute and Jazz Piano by Claude Bolling

9. Winter Spirits by Katherine Hoover

10. Vivaldi Flute Concerto in D Major “Il Gardellino” (“The Goldfinch”)

Benefits of Group Class

Of course the weekly private lesson with your teacher is crucial for developing technical skills and advancing on the instrument, but it is often in group class where the child really gets inspired, deepens their abilities, and truly gets to experience what music is all about. Here are five reasons to prioritize your attendance in group class!

Reinforce Technical Skills

Playing in an ensemble or attending a group music class provide students with the opportunity to practice and perfect the skills that they have learned in their lessons. Not only does group reinforce technical skills, but it also puts them to practical use and allows students to see the big picture!

Learn From Peers

Things tend to “click” in a new way for students when they hear their peers doing it. It is also very motivating and inspiring to watch others performing. When you see someone your own age, or close to your age, achieve something that you thought was too hard, it really makes you want to reach for the stars!

Enjoy Supplemental Curriculum

Let’s face it, there’s just not enough time to do everything in your private lesson! Group class is where your child gets a chance to explore other musical topics such as…

• Music history

• Music theory

• Repertoire

• Conducting

• Ensemble skills

• Compsoing

• Ear training

• and more!

Collaboration & Teamwork

Playing music together is one of the best ways for young people to develop collaboration skills! Whether you are playing in a small chamber group or a massive orchestra, each person and each part is important. Students develop personal responsibility and learn to take their contribution to the group seriously. Students who experience music in a group setting also learn to share the spotlight and support each other; somtimes being the soloist, and sometimes playing a harmonic role.

Build Community & Friendship

It is incredibly important for all of us, adults and children, to feel like we are a part of a community. And one of the best ways to feel that sense of belonging is to be with other people that share a common interest. Music brings us together, teaches us to listen, to share, and to work together in harmony.