Our Philosophy
QUALITY Instruction
Choosing the right instructor to pursue your musical education with and having an environment is key to your success.An Effective Teacher Helps the Student:
- Determine what their musical goals are.
- Chart a course & time-line to achieve those goals.
Many teachers fall into the trap of showing the student how well they can play. Consequently these teachers focus the lessons based on their own goals and expectations. A great teacher knows that they should not confuse their own musical goals with that of the students. There is a major difference between a great player/singer and a great teacher. Great players/singers sound wonderful when they play & sing for an audience, but they may not be able to explain (in a user friendly way) what they are playing or doing for the student.
A Great Teacher Can:
- Play (or sing) with accomplished command of their instrument and communicate musical & technical concepts clearly & concisely.
The RIGHT EnvironmentLearning music is not just a matter of having a qualified instructor, but also having an environment that is focused on music education. In such an environment a student cannot be distracted by TV, pets, ringing phones, siblings or anything else.
Unlike many studios or music stores where the student's lesson takes place in an open public room, GTR Music Studio provides individual, private teaching rooms to ensure the student can focus on their lesson. With only ½ to one hour of lesson time per week, a professional music studio environment can produce better results since the only focus at the time is learning music. Students in a professional studio environment are also motivated by seeing and hearing peers who are at different levels. In a professional music studio, the lessons are not just a hobby or side line for the teacher but a responsibility that is taken seriously. All of our private studio rooms are equipped with:
The only thing the student needs to bring is their instrument, pick, notebook, music book, cd or iPod. |   |
Lesson Length
For most students, particularly ages eight to ten, a half-hour lesson is sufficient. This allows plenty of time for warm-up & review of the previous week's assigned material, introduction of new material, corrections and questions. For the more advanced and older student we recommend 45 minutes to 1 hour.
To Read or Not to Read
This is always a hot topic of discussion. There are several different approaches to the study of music. Some involve pure reading of notes and rhythms while others utilize the ability of the ear. The bottom line is how well the student plays their instrument and understands musical concepts. This can be achieved by reading, using the ear, or a combination of the two. If the teacher determines that the student is an aural (ear) learner, lessons based heavily on playing by ear but including some note reading would be appropriate. The right frame of mind is crucial for optimal learning. Therefore, catering to the students learning strengths will ensure that they will get the most out of their music lessons.
At GTR Music Studio all of our instructors are capable of using the visual and aural (ear) approach. Our instructors monitor the student's progress and make appropriate recommendations in order for the student to progress as rapidly as possible and still have fun.
For most students, particularly ages eight to ten, a half-hour lesson is sufficient. This allows plenty of time for warm-up & review of the previous week's assigned material, introduction of new material, corrections and questions. For the more advanced and older student we recommend 45 minutes to 1 hour.
To Read or Not to Read
This is always a hot topic of discussion. There are several different approaches to the study of music. Some involve pure reading of notes and rhythms while others utilize the ability of the ear. The bottom line is how well the student plays their instrument and understands musical concepts. This can be achieved by reading, using the ear, or a combination of the two. If the teacher determines that the student is an aural (ear) learner, lessons based heavily on playing by ear but including some note reading would be appropriate. The right frame of mind is crucial for optimal learning. Therefore, catering to the students learning strengths will ensure that they will get the most out of their music lessons.
At GTR Music Studio all of our instructors are capable of using the visual and aural (ear) approach. Our instructors monitor the student's progress and make appropriate recommendations in order for the student to progress as rapidly as possible and still have fun.
"GTR Music Studio ~ Helping YOU Make Music"
