https://app.atharo.app/images/virtual-lesson-setup.jpg

Online piano lessons. Can it be done successfully? The short answer is *yes.*  The long answer is *'yes, but…'*  In this article I will discuss the “but” - all of the challenges that come with learning to play an instrument through virtual music lessons. I will also explore the benefits and all the cool possibilities that go along with online lessons as well as some tips for piano students who want to try out online lessons.

**The pro's of virtual music lessons...**

1. Music lessons from anywhere in the world

Since April 2020 I have been teaching all of my piano lessons online. I am currently teaching nine students between the ages of 5 and 66 in the United States, Germany, and the Netherlands. And with that, I already gave away a huge advantage in online teaching: I can teach anyone in the world, no matter where they are! In the Spring of 2020, I was about to graduate from CU Boulder with my second Master of Music degree, and I was looking for piano students. It was a bit of a surprise when some of my old piano students from my former piano studio in Amsterdam reached out to me and asked me to teach them again. I had never taught piano online before, and although I was skeptical about whether it would be successful, I was willing to give it a try. Looking back on it, I smile and think to myself: great idea, but I don’t fancy teaching those 7 am lessons for my students in Central European time!

2. Virtual music lessons can be less intimidating

Another huge pro of these online lessons is that they can actually be less intimidating for the student than in-person lessons. Depending on the teacher (and the student), one-on-one music lessons can sometimes be a little intimidating. I was a piano student for 20 years, and I know better than anyone that sometimes it can feel more like an exam than a lesson. Between being one-on-one, sometimes at an unfamiliar location, and maybe even on a different instrument than you are used to - all of these things become more comfortable when you are at home, and especially when there is a screen between you and your teaching. Who wants a lurking teacher watching over your shoulder while you are trying to concentrate anyway? Trust me, I have been there…

And who can relate to the feeling you get when your teacher has demonstrated something during a lesson and you felt confident that you understood the concept, but then you find yourself at the piano a day later, scratching your head because you can’t remember exactly how it goes? Again, this can be avoided easily with online piano lessons. I often record parts of the lesson for my students or record a short tutorial after the lesson so they can watch it again, rewind, pause and slow it down as much as they like. 

4. The many tools available for online music lessons

Another cool feature that I like to utilize when I teach online is the whiteboard. This might seem old-fashioned, but I believe that some things just stick better with the student if they listen to the teacher explain something while watching the words being written or figures being drawn on a whiteboard. This is a tool I use every time I teach a music lesson online - I'll write down homework assignments, a technical exercise, a theoretical concept, or anything else I need to share with my student. Not only is that a great way to illustrate the concept I'm teaching them, but it also enables me to send it to my student right after the lesson so that they can look at it again and again. They can fully pay attention during the lesson because they don’t have to take any notes, but they still end up with detailed notes by the end of it. I also like sharing my screen with my students and watching videos or annotating scores together. Oh, how I love the big eyes of my students after I show them videos of Glenn Gould’s hunched position or Vladimir Horowitz’s crazy flat fingers. 

Now comes the difficult part: the challenges of online teaching. The biggest problem is by far that there is simply no conferencing app that's 100% reliable and user-friendly, or that has low latency. I have had the most luck using Zoom, with high fidelity music mode enabled on both the teacher’s and student’s end. However, even then the latency is still too bad to play together at the same time. So that means that any four-hand playing or improvisation exercises with the teacher is not possible. 

Another problem with online lessons is that it usually requires more talking/explaining than with in-person lessons. In my opinion, this is not really a problem for most adults, but for children, it can be boring. Especially with young kids, I like to incorporate movement, singing, games, drawing, or whatever I can think of, to balance out the cognitive overkill. 

**How to make the most of your online piano lesson...**

For the most successful online lesson experience, I now want to talk a little about the “how’s”. In this case, I will be talking specifically about a piano lesson on Zoom.

First, you need to have downloaded and installed the Zoom application on your device, which you can do on the [Zoom website](https://zoom.us/). Once you have the app downloaded and installed, you also need to create a free account. I recommend using a computer or bigger tablet, rather than a phone, since things will be hard to see on a smaller screen. 
Usually Zoom works pretty well on wifi, but to ensure the fastest possible connection, and thus the least amount of latency, I really recommend using an ethernet cable to attach your device directly to the internet.
I also recommend that you wear a pair of headphones for the lesson. Wired headphones are better than bluetooth headphones in this case because the bluetooth connection can add to the latency of the sound. Also, many bluetooth headphones have built-in microphones, and don’t work well if you want to use them to record the piano sound.


At the beginning of each week, I send out an email to all of my students, with a zoom invitation for their personal lesson. They can either click the link in the email which will open up the zoom app and directly take them to the meeting, or they can manually open the zoom app, click “join” and enter the meeting ID and the password.

Once you are in the meeting with your teacher, make sure your sound and video are enabled. You can change what microphone you are using inside the meeting, in case you want to use an external microphone. 

Since Zoom is such a basic tool, there are only two things to be aware of in your settings. First of all, for the best audio quality, you need to select the high fidelity music mode. This is a nice setting that Zoom introduced recently to ensure better sound quality. Secondly, you also need to make sure that your video is not mirrored in your video settings. I am using an external microphone and HD Webcam, so changing these settings on your end will make sure that you can benefit the most from the gear I have set up on my end.

**Switching between gallery view and pinning a video**

I use two different camera views when I teach piano lessons online. The first is a side view that I can switch between my full upper body, and my hands on the keyboard. The second camera is a helicopter view in which you will be able to see my hands perfectly from above.

https://app.atharo.app/images/online-music-lessons-lennart.jpg


For my students it can be very helpful to either see both at the same time, or to switch between them and make one of them larger whenever you want. To see every screen, including your own at the same time, you select “Gallery View” and “Full Screen”. When you are in "Gallery View," you can select “pin a video,” which will allow you to make one of the screens bigger. So if you want to see the helicopter view of the keyboard and make it bigger, you can choose to pin that video. Super easy, and super helpful if you want to pay closer attention to something your teacher is demonstrating. 

One of the great things about online piano lessons on zoom is that I can share my screen with you to watch a video together, listen to music together, or my favorite: to draw on the whiteboard. The student can also draw on the whiteboard by tapping or clicking the little pencil icon in the bottom left corner of the whiteboard. In that way, I can interact with my students just as easily as if we were sitting at the piano and writing in the score together.  

https://app.atharo.app/images/virtual-music-lesson-whiteboard.jpg


Another great thing about sharing my screen with my student is that I can share a page of a book or a page of a piece with them and draw on top of it. I can highlight something, point out a part in the music, or write in fingerings using this tool. I have most method books on my kindle app, and a lot of scores scanned for my own use, so I can share any score on the screen for my student during the lesson.

One of the great things about the times we live in is the availability of amazing technology for a very affordable price. In most cases, you are totally fine if you are using the built-in microphone on your laptop or tablet. However, if you are an intermediate or advanced pianist and you are playing music that requires more detailed and nuanced instruction, it could be a good idea to get a USB microphone. This will enhance the audio quality on the teacher’s end a lot, and they will be able to hear things like the balance between hands or separate voices, dynamics, tone, and quality much more easily. If you use an external microphone, just remember to not put it directly on the piano. Experiment with finding a “sweet spot” a few feet away from the piano to avoid any distortion or buzzing when you play loud.

**Equipment needed for a Zoom music lesson**

Finally I would like to share some of my own equipment with you. I use an Acer Aspire Laptop to log into my main Zoom account, and an external HD webcam as my side-view camera. Furthermore, I use an iPad Mini with a tripod for the helicopter camera and an Oktava MK-012-01 microphone with a stand for the input sound. I also use a pair of wired Sony MDR-ZX110 headphones for the output sound, a Focusrite Solo 3rd generation audio interface, and an iPad Pro and AirTurn pedal for reading scores. This will ensure that the student has a perfect view and fantastic sound quality on their end. 



I hope this has been helpful for anyone who is considering online music lessons or is currently taking them and looking for a way to make them more effective. Online lessons might take a few tries to get used to, but I am so happy and proud to say that I can offer at least 90% of all my normal teaching virtually as well. I hope that this will inspire students and teachers to try it out and to keep enjoying music lessons at any time, from anywhere in the world, and become a true virtual virtuoso. 

Check out Lennart's [video tutorial](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7GSitRbTKU) on virtual piano lessons and how to get the on virtual piano lessons and how to get the most out of your online lessons. 

Becoming a Virtual Virtuoso | Do online music lessons work?

Becoming a Virtual Virtuoso

Love on Top is a track recorded by Beyonce for her fourth studio album 4. This song was written by Terius Nash, Shea Taylor and Beyonce. It's a throwback to 1980s uptempo R&B.

Click music below to download free pdf version!

https://www.mountainsidemusicacademy.com/chords/love-on-top-leadsheet.jpg

Enjoy playing Beyonce in the comfort of your own home... or gig :) Check out this awesome music video for Love on Top by Beyonce. Who doesn't love costume changes synced up with modulations???

https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ob7vObnFUJc


https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/1/1b/Beyonce_-_Love_on_Top_%28single%29.png

Beyonce - Love On Top | Lead Sheet

Beyonce - Love On Top (Lead Sheet)

*You have been asking and it's finally here! The top 5 best live vocal microphones in 2021 **plus** our pick for the best live vocal mic in general. Get ready because some of our picks might surprise you.*

https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1531651008558-ed1740375b39?crop=entropy&cs=tinysrgb&fit=max&fm=jpg&ixid=MnwxNzY0MzN8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwzfHxtaWNyb3Bob25lfGVufDB8fHx8MTY0NDQzMjMxNg&ixlib=rb-1.2.1&q=80&w=1080

There might not be a more difficult role in a band than the singer. You have to be front and center, you have to channel all the energy of the band and you have to look good... oh yeah and you have to sound incredible. It's been almost one hundred years since Rudy Vallee first used a microphone on a live gig in 1930. Since then the technology has changed drastically (as well as vocal techniques), but the job of the singer hasn't. **You still have to enchant the audience**. Whether you are crooning, rapping, or death growling, your microphone is the conduit of your art. So you better choose the correct one! To help you make the right choice, here is our list of best live vocal microphones in 2021.

Before we get into specific brands we have to discuss your two main options when it comes to microphones for live performances. I've played gigs where the singer decided to use a condenser... it was dicey. It's not a great feeling sitting on stage performing while hearing the hum of feedback wax and wain in the background. It is my opinion that, in a live situation, the benefits of a condenser microphone do *not* outweigh the difficulties. When you think about the entire chain your vocals are going through, it's pretty clear that it is not worth it. Picture this: you're singing into a microphone, the signal is going down the cable, eventually going into the mixer at the back of the club, coming out of the mixer, going down another cable, and out the PA speakers. Then finally your voice is amplified into a potentially noisy room. Long story short... leave the condenser mics in the studio, that is unless it's a very intimate gig in a small venue. So now, without further ado, the best live vocal microphones - 2021.

https://cdn.shoplightspeed.com/shops/610755/files/3007098/shure-sm58-vocal-mic.jpg

No surprise here. Coming in at number one, this mic has always been at the top for best live vocal microphones. 2021 is *sure* to bring a lot of change, but this is one thing that is still the same. This mic is the industry gold standard: the **Shure SM58**. When a child draws a microphone, they are drawing an SM58.

Before we dive into why this microphone is our number one pick, it's time for a little history about Shure:

Shure was founded in Chicago in **1925** by Sidney N. Shure. Originally, Shure was a company that sold radio part kits. Then in **1931** Ralph Glover began developing their first microphone. This made Shure one of four microphone manufacturers in the United States of America. They were also contracted by the US government during WWII. Then in **1959** they introduced the SM58. Shure has been very popular ever since.

If we're talking best microphones for live vocals, this is number one. It is very durable. You can throw these mics around and they will still work. Not to mention, they are affordable too. This is another reason clubs love these mics. With their cardioid pattern, they reject all noise that isn't coming from a direct source (aka your mouth). This helps eliminate feedback problems. Its pattern is also even across the frequency spectrum, this means this microphone will perform consistently no matter who is using it.

On top of all of these benefits, with its integrated pop filter, you will not have to worry about any plosives. Those are hard "p"s or "b"s that make a 'pop' when amplified. For all those reasons and more, this mic is still one of,  the best live vocal microphones in 2021.

**Famous Albums with Lead Vocals on SM58**

*If a SM58 is good enough for **Frank Ocean in the studio**, its good enough for anyone on stage*

https://cdn11.bigcommerce.com/s-1ogda/images/stencil/1280x1280/products/789/2179/BETA58__34155.1380507812.jpg?c=2

Even if you have already corned the market, there might still be room to improve. This is where the **Shure Beta 58A** comes in. Ranking at #2 on our list of the best live vocal microphones in 2021, this mic packs a wallop. You know how engineers brains work, they are always trying to improve and refine existing systems. This mic comes with a **super cardioid pattern**. This rejects even more sounds that is not coming from directly in front of the microphone. Yet again, this reduces the chances of feedback even more. This allows the sound person to increase the gain on the microphone, without risking feedback.

One final advantage with this microphone is there is a bit of extra brightness. So that sounds cools, but think about the where your signal is going... it's going to the mixer at the back of the club. If the sound engineer thinks you need to be brighter they will turn up the high end on your vocals. So I am not convinced that brightness alone justifies the extra expense of this mic. That's why this mic is number 2 on our list of the best live vocal microphones in 2021.

**Famous Albums with Lead Vocals on Beta 58A**

*It goes without saying if Bono used this mic for Joshua Tree in the studio it is good enough for anyone on stage! (Ok it was going through a Neve, but the point still stands...*

https://d2dfnis7z3ac76.cloudfront.net/shure_product_db/product_main_images/files/432/37c/4a-/header_transparent/24169967837bc1573cc226252e225987.png

Buckle up it's time for some musical sacrilege. This next mic on our list of the best live vocal microphones 2021 might make you question everything. When you are performing live, **visuals do matter.** This applies to every genre, imagine if a young Bob Dylan went on stage at Club Passim dressed like Frank Sinatra. Even worse image if Frank Sinatra went on in Vegas dressed like Bob Dylan. Imagine if MGMT went on stage dressed like Ke$ha... oh wait never mind. Anyway you get the point, there's nothing wrong with acknowledging visuals matter. That is where this mic comes into play.

Based off the Shure 55sh, the Shure Super 55 is a great choice if you are looking to spice up your look. Sometimes called the Elvis microphone, this is clearly a great choice if you are playing any vintage style, perfect for vintage jazz, rockabilly or boogie-woogie. This mic is also great for modern styles too. Yasiin Bey used it at the North Sea Jazz Festival in 2019 when he performed with Robert Glasper, Chris Dave and Derrick Hodge. Yasiin Bey is a pretty cool dude, even if you are looking for a good live hip hop mic maybe consider the Super 55.

This mic is very similar to the Beta 58a, but man does it look good. This mic is definitely worth the extra cash. It has some built in branding, you will immediately stand out if you are using this mic. That is easily worth the extra $100. I know some band leaders who have actually worked this mic into their logo and poster branding. This mic will instantly give you a level of credibility on stage, then you just need the chops to back it up. That is why it came in at number 3 on our list of the best live vocal microphones in 2021.

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1298/4787/products/3_675bffaf-2f2a-4325-bd6c-a87cf107268f_2000x.jpg?v=1599663475

That's enough about Shure, lets switch to a different company **Sennheiser**.

**Sennheiser Electronic GmbH & Co** is a german company founded in 1945 a few weeks after the end of WWII. (So they didn't make microphones for the Nazis.) Founded by Fritz Sennheiser (1912-2010) and seven other enginners at the University of Hannover, Sennheiser has grown to a goliath in the microphone world. Since 1980 they have even been producing headsets for Lufthansa, pretty snazzy. This german company is known for it's high quality products. It's a german company, they probably over engineer everything, but then everyone benefits. 

Some people say "potato" and some people say "potata" but both of them can use this mic if they have a gig. What I'm trying to say is this microphone is a great substitute for the SM58. With this mic you are getting a boost in the high end which will make your vocals cut through even more. Plus all those extra ohms... mmmmmmm ohms. Don't worry about the ohms this mic is still a low impedance mic.

If you are curious about this microphone for live vocals, it might be a good idea to microphone shoot out and see if it suites your voice. It might enhance you your vocals. Or it will enhance the wrong parts of your vocals, so maybe ask a trusted friend/engineer to give you feed back on which mic you sound best on. Get ready for the next mic on our list of the best live vocal microphones in 2021.

**Famous Albums with Lead Vocals on Beta e935**

- (But Ed Sheeran uses Sennheiser mics, so there you go)

5. AKG CGN99C/Large 20 Inch Cardioid Condenser Gooseneck Microphone

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41BB3WOPKeL._AC_SL1000_.jpg

If it was good enough for Bob Barker, then it's good enough for you! Talk about built in branding. Plus maybe this mic will help you live to 96 years old too... probably not. It probably won't help you music career either. Stay away from this microphone, seriously if you see one out in the wild just run away. If you are walking in the woods late at night and you see a **AKG CGN99C/Large 20 Inch Cardioid Condenser Gooseneck Microphone** lying on the ground run or hide. It means Bob is out feed and you are in grave danger. Or even worse he is out spaying or neutering everything he can get his hands on. RUN! Ok I'll stop now. But remember all ways spay or neuter your drummer, it's the humane thing to do. 

Ok that was a bad joke I'm sorry. The final best live vocal microphones in 2021.

https://mthumbs.static-thomann.de/thumb/padthumb600x360/pics/bdb/105774/12869222_800.jpg

At the end of our list of the best live vocal microphones in 2021, this mic is a nice option if you really want to use a condenser mic on stage. It has a super cardioid pattern so (hopefully) feedback should not be too big of a problem... just don't point the mic directly into the monitors. As this article has already established Shure is a trusted brand. Plus this mic has the largest frequency response of any of the mics we have covered here today. All the dogs in the neighborhood will love this mic.

This is a pricey mic, but if you have mastered your mic technique you might be ready to move up to a condenser mic and take advantage of the slight clarity difference.

**Musicial PSA: Don't waste time and money on gear**

https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1568610592631-25e1a1506719?ixlib=rb-1.2.1&q=80&fm=jpg&crop=entropy&cs=tinysrgb&w=1080&fit=max&ixid=eyJhcHBfaWQiOjE3NjQzM30

As a conclusion to this list of the best live vocal microphones in 2021, I just want to drive home the point don't waste your time and money playing the gear game. It is a bottomless pit and it takes time away from what you should be focusing on, your art!

Please realize that good music is good music and great talent is great talent. Of course you don't want to use a broken microphone that makes you sound like a *Speak & Spell*. But any of the mics we have covered here today are perfect for any performer.

Notorious BIG displayed more raw talent on the corner with a busted PA in Bed-Stuy than most up and coming young rappers (check it our on YouTube). People would have taking notice of The Beatles no matter what mic they were using. Their skills in songwriting were undeniable. This also means that if you are not getting the response you are expecting, please self reflect and continue to practice and improve. Don't just head out to Guitar Center to buy a more expensive mic. Trust me, that is the road that leads to working at guitar center, practice and be self critical. Don't fall down the bottomless pit that has captured 99% of all aspiring musicians.

*Please spend time honing your craft. Just grab a used SM58 and practice singing, then practice your stage presence.* 

I hope you have enjoyed this list of the best live vocal microphones for 2021. I've enjoyed writing it, we've had some ups and we've had some downs, but we're both leaving here knowing that the SM58 isn't going anywhere. Please feel free to reach out and suggest future topics. I'm thinking about reviewing studio vocal microphones next. Well goodnight and good luck. Over and out. The End! I hope your have enjoyed out list of the best live vocal microphones in 2021. Sign up for [private singing lessons in Boulder](https://www.mountainsidemusicacademy.com/lessons/voice-lessons-in-boulder)r.

Best Live Vocal Microphones 2021

Donny Hathaway - A Song For You (Piano Lead Sheet)

*Learn to play A Song For You by Leon Russell as performed by Donny Hathaway*

In 1971 Donny Hathaway recorded A Song For You for his second album. This gospel inflected version of the song featured a lush orchestral string section. It has been said that when he performed this song live it evoked near religious experiences for the audience.

Click the image below to download the lead sheet for free! If you're in the area sign up for [private piano lessons in Boulder](https://www.mountainsidemusicacademy.com/lessons/piano-lessons-in-boulder).

https://www.mountainsidemusicacademy.com/chords/a-song-for-you-leadsheet.jpg

Have fun making music. Check out this beautiful lyric video!

https://www.youtube.com/embed/91K2jpmwj9o


https://i.scdn.co/image/ab67616d0000b273e0ebc1dc512103af0b79055a

Donny Hathaway - A Song For You Sheet Music

Mariah Carey - Always Be My Baby (Chords Lead Sheet)

*Learn to play Always Be My Baby by Mariah Carey*

Always Be My Baby is a song written and produced by Mariah Carey, Jermaine Dupri and Manuel Seal. It's a midtempo tune that has been loved ever since it was released in 1996. It is from Mariah's fifth studio album Daydream.

It was acclaimed by music critics and became a huge commercial success, making it to the top of the Billboard Hot 100. Along with spending two weeks at the top of the charts it was also certified triple platinum.

Click the music below to download this lead sheet for free!

https://www.mountainsidemusicacademy.com/chords/always-be-my-baby-leadsheet.jpg

Hope you enjoy playing this song :) Check out this iconic music video for Always Be My Baby by Mariah Carey!

https://www.youtube.com/embed/LfRNRymrv9k


https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/7/72/Always_Be_My_Baby_%28Mariah_Carey_single_-_cover_art%29.jpg

Mariah Carey - Always Be My Baby Sheet Music

The Little Mermaid - Part of Your World (Sheet Music)

*Learn to play Part of Your World as performed by Jodi Benson in The Little Mermaid*

Part of Your World was written by Howard Ashman and Alan Menken. It was featured in the 1989 film The Little Mermaid. It was performed by American actress Jodi Benson.

*Click music below to download the sheet music for free*

https://www.mountainsidemusicacademy.com/chords/part-of-your-world-leadsheet.jpg

Enjoy playing this song on piano! :) If you want to take a walk down memory lane, feel free to watch this music video.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/SXKlJuO07eM


https://i.ytimg.com/vi/GK4HNNhQ0e4/maxresdefault.jpg

The Little Mermaid - Part of Your World | Lead Sheet

The Backyardigans - Castaways (Sheet Music)

*Learn to play Castaways from The Backyardigans*

Click the music below to download the pdf of the sheet music!

https://www.mountainsidemusicacademy.com/chords/castaways-leadsheet.jpg

Enjoy :) If you want to learn more about this tune. Check out this video from Adam Neely:

https://www.youtube.com/embed/uVAGjfFmFkw


http://img.sharetv.com/shows/standard/the_backyardigans.jpg

The Backyardigans - Castaways | Lead Sheet

https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1599866193011-348f9eb29868?ixlib=rb-1.2.1&q=80&fm=jpg&crop=entropy&cs=tinysrgb&w=1080&fit=max&ixid=eyJhcHBfaWQiOjE3NjQzM30

*There are so many stories out there about music teachers changing their students' lives for the better. I've also heard stories about kids giving up music because they didn't like their teacher. These are, in my opinion, the traits that define a truly great teacher that your child will stick with, and be inspired by...*

What's the point of learning every scale perfectly and acing your practice calendar if you're just going to quit after a year? A good teacher finds ways to teach their students what they need to know without scaring them away from music forever. 

This does not mean coddling. Music students obviously need guidance, and sometimes tough love. Many students are so driven in music, that their teacher can challenge them endlessly with nothing but positive outcomes. But these students are the exception. 

Most young music students need to be guided carefully in order to keep a positive relationship with music. A good teacher can sense what will be best for their student, and find the perfect balance to keep them challenged, but still having fun.

2. They don't push too hard... And sometimes they do

Depending on the student, pushing them too hard and not pushing them hard enough can be equally detrimental to the student's learning. When a student doesn't practice, the teacher has many options. They can shrug, they can laugh, they can scold, or they can punish. It's very important for the teacher to find not only the balance but to find the right answer for the individual student. But every student is going through their own musical journey, so when a teacher thinks they've found the right approach for a specific student, they still have to stay on their toes. Each student goes through different phases in their learning and will need something different at different times. Music teachers must pay attention to the changes that their students are going through in their learning, and in their lives. This is especially true for children and teenagers since different ages bring about different challenges. 

I've heard parents complain that their previous music teacher was too intense, saying "it's not like my child is going to be a concert pianist or something" ... I get that.  But as a teacher, I also never assume that a student *doesn't* have grandiose visions for their music. If they do, I believe a good teacher should be there to guide the student in accomplishing their goals and realizing their dreams. If they don't, a good teacher will bring music into their student's life in a way that will stick, even if that doesn't mean a career in music.

If the student is showing a high level of ambition and passion for music, a good teacher will start by trying to understand what the student's goals are. They then should start a dialogue with the student about what it would take to accomplish those goals. If a teacher really cares, they will dig a little deeper and try to understand why their student has these goals in the first place - is it parental pressure? popularity at school? or are they really dedicated to the art for healthy reasons, willing to make the necessary sacrifices? If the teacher feels like the student really has a good foundation for serious study, they should be there to not only support the student, but to push them so that they can accomplish their goals. 

On the other hand, a good teacher can identify when the student doesn't have a passion that goes beyond a hobby, and they allow lessons to take on a different purpose - to educate the student and help them develop and maintain a positive relationship with music, which if done right can stay with the student for the rest of their lives. 

The most important element that a music teacher can focus on in their lessons is goal setting. Without goals, music lessons would be... nothing. 

As a music teacher, I always talk about practicing in "little chuncks" - finding a spot in the music that the student is having trouble with and breaking it down into 4 measure, 2 measure, or even 1 measure chunks. I often have my students play the same measure 10 times in a row. They groan, I say "you can do it!" and we count down until they've played it 10 times, and then we celebrate that they can play that measure perfectly now and it only took a minute and a half! Then maybe we'll put 2 chunks together, playing 2 measures at a time, then 4, then 8... This is how music lessons as a whole can go - focusing on one measure, one section, one song, one semester, one year. With music, goal setting is complicated. 

A good teacher can juggle these many different levels of goals with each student, having long-term goals, shorter-term goals, goals within songs. This is why I always insist that every student keeps a notebook where we can record every assignment, goal, and some sort of practice log. 

When it comes to practice goals, different techniques can be used for different ages and personalities. Young students often excel with practice calendars where they can put a sticker in each day that they practice. Older students might do the same, but writing the number of minutes they practiced each day. Older students often do well keeping a detailed practice log where they take notes on what they accomplished each day, how long it took, and how they felt about it. This technique doesn't work well with everyone, which is why a good teacher is in tune with what kind of learning style the student has before forcing them into a technique that doesn't work well for them.

Performances are a very important part of setting music goals. When a student has a performance coming up, it requires them to learn their material much better than if they were just going through songs. I always ask my students to memorize their music for recitals as many teachers do. Getting a song to the point of memorization is one thing, but I always also tell my students that they need to get their songs "performance-ready" which means that they can play it in their sleep. Recitals and concerts not only force students to really work hard on their repertoire but also give them the experience of performing under pressure. Many first-time recital participants are surprised at how hard it is to play their song when their hands are shaking from nervousness - but then the next year, they understand why they need to be able to play it in their sleep!

Long-term goals can be a really rewarding subject for music teachers. Whether that means becoming a great pianist, getting into music school, or preparing for something big like a performance or recording, long-term goal setting can really propel a music student into making leaps and bounds in their artistry. 

Something that I witness a lot is music students who want to be just like their teachers. This happens with 5-year-old piano students who want to play as fast as their teacher as well as college students who are inspired by their professor's career. Good music teachers take that responsibility seriously. This means not only showing their students how to accomplish their goals in a healthy way, but also being a good role model in general. Displaying a positive attitude and good intentions are just as important as having a good work ethic. Music is an artistic and deeply personal endeavor, and therefore must be approached carefully.

Healthy habits are important in every avenue, but music study can bring about some interesting challenges. On most instruments, students must be careful to not practice in such a way that they can hurt themselves. The number of guitar and bass players that end up with tendonitis (and singers who end up with nodes) would surprise you. This is something that can be easily avoided if the student learns to practice the 'correct' way - this is one of the many reasons that having a good music teacher is important. 

Besides physical health, music students have to keep themselves mentally healthy. Finding a practice routine that is reasonable is one way to prevent burn-out. Having a support system to be there for the student when they have a bad audition or performance can prevent the negative feelings that can build up for young musicians. A good music teacher is there to make sure that their student is getting what they need emotionally. 

These days, kids are going through things that we adults will never understand. Increased academic pressure, more extracurricular activities than ever, growing up in the age of social media, and who knows what else. A good teacher not only listens for signs of stress but is also there to lend an ear if their student needs guidance. This means understanding when a student is frustrated with themselves for not understanding the assignment, and knowing how to tell the difference between that and a student who's trying to get away with an excuse. 

Finding a teacher that can be all of these things can make music lessons an incredible experience and maybe even change the student's life for the better. Hats off to all the music teachers out there that are sharing the joy of music with your students - keep doing what you're doing! 

How to Find a Great Music Teacher | 7 Traits to Look For

7 Traits of Amazing Music Teachers

10 Reasons You Should Learn to Play Ukulele Right Now

https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1508461235343-942692734024?ixlib=rb-1.2.1&q=80&fm=jpg&crop=entropy&cs=tinysrgb&w=1080&fit=max&ixid=eyJhcHBfaWQiOjE3NjQzM30

Everyone's had that experience in the grocery store - you're crabby, it's a rainy day... And then *"Somewhere Over the Rainbow"* by *Israel Kamakawiwo-ole* comes on, and you're suddenly in a great mood. The ukulele is a commonly overlooked instrument, but it's gaining popularity, and we think we know why. Here are 10 reasons why you should be learning how to play the ukulele right now, no matter how old you are. 

What is it about the sound of the ukulele? It transports you to a sunny day on a tropical beach. If someone in your house is learning the ukulele, you might notice everyone is just in a better mood all the time. Why not learn an instrument that can instantly cheer you up?

Ukuleles have nylon strings which are a lot less painful on newbies' fingers. Most guitars have steel strings, so students have to build up finger calluses in order to get past the pain of learning the instrument. With ukulele, you can learn pain-free.

3. The chord shapes are easier than guitar

The ukulele has 4 strings as opposed to the guitar, which has 6 (unless you're talking about the "12-string guitar"). That in addition to the way that the strings are tuned, chord shapes are a lot easier on the ukulele than they are on the guitar. 

https://app.atharo.app/images/guitar-vs-ukulele.png

As you can see from the example above, the C major chord on the ukulele is played with one finger on the left hand... That's it! On the left is the same chord played on a guitar, which has the player contorting their hand into the shape you see, which includes 3 different fingers on 3 different frets. You can imagine why this would be difficult for a young child. 

Of course this should not discourage you from learning guitar. If you have a real passion for guitar, go for it... But if you're trying to decide between ukulele and guitar, this might help you make your decision. 

Because the nylon strings are easier to push down, you won't hear any of those "doinkers" - that unfortunate rattling sound that comes out of a guitar when your fingers aren't strong enough yet. If you want to sound pretty good on an instrument asap, ukulele is a great choice. 

Ukuleles are one of the cheapest instruments in relation to sound quality. Yes, you can buy a $100 trombone but do you really want to? The price range for a good beginner ukulele is about $50-$150, and they actually sound pretty good. And if you're really feeling cheap, you can find one for even less (but don't expect a beautiful sound). This is great news for an instrument that you really want to take to the beach - low cost and durability means that it's less risky to play in sandy situations. 

6. Want to be more popular? Look no further than the ukulele...

I was kind of a dork in school, and yet I was always surrounded by a crowd of people. Why? Because I was strumming chords, and the people want to sing! Knowing how to play ukulele will make you the most popular person at the camp-fire ;)

This is a gift that will stay with you forever - if you keep up your ukulele skills (and keep your ukulele), you can be the life of the party at family get-togethers, holiday parties, beach days, and just be the inspiration behind many sing-alongs. And if that's not making the world a better place, I don't know what is. At the very least, it will make you a lot of friends. 

At the time that I'm writing this, the world is in quarantine. So we can't really go anywhere right now, but now's the time to pick up a skill that you can take with you on your travels once the borders open back up. They are small enough to be your "personal item" on a plane, or even to fit into a backpack. They don't take up any space on road trips, and they're light as a feather.  Wouldn't you rather take a ukulele on a plane than an upright bass? 

https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1552935088-b7474c4af004?ixlib=rb-1.2.1&q=80&fm=jpg&crop=entropy&cs=tinysrgb&w=1080&fit=max&ixid=eyJhcHBfaWQiOjE3NjQzM30

How can you resist an instrument that you can match to your outfit? The challenge will be buying just one. Not to mention the cute color cases that usually come with them. From pink to green to natural wood, you can express your personality while expressing yourself musically. 

The open tuning on a ukulele is a major 6 chord, so strumming all open strings is already absolutely lovely... then bar off the 2nd fret - you can write a song with just that. For songwriters that don't want to put years and years into becoming a great guitar or piano player, the ukulele is the best tool to find chords quickly and easily, and accompany themselves without having to worry too much about their skills as an instrumentalist. 

10. It's one of the best starter instruments

As a music teacher, one of the most common questions I get is "what's the best instrument for beginners?" You can read more about the top 3 starter instruments  [here,](https://www.mountainsidemusicacademy.com/features/instruments-for-small-hands-big-hearts-3-best-instruments-for-the-young-beginner) but spoiler alert: ukulele is one of them. There's a reason that many elementary school music classes teach ukulele as a unit - it really is a great instrument for young children to learn.

There are many things that most people don't know about ukuleles. When you think of a ukulele, what comes to mind? Hawaii I'm sure, and probably "Somewhere Over the Rainbow." But did you know that the ukulele is actually an adaptation of the *"Machete"* which was an instrument invented in the Madeira Island of Portugal? Once the instrument made its way to Hawaii, it quickly was adapted into the ukulele, a similar instrument that they made out of a native wood called "Koa" and re-tuned to be easier to learn and play. 

The Machete came to Hawaii with the Portuguese immigrants that came to work in the sugar cane fields in the late 1800s. In 1879, the Hawaiian Gazette wrote about a group of Portuguese musicians who were heard playing this strange instrument to people in the street. After the article circulated, the instrument gained popularity, and morphed into the Ukulele, soon becoming Hawaii's national instrument.

**What does "Ukulele" mean in Hawaiian"**

Have you ever wondered what "Ukulele" means? Well, it actually translates to "jumping flea" - I bet you wouldn't have guessed that. But that probably explains why ukulele students are taught to tune the strings of a ukulele with a cute little song that goes *"my dog has fleas..."*

There are 4 main types of ukuleles (with some other interesting types out there, such as the pineapple ukulele):

You can find really cheap ukuleles out there. If you are looking for a budget ukulele, we would recommend finding one around the $50 range - any lower and you're basically looking at a toy. If you're not sure whether you are going to want to continue with the instrument, or just trying it out, just keep in mind that having an instrument that doesn't play well will probably not be as enjoyable, and might not truly inspire you to continue. If you're trying to decide between a $35 ukulele and a $50 ukulele, you might want to splurge (plus it might prevent you from having to upgrade). 

This price range gives you a better chance of finding an instrument that you love and are inspired to play. These would still be in the "beginner" category, but you will likely get a good sound out of a ukulele in this price range, and find that the instrument is well-built enough for the beginner or hobbyist. 

In this price range you will find an assortment of simple ukuleles made from solid wood and ukuleles with extras such as acoustic-electric ukuleles or cutaway ukuleles. 

Acoustic-electric ukuleles give the player the option of using it acoustically or plugging it into an amp (or a computer if they want to record themselves). Cutaway ukuleles make it easier to access higher frets, which is great for the virtuoso (or aspiring virtuoso).

If you're a professional ukulele player, you probably already have your favorite ukulele brand. Within this price range, you are looking at an instrument that is suitable for a professional musician, and is certainly made out of a high-quality wood - probably Koa or Mahagony, which will mean a beautiful sound and a durable instrument. Now you just have to decide where in this range you fall - time to start testing out some instruments!

We hope that this list of reasons to learn to play the ukulele has inspired you. I'm sure there are many many more reasons, but you'll have to pick up the ukulele and discover them yourself. 

10 Reasons to Play the Ukulele | Ukulele vs. Guitar

The Greatest Showman - This Is Me (Chord Lead Sheet)

*Learn to play This Is Me from The Greatest Showman*

Click the music below to download the pianos for free!

https://www.mountainsidemusicacademy.com/chords/this-is-me-leadsheet.jpg

Have fun :) Here is a cool lyric video for This Is Me:

https://www.youtube.com/embed/CjxugyZCfuw


https://i.ytimg.com/vi/wEJd2RyGm8Q/maxresdefault.jpg

The Greatest Showman - This Is Me | Lead Sheet

Billie Eilish - Happier Than Ever (Sheet Music)

Well, Billie Eilish has done it again! Happier Than Ever is an awesome and surprising song that keeps the listener on their toes. You think you understand where this song is going until about half way through when suddenly the vibe changes. Billie takes you on a ride as she takes you through an old fashioned ukulele ballad that ramps up into an epic rock anthem that just keeps getting more and more intense. What a way to convey your emotions, Billie!

So besides the obvious reasons that this song is crazy-cool, there are a bunch of things about Happier Than Ever that surprised and, to be honest, confused me. 

While transcribing this song, I couldn't figure out what the heck was going on form-wise. You may really disagree with the form of my lead sheet for Happier Than Ever. It starts out with a section that really sounds like a verse, but it repeats later in the song (unlike pretty much anything else)... And that's when it hit me! Happier Than Ever is not in a classic pop form (verses and choruses), it's in an old school jazz form! (at least the first half) So I decided to mark the sections as A, B, etc. In my opinion, the first half of the song is in an **AABCA** form. 

What about the second half of the song? While listening, I was like "is Happier Than Ever **through-composed!?**" So I decided to just go by what it *feels* like... It starts out with a very strong verse. You can't convince me that the "you called me again, drunk in your Benz" isn't a verse! ...Now the "I don't relate to you" part is SUCH a pre-chorus! And of course "I don't talk sh** about you on the internet" - What a chorus! But can you definitively name any of these sections if they never repeat? That's why this song has got me so excited - it made me start thinking about identifying song sections by the way they feel, not the placement, or when they repeat. And this is why I'm sticking with my analysis, even if Billie wouldn't agree. 

...But let's go on! After the chorus, there's a section that, based on the way it feels, I would call another pre-chorus. That's why I called it pre-chorus 2. But listen to it, it's SUCH a pre-chorus. And is it "pre" a chorus? No! It's "pre" an instrumental that feels like a chorus, which finishes out the song. 

**What time signature is Happier Than Ever in?**

Why is this song so epic? One of the many reasons is that half way through, the song switches from a 4/4 time signature to a 12/8 time signature. For those of you that aren't familiar with time signatures, 4/4 means there are 4 beats in every measure, so you can think of it like the drummer is counting to 4 over and over again... And with 12/8, they're counting to 12. What's interesting is that 12/8 is definitely more common in that old-timey style, especially ukulele ballads, and 4/4 is more common in rock. Did she switch those on purpose? I suppose we'll never know. 

**Why didn't we notice how weird this song is?**

The coolest thing about this song is that with all the non-traditional stuff going on, no one probably noticed it. No one's thinking about the weird form of the song or the time signature change, because it's just such a good song. This is proof that good song writers can just break all the rules. 

Ever since Olivia Rodrigo's **"Brutal,"** we've been wondering... Is rock coming back?! Well after the release of Happier Than Ever, I'm convinced. It's time for us all to dust off our electric guitars, because they're making a comeback. 

**Happier Than Ever - Lyrics [by Billie Eilish]**

You'd do the opposite of what you said you'd do 

You clearly weren't aware that you made me miserable


- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
(Switch to 12/8 time!)

You scared me to death, but I'm wasting my breath

'Cause you only listen to your f*cking friends


And I don't talk sh*t about you on the internet

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