Want your child to learn the beauty of music? Kidding Around had a lively chat with Theresa Case, owner of Piano Central Studios, about why any time is the right time to learn – and make! – music. Thank you to Piano Central Studios for sponsoring this article!
Can you remember the first time you heard music? I can’t. It’s played a significant role in my life. Like a lot of parents, I started singing to and playing music for my kids before they were even born. Music is all around us! We attach memories to music, play music in school, make friends over a love of music and even mend a broken heart by playing sad songs on repeat. There’s no shaking it: Music plays a major role in life.
All Ages Enjoy Music at Piano Central Studios
Music is for everyone. If you’ve got a baby who lights up when they hear music or a child who is begging for lessons, Piano Central Studios is their place. Maybe you’re an adult looking for a hobby or you’ve decided to pick up violin again. Great!
Have a child with special needs? The instructors at PCS, many of whom have educational backgrounds as musicians and educators, partner with families to determine how your child will learn best and thrive in music lessons.
For all students, PCSs mission is to nurture hearts and minds with music-making for life.
7 Reasons To Explore Music Lessons
Perhaps of little surprise, Theresa Case has gotten to know thousands of families and has seen their respective relationships with music evolve over the years. While there is plenty of research about the benefits of music education for children and families, Theresa is uniquely poised to see it in action every day. No matter how young or old, she believes music is good for the soul; it can be a place of respite during trying times and an expression of joy during happy times.
Music helps our bodies work differently. Playing music improves hand-eye coordination and listening skills as your body brings the notes to life.
Music makes brains work harder. Research suggests that playing music can actually change the brain! It improves memory, listening skills, ability to focus, and is even correlated with improved academic performance.
Music builds community. A musical instrument fits into almost everyone’s hands. And everyone has a voice to sing. When people come together and collaboratively make music, it is a joyous, celebratory feeling!
Music builds self-confidence. Whether mastering a difficult song or conquering stage fright, music shows students they can do hard things.
Music develops a unique creative path. Music offers an opportunity for self-expression and, much like the pages of a great book, it can serve as a personal escape.
Music brings comfort. Several PCS’ students have said their music lessons kept them going through the pandemic. Music provides solace and an outlet during stressful times.
Music provides lifelong joy. Music sticks with us. Whether getting lost in a tune or bringing it to life with friends on stage, at home or at church, it is truly the soundtrack to our lives.
4 Tips For Beginner Musicians
You’re investing time and money into music lessons. You want your child to be successful. Here are a few practical tips to help along the way.
It’s not difficult, it’s new. Music is fun! But sometimes the process of learning is hard and doesn’t feel fun. My child’s teacher often says, “It’s not difficult, it’s just new.” This is a phrase I’ve adopted in my own teaching and in just about everything in life. Learning anything new takes time and practice. It will take more than a month or two of lessons for your child to know if this is something they want to pursue. Commit to the process and give it ample time before deciding it isn’t right for your child.
Practice fills your toolbox. The skills we learn when practicing are the skills that fill our toolbox. We use those tools when we play music, perform or just enjoy our instrument, aka “the fun part”. If we don’t develop those skills, we will lack the tools to use and will struggle to have fun. If your child is frustrated, take a look at their practice time. Consider sticker charts to motivate or built-in rewards for accomplishing specific skills or completing a lesson book, like a fun book of movie music to play in your student’s free time.
Don’t try to use lessons to motivate practice when your child is struggling. “If you don’t practice, you won’t have lessons,” will not work. When kids are struggling, it’s hard not fun. When things are hard, we are often ready to give up. So much can be learned by sticking it out, and not just with music. This is how all hard things in life get done. Don’t give up.
Practice a little every day. Did you know muscles have memory? They don’t remember things very long without repetition. This means 10 minutes of practice every day is far superior than one hour right before a lesson. Small bits of practice are just easier to digest and bring less frustration. Consider building it into an already established routine. Finished breakfast? Go practice for 10 minutes before you make your bed. As your student becomes more proficient and needs more practice time, it’s actually more beneficial to find an additional few minutes later in the day rather than making the session longer.
Music Lessons Available at Piano Central Studios
PCS is a cornerstone of Greenville’s musical community, with a team of over three dozen teachers, two studio locations, a community location at Bob Jones University and two onsite school locations. First opening its doors in 1979, it is the oldest and largest music school in the Upstate. They teach more than piano, including but not limited to:
- Kindermusik Classes
- Strings Lessons (violin, viola, cello)
- Brass Lessons (trumpet, French horn, trombone, euphonium)
- Woodwinds Lessons (flute, clarinet, saxophone, oboe, bassoon)
- Percussion Lessons
- Guitar and Ukulele Lessons
- Voice Lessons
- Piano Lessons
- School-based music lessons during and after school at Bob Jones Academy and Christ Church Episcopal School
Piano Central Studios is recognized as a top Kindermusik program worldwide. Kindermusik is a great way to introduce your very young child to music. For new beginners, PCS’s group classes for ages 6 to 9 years old include Studio Singers (voice class), Studio Ukes (ukulele class), Studio Strings (violin class), and Studio Windstars (woodwinds and horn). Music lessons are offered privately for ages 6 to adult.
Take the First Step OR the Next Step in Your Musical Journey
The time to enroll is now! Fall is an ideal time to get started in Kindermusik classes, group lessons or private music lessons, but you can enroll any time throughout the year. Learn more and register online today!
Piano Central Studios has studio locations at:
- 757 North Pleasantburg Drive, Greenville
- 1622 Woodruff Drive, Greenville
- Bob Jones University, Greenville
Contact Piano Central Studios at 864.232.5010 or info@PianoCentralStudios.com.
