Posts Tagged ear training

Should I Take Private Music Lessons?

Feb 29

Posted by Marty Buttwinick in Learning Music | No Comments

 

First off, ask yourself, “Am I happy with the way I play?”

If you are happy with the way you play, you probably don’t need private music lessons. If you are not happy with the way you play, you probably do! (Though an experienced musician very often just needs to practice more!)

(I could actually end this blog right here!)

In compiling my student’s goals over the years, (over 1,000 one-on-one students!), here are some common reasons why people take music lessons:

1. To learn an instrument for fun.
2. To learn an instrument as a profession.
3. To get unstuck from where they are and move ahead.
4. To improve their timing (rhythm).
5. To play the sounds they hear in their head.
6. To understand what they are already playing or singing.
7. To clear up confusions from past studies and playing/singing experience.
8. To have a fun and relaxing hobby.
9. To play with other people, for fun or professionally.
10. To improve their pitch.
11. To learn songs by ear.
12. To play by ear.
13. To improvise.
14. To read music.
15. To write songs and/or compose music.
16. To play a certain style of music.
17. To play better, in general, whether beginner or pro.

There are many ways to learn musical things: instructional videos, books, friends, websites, schools, self teaching, or all of the above. Some people do well with these methods, while some do not. And even when the above work, if someone doesn’t understand something, or wants to get better faster, a private instructor is usually sought out. (And, obvious or not, if someone wants to become a pro classical player lessons are the norm.)

So, If you’re stuck, want some guidance, or don’t know where to start, a good teacher can discover what you need to do and get you going.

Personal happiness is the bottom line.

So…, if you are happy with the way you play, you probably don’t need private music lessons. If you are not happy with the way you play, you probably do!

 

Marty B.
Email
(818) 242-7551
http://buttwinickmusic.com

 

 

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Buttwinick Musical Services Update ~ Nov 2011

Mar 12

Posted by Marty Buttwinick in Music and Life | No Comments


Greetings!

As 2011 comes to an end, activity is activated and production is purposeful!

I hope all is well with you, and here is an update from my zones of creation:

Composing

 

I’ve finished mixing some live music with Richard Robinson and have released four tunes! I should have the next project completed in a month or so. We completed a funk ballad, swing tune, rock fusion piece, Latin piece and a few others. I’m very excited about this! The music is posted at my music, and there is more of my music here as well. :-)

 

 

Teaching

My student’s are winning like crazy. (Sometimes ya have to brag…) My personalized curriculum continues to expand, and every lesson is really fun. One student is recording some guitar & vocal tracks, another is learning classical bass, a piano student went from focusing on reading to grooving and playing blues while an alto sax is being assaulted by another! You can see a list of current students here, success stories here, and more about what I do here.

Also, anyone you know who is bogged with their current musical studies or wants to start some enhancement yet doesn’t know what, should click here. I’m a good trouble shooter/consultant and this page will tell you more about it.

And now is a good time to check out my Holiday Gift Packages! Music lessons make great gifts! You can get them for someone else, or have someone else get them for you!

 

Musicians’ How-To Series

Book publishing continues to expand. We recently developed a new customer who purchased all 15 titles and is getting ready for his band consultations.

And what is this about? Read on…

“There is more to being a musician than fingering notes on an instrument. There are the subtleties of group interaction, musicianship, repertoire, the business side (if you are a professional), and many additional subjects.

The Musicians’ How-To Series consists of short- to medium-length e-books about a variety of music-related topics. This series provides musicians and singers with supplemental information that for the most part isn’t taught in schools and might or might not be learned on one’s own or from a private instructor. Much of this information has never before been in print.They are designed to throw in your bag or instrument case, take to your gig, rehearsal or jam, and PUT TO USE!”

 

That’s all folks!

Well, there’s always more: gigging, new books, blogs, a regular rock-band-teaching gig I have, copywork, etc. But the above are the main points I wanted to tell you about.

So I did.

And thank you for reading this!

Let me know if there is anything I can help you with. OK?

Marty B.

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Marty Buttwinick
(818) 242-7551
http://buttwinickmusic.com
http://musicianshowtoseries.com

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Different Awarenesses While Playing Music

Apr 10

Posted by Marty Buttwinick in Playing Music | No Comments

 

In addition to learning the mechanics of playing an instrument, here are some various points of awareness one develops, or not, as musical skill and playing experience evolves. This is not in an exact order, as people develop however they do, nor is it every possible awareness: it’s just a bit of an overview. A person could stop at any point, have strengths and weakness along the way or continue to the highest level.

  • Learning the mechanics of the instrument. (Technique)
  • Learning the most basic theory of the music involved, e.g., what the note names on the instrument are called, what a chord is.
  • Establishing ear training, recognizing sounds, of what one is playing and hearing. (This can occur at any time.) This brings about duplication and understand.
  • Stabilizing a balance between technique, theory and ear recognition.
  • Creating music: strumming a chord, improvising, jamming, playing along with the instructor and other musicians.
  • Playing songs and/or pieces, which can begin at any point.
  • Discovering what is fun or not.
  • A further balance and enhancement of technique, theory and ear recognition.
  • Songwriting, if that is a direction.
  • Basic composition, if that is a direction.
  • Self discovery of style, creativeness or lack of, and interests.
  • Development of personal taste and musical preferences.
  • More writing and creation if those are a direction.
  • Learning more songs and/or pieces.
  • Playing with others.
  • Getting used to playing with others and getting over any introversion and embarrassment. (Not everyone has these, though most do to a certain extant. Some people are just plain bold from the start! I could tell you some amazing stories from workshops I’ve run throughout the years about this topic!)

If one continues, various levels applying to solo playing or playing with groups are:

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Practicing Music at the Right Speed

Aug 26

Posted by Marty Buttwinick in Practicing an Instrument | No Comments

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The purpose of practicing is to gain control over some element of music, whether ear training, technique or an isolated passage or riff. Part of gaining control is eliminating hesitations, jerkiness and uncertainty. The goal is having complete “ownership” over what you are doing: you want to “know” that thing in and out.

For ear training, chose the speed that allows you to listen, duplicate and understand what you are hearing. Repetition and focus are key. You might need to play and listen to something hundreds of times before really getting it, and you will improve to the degree you are focused. When you are focused you are “there.” Only when you are there can you duplicate or learn something.

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