FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT MUSIC LESSONS AT MCOT

1. How do we differ from in-home lessons?
2. Is the teacher qualified?
3. What if the student's and teacher's personalities don't mesh well or the student is dissatisfied?
4. What are the names of your teachers?
5. What if my child starts the lessons and does not like the instrument?
6. Do you offer discounts on music lessons if I put more than one child in?
7. Can I sit in on the group music class?
8. Can I sit in on my child's private music lesson?
9. Can my two children have a music lesson together, or both myself and my child?
10. Can we take lessons every other week instead of every week?
11. Can I just take one month of lessons?
12. Do we need a real piano at home to take piano lessons?
13. How long will it take me to be able to play?
14. What is the earliest age that my child can take lessons?
15. Do you offer Suzuki piano (or what is Suzuki piano)?
16. Is half an hour long enough for a private lesson time for beginners?
17. Will music theory be included in the private lesson?
18. How much practice is required each week?
19. Can we start in the middle of the year?
20. Do you offer Orff - what is Orff?
21. What do students learn in a beginning piano lesson?
22. Why do you charge a materials deposit?
23. What local area music retailers do you recommend for instruments and supplies?

Q-1. How do we differ from in-home lessons?
A. Attending lessons in a professional school environment means that the teacher and student are free from home distractions (TV's in the next room, door bells and after school friends, siblings, and pets). Students tend to take their music study a little more seriously when they are coming to a school situation, bringing their books and materials to the lessons each week. Also, students gain excitement about the music making process when they are surrounded by other people of all ages engaged in music learning for many different instruments. Many of our students come back year after year. Also, we can offer many group music learning opportunities and yearly recitals and festivals that most in-home teachers cannot provide.

Q-2. Is the teacher qualified?
A. Yes. All of our teachers are university trained in their instrument of specialization. Our teachers are experienced professionals and are chosen not only for their qualifications, but for their love of teaching and their ability to relate to the students. Our faculty have spent years developing their skills on their instruments or vocal training and studied with many master teachers. You can see their pictures and biographies posted at the school.

Q-3. What if the student's and teacher's personalities don't mesh well or the student is dissatisfied?
A. This is one of the advantages of taking your lessons at our school - we have several teachers for each instrument so if a problem occurs - which is extremely rare - you can switch to one of the other teachers. If you think you may get more out of lessons from a teacher with a different teaching style, we have the flexibility to change you to another instructor.

Q-4. What are the names of your teachers?
A. We have many teachers on our faculty. Once you decide on a day and time, we will give you all the information on that particular teacher. There is no point giving you detailed information on a teacher that you won't be taking lessons with, or who does not have space available on their schedule.

Q-5. What if my child starts the lessons and does not like the instrument?
A. Usually students have "begged" to start music lessons on a particular instrument, so we suggest that the student sticks with their instrument choice for several months before switching to another instrument or voice lessons. If this situation occurs, the parent should contact our office right away so we can give the teacher any feedback and discuss ways to generate more interest. Students can switch to another instrument at any time during the year.

Q-6. Do you offer discounts on music lessons if I put more than one child in?
A. Yes. Family members receive a 5% discount on any lessons or classes at our school. Also, we require just one yearly registration fee per family.

Q-7. Can I sit in on the group music class?
A. In most situations, parents can see how the class is going through the window (our Percussion Lab teachers ask that parents attend the class with their child for students who are less than 8 years old). If the parents sit in every week it is too distracting for the students. There are too many authority figures and the children either lose class time looking for Mom & Dad's approval, or they act out to see what reaction they will get. We encourage parents of young children to wait in our waiting rooms so that if they are needed they are close by.

Q-8. Can I sit in on my child's private music lesson?
A. Yes - we have an open door policy. It is your choice when to sit in. Some students find it distracting and some work better with Mom or Dad in the room. The teacher will give you some advice on this after they get to know your child.

Q-9. Can my two children have a music lesson together, or both myself and my child?
A. Yes. Parent and child can learn together at no extra tuition (parent tracks along with child's assignment). Two siblings can have a team lesson for an additional $10 per week (teacher addresses both learning levels during the lesson). The teacher will let you know when the students should start with their own private weekly lesson. Or. If you are looking for convenience, you can ask about scheduling both lessons at the same time with different teachers or book them back to back.

Q-10. Can we take lessons every other week instead of every week?
A. At first this might seem like a good idea, but we have tried this in the past and we do not recommend it (if you miss a lesson, it would be an entire month before you saw your teacher again!). It is really important that the teacher checks your progress and corrects your form every week. Also, attending weekly lessons will continue the learning momentum and generate mastering a skill more quickly.

Q-11. Can I just take one month of lessons?
A. Yes. We have a Quick Start Series so you can get started with the instrument, meet the teacher and check out what lessons will be like before enrolling for yearly lessons. This series is taught at a slightly higher tuition rate.

Q-12. Do we need a real piano at home to take piano lessons?
A. Although a real (acoustic) piano, or a digital touch sensitive piano are always best, they are not necessary to start. Some students can start with keyboards and once they decide they like to play piano, then you can look at an acoustic or digital piano for your family. The most important thing to know when purchasing a keyboard is that it must have full sized keys. It is best to get a keyboard with at least 60+ keys so that you don't outgrow it too quickly (a regular piano has 88 keys).

Q-13. How long will it take me to be able to play?
A. That varies from student to student and really depends on the individual, how much practicing they do, and their age. Playing is a physical skill so it does take repetition to improve. Typically if you start piano in August or September, by December you will be able to play a recognizable Christmas carol. With something like guitar, in a few months an adult will improve dramatically. Most students take a minimum of one year.

Q-14. What is the earliest age that my child can take lessons?
A. We recommend our Early Childhood Music classes for babies through 3 ½ year olds. Piano lab is a great choice for 4 and 5 year olds, and we start guitar, drums and voice at 6 and 7 years old. Please discuss individual placement with our desk staff. Some students are developmentally ready at different ages.

Q-15. Do you offer Suzuki piano (or what is Suzuki piano)?
A. We don't offer Suzuki piano. Suzuki piano is a method that was adapted from Suzuki violin. We use Suzuki books combined with traditional books for violin.

Q-16. Is half an hour long enough for a private lesson time for beginners?
A. Yes. In the beginning the half hour lesson gives the student a lot to practice at home. In a half hour they will get enough material to be able to learn well and develop proper technique. As they progress, at the advice of the teacher, you can go to a longer lesson time.

Q-17. Will music theory be included in the private lesson?
A. Yes. Students learn about how music is put together through music theory workbooks that go along with their songbooks (method books). We recommend our Conservatory Program (student attends an additional weekly one-hour theory and performance class) for beginners through advanced students who want to have more time devoted to music theory and also participate in our performances throughout the year. Adult students can focus on their individual goals at lessons, and can request that their teacher spends more time on music theory.

Q-18. How much practice is required each week?
A. We recommend setting aside time for music practice at least 5 days out of the week. For beginning students the teacher usually assigns repetitions instead of a time amount. For example, do this scale 2 times a day, this song 5 times a day, etc. Younger children find repetitions easier than a set time amount. Typically, a beginning student practices 20 - 30 minutes a day and the practicing goes much better if the parent supervises. Home practice is not required for 4 and 5 year olds (families should encourage music time at home together several times during the week).

Q-19. Can we start in the middle of the year?
A. Yes. We have year-round open enrollment. You can join a group class as a beginner, as there is always review at every class.

Q-20. Do you offer Orff - what is Orff?
A. Orff is a methodology of teaching children music through rhythm and specially sized rhythm and tonal instruments - it would be similar to saying Montessori preschool - it is a method of teaching. In our Early Childhood Music classes these methods and instruments are used.

Q-21. What do students learn in a beginning piano lesson?
A. In addition to the material in their piano lesson book which teaches them how to read music and play the songs, the teachers will cover the following: sight reading, ear-training and technique (scales, etc.).

Q-22. Why do you charge a materials deposit?
A. As a service to our students, we provide all the materials needed for your lessons. Your materials deposit will be held in an account, especially for you. Deductions are made from this account as materials are purchased and issued to the student (includes music, materials, and any other fees). When materials balance reaches $25.00 or less, an additional $30 deposit is required (credit card customers accounts will be automatically charged, check students will be notified to submit an additional $30.00). All account credits will be returned yearly, in the fall.

Q-23. What local area music retailers do you recommend for instruments and supplies?
A. Here is a listing of some of the music stores and instrument dealers in our area: