Jane Jackson School of Music Concert at Gisburn Festival Hall
This was a fantastic evening and we were all buzzing after this performance. Comments such as "When is the next one?", "When is the next rehearsal?", "Thoroughly enjoyed every moment!", "We were amazing!", "I never knew I could do that!" say it all.
Saxophone Practice
Last night was the first time nine of my saxophone students came together to practice for a concert in November.
We had a great time and I thoroughly enjoyed teaching this session. After a few weeks of individual practice and hard work we played together incredibly well, especially considering this was the first time we had all met.
As well as improving timing, rhythm and listening skills, the joy of connecting people who share a passion for music is enormous. Music has such power: connecting people, creating memorable experiences, social networks, emotional expression, teamwork and having fun.
Blue Peter Badge Winner
Very well done to Katie, who was awarded a Blue Peter badge last week for her passion for music and learning the piano.
Skype Teaching
My dedicated teaching room is now set up for video teaching via Skype and all is going well.
I am enjoying this new method and particularly enjoy seeing my students' faces, all too important today and fundamental in human social interaction.
I have been impressed by the way we are able to adapt, young and not so young. By using technology I am able to continue with a job I love and offer a service that is professional, supportive and allows a level of normality in a world in crisis.
Busy Times
The last few months have been really busy and I can’t quite believe August has arrived. It has been lovely to welcome new students, and a good number of students have been working hard towards their ABRSM exams, achieving fabulous results. Well done!
I hope GCSE / A-Level students also achieve the results that they need in order to move on to the next step – I have certainly enjoyed helping you.
I have also moved house and now have a dedicated teaching room in the home that I share with my husband. We are both really excited to be living in Barnoldswick and I am thrilled to be able to offer lessons in beautiful surroundings.
The Benefits of Private Tutoring
A gap in the foundations of a subject can really hamper future learning and understanding. Having a private tutor helps students to review and evaluate areas which they may be finding difficult, allowing them to concentrate on certain topics that they may be struggling with.
Due to the one-to-one nature of the tutoring that I offer, I am able to adjust to individual students and enable engagement and enhanced understanding. I also provide a safe environment in which students are able and indeed encouraged to ask questions, away from the pressure of their peers.
Often students have said they feel silly asking questions in class at school and fear being ridiculed. Positive reinforcement and encouragement away from distraction of others can make a big difference in learning.
Exam Success
I was so pleased for one of my piano students who gained a merit in her exam last week, after much hard work and many hours of practice.
Although there is more to learning a musical instrument than passing exams, there are many benefits. They indicate the progress that students are making and help to provide a focus for practice. They are recognition for success and provide a sense of achievement, pride in oneself and help to build self-esteem, an essential part of confidence building. They teach many skills such as time management, willingness and ability to learn, long term commitment to a goal and demand an ability to focus on a task.
Exams are also an essential part of education, and so an ability to stay calm and focussed is a requirement for study at school, university and onto employment. The main music exam boards are also regulated by Ofqual, and higher grades are worth UCAS points.
So as well as providing a performance experience and an opportunity to demonstrate ones playing ability, music exams offer so much to a young person’s education, giving them transferable skills and, indeed, life skills.
The Calming Power of Music
As many students are now facing exams, I am reminded of the calming and relaxing effects that music can have on our mind and body, and its ability to decrease levels of stress hormones. Students often comment, after their lessons with me, on how they have been totally absorbed in reading the music, remembering the fingerings and embouchure in the case of a wind instrument, and have completely switched off from life’s stresses.
The ability to disengage from work and other stresses, and allow for psychological recovery, helps to improve sleep and diminish negative mood. Research shows that making music can lower blood pressure, decrease heart rate, reduce stress, lessen anxiety and ease depression.
Am I Too Old?
I was asked this week, "Am I too old to learn a musical instrument?" My initial reaction was absolutely not. This provoked a discussion with a neuroscientist friend of mine around the theme of how important it is to keep using the brain and promote new connections. Learning new things throughout life and challenging the brain is one way to protect against Alzheimer’s. Indeed studies have shown that learning to play a musical instrument can ward off age related cognitive decline. I would say if you don't feel too old then you aren't and give it a go!
Shy or Quiet Students
One to one tuition is of particular benefit for quiet or shy students. My aim is to provide a supportive and encouraging learning environment where students are not under pressure and areas of weakness or particular problems can be spotted easily. Sometimes there is a lack of understanding in a basic concept that is preventing progression.
Concentration
It is so important to be able to focus the mind and concentrate on a particular subject or task, not only as a child in education but in all areas of life and all ages. Learning to play a piece of music takes a good deal of attention and concentration. Through musical training students will be better equipped in this essential skill that I have often found to be lacking in mainstream education.
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