https://www.laurelsandersmusic.com -
One of the best things you can do for your development as a musician is to study more than one instrument. Here’s what you can achieve with music study in a secondary subject.
https://www.laurelsandersmusic.com -
Whether your child will be learning singing, piano, or another instrument, getting started can be a little intimidating if you’re not sure what to expect. Here are eight things you should know before your child’s first music lesson.
https://www.laurelsandersmusic.com -
Want to take voice or piano lessons, but not sure what you’d be getting into? Let me give you some pointers, based on my experience taking and teaching music lessons. These are six realities of taking music lessons that you’ll want to know about before you start.
https://www.laurelsandersmusic.com -
Are some people too un-talented to make music? No! No matter what you’ve been told, you don’t lack the capacity to learn to sing or play an instrument. Yet so many of us believe we are incapable of becoming musicians...
https://www.laurelsandersmusic.com -
Do you want to support a young music student in your life, but you’re not sure what to do? Here are 11 ways you can help them.
https://www.laurelsandersmusic.com -
Almost no one likes being a beginner. It’s especially embarrassing if you’re at all perfectionistic. When you can’t seem to get started, make the process the goal. (Featuring a peek into my writing method.)
https://www.laurelsandersmusic.com -
Practicing is a hot topic among musicians. It’s relevant to everyone, musician or not, because we all practice things. We all prepare, in some way, when we want to be ready for something. But what does it take to be truly ready?
https://www.laurelsandersmusic.com -
Ever ask yourself, “Is this a sign that my kid should quit music lessons?” Let me answer that question for you.
https://www.laurelsandersmusic.com -
There are two mental modes every musician can use: Learning Mode, and Expression Mode. The best musicians can easily access either mode and use both modes equally to learn music effectively and perform joyfully. How can you be like them?
https://www.laurelsandersmusic.com -
How long do you have to take music lessons to see results? I don’t think sounding amazing as quickly as possible should be your biggest concern, but I'll give you a timeline anyway!
https://www.laurelsandersmusic.com -
Do “difficult” students resist instruction just to be difficult, or are they responding to their own feelings? Here’s why I’d rather let my piano students learn more slowly than teach them to ignore how they feel.
https://www.laurelsandersmusic.com -
Music doesn’t come from some mystical source called "talent" - it can be learned, and it can be learned by anybody. Being talented, or the idea of being talented, can actually get in your way!
https://www.laurelsandersmusic.com -
It's a myth, but why do people believe it? And what should voice teachers do about it?
https://www.laurelsandersmusic.com -
Today I want to tell you the story of my first piano recital. Spoiler alert: it didn’t go great.
https://www.laurelsandersmusic.com -
Don’t waste time and effort practicing ineffectively - try these tips to get more out of your music practice time and see faster results. Mentally prepare - Positive self-talk - Verbalize your practice goals - Keep a practice journal - Practice by listening - Take care of your body - Take a break - Take a nap
https://www.laurelsandersmusic.com -
Hello! I’m Laurel. This is my blog. I’m an LA-area musician and music teacher and a generally opinionated person. I have a lot to say on many topics, but what I’ll mostly be writing about here is teaching and learning music.
https://www.laurelsandersmusic.com -
I have a short answer to this frequently-asked question, and a medium-length answer, and a long answer. Find out what good practicing looks and feels like, and how it helps you make progress.
https://www.laurelsandersmusic.com -
Singing together, virtually! How do online music lessons work?Online lessons are hugely popular right now. COVID-19 has us all at home in front of screens, trying to use the Internet to do things we’d otherwise be doing in person. So, now that we’re all getting so familiar with online conferencing programs, especially Zoom, it’s the perfect time to try taking music lessons online.According to TakeLessons.com, a company I’ve been using to connect with students for several years, 86% of their July sales were for online lessons, compared with 37% in February before lockdown began. Many teachers h
https://www.laurelsandersmusic.com -
Do Singers Need to Learn to Read Music?Lots of singers learn by ear and feel that that’s enough for them to be a good singer. Why should they put in a lot of work to learn to read music when they can already learn music by listening to it? Don’t get me wrong, I think developing your ear is an essential skill for all singers! But music reading is also immensely useful for singers who take the trouble to learn it.Like any investment, you have to decide whether it’s worth the cost. You can walk everywhere you need to go, for free. Or, you can save up for a bike and learn to ride it. If you almost never go anywhere out of walking distance, you m
https://www.laurelsandersmusic.com -
Micki Porcaro, “Opus 36” by Dustin O’Halloran, from “Marie Antoinette” (2006)Micki Porcaro is a 17 year old student with ambition and dedication beyond her years. She's been taking lessons with me for two years and has made tremendous progress during that time. For these reasons and many more, Micki has been chosen as my first Student Feature.Outside of piano, Micki also played in her high school orchestra and has been playing drums for five years. In this interview, we'll find out more about Micki's musical experiences, goals and plans for the future.Tell me about a musical experience in your life that was really meaningful to you.A musical experience that was special to me was when I went to London and saw my dad’s band at Royal Albert Hall. I think I really realized then that (mu
