Music By Art Scott

Back in the 1890's through the 1950's, the PIANO, the VICTOR VICTROLA, the PHONOGRAPH RECORD and the RADIO were the Entertainment Centers of every home here in America. There were no TV's, no Nintendo's, Computer games, Weii machines, etc. Families turned to live music in the home to entertain themselves. People actually learned how to play the piano and sing around the piano. It was a family affair. Young people took piano lessons as part of their Education and Personal Enrichment. Here we are in 2009 - and we need as a nation to get back to the basics. When your kids grow up they will need to have skills that will last them the rest of their life. Consider the list that I have compiled below. "Taking Piano Lessons does MORE than just teach MUSIC....." Confidence - your child will be able to play with ease and confidence and be envied by their peers Concentration - controlled studies have proven that children who take Piano Lessons are ...

I hear parents who call me for the first time say this all the time.  Taking private music lessons is a COMMITMENT on behalf of the PARENTS first, then the child( ren ).  I always say to a parent, "....your child will NOT be any more committed than you are." It's very true.  I always recommend parents do as my dad did with 5 children...he made a one year commitment with each one of us, that IF we PRACTICED and PREPARED for our lessons for a minimum of one year, he would rent or or buy us whatever instrument we wanted.  Three of my brothers went on to play the trumpet in school bands and my sister stayed with the piano for 6 years. All of my siblings can read music and can sing in church choirs and as a result of that one year background they each have a confidence level and understanding of music and the fine arts that they otherwise would not have. So a commitment talk is imperative if a child is going to take the process of lessons serious.   ...

It really does not matter how old a person is, I have successfully taught 4 year olds and 60+ to play the piano and every age in between. Some folks grew up where their parents could not afford lessons or even a piano.  Now you can enjoy playing music today!  Usually when adults decide to muster up the courage to have their first lesson and they realize it's not that hard to learn how to play, they fall in love with making music and playing the piano. So what are you waiting for?  Call today and find out how easy it is to start and fulfill your life's dream....playing the piano for your own enjoyment. If you need help buying a piano or keyboard, we offer free advice to anyone who calls. Art Scott    For more information, see another of my 50 websites and videos:       http://autismspecialneedsmusicbyartscott.blogspot.com/      (949) 454-1221  Studio Phone   24/7

When parents were in charge and they made the decisions - not the kids. I am amazed how many parents allow the kids to be in charge today and make decisions. Being the eldest of 5 kids, raised on the East Coast, and now with over 30 years teaching experience under my belt, I am disappointed when I run into  a teaching situation where I have to terminate the relationship - because the parents are not in charge.  I love teaching kids but if the parents are not on the same page as myself, it is time to move on. Humorously I have often said that if children were left up to their devices, they would eat chocolate bom boms , watch TV and play computer games.  Where was the turning point in our society where parents became more worried about being a child's 'friend' rather than be their parent. I am grateful that the wonderful parents who employ me , some for as many as 8 years consecutive and each family has gone through several funnels to get me to stay as their teacher.   An...

Many times a young person will study with a teacher for several years and for one reason or another, progress just stops.  It is very easy to cross over that grey line where a student teacher relationship stops having the professional distance which is so important.   Students should respect their teacher and parents should instill this respect from the start of lessons.  When the respect for any teacher diminishes, then it may be time to secure a new teacher. I know that I only had the privilege of having two major teachers at the piano who influenced my life and career greatly; Mrs. Faye Johnson and Mr. David Ehrman. My respect for these precious teachers and musicians is immense.  I remember only one time in college where I was not fully prepared for my lesson and I called Mr. Ehrman from a pay phone and cancelled my lesson; I was almost in tears and was so shaken to have to call him that it never happened again.  I so admired this dear man who had poured his life into mine and so c...

Many parents ask me the difference between group vs. private piano lessons.  There are pros and cons on each side. Group Lessons Are Cheaper No Individualized Attention The class moves at a constant pace forward and children who don't catch on are left behind and may feel angry and frustrated Students who have great musical talent will excel sometimes in spite of the teaching environment Private Lessons With a qualified teacher children who are slow learners, perhaps have limited musical aptitude can still learn well and be able learn AT THEIR OWN PACE. With a nuturing, patient teacher who is experienced all Children can learn and feel great about their lessons and will be proud of their accomplishments. Children will be monitored on a consistent basis so they will progress and reach their highest potential Private lessons will always cost a little more - but you get what you pay for. If you have some thoughts on this issue, please send them to me. Art Scott    "Every Child De...

We all grew us in different homes and in various family dynamics.  For some of us, there were so many children (5) that kids practically raise each other.  I remember when I would practice piano, my dad could not wait till I was finished practicing so he could watch the 6 o'clock news. . I am so thankful after 40 years of teaching to have been a part of hundreds of families and have watched how much cooperation is rendered by a child when they are praised and made to feel important because of their musical accomplishments.   It's funny to me, being a music educator how so many parents will have their kids involved in so many sports, drive and even fly to other states to participate in competitions, yet when I comes to piano or any instrument including voice, where is the same passion? I once have a friend in college who played football tell me that he admired me and other musicians because what we did for our profession we could literally do for the re...

If I had a dollar for every time an adult has said this to me, I would probably be a millionaire.  After months or years of 'making' a child practice, it can wear down any parent and often, this is just what the child is trying to do.....I had a voice teacher friend once tell me that "the most talented students will try to sabotage the lesson process - because it comes so easily to them"....After thirty years of teaching experience, I would have to wholeheartedly agree. A word of encouragement to adults, parents and grandparents who read this, it is NEVER too late to start to play, or go back to playing and studying.  In fact, in several homes that I teach in, a mom or dad is taking lessons back to back with their kids, so their is a healthy competition present and the children and prone to working harder, so they can stay ahead of mom or dad. So music touches all of us.  Support your local private teachers....and as earlier as you can start your childre...

Mommy, I wanna quit. At some point every parent will hear their child say this - it could be on the second lesson, the second month or second year. The trick is setting the stage as a parent.  My dad was very wise in that he told all of us (5 children) that we HAD to stick to piano for a minimum of one year.  After we fulfilled that, he told us that we could choose any other instrument in the band to play at school but we HAD to have a year of background so we would know HOW TO READ MUSIC, how to count, etc., and have some basic music theory under our belt. I am so glad to this day - that I stuck with the piano for 8 years....and then went on to put myself through college by teaching piano and paid for 100% of all my school and living expenses. Back to motivation and keep your children motivated .  After thirty years of teaching I have found their are 2 schools of thought - reward or deprivation. We live in a different day and age today.  I often tell parents that I have trouble findin...

  For more information, see another of my 50 websites and videos:       http://autismspecialneedsmusicbyartscott.blogspot.com/      (949) 454-1221  Studio Phone   24/7 I loved my first piano teacher, Mrs. Johnson.  I owe her an awful lot in that after eight years of private lessons, I finally 'wore my mom down' and she let me quit....although she was a brilliant teacher, I admiringly have developed my own style of teaching children and the one primary thing I do vastly different is I do not go page and page in piano method books...rather, I turn the selection process into a game similar to Jeopardy ....door number #1 - 2 - 3 and sometimes even 4.  Depending on the child, years of study and level of accomplishment, these choices may include a classical piece, a jazz piece, a Disney piece, etc.  I give them 10 seconds to make up their mind....and the look of excitement on a child's face when they get to choose th...

Over the next fews days I will be covering several topics that most parents will enjoy reading; this includes -How to keep my child motivated -When should a parent let a music teacher go and how to handle the transition -How to support your child daily and keep them motivated and practicing -What to expect from piano recitals and how to prepare you child for them ......send me your suggestions for other topics you would like to see discussed   For more information, see another of my 50 websites and videos:       http://autismspecialneedsmusicbyartscott.blogspot.com/      (949) 454-1221  Studio Phone   24/7

Welcome to my new music blog.  The sole intention of this blog is to provide daily information to parents about Music Education and the joy of bring piano music to your home - and keep it going - year after year. Part of this process involves two things; choosing the right instrument and choosing the right teacher.   For more information, see another of my 50 websites and videos:       http://autismspecialneedsmusicbyartscott.blogspot.com/      (949) 454-1221  Studio Phone   24/7 If you already have a piano or keyboard in your house, you need to make sure if it's a digital instrument that it is touch sensitive; that way your child can begin to express themself correctly right from the start when they take lessons.  Touch sensitive simply means that when someone is playing softly that they can play soft; when they excert more pressure into the key(s) it responds louder, thus emulating a real piano. Having a p...