Music Coach - Stops Music Losing Out!
It all begins with an idea.
Balancing 5th grade homework, a competitive gymnastics practice schedule and a grueling schedule at one of US best known pre-professional ballet institutions, my little one struggles to find time to fit in the violin, her newfound love. Looking at the various schedule scenarios I had mapped out on excel, I celebrated a “little win” when she was admitted to a private studio. With ballet is 3x 3-hr sessions per wk, gymnastics at 4x 3-hr sessions per wk, and thank goodness meets are monthly and not weekly like soccer, the commitment is only 1 hour per week. Perfecto!
Two months later - yes it did take me that long, in spite of my music background – I came to realize that this is utter false economy on my part. It struck me that even though class time is only 1 hr per wk, it takes a cumulative 1500 hrs of practice to get to proficient pre-college level. If she practices 1 hr per wk, it will take her 28 years to make it to pre-college standards! Mortified is an understatement…how did I miss that?
Then the penny dropped – unlike organized sports like gymnastics and soccer … Music does not have a coach.
Without a coach, there is no team practice, and no regular practice matches. – Music loses out
Without a coach, there is no one to champion for structured, individual practice time, something every skill requires. – Music loses out
Without a coach, there is no one to maximize the effectiveness of time with music teachers. Kids rarely take music notes. – Music loses out
Without a coach, there is no one to ensure that practice is done correctly (kids rarely take notes during music class). reducing need to correct errors from practicing blindly. – Music loses out