Learning to play the violin is an enjoyable musical experience for all ages. From the moment you hold this light and delicate instrument you realize how special it is. Learning how to tune, care for your violin then understanding how to produce sound through bowing and fingering are exciting experiences for any new beginner.

It is easy to see why students want to take violin lessons and explore this majestic instrument.

There are many factors that can determine the ease of learning this stringed instrument.

Understanding how to create a beautiful long-lasting tone on the violin comes with hard work and dedication. At first the sounds may come out are squeaky, rough and unsatisfying. But with perseverance, practice, and good guidance such as a violin teacher, you will be playing your first songs quickly and making beautiful music.

Reading notes and rhythms are the same on all musical instruments but how you produce sound on the violin is very different than learning the piano.

When starting formal violin lessons, a violin student is usually taught from a classical approach vs other musical styles such as fiddle, jazz or even contemporary music. It is usually recommended that a student start by learning good fundamentals and technic. To achieve this, a classical approach along with a good violin teacher, does tend to provide a strong basis and foundation. Receiving consistent and positive feedback will make learning the violin an easy and enjoyable process.

There are plenty of violin books and courses for this type of classical violin education. Most course books will teach the fundamentals such as reading notes and rhythm, posture, learning your fingerboard and bowing. However, there are also approaches that work with your ear and less on reading. Some violin students may learn better from an ear-based approach.

Is it true that learning to playing the violin comes with developing calluses on your fingers. This happens with all stringed instruments such as guitar. A student’s skin will harden over time while playing violin and that is normal. A violin teacher can help and show you how to develop good strong fingers so you can avoid finger strain or worse, blisters. Calluses are necessary to play stringed instruments.

Learning to play the violin is not hard. All anyone really needs is a desire to learn. Once you grasp the violin basics, you will be well on your way to playing your first violin song. Taking violin lessons, practicing the violin daily, and even
watching You Tube videos can all contribute to your violin playing success. Once you pass the beginner stages, there are so many musical doors that can open up. You can play with others, play more complicated music, learn another style of violin music such as pop, Disney songs and even learn to fiddle and improvise. Some students go even farther by taking exams or joining an orchestral group.

So, if you are wondering if violin is hard to play? Why not give it a try and find out!

You may be surprised at how easy and satisfying it is to learn this beautiful instrument!

Imagine Music has been assisting students with their violin lessons to achieve successful musical progress. Whether violin lessons are online, in studio or in home, we can help guide you through the process of finding the right music teacher for you. We have different music lessons options for every type of music student. Our teachers have varying experience levels, musical teaching styles, education, and performance. For over 25 years, Imagine Music has been teaching and mentoring lifelong skills through the love of playing music. Contact us today and begin your musical journey.

Music Lessons in Calgary can vary in cost. It really depends on a few important factors.

Where do you want to take lessons? Do you need an instrument or books? And what kind of music teacher are you looking for?

Let’s look at each of these factors in more depth.

Cost Factors Affecting Music Lessons in Calgary

Instrument:

An instrument is key when starting music lessons. Students can’t get the feel of learning, progressing and the enjoyment of playing music without one. Some beginners will rent or purchase a used or new instrument.

Renting is an inexpensive way to start your music lessons. Buying an instrument can vary between under to over $1000, depending on the features you are looking for and the quality of your musical instrument.

As for music books, they are very necessary for practice. A good music teacher can help you with books depending on your musical level.

At Imagine Music, we have many students that have purchased music books in the past and will continue to use these same books in their current music lessons.

Most beginner students will purchase new books to start. On average, most students will need new books at the beginning of the music year.

The Music Lessons:

Another factor to consider is where you want to take your music lessons. Imagine Music Inc offers all three streams of delivery: online, in-home and studio lessons.

In-home means that the lessons are in your home with the teacher coming to you. They are usually higher in cost but are extremely convenient.

Studio lessons mean you are going to the teacher’s home or a brick and mortar establishment. The rate per lesson is usually less than in-home lessons.

Finally, online lessons can vary depending on the experience and qualifications of the teacher. These lesson rates are usually comparable to studio lesson rates.

The Music Teacher:

Are you a beginner or advanced player? Or do you want to learn for fun or take a music exam? Your experience, needs and ability will determine how much experience you need in a music teacher.

Parents and students are looking for an experienced teacher as these teachers will know how to handle certain situations and have a clearer direction of how to reach student goals. They are also more accomplished musicians and may have an extensive teaching background.

Other parents and students are cautious about their musical investment and start with a music teacher with less teaching experience as their rates are usually lower. Some of these teachers can also have extensive performing experience but may be new to teaching music and may have challenges when problems arise.

In the end, it really comes down to affordability.

Whether you are looking for online lessons, in-home or studio lessons, Imagine Music can help guide you through the process. We have different music lessons options for every type of music student. We also have other teachers, all with varying experience levels, musical teaching styles, education and performance. For over 25 years, Imagine Music has been teaching and mentoring lifelong skills through the love of playing music. Contact us today and begin your musical journey.

Playing music a student loves is a great first step to inspiring students to enjoy music. Discovering new songs and sheet music though apps like Musicnotes, Apple Music, Spotify and YouTube are a great way to find new artists, styles or spinoffs of well-known pieces. These apps are an endless song resource for all levels of musical ability. When listening to artists the student enjoys, unconsciously they are training their ear to hear inflections, interpretations and phrasing that are pleasing to them. It inspires students to recreate these sounds though their instrument and therefore, learn this new piece.

A good teacher will introduce new pieces from their vast knowledge of repertoire. When paired with the knowledge of the student’s strengths, they will suggest pieces that they feel the student would be interested in. These pieces may introduce new techniques or different music styles. This new piece may not be popular or well known but, it may introduce students to new sounds, rhythms or ideas that they might not have done before. After mastering this piece, the student can enjoy this accomplishment. The end effect is inspiring for the student. I find many students will play their new completed pieces repetitively as they are so happy with how it sounds and the feeling of satisfaction it gives them when they play it!

Parents also share this same feeling of satisfaction but in a different way through the accomplishments of their kids. As students progress and become more advanced, I find parents excitedly suggest pieces for their kids to play. Listening and sharing your love of music with each other is another way to inspire students. The list of music requests can get bigger and harder especially as students become more experienced musicians. Many students love to play songs that make their family happy. Best of all, families reap the benefits of hearing great live music in their own home. These are often the shared memories that are remembered the most!

Inspiring students to enjoy music can come from many sources and influences in a student’s life. Students who are actively discovering music and playing new pieces are constantly moving forward into the next levels of their music development.

In more than 30 years as a piano teacher, I have taught students with different physical and mental abilities, learning styles, and musical tastes.

In my opinion, music can be learned, played and enjoyed by anyone; all that is required is hard-work, perseverance and dedication!

Here are 3 GREAT TIPS as you learn to play music:

Use a
Metronome

No matter what level you are at, using a metronome can be a useful tool. Playing in time and understanding the feel of rhythm is satisfying. Most students using a metronome for the first time get frustrated by it; often it is because they are out of time. The constant ticking can be irritating and confusing, but believe me, nothing is more satisfying when you master playing with a metronome. As a teacher, I’ve heard a lot of incorrect rhythms, but it amazes me how students can instinctively know when they are in or out of time. Tricks like writing in the counting, counting out loud, and clapping will help you play the rhythms in time. Eventually, you may hear and feel the rhythms instead of having to mechanically count it out.

Playing scales, triads and arpeggio exercises may seem boring to some but these exercises have so many benefits for the fingers and body in general. Focusing on how your body and your fingers move correctly can teach you how to play with accuracy and minimal stress to the body. Using the metronome and playing technical exercises can elevate your musicianship with the ability to play faster and with better control.

Read Notes and

Get to Know Chords

Some students read a little music, some read quite well, and some play-by-ear who don’t read at all. I believe that learning how to read notes is a great asset. It opens your world to music that maybe too hard to learn by ear. I personally love learning arrangements by other musicians, taking their ideas and incorporating them into my own playing. A good piece of sheet music outlines notes, harmony and chord structure and shows you how these ideas were formed!

Learning music is exciting and never gets boring. To kick your playing up a notch, give one, or all three tips a try. If you are struggling, ask your music teacher to help.

Think Music,

Jennifer Aumentado

Owner & Director

It’s here, the lazy days of summer! A time for doing other activities that you love to do. After all summer is short!

So how do you keep your fingers limber and your mind, musically sharp!

Here’s a few summer music tips I use to keep #thinkingmusic :

Summer is the perfect time to learn that new song you always wanted to play. Just pick away at it slowly a few lines at a time. Then in your lessons in the fall, you can go for it!
Play around on the BLUES. Learn the basic 12 bar blues form and improvise using the blues scale. No notes are needed, just play by ear.
Have a summer only song . . . nothing too long . . .maybe something easier than what you usually play.
Pick up a “how to play” YouTube tip on your instrument and implement it. Make sure it’s at your level and then have fun with it.