The recent suspension of in-person lessons in Singapore is a stark reminder that the worldwide pandemic is an ongoing threat and that online learning will become a part of our daily lives. While we are unable to control the circumstances, it is a perfect time for us to stay optimistic and learn to adapt to learning online! 

If you are a parent facing difficulties with online music lessons, do not be discouraged as there are proactive steps that you can take to lighten your burdens, and make online learning more effective for your child. Read on this guide to find out more!

​The first step to help your child have an effective online lesson is to create a conducive, designated learning space for him or her. Having a quiet space that is free from all distractions is extremely important and can have a direct impact on your child’s attention span. A neat and quiet learning environment can entail tremendous positive effects on a child’s behavior, emotions and intellect. 

This space should be a designated space where a child goes to class every week. In this way, your child will learn to manage their behaviour and remember that they should behave themselves like in an actual class setting, whenever they enter this space. 

For students learning the piano, it is understandable that the online lesson has to be held in the living room as the piano is situated there. If this is the case, parents should inform other family members in advance that there will be a lesson going on during a certain time, and parents should also instruct other siblings to stay in another area of the house during the lesson. This will reduce unnecessary distractions for the learner. The piano top should also be free from clutter and parents should refrain from placing things on the piano. Research has proven that physical clutter can cause children to have a higher tendency to procrastinate. 

For younger children, it will be extremely helpful if parents can sit with their child during the lesson. A parent’s presence can provide a supportive and encouraging environment for a young child and this will make an online lesson much more effective.

Having the right tools and equipment set up for your child’s online music lesson can ensure that the lesson is set for success. The first thing you will need to prepare would be a reliable device for use. It is recommended for you to use a desktop, laptop or tablet as it will be easier for your child to look at a bigger screen if the teacher is explaining a hand position or showing certain parts of the music score. However, a phone is also usable but do make sure that it is positioned in such a way that your child can see the screen clearly.

Another thing to do is to ensure that your device is set up at the right angle, such that the teacher will be able to see the student’s fingers, and also such that the student will be able to see the screen clearly. The desktop, laptop or tablet should be placed on a table at a height where the device’s camera can capture the student’s fingers and posture, as well as the instrument. If you are using a phone, you should also get an adjustable phone tripod, which will help you to position the phone at a good height and angle. The right positioning of the device can make a significant difference to ensure the lesson is an effective one. 

If your child is learning the piano, it is extremely important to position the phone at the right angle so that the teacher can see your child’s fingers and face in the same view. You can do this by positioning the device at a height slightly higher than the piano keys, and the device should be tilted slightly downwards so that the camera can capture the fingers. Refer to the pictures below to see how the captured view should look like.  
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​Recommended camera views for piano lessons

Lastly, it is strongly recommended for a student to use earphones or headphones with internal microphones during the lesson as this will help the student hear and communicate with better sound quality. 

​To ensure that the teacher can hear the sound from the student’s instrument clearly, you should “Enable Original Sound’ under the audio settings of your Zoom account. You can read more on how to do this here. Do ensure that you also uncheck “Automatically adjust microphone volume” in your audio settings. These settings will allow the raw original audio to pass through and remove any audio enhancement automated by Zoom. The audio enhancement automated by Zoom is targeted to improve the sound quality of voices but it often distorts an instrument’s original sound. After you adjust these settings, be sure to use earphones or headphones as the use of speakers might create  unnecessary  echo. 

If you are unable to adjust the above settings, you may play the instrument one to two metres away from the device in order to prevent any sound distortion on the other end. Sound usually gets distorted when you play the instrument too close to the microphone in the device. This is because a device’s microphone is originally designed for speech, which is softer than the sound from an instrument. 

​It will be incredibly useful if you can help your child with creating a timetable that includes weekly lesson and practice timings, along with tangible goals. This process is best done together with your child as your child will then learn to be involved in planning and gradually learn to manage their own time. A timetable will help to remind your child of their lesson as it is easy to forget about lesson timings when lessons are held at home. Having regular practice will also help your child to progress quicker and reinforce what they have learned in the previous lesson.

​A child may tend to rely more on their parents for positive encouragement during times when they are stuck at home. Thus, parents can help to create a supportive environment by giving their children constant positive motivation and by carrying an optimistic attitude towards online lessons. Do remember that adjusting to online learning takes time and do not give up if the first online lesson does not meet your expectations. Trying it out a few times with your child will definitely break barriers and taking the time to familiarize will make things easier. Finally, don’t forget that music can serve as a fun and relaxing outlet for children in challenging times!

We hope that the 5 steps above can help you to make online lessons more effective for your child. When you have all the right tools, it is definitely much easier for children to be engaged in online lessons as well.

​If you are interested in trying out online lessons, you can also get in touch with us here!

Are you hitting the gym or working out? Check out our Spotify workout playlists below. 

We have selected our top 31 favourite workout songs that make us feel energized! It's so much easier when you have good music to keep you going. Try it and see if it works for you. :D  

Are you or your child interested in learning the violin? Are you looking to buy a violin but aren’t sure which one to buy? Fret not, this guide will tell you all the things you need to know about buying and choosing the right violin.
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The violin is a delicate instrument, with a beautiful sound that is attributed to the material and structure of a violin. There are varied qualities to choose from so it is important to have basic knowledge of the structure of a violin. The following guide will provide you with information on what to look out for when choosing a violin. 

The violin is made up of different parts that are attached onto its wooden body. It is important to check that your violin has the following parts to it, as shown in this picture.

(Photo by Lucia Macedo on Unsplash)

Strings: The violin has 4 strings arranged in an order from the thickest to the thinnest. 
Bridge: The bridge holds up the 4 strings and allows you to cross from one string to another easily. 
Tuning pegs: There are 4 tuning pegs, one for each string, and they should be able to turn smoothly as they are used to keep the violin in tune. 
Fine tuners: The 4 fine tuners have the same function as the tuning pegs but they are designed to make it easier for players to tune their strings. Hence, the fine tuners are not mandatory for the violin but they are usually required for beginner players. 
Fingerboard: This is where you will place your fingers to press on different notes.
Chin rest: This is where you place your chin to hold the violin with your neck. 

Besides the violin body, there are some accessories you need in preparation for your first violin lesson. 

1. Bow
The most important item is the violin bow. The bow is a wooden stick with horsehair and it is used to create sounds upon contact with the violin strings. You need the bow to play beautiful sounds on the violin.
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2. Rosin
​The next item of great importance is the rosin. A rosin is made from the sap of pine trees and you will need to rub the rosin onto the bow hair before the bow is used to play the violin. Without the rosin, there is no friction to help the bow make a good sound on the violin strings. 

3. Shoulder rest
A shoulder rest is an accessory attached to the back of the violin. It provides a comfortable cushion for your shoulder and collarbone when you hold onto your violin with your neck. It also provides stability for players as it stops the violin from slipping off your neck. 

4. Violin case
You will need a violin case to store your violin and when you bring it for your lessons. You should also store your violin in the violin case when it is not in use in order to protect it from potential damage.

Violins come in various sizes. Adults will tend to use the standard size violin, also known as the full size or 4/4 size violin. For children, there is a range of violin sizes to choose from, such as the 3/4 size, 1/2 size, 1/4 size etc. It is very important to choose a violin of the right size as this will affect the level of comfort you have with the instrument. If the violin is too heavy for a child, the child may experience discomfort at the neck, and may possibly lose motivation in playing. 
You can measure your child’s arm length to determine the right violin size. To measure the arm length, your child needs to extend his/her left arm outwards completely straight, and then take the measurement from the bottom of the neck to the middle of the palm. 

Once you have the measurement of your arm length, you can use this chart below to find out which violin size is the most appropriate for your child.

Lastly, it is important to note that violins, bows, shoulder rests and cases all come with matching sizes. A 1/4 size violin would require a 1/4 size bow to play with, a 1/4 size shoulder rest, and a ¼ size casing to store the violin in. 
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We hope that this guide will help you to make an informed decision in choosing the right violin for you or your child. If you are ready to purchase a violin, check out our package here. If you still have doubts on how to pick a violin, it is always best to consult your violin teacher for advice. If you do not have a violin teacher and are looking for violin lessons, Learn 2 Play Music Academy also offers violin lessons. Register for our complimentary trial class here! 

The prevalence of technology and the recent pandemic has opened many new opportunities for online music learning. In an increasingly globalized world where the use of technology is growing rapidly, some of our students have chosen to prioritize the flexibility of learning music through both online and physical forms.  

​Catherine Pua, who started in-person guitar lessons for the initial 2-3 months at Learn 2 Play Music Academy, had to switch to online lessons due to her work commitment in France. 

We have invited her to share with us her learning experience at our school, “I had to travel to France and be away from Singapore for 4 months, but I did not want to miss any lessons during this period. The school was really flexible in arranging and ensuring that this virtual learning could take place despite the 7 hours of time difference between Singapore and France. I must also give credit to the guitar teacher who not only enabled meaningful learning to take place, but he has also challenged me intellectually to always go the extra mile after each lesson to improve on new techniques and knowledge. This remains an important aspect in sustaining my interest in the guitar and in music.” 

Although Catherine was in France, she was able to learn the guitar from one of our teachers at Learn 2 Play Music Academy, who taught from Singapore through online platforms. 

Online learning involves the use of digital platforms to enable students to attend lessons remotely through the use of the internet. In the context of a music lesson, teachers will conduct lessons through a video conferencing application. ​

Traditional learning is in-person learning where it involves the physical face-to-face interaction between the teacher and the student. ​

Hybrid learning is a mixture of in-person and online learning but it occurs when online lessons are used to replace some face-to-face classes. The purpose of hybrid learning is to accommodate students who may be living in a different location and are unable to attend classes physically for a temporary period of time.

Convenience
Attending music lessons online will save you the time and hassle of travelling. Online music lessons are especially helpful for students who might need to travel to another country or a further location temporarily. 

Comfort
Having a lesson in the comfort of your own home will give you the flexibility of finding the most suitable environment where you can learn with maximum productivity. Attending lessons from home will also give you additional time to prepare and warm up before the lesson begins.
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More effective learning
Online lessons will give you the flexibility to practice immediately after the lesson has ended. This will encourage more effective learning as you will be able to promptly apply what you have learned during your lesson. 

During an online lesson, your teacher cannot physically assist you to adjust your fingers to correct your technique on the instrument. Hence, you have to be very focused and attentive during your lessons. 
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Online  lessons can also be disruptive  if you shift your focus  to do other things on your device during your lesson. “Face-to-face lessons will encounter lesser external interference when a student is facing the instructor. With online lessons, I am sometimes tempted to read and reply to some emails that come in during the lesson,” Catherine added. There may also be distractions at your home that could hinder your ability to concentrate.

To join an online music lesson, you will need a location with a good internet connection to ensure clear communication with your teacher. In addition, you will need a device with a working camera and microphone, and this could be your computer or smartphone. Furthermore, it is important that the device you are using enables your teacher to be able to see and hear you play on your instrument clearly. 

Learn 2 Play Music Academy welcomes passionate and enthusiastic students like Catherine, who embraces life with a positive and courageous mentality. “Live life, love life, have a passion for learning, and take the time to hone and perfect skills,” she said. 
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About 8 years ago, Catherine also overcame the fear of water, and she now enjoys swimming in both breaststroke and in free-style. Catherine also learned French and wrote  a thesis in French for her Masters Degree in Sociology. 

Catherine has shared some of her thoughts about our school. “I will definitely recommend the school to anyone who wants to pick up the guitar, at any stage of learning and at any age,” she said. 

So, what are you waiting for? If you are interested in exploring your learning styles, you can register your interest with us here right away! 

Classical music is widely known as the “golden age of music” as various significant music forms were created during this era such as the concerto, symphony and orchestra. Composers who dominated the classical era during the 18th and 19th centuries include musical geniuses like Mozart, Haydn, Beethoven, and Schubert. Classical music can be defined as  traditional structured music that follows established principles of composition. 

Classical music may seem boring and dull to some, but it actually forms the foundation of the composition and style of modern day pop music. Thus, learning classical music will give you a greater understanding of pop music compositions.

​The form and structure of a pop song originates from Franz Schubert’s very first German art song, the Lied. The Lied is a song written for one voice with a piano accompaniment that is characterized by themes of love and nature. Schubert was a remarkable composer who wrote over 600 songs with tender melodies that were  intimate and emotional. For the most part, Schubert’s songs can be categorized into 2 types of song structure. The first structure would be the strophic form where the same melody is repeated for each verse, while the latter structure would be the through-composed form which has a different melody for each verse. These  structures establish the structure of pop music, primarily consisting of 2 sections - the verse and chorus, which has a different melody for each section.

Pop music is also characterized by a diatonic harmony which originated from Classical music. A diatonic harmony means that the chords of a song are built from the seven tones of the major and minor scale. Most of the pop songs are based on these seven tones chords, which is a significant characterization of Classical music as well. Mozart’s famous piece ‘Eine Kleine Nachtmusik’ (A little night music) in G major, revolves around these diatonic chords of G, D, Em, C and A. On a similar note, Ed Sheeran’s ‘Lego house’ in G major shares very similar chord progressions, mainly the 4 chords of G, D, Em and C. Thus, we can see that classical music had a notable influence on the fabrication of pop songs. 

Listen to Mozart’s ‘Eine Kleine Nachtmusik’ (A little night music)

Pop music flaunts a strong rhythm with a steady tempo that does not fluctuate greatly, mostly staying the same throughout the entire song. This characteristic can be traced back to classical music where the melodies and harmonies are both driven by steady beats and a steady meter. 

Here are some famous pop songs that have notable influences from Classical composers:
 
Listen to ‘Because’ by The Beatles
The Beatles composed ‘Because’ by playing the chords of Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata backwards. 

Listen to ‘Ave Maria’ by Beyonce
Beyonce re-composed Schubert’s song ‘Ave Maria’ into her own pop edition:

“Stand by me” is a classic love song to play on the guitar for your sweetheart this Valentine’s day! Released in 1961, this song was originally performed by Ben E. King, and was inspired by the spiritual hymn “Lord Stand By Me”. Over 400 versions of this song have since been recorded. In 2019, Smooth Radio ranked this as one "of the greatest love songs of the 1960s". 
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Can you play a song the first time you ever play the guitar? Yes, this song is perfect for beginners! Learn this song to show how romantic you can be. 

In this tutorial video, you will learn: 

1. 4 essential chords
2. ​2 easy strumming patterns

The art of music is not defined by the mechanical process of mastering technical skills on an instrument. The process of music learning actually encompasses many other foundational elements that are beyond the mechanics of finger movements on the piano, violin, ukulele or guitar.
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What are the foundations of music that students will learn during instrumental lessons?

​1. Rhythm training

Aural techniques consist of training in 3 different areas; musical hearing, musical reading, and musical notation. The first aspect is essentially developed through ear training. The second aspect of musical reading is defined as the ability to hear the sounds of a piece in one’s head simply through reading the notes on a music score i.e. the ability to translate something visual to something auditory with the right tone and expression. The third aspect of musical notation is defined as the ability to put into written form the sounds that you hear and identifying these sounds with the correct musical terms.
 
How does aural techniques relate to musical training?
Aural training is extremely beneficial to students, as it will help you to develop useful skills such as musical memorization, creativity and musical analysis and evaluation. Aural training is integrated into instrumental lessons through sight-singing, dictation and ear training. ​

4. Music theory

"Everyday I love you" is the final single from Irish Boyband Boyzone before their initial split in 2000. The song was released in November 1999 and peaked #3 on the UK Singles Chart. The song has also received a Silver certification for shipping 200,000 copies in the UK. (Source: British Phonographic Industry)​

"Imagine" is a song written and performed by the English musician John Lennon. His lyrics encourage the listener to imagine a world at peace, harmony, and to consider the possibility on humanity where one should be living a life unattached to material possessions. This song makes John Lennon his best-selling single of his solo career.

 "(Everything I Do) I Do It For You" was released in 1991 performed by Canadian rock singer Bryan Adams, featured on the soundtrack album from the 1991 film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves and on Adams' sixth studio solo album Waking Up the Neighbours.

The song was a Billboard hit and won several music awards throughout the world, including the MTV Movie Award for Best Song from a Movie, making it Adams' most successful song and one of the best-selling singles of all time.

The platinum-selling "Right Here Waiting" was released in June 1989 as the second single from Richard Marx's second album, Repeat Offender. The song was topping charts throughout the world, including the U.S. where it hit number-one on the Billboard Hot 100.

Marx became the first solo artist to reach the Top 5 with his first seven singles.

Music learning provides various benefits documented in our previous blog posts. However, the real challenge is to convince your child to practice the instrument. Assuming you have tried the five ways to inspire your child to practice an instrument and it is still not working.

Let’s dive into the learning environment at home. As quoted from Mahatma Gandhi, “There is no school equal to a decent home and no teacher equal to a virtuous parent.”

Imagine a scenario at home, “I don’t want to practice” or “I want to quit because I don’t like to practice”. Firstly, you have to understand that this is completely normal. Music lessons are fun and exciting at the beginners’ level, when practicing does not take a lot of effort.

Giving in is a quick way to avoid whining and complaining attitude from your child. It often wears down even the best daddies and mummies. What about the future challenges in life that could not be avoided?

This is a good chance to develop your child's self-discipline.

Before you know it, your child might achieve his/her first milestone. You will be proud. When consistency is achieved and you work in a team which include the school, teacher, parent and student, this provides alot of opportunities to share your problems and they could offer suggestions and ideas to help your child.

It is also important to begin with these two components:
1.       Create a good learning environment at home
2.       Provide the support and guide your child

Here is the breakdown of a list of supportive practice environment (also mentioned in our previous post):

List of Supportive Practice Environment

1.       The television is turned off during practice time.

2.       Mobile and computer games should be turned off during practice time.

3.       Younger siblings should be occupied with other activities away from the practice area.

4.       Plan a suitable time that is best for your child to practice, set a timeframe for his/her practice.

5.       Place the music books in the same location to avoid misplacement of books.

6.       Follows the points or instructions given by the music teacher in the notebook or music pieces.

7.       Motivate your child to practice independently.

Teaching your child good practice habits at home takes a lot of patience. Since research has shown that students involved in music helps them to achieve better academic results than non-music students, helping your child to stay committed and encourage continued participation is one of the best investments in your child’s future. It also develops self-discipline which will come handy in school, their future career and beyond.

One of the greatest barriers that prevent the breakthrough for learning to play an instrument in the long run is the idea that music is just for fun. It might be true to bring music appreciation to children as young as two to three years old. However, as your child progresses, it takes time and effort to turn their music pieces into something beautiful. Practice!

If you child is already learning music, there are five ways that you could inspire your child to practice at home.

Supervise 
Children that are between three to seven years old need higher level of supervision. Often times, the instructions/points to note are given by the music teacher in the notebook or music pieces. Read them.  

Practice environment 
Silence is golden. Your child needs concentration during the practice session. Ensure an environment free of distractions for instance; sounds from the television programmes or activities that will distract your child will make the practice session more productive.

Encourage practice as everyday activity 
Instill daily practice as part of the activity, just like brushing your teeth every day. It helps further by following the instructions/points to note given by the music teacher in the notebook or music pieces.

Motivate 
Perhaps, ask your child to teach you how to play the instrument! It helps to reinforce what they have learnt in class. Your child may repeat the same song many times during the week, but practice makes perfect. Motivate them to practice and resist from saying, “Why are you playing the same song again?”

Reward 
Reward your child for practicing the instrument regularly. It could be as simple as, “Practice this song well and you will receive ...” This reward system hopes to gradually build confidence and commitment in your child when learning an instrument.