A common struggle for many new musicians is how to write their own music. We all start by learning the basics of chords and structure and other people's songs, but at a certain point any musician will want to start getting creative with their own original songs. While the first few songs written may not be instant hits, the important part is the starting. That may sound like a daunting task for brand new song-writers, but worry not! There are tons of resources out there to assist in feeling much more confident, including this short guide that may ease a bit of stress. ​

Ah, the power of music. We look forward to hearing it every morning in our cars while driving into work. We'll purchase tickets to watch our favorite performers live in concert. In fact, you might even enjoy singing in the shower or playing an instrument during your spare time. There's no doubt that music has a very powerful impact on us in our daily lives, regardless of whether you're a child or an adult. This impact can be quite personal, too.

If you have any say in keeping a music program in a public school, you should absolutely consider doing so. There are tremendous benefits to having students learn music while they attend any school, regardless of whether it's a private or public institution. Here are a few fundamental reasons why keeping music in public schools can benefit students.

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Congratulations on choosing to learn the art of the piano! Before you get started, there may be a lingering question quite common to the new musician. What is the better purchase, a keyboard, or a piano? Though it is usually preferred a student develop skill on an acoustic piano, it is not always practical. Also, due to technological advances, there are many keyboards available that can provide a learning experience similar to that of an acoustic piano. Let's learn about both and ultimately find the right choice for you.
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A recital is a great time for family and friends to enjoy performances, and of course, it’s a great photo opportunity to show off your child’s hard work on your social media. Beyond the music and the photos, however, performing in a recital or showcase has real benefits to your child’s development. Learn more about the four major ways a recital helps music students. 

1. Setting Goals
It can be hard to practice the same song and scales over and over for months. Practice often takes place alone, at home, and may not feel exciting or rewarding. When students know there is a performance associated with their practice, they have a deadline to work toward. Many students look forward to showing off all that hard work and are more motivated to put time into focused practice. Adults who haven’t had lessons in years can often remember a song they played at a recital, as the muscle memory from those motivated practice sessions remains. A bonus benefit is that often this new practice routine persists even after the performance! 

2. Overcome anxiety
Over 70% of Americans report feeling stage fright at some point in their lives. Students who get experience performing in recitals at a young age build confidence in their ability to be the center of attention on stage. It’s not obvious to the audience, but performance actually engages a whole different set of skills from musical skills needed to complete a song. Controlling your breath and posture under stress, being comfortable with your body on stage, and having resilience when you make a mistake are skills that will serve you well in both future performances and beyond. 

3. See the Future
Especially for students who spend most of their time practicing alone, the recital is a great opportunity to engage with the social aspect of music. Younger children naturally look up to older kids, and when beginning musicians perform with others who are more advanced, they see what can happen with dedication and practice. Over the years, they will gain a sense of what is coming next for them in their lessons and skills, and the progress they want to achieve becomes a concrete goal to work for in between performances. 

4. Sense of Accomplishment
Of all the benefits to playing music, this is the most rewarding. Preparing a song for performance takes a lot of time and focus. The performance requires bravery, stamina, and professionalism. All that hard work pays off when they’re taking their final bow to a round of applause. That magic moment sticks with children as they internalize the pride in their hard work and build their self-esteem. 

No matter what their skill level is, a recital gives every child a chance to be a musical star for one afternoon. Not only does preparing for performance build musical skills, but the lessons and rewards of the recital build character and self-esteem that will enrich your child’s life on and off the stage.

Around the entire world and within thousands of different cultures, music is an integral part of many lives. The intense emotional connection that human beings experience with music is a force difficult to explain even with science. However, at its core, music is essentially art combined with science and mathematics. Human emotion and intellect are able to express creativity through music, and that music takes the form of sound waves with varying frequencies registering as different notes to our ears. This combination of art, mathematics, and science creates a universal language that transcends all cultures and languages and allows us to connect with every human being on a fundamental level.
 
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