May 17, 2025: Saturday Remix
Teachers and Staff: Happy Saturday!
Last week I wrote about the introductory music lesson process (The Basics). Here are some suggestions and requirements for teaching the introductory lesson itself.
The Introductory Music Lesson - The Lesson
The introductory lesson itself is instrument- and level-specific. For all instruments and levels besides beginner piano, the teacher can and should decide the content of the lesson. (Below we provide some suggestions for a good introductory lesson flow.) For beginner piano, the teacher must follow our studio introductory lesson guide, which includes teaching Hot Cross Buns from Presto! It’s Piano Magic, Book 1. (Beginner guitar can choose to use or not to use the beginning section of Presto! It’s Guitar Magic, Book 1.)
General Flow
Here is an outline of a recommended flow to the introductory lesson. This is a guide; each teacher should adjust, expand, and contract according to their own preferences and to the abilities of each individual student.
Learn some things about the student. Let them talk. Start to develop a bond. Show them kindness and consideration. Be on their level, as partners, equals, teammates. If the student is a leader, allow them to lead to the extent possible; if they are followers, become the leader. Create a horizontal relationship, rather than a vertical (hierarchical) one.
If the student is not a beginner, then learn some things about their level. Let them show you what they can do. Create a safe space for this. Have fun (it is not a performance or test.) Experience music together; experience the instrument together. Express enjoyment, not judgment. Have fun.
Show the student the instrument, especially if they are a beginner. More advanced students might also learn things of value about the instrument they may not know or have forgotten. Get inside; go deep. (For piano, count the keys! The white keys, the black keys, add them together, etc.)
Talk about pitch direction. High, low, going up, going down, learn some pitch direction vocabulary, such as ascending and descending. Practice pitch direction visually (to the extent possible) and aurally.
Introduce a song, such as Hot Cross Buns (recommended for all instrumental beginners). Sing the song, learn the words/lyrics and their meaning, clap the beat while singing (go really slow), and watch an animated video or two of the song (create some context and relevance). Show the student how important this song is to the world, how much meaning it has to so many people around the globe.
Teach all or some part of the song to the student on their instrument. Go really slow. Strive to accomplish small things in a strong way rather than try too much too soon and not achieve success with anything. Be successful with baby steps. Celebrate successes.
Take a break as needed. Young ones might play with some of the toys - toy piano, hand bells, xylophones, tambourines, drums, scarves, puppets, stuffed animals, Legos, and more. These toys can be made not only fun but also useful in music lessons - such as development of rhythm, movement, pitch direction, fine motor skills, learning of colors, making animal sounds (which move students toward singing), arithmetic, the alphabet, reading, and more.
Please see the toys and games as useful teaching aids (rather than distractions). They are learning tools, and also fun things that can help make music lessons more enjoyable, interesting, and rewarding. They can encourage exploration, creativity, autonomy, and decision-making.While it is not necessary, some teachers enjoy performing something for students. This is optional, and keep it short.
If possible, it is always wonderful if the child student can play, perform, or demonstrate something they just learned for their parents.
When you talk with the parents, you only say positive things. “I enjoyed working with your child.” We ask that you do not give any other feedback to the parents, at all. We work with virtually all students. We believe all students are good students and capable learners. The teacher who gives the introductory lesson may or may not be the teacher assigned to regular ongoing lessons. (You can tell the parents this.) The parents/students can request a specific teacher when they enroll. (You can tell them this as well.) You can also provide students and parents with information about instruments, in general.
When it comes to feedback about the student, here it is:
“I enjoyed working with your child!”
Musical Ladder Begins May, 2025
Very soon, by next week, students will begin receiving their first wristbands and certificates! Students who have been at the studio for three months or longer will receive either their Apprentice band, or a higher level, depending on their longevity.
Look for notification about your students’ placement on the ladder, and next steps!
The Musical Ladder System will reward students with certificates, wristbands, and trophies based on certain longevity and milestone achievements along their musical journey and development.
Teachers will receive separate emails with step-by-step instructions as we launch this program and make it a regular part of our music studio procedures, methods, and policies.
Pick Up Your “Beary Sweet” Gift
If you haven’t picked up your “Beary Sweet” gift yet, please do so soon! You might find one in your lesson room, or there are some in the 108 Kitchenette on the counter. Grab one and take it with you!
—
Q. Is reading the Saturday Remix required?
A. Yes! All emails, including the monthly newsletters, the Friday Medleys, the Saturday Remixes, and any individual emails we send to you are required reading!
You are encouraged to read these emails during the time before, between, and after your scheduled lessons (the 15-minute bookends and prep time). Many of these emails are considered professional development. They also help us communicate policies and procedures, upcoming events, and various requests.
—
Thank you, everyone, for all that you do!
Have a magical Saturday, a musical weekend, and a safe and healthy coming week.
—
Thank you,
Dennis Frayne
"Dr. Dennis"
Laguna Niguel School of Music
Dennis Frayne Music Studios
30110 Crown Valley Pkwy, Suites 105/107/108
Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
(949) 844-9051 (office cell)
(949) 468-8040 (personal cell)
www.lagunaniguelschoolofmusic.com
Piano Lessons | Voice Lessons | Music Lessons
Music is... Creative, Thoughtful, Fun, & Rewarding!