tag:dunedinguitar.nz,2005:/blogs/articles?p=2Articles2020-05-22T20:35:47+12:00Philip Hartshorn's Dunedin School of Musicfalsetag:dunedinguitar.nz,2005:Post/63260112020-05-22T20:21:58+12:002020-05-22T20:21:58+12:00Introduction<div align="justify" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"> </div>
<div align="justify" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Thank<span style="font-family: inherit;"> you</span> for the possible opportunity to help you receive the best possible start in playing guitar, bass or drums.</span></span></div>
<div align="justify" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"> </div>
<p> </p>
<div align="justify" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Since 2007 I have been committed to providing people with the highest quality of tuition available. My ongoing development, starting in 2001, as teacher and musician, is guided by tutors involved with the top music tertiary institutions in the country. </span></span></div>
<p> </p>
<div align="justify" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"> </div>
<p> </p>
<div align="justify" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Their are many obstacles to becoming a strong musician. One of them is cost and the other one is the quality of the tuition. So I'm going to try and help you with that.</span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: silver;"> </span>Learning how to play music is expensive. There's a great saying which goes like this. “People go to a lot of trouble to find cheap lessons and then get a lot of trouble when they are found.”</span></span><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></span>I'm going to<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span>help you out. I<span style="font-family: inherit;"> will ensure you will receive the best<span style="font-family: inherit;"> value</span></span>. </span></span></div>
<p> </p>
<div align="justify" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div>
<div align="justify"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">In short there is a complete programme of music which has been put together by the top music teachers in New Zealand. There is a direct link from beginner level, to gaining acceptance to the best music school in the country. Acceptance is based on audition and skill level only. This is a very rewarding and enjoyable journey. </span></span></div>Philip Hartshorn's Dunedin School of Musictag:dunedinguitar.nz,2005:Post/60989222020-01-15T06:48:34+13:002020-05-08T21:20:55+12:00Are you getting nowhere being self-taught?<p><span class="font_small">You most probably would have had a few experiences as a self taught player. I was one once too so I know what you have been through. Unfortunately it can take a while for the realisation to take hold that you are getting nowhere. Because of my own experiences I have a fair amount of empathy with this. So I am going to give up some of my precious practise time to tell you a few truths by using some common scenarios. The first one is...</span></p>
<h2><span class="font_small">You would like to play your favourite songs</span></h2>
<p><span class="font_small">You would like to learn how to play Sweet Home Alabama and Ball & Biscuit right. They are both great songs.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_small"> These are the first few lines to Sweet Home Alabama and Ball & Biscuit:</span></p>
<p><span class="font_small"> <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/397716/4799224cd0b0a8b2c4cad654a2a24e87a28892b3/original/untitled-2.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDY1eDIzNiJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_left border_" alt="" height="236" width="465" /></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p><span class="font_small"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/397716/4143800c95666a347d02df724ac78b7d6919ced9/original/ball-and-biscuit.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDY0eDM3MiJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="372" width="464" /></span></p>
<p><span class="font_small"><strong> To be able to play these you will need to know heaps of stuff. This is a list:</strong></span><br> </p>
<ul> <li><span class="font_small">know the key signature;</span></li> <li><span class="font_small">know the most important chords in that key;</span></li> <li><span class="font_small">do you play in minor or major, what is that?</span></li> <li><span class="font_small">be able to read the notes;</span></li> <li><span class="font_small">be able to count them;</span></li> <li><span class="font_small">what does simile mean?</span></li> <li><span class="font_small">What are the crosses, the H and Ps?</span></li>
</ul>
<p> </p>
<p><span class="font_small">Let's suppose you have learned one of these songs by using some other form other than reading the music. You don't need to do it the proper way, it's old fashioned, you think. We have the internet now. It's free so why pay for lessons?</span></p>
<p><span class="font_small">Yes there are other ways to try and play the song. I know I've tried them. If you work hard you might get to play a resemblance of the song. However you will only become fractionally close to sounding like it, why? I'll tell you about that later....</span></p>
<p><span class="font_small">Your mates want to play the songs in a band. You give it a go. You all have the gear but no one is taking lessons. You are all doing it yourself. You get some of the song going, great. You feel awesome. Now what?</span></p>
<p><span class="font_small">"Lets play another song" someone says. It's easy for the drummer because the same basic beat can be used for just about anything (not true). The bass player will just do what the guitar player says.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_small">But the guitar player has spent hours on learning that one song. Only bits and pieces are known of others. "Boy this is getting hard. Where am I supposed to find the time to learn another song"? What's the result? A total of 6 minutes of music. We can't even play the first one right through.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_small">Band practise finishes with a sense of frustration. At home the dust on the guitar begins to thicken.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_small">To be continued...</span></p>Philip Hartshorn's Dunedin School of Musictag:dunedinguitar.nz,2005:Post/60989192020-01-15T06:48:30+13:002016-03-01T01:26:42+13:00Are You Getting the Best From Your Lessons?
<p>Are you really keen on learning how to play music? Do you want to help your children learn how to play? Well you can. Everyone has the ability to learn music. It is not a natural skill. No one is born with the ability to play. <br> <br> The most important element in succeeding with music is the teacher. They are not all the same. Anyone can advertise themselves as a music teacher. Here are some points for you to consider and some traps for you to avoid.<br> <br> </p>
<h3>Reading Music</h3>
<h3> </h3>
<p>Unfortunately the contemporary music playing world has been plagued with a belief that music reading is not important. This has put the average guitar, bass and drums player at a distinct disadvantage. When playing with other musicians they struggle because they cannot read. In addition their overall skill level will be much lower than musicians of other instruments. The reinvention of another form of reading called tablature is the main reason for this. This is the 'colour by numbers' equivalent. Imagine an accountant who can't count!<br><br>If you and your son or daughter are serious about playing guitar, bass or drums he/she needs to learn how to read on the instrument, not just theory, from the very beginning. No other instrument has this issue. There is not a choice of learning the saxaphone, for example, without reading music. From piano to trumpet, all people learn their instrument by reading music notation. Contemporary or modern guitar, bass and drums should be too. There is no special revolutionary way of learning without reading. All that is happening is the student is being ripped off.</p>
<h3> </h3>
<h3>Are you already having lessons?</h3>
<p><br> If you are already in lessons, even if they have only just begun, you should be asking if reading music on the instrument is happening in the lessons? If so, great. If not it is a warning sign that the teaching quality is not high enough. Any delay in learning music reading is just a waste of time, money, and potential opportunity. If this basic is not happening what else is not happening: technique, rhythm, counting, chord construction? Any fees paid so far would have been lost as precious little useful information would have been learned.</p>
<h3> </h3>
<h3>Learning music by just learning songs</h3>
<h3> </h3>
<p>Some people offer lessons by just teaching songs. They claim it is an easier and more enjoyable method. How wrong can they be. An emphasis on song playing, using lyric sheets with chords on, and the use of tablature are warning signs of ineffective teaching. Chords are hard. It takes ages to get them working well. Rhythm is hard and not a natural skill. An emphasis on learning music just through songs is illogical. It would be like learning how to multiply in maths without knowing numbers.</p>
<h3> </h3>
<h3>Playing in a band</h3>
<h3> </h3>
<p>An extension to the ill fated 'learning music by songs' concept is the enticement of playing in a band. The release of the movie School of Rock starring Jack Black is often cited as the influence behind this concept. Unfortunately there is a major flaw in the real life equivalent prevalent in our society. The musicians in the movie had been learning classical music for many years. All that happened was the introduction of rock music to these well trained students. <br><br>The 'well trained students' factor seen in the movie has been forgotten in the modern day student rock bands. The novelty of playing in a band wears off pretty quickly when no one can actually play. The sound is terrible and they never seem to get any better. It is just not fun. The whole scene becomes negative because the motivation drops. Practice time disappears, and the the expensive gear purchased by hard working mums and dads ends up being stacked in the corner gathering dust.</p>
<h3> </h3>
<h3>Passion</h3>
<h3> </h3>
<p>Learning music is a wonderful thing to do. It is a specialist skill. The methods required to overcome all the obstacles of playing music are universal and so can be transferred to any endeavour you wish to be strong at. It is also a long term thing. There are no short cuts. <br> </p>
<h3>No Barriers</h3>
<p><br> I hope this information helps. Please feel free to ask any questions concerning the best way to learn. I am passionate about giving students the best possible start. Please remember that, thanks to the invention of Skype, distance is no longer a barrier to quality teaching. </p>
Philip Hartshorn's Dunedin School of Musictag:dunedinguitar.nz,2005:Post/60989182020-01-15T06:48:30+13:002016-03-01T01:19:42+13:00Is music notation taught at the very beginning of learning or is it delayed by six months or longer?
<p><span style="color:black">A music student is at a distinct disadvantage if learning to read music is delayed. All music knowledge and technique comes from learning how to read music notation. It gives the student the ability to play the songs he/she would like to play. </span></p>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color:black">Too much time and money is wasted as a result of lessons consisting of songs, chords and tablature reading only. Very little useful knowledge is taught in such lessons. Learning tablature is not reading music.</span></div>
Philip Hartshorn's Dunedin School of Musictag:dunedinguitar.nz,2005:Post/63260092015-10-21T09:47:00+13:002020-05-22T20:02:40+12:00What Are My Rates?<br>It all depends on the level of the student and what the student needs. The requirement of a young beginner is different to a self taught person of any age. Requirements also change over time as the student progresses. The first lesson structure may change to include other options. Increased time on one instrument; picking up a second instrument, and/or to taking advantage of the jam sessions are examples of how each student's requirements can be different.<br><br>Just contact me and we'll arrange a time to talk. <br><br><br>Philip Hartshorn's Dunedin School of Musictag:dunedinguitar.nz,2005:Post/63260102015-10-15T15:54:00+13:002020-05-22T20:02:40+12:00Guitar Buying Guide<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0.5cm;">Here is a link which will help you decide which guitar to buy. I haven't<br>bought anything from them myself, but one of my students has. I saw the guitar only recently and I liked it.<br><br><a href="https://www.artistguitars.co.nz/buying/how-to-choose-the-right-guitar-for-a-child/581">https://www.artistguitars.co.nz/buying/how-to-choose-the-right-guitar-for-a-child/581</a>
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">I use <a href="http://rockshop.co.nz/">rockshop.co.nz </a>, you could compare prices.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br></div><br><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">I would recommend buying a new guitar because you know it would be in good condition.<br><br>I hope that helps<br><br>Phil</div>Philip Hartshorn's Dunedin School of Musictag:dunedinguitar.nz,2005:Post/63260122014-12-13T15:01:00+13:002020-05-22T20:02:40+12:00Is there a promise of playing in a band?<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, monospace;">When students have reached a certain skill level in there reading and playing they will be invited to play together. I currently host jam sessions. This is a great option because people with similar skills and interests meet and learn how to play together.</span></span>
</div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br></div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, monospace;">It is widely recommended by music professionals that playing in bands should be avoided initially. Too many music students lose their interest as a result of a negative experience from playing in a band when they are not ready. </span></span></div>Philip Hartshorn's Dunedin School of Musictag:dunedinguitar.nz,2005:Post/63260132014-12-13T14:59:00+13:002020-05-22T20:02:40+12:00What kind of support will I have?<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br><span style="color: black;"><span style='font-family: "courier new" , monospace;'>A successful music student is one who knows how to practice. It is the time between lessons which determines the level of success and pleasure the student gains from playing music. Learning how to practice is a skill in itself. To help you with this I have created a web site entitled, </span></span><span style="color: blue;"><u><span style='font-family: "courier new" , monospace;'><a href="https://goldenpickandsticks.com/?redirect=0">The Golden Pick and Sticks</a></span></u></span><span style='font-family: "courier new" , monospace;'>. This site is designed to reward the student while he/she is practising. It reinforces the principles of practice which I will cover with the student during lessons.</span>
</div>Philip Hartshorn's Dunedin School of Musictag:dunedinguitar.nz,2005:Post/63260152014-12-13T14:52:00+13:002020-05-22T20:02:41+12:00Are lessons taught individually or in groups?<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, monospace;">Although groups may be a cheaper option initially and they may be available at a local school, they do not cater for individual learning needs. </span></span><br><br><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, monospace;">It is more cost effective to have quality individual lessons. Duo sessions add a great amount of value to the learning process. Each student learns independently for most of the session. Then we get together and play for the remainder.</span></span>
</div>Philip Hartshorn's Dunedin School of Musictag:dunedinguitar.nz,2005:Post/63260162014-12-13T14:48:00+13:002020-05-22T20:02:41+12:00Should distance to travel be a factor when deciding on a music teacher?<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, monospace;">No. When I started learning I travelled great distances to find a good teacher. An alternative to travelling to a lesson is having the same individual lesson using the internet. The quality of the teacher is the most important factor. Not all teachers are the same. Unfortunately standards vary greatly.</span></span>
</div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br></div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, monospace;">In fact it would be an advantage to the student if their computer literacy also developed while learning music. A great deal of music related work involves I.C.T. skills.</span></span></div>Philip Hartshorn's Dunedin School of Musictag:dunedinguitar.nz,2005:Post/63260182014-12-13T14:37:00+13:002020-05-22T20:02:41+12:00What are the standards of the teacher’s current music students?<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, monospace;">I’m happy to say that my students are very well represented in many aspects of the community. From end of year school music prizes, gaining excellence in music performance, gaining recognition in local and national music competitions, to participating in a number of community events ranging from musicals to rock and jazz bands. Reading music, not including tablature, from the very beginning enables the musician to participate in these events.</span></span>
</div>Philip Hartshorn's Dunedin School of Musictag:dunedinguitar.nz,2005:Post/63260192014-12-09T10:12:00+13:002020-05-22T20:02:42+12:00A letter to a parent with regards to practicing and the parents/caregiver's role.<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">I'd like to offer some advice which hopefully will enable your child to continue with his playing. He has done very well up to this point. He is learning a specialist skill, it is hard. Learning how to play at home is also hard. It's a universal skill though, which can be applied to anything the student wishes to become strong at. It will greatly assist in his ability to independently learn. If the environment is right the student will develop their playing at home and at the same time begin to use some very important independence skills.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">At home the student himself must take responsibility for their playing and not the parent. Reward and play are very important themes here. I remind students to reward themselves for putting the time in: something simple like making your favourite sandwich or something similar. I let students know that playing at home means your rewarded twice because the instrument, over time, sounds better,</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">The role of the parent is to allow the student to implement their own practice routine. Praising the child for doing the practice is a good thing. It reinforces the reward. Refrain from commenting on the quality of the music, unless it is something praiseworthy. In essence, the parent needs to step back and allow the student to have good weeks of practice and not so good weeks of practice. Do not over remind the student to practice. This can become negative and stressful. Instead ask how the practice routine is going?</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Within the first few minutes of the lesson with me it is very clear how well the student has practiced. It is my role to encourage and motivate the student to reflect on their playing and to try and get it closer to the practice model I have showed them. I go over the 'new stuff' and review earlier material. I need to provide an atmosphere where the student feels OK to say how well their playing is going. I can then help them. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Please remember that it is better for the student to keep on going and have a few poor weeks of practice than to stop. The dream or desire to play is a long term thing. The skill of practicing, and the motivation to do it, take time to grow. They are not natural.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"></div>Philip Hartshorn's Dunedin School of Musictag:dunedinguitar.nz,2005:Post/63260202014-12-09T09:40:00+13:002020-05-22T20:02:42+12:00The Make Up Lesson<br>I've decided to use the blog to communicate a few ideas and issues that come up from time to time.<br><br>One of those issues is the 'make up' lesson.<br><br>I cannot stress strongly enough that the 'make up' lesson replacement is not always guaranteed. It is not a right.<br><br>Success in any specialist skill occurs when the student sticks at it. No study, no success. I try to help and encourage so that the student can achieve. This is why I try and replace a lesson when it is missed. I am trying to be kind. I am trying to be helpful. I cannot stress strongly enough however that this lesson replacement is not always guaranteed. It is not a right.<br><br>Just like when something is missed due to illness, clashing, or forgetfulness in other aspects of life such as school, work or sports, that something is not replaced. It is the same with lessons. Contrary to the belief of some, my time is very limited. There are very few lessons spots available for make ups. I do not have extra time during the ever frequent and long school term breaks. I am a professional musician studying at ever increasing levels of difficulty. If I am not teaching I'm practicing, with the occasional run thrown in.<br><br>So please, please please do not be offended when I cannot replace a missed lesson. Do not run a tally of missed lessons with those made up. Unfortunately I lost a student this year due to this issue. If anyone can show me where I said I will replace every lesson please let me know. It is not a financial cost when one is missed. No one pays more when that happens, it is just annoying.Philip Hartshorn's Dunedin School of Music