Musical Introductions: Advice and Resources

Musical Introductions . . .

We talked to Cleveland Orchestra musicians, chorus members, and teachers seeking tips for students choosing an instrument for the first time or just beginning to learn about how to practice and learn how to perform or sing music. Here’s what we discovered.

FROM BOOSTED BRAIN POWER to enhanced social skills, learning how to read and perform music is a lifelong skill that continually gives back.

As the new school year begins — and with it the opportunity of learning to play a new instrument or joining a chorus — we reached out to some of our music educators in Th e Cleveland Orchestra and Cleveland Orchestra Chorus as well as partners at area schools for sound advice on taking the fi rst steps. Th e takeaways include: patience, diligence, having fun, and, most importantly, consistency! Don’t expect too much too soon. Keep practicing, improve your skills day by day.

PHOTO BY HILARY BOVAY

Above and opposite: students in Cleveland Orchestra-affi liated school and community programs working on musical skills prior to the pandemic.

Many people make the mistake of thinking the more hours devoted to practicing, the better. But I believe that consistent and focused work is more fruitful in the long run. Quality over quantity. Consistent eff ort day-in and day-out off ers a path to progress and success. 1. FOCUS on one thing to improve each day. If you can improve, even slightly, one aspect of your playing each day, that progress will build up over the weeks and months ahead. 2. PLAN what and how you are going to practice each day. Think of it almost like a checklist, and then execute your plan and be done. Practicing consistently is far more eff ective, satisfying, and eff ective than practicing without a clear objective. Give yourself a goal each day, and then do it again tomorrow.

—Martha Baldwin

Cello, The Cleveland Orchestra

I believe that everyone — students and professionals alike — should try to fi nd joy and inspiration every time you play your instrument. Starting out, learning an instrument requires new discipline and daily practice, but these are good skills you will learn to do. Through the ups and downs, the joy of music will help carry you forward. One other idea that can help: always remember the joy and excitement you had when you picked up your instrument for the fi rst time. And work to fi nd or create that excitement again.

—Vinay Parameswaran

Associate Conductor, The Cleveland Orchestra Music Director, Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra

Trust the process. Progress is not always linear, and hard work is what makes you a stronger musician. Accept the humility to learn from your mistakes and to always strive for the best version of your musical self.

—Mary Krason Wiker

Voice Teacher and member of Blossom Festival Chorus

PHOTO BY HILARY BOVAY

I advise beginning band members to be PATIENT! Your instrument may sound awful at fi rst, and you may even be tempted to purchase ear plugs for your family. But PRACTICE, and across time you will get better and better. Ultimately, you will reach the level to become a member of your high school band or orchestra. And some of you will go even further, because music speaks to you. In addition to all the hard work, having fun with your instrument and keeping a sense of humor are useful and super important, too!

—Diane Tizzano

Director of Bands, Beachwood City Schools

Keep practicing and don’t give up. Almost anything new is tough when you fi rst try it. But, just like you practiced to write your name, or riding a bike, and it was hard to do at fi rst, yet you accomplished it. Keep at it. You can accomplish success with your instrument, too.

—Josue Perez

Music Teacher, Leighton Elementary School

Advice for parents (and grandparents): There’s often an expectation that students will sound good right away. And when they don’t, many students get discouraged. Too many parents respond with, ‘If you don’t like it, don’t practice.’ Sometimes we need to encourage new students instead. I tell parents to listen for improvement, even just small successes. And never, ever, say that the sound of the practicing is annoying or driving the neighbors crazy! At that fi rst band concert, which can be painful to listen to, I ask parents to remember back to the fi rst day their child picked up the instrument. They didn’t know which end was up! And now look, they can play Twinkle Twinkle Little Star! It only gets better!

—Becky Hall

Music Specialist, Center and Gates Mills Elementary Schools and member of Cleveland Orchestra Chorus

THIS FALL ONLINE Learn More . . .

Looking for a place to start a child’s (or your own!) musical journey? Discover The Cleveland Orchestra’s educational online resources and engaging video series, including:

Music Explorers

Ages 3-6 Major Scale and Ranger Rhythm lead adventures through the world of music, uncovering tuneful pleasures, concepts, and fun!

What Is An Orchestra?

Grades 4-8

This fi ve-part video series hosted by associate conductor Vinay Parameswaran, explores the orchestra’s four instrument families, with performances, student and parent guides, and more.

Choose Your Instrument!

Ages 8-13 n choosing an orchestral instrument. Dev Sixteen musicians of The Cleveland Orchestra demonstrate their instruments, share how they started, and off er advice, tips, and encour-er, agement for students just starting out.

Mindful Music Moments

Pre-K to 12th Grade

Now free for all schools, Mindful Music Moments — created in partnership with The Well — combines mindfulness prompts with classical music to provide a daily period of calm, focus, and well-being, creating a positive environment for learning.

For these and other resources, please visit clevelandorchestra.com/learn