The Latest Music News in Downingtown, PA

Looking for ways to be an active participant in your child’s musical learning? We have all the pointers for you to engage your child in music learning at home and in lessons.  Listen to music in the home Exposing your young learner to a wide variety of musical genres and artists, as well as world music, enhances their ear and their appreciation for music. Studies show that children exposed to plenty of music in the first six months of life may be more likely to develop perfect p... read more

The Key to Mastering Music: A Dive into Music Theory In the world of music education, there's a foundational element that serves as the bedrock for aspiring musicians: music theory. At our studio, we dedicate a significant portion of our lessons to delving into the intricacies of music theory, recognizing its pivotal role in developing effective music readers and performers. Un... read more

What do Group Piano Lessons look like?   Group piano lessons can be a dynamic and engaging way for students to learn music together. One effective method for maximizing learning and engagement in group settings is by implementing rotating stations and review games. In this blog post, we'll explore how this approach can benefit students of all levels and ages, using a hypothetical scenario in a piano class.     Introduction to Rotating Stations: In our group p... read more

Embarking on the musical journey, the decision to choose the perfect instrument becomes a pivotal step. The following are my share of insights and considerations to help you make an informed choice for yourself or your child.   Piano: A Delightful Starting Point Let's start with the piano, my preferred choice for younger learners due to its mechanical ease and finger-friendly nature. The piano's ability to teach both treble and bass clefs adds versatility, covering a b... read more

Forget raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens. Read on to learn about my favorite technology to use in lessons!... read more

What are some reasons for giving someone music lessons? On the first day of lessons my teacher gave to me.... Here are twelve great reasons for gifting music lessons to an aspiring music student this season: Improved Cognitive Development: Studies have shown that learning a musical instrument can improve pattern recognition, spatial reasoning and even literacy skills. Enhanced D... read more

Perhaps you've been wanting to take lessons but wondering "Should I learn the ukulele?"  Let's go over some of the pros and cons of taking lessons on this charming little instrument so that you can make the best decision for your wallet, your schedule and your personality: Pros: good for self accompaniment very portable and doesn't take up much space ... read more

Do you need help figuring out how to sing in tune? Downingtown Music Academy is here to help you understand the fundamentals of singing in pitch.... read more

Are you thinking about taking piano lessons? Not sure if its the right instrument for you? Downingtown Music Academy is here to help steer you in the right direction!... read more

If you're wondering how long you should be practicing your instrument, Downingtown Music Academy is here to steer you in the right direction!... read more

Wondering if you should take voice lessons? Explore how vocal instruction can boost your confidence, and improve your vocal control at Downingtown Music Academy.... read more

Perhaps you’ve been wondering “Should I learn the guitar?”  Let’s go over some of the pros and cons of taking guitar lessons so that you see if it’s the instrument for you!... read more

Singing lessons are a powerful way to refine and enhance your vocal abilities, whether you're an aspiring singer, a public speaker, or simply someone who wants to communicate more effectively. In this blog post, we will delve into the world of voice lessons, exploring the benefits they offer and the challenges you might encounter along the way.   Benefits of Voice Lessons ... read more

Perhaps you've been wondering "Should I learn the guitar?"  Let's go over some of the pros and cons of taking guitar lessons so that you see if it's the instrument for you! Pros: Very portable doesn't take up much space easy for self accompaniment you can also use tablature (a more direct method of reading music especially designed for guitar) t... read more

Is there a magic amount of time to work with your instrument at home?  In this blog, I explore the question "how long should I practice?"  The answer might surprise you. How long should you set the timer for when you start practicing at home?  The answer is usually-it doesn't matter.  Are you surprised?  Well I've got news for you folks-the amou... read more

Perhaps you've been wanting to take lessons but wondering "Should I learn the piano?"  Let's go over some of the pros and cons of taking piano lessons so that you can make the best decision for your wallet, your schedule and your personality: Pros: easy to play for young students developing fine motor skills straightforward for music reading has benefits ... read more

While trying to improve your voice you may be thinking, "How can I tell if I'm singing on pitch?" Here's a few tricks you can use while you're still improving your ear. Use Vibrational Tracking. This is (probably) not a term you'll find on google (at least as it relates to voice).  Vibrational Tracking is a term I've come up with to basically mean... read more

Many of my students just starting lessons wonder: "what kind of music should I sing as a beginner?"  Let me first start out by saying: I don't want to be the person to choose your music.  I am personally of the viewpoint that the job of a music teacher is to be a guide rather that a dictator.  I usually encourage my students to select music that they connect ... read more

If you’ve been told you can’t sing because you can’t match pitch, well I’ve got news for you! You haven’t found the right teacher…yet. I’ve worked with many students who struggled to match pitch or even to follow the melodic contour (shape of a melody) in a song. You CAN do it!  You can use these strategies at home or with the help of a pat... read more

It’s important to be mindful of the (sometimes dubious) comments given by well intentioned choir and acting directors. Maybe you've yourself "is my choir director wrong?" Remember that their first goal is to create a full bodied, blended sound. Sometimes this might be at odds with what is best for your vocal health and your technique as a singer. If you hear iteration... read more

Your child’s music education is important to you. You want to know that your investment is worth it. But what makes a good music teacher? Guess no more. If your teacher has these qualities, you’re in good hands. Is flexible with their teaching style.  They utilize the strengths and interests of your budding musician to help them grow. Rigidity has no place in a ... read more

Recently I’ve been asked by a few of my students who sing with local bands if they could have help with working on harmonies and backup vocals. I have a few pointers to work on harmonizing with singing when learning how to develop your harmonization skills as a singer:   Practice often, and be ok with failing. Practice in the car, at home alone, or in the shower. Play... read more

Auditioning for a performance, choir, or college can be a scary thing. One thing that can make it even more terrifying is finding yourself unprepared. Maybe you have wondered, "What Should I Know For a singing audition?" Knowing the answer before you audition can alleviate stress. Don’t be afraid to take initiative and ask the audition board these questions upon receiving... read more

 Recently I came across this question with a student in a lesson. Apparently, she had been “screaming the name of a note” in her head while I was searching for a key on the piano. She said, “this is an off-topic question, Miss Rosalind, but what exactly is perfect pitch?”   It's something that develops in the first 6 months of life.   ... read more

Summer hits and schedules get crazy.  It can be tempting to think: "Should I stop my music lessons for the summer?"  While it may seem like this makes sense, let’s talk about the benefits of sticking with lessons throughout the summer and how you can maintain a practice schedule when vacationing and even on the go!   1. If you keep up with lesson... read more