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 If you are like most adults, you missed out on a HUGE chunk of learning music when you were young. Most of us grew up in a time where the concepts of music were being watered down in schools, programs were being taken out and there weren't as many opportunities to take a hold of music that could be appreciated.. For those of us who had the lucky opportunity to be exposed to music, it was only a percentage of what we should really know. Are you ready to INDLUGE yourself into the world of music so you can catch up for lost time? If so, start with Apollo Music Studios! I'm now offering you the BEST and ONLY music essentials that you will ever need through my class, Music Essentials and Appreciation. Through this course, you will learn:

• the basics you missed out on in music
• tips and tricks for improving your listening skills
• concepts in music that will help you to play ANY instrument
• appreciation of the mechanics of music
• concepts for writing music

For any of you that are living in Westminster, Colorado, or in one of the pockets like Broomfield, Boulder, Denver, etc, than you need to come and sing with me!

I'm starting my first set of classes, starting this Thursday, and they are going to be so cool!

First set is some guitar classes for children and youth.  If you are between the ages of 9 - 12 or 14 - 18, than you should come learn.  It's going to be at Westminster Grange Hall (3915 W. 73rd Ave) on Thursdays.  Ages 14-18 are going to be from 4 - 4:45 and ages 9 - 12 are going to be from 5:00 - 5:45.  It's starting on September 11, 2008 (Thursday), and every Thursday after that. 

In the guitar class, you'll learn basic chords, notes and a little bit of theory.  We're going to end out the season with a nice concert for the parents.  

Second thing to look into is for you youth that like to sing.  We're starting the Youth Community Jazz choir.  We'll combine in some classics with some of your 'favs'.  This is open to ages 14 - 18 and will begin on September 18th from 6:00 - 6:45.  

Oh, if you want to come and check things out first... come to our jam cafe.  That will be held the last Thursday of every month from 7:00 - 8:00.  All in the same place.  

So, fellow music lovers, it is time to follow up on your passion for music and actually learn something.  :)

If you want more information on Apollo Music Studios and the cool classes that we offer, than you can visit www.apollomusicstudios.com.  Happy singing!

Whether you are getting ready for a performance or ready to learn a new song, you should know something. Don't jump into the water without knowing what type of water it is.

That's right, before you hit a note, make sure that you are prepared for what you are going to do. It's one of my favorite piano policies, and makes learning all that much easier and funner.

Before I play anything, I make sure that I know what I'm getting into. I make sure that I'm physically prepared, meaning that I don't have distractions and am sitting in a place that is comfortable. I also make sure that my mind has absolutely no distractions. For me, that means my work has to be done for the week. If I'm feeling stress or turmoil, I don't push playing; it's only going to cause a train wreck.

That's just the beginning of preparation. If you are learning a song, make sure that you are prepared to learn it. One of the greatest things you can do before you touch a note is to learn everything you can about it. Learn about the composer, the time period, why it was written, what it's purpose was. Allow yourself to put some theory under the belt and analyze pieces of the song. You'll be able to learn just that much easier.  And, it shows some respect for the craft that you are learning. 

So, there you have it. Learning isn't just about plowing through the notes. Understanding the purpose behind the song and putting yourself in a place where you are ready to learn or play can help you to get the most out of what you are learning.

Want to know more about practice techniques? I'd love to hear from you! E-mail Brooke at info@apollomusicstudios.com.  Or, check out my website at www.apollomusicstudios.com.  

Here's to your song!

In the wonderous land of America, there is an overdrawn saying that is used by community members and professional musicians alike.  Our community supports the arts.  There you have it folks.  Everyone supports the arts.  

However, look at any statistics of programs and community development, and you'll find something a little different.  Maybe it's that we don't understand what support means around here, but the true arts... and artists... may not be receiving the community support that is needed.

I'll refer to some personal examples that I have.  For instance, I was invited to give some classes and seminars on the arts in a school.  Two days before I'm invited in, I'm asked to pay for the space.  Now, if I would go in, it would be showing that they support the arts, right?  However, they really aren't, considering that I now have to pay for something they invited me to do.

Let's take another example.  I'm looking into spaces in order to offer the same classes and seminars.  The people that have these certain buildings are the ones in charge of community arts and are a part of a development program.  What do they want to do?  Not get back to me about the building, not allow me a time and space to rent the area... then over charge me.  

Here's my favorite.  People that walk in the door... and say that they want to take lessons.  Then, they complain about the price (which I'm actually cheap compared to most).  And no, it doesn't stop there.  They complain when they have to get a book or an instrument or put time into coming.  I had a student show up once who couldn't pay me $20 because her mom ended up spending $2,000 at a mall.  I've even had a student complain because I wouldn't give her a lesson 2 hours after her regular time, because I should accommodate to those who want to learn. 

Support of the community arts, my friends, means this.  Respect.  Plain and simple.  Stepping up and standing by the side of musicians, artists and others that you see working in order to get something done.  And, I don't just mean standing up and saying you are supporting the person by half offering them something.  I mean offering them something to truly offer them a step forward in their career.  It doesn't have to be with money or space.  Well, sometimes it does.  But it isn't everything.  Usually that is just a reflection that you believe in what the musician is doing.  Most of the time, it's showing that you are pro-active in the concept of art.  Actually, the best support I have had is when one of my students offered me a piano bench when I broke mine.  That is true support.  It was genuine, respectful and was because he believed in what I was doing. 

We can't rely on the government, programs, scholarships or funds to do the work of the community.  The community has to do it.   

Okay, let me take another side of this.  I have a good friend who lives in a different part of the world that I always work with.  He's also a musician.  In the matter of 3 -  4 months that I know him, he's developed an entire portal for artists, combined with compositions, training programs and other necessities for musicians.  He's in the same situation as me... but the difference is... he has about 20 people who stepped up to help him.  Not for money, space or anything else, but because they can see his vision and believe in it.  The same amount of things that he has done, it has taken me 4 years to develop because there are few people here that will be as accommodating as his acquaintances.  Actually, he has offered me more support than most that are in the same zip code.

So, next time you show up for a lesson, inquire about music or are interested in musical concepts, think of how you are supporting that person in the arts.  That's true community development.  

Want to ask me questions or hear more?  Contact me at www.apollomusicstudios.com or www.coachingmusician.com. 

I think one of the funniest things that has happened in the world of music is the concept of range. For some reason, we've taken our voices and boxed them into a little corner. No, categories for voices aren't bad, but come on! There's more to singing than just that. One of the most irritating areas of voice is the concept of range.

Of course, it's almost a dichotomy. In one instance, we need a range, mostly for choir needs. For those of you that don't know the terms, it looks something like this:

Soprano – the girls that can hit the high notes

Mezzo – Soprano – the girls that can hit the other high notes, but don't go quite as high as the sopranos

Alto – the girls that hit the low notes

Tenor – the guys that hit the high notes

Baritone – the guys that don't quite hit the high notes, but are close

Bass – the guys that hit the really low notes

Something that I've noticed is that, while most of my students will stick with a range, it's easy to build range with some practice. Really, it's about learning to flex the muscles, expand your uses of the voice and allow yourself to stretch without the strain.

There are two things that you should work on when you are expanding your range. The first is that you should take the notes that you are already strong in and make them stronger. Allow them to resonate and sparkle. The second is, always stretch a little higher without the strain. Work on the different chest and head voice options and practice on letting them build in the right type of vibration.

The stronger you make your voice, the more you are able to sing and the funner it gets. So, here's to your range!

I want to hear you sing! Contact me (Brooke) at info@apollomusicstudios.comor visit my website at www.apollomusicstudios.com.  

I heard the greatest thing a couple of weeks ago. An eager singer came to see the studio. She had a great voice and a great desire to become a musician. But, as she spoke she ended up telling me this. I don't know how to make that leap into being a musician full time. It's hard to give up the life that you built so that music becomes your profession.

Well, I didn't really respond, because I'm not completely a full time musician either, but I know plenty of individuals who are, and I could be if I had the desire. Then, I started thinking about it. 

What's the fear?

Being a musician is a little bit different than a regular job. It's not a 9-5 and most likely, it doesn't come with benefits.  But, if you have a voice, are supposed to be doing music or have a desire to hit the stage, what's stopping you?

The only thing that prevents anyone from being a full time musician is what they believe in themselves and the fear and belief system that has been built off of being in music.  It means that someone is too afraid to take the step, to have the desire and to make up their mind to actually build a profession off of one of the best professions in the world.

For some reason, music has this bad rap of anyone who joins the profession is going to be a starving artist.  That's the first fear you have GOT to get rid of.  It doesn't.  As a matter of fact, I know quite a few full time musicians who are feeding their family off of a comfortable set of wages, plus some.  That's combined with all of these other fears and thought processes that are stopping you from making the leap.  That's all it takes.

That doesn't mean that you should go out and quit your job and say you are a musician.  Practically, you will have to work up to it.  Meaning you will need to do both for a while in order to study, build up your craft and to start working towards getting the gigs.  But, there is a point to that, and it's actually a benefit.  By keeping your outside job and learning to work into being a musician, you will learn to love what you are doing. 

You will learn to breathe the language, live the language and love what it has to offer, and once you do that, then your mind can work you into being a full time musician and you can get rid of the false belief patterns that have come with it as you are learning to develop this other side.

So, if you have some fear about doing what you are supposed to in music, it's time to switch off the button and get some studying done. And, that goes for everyone.  Even after playing for 22 years I still study, almost constantly, trying to find new ways to approach things, new methods and to revisit the dead guys that know more than me.  That way, I can continue to live the lifestyle of being a musician and don't have to live in fear of whether I'm good enough or not.  I'm always in progress to be better, do better and to build more with the concept of being in music.

Want to hear more about building your music profession? Contact me about my entertainment coaching or professional musician development. The e-mail is info@apollomusicstudios.com and the number is 303-657-2717.  Or, visit my websites at www.apollomusicstudios.com or www.coachingmusician.com.  

So, with a music studio, I run into a lot of people with a lot of different ideas about life.  This doesn't just include philosophies on how to live, but also how to raise kids.  As someone who doesn't have any kids of my own, I never felt in the position to have my own philosophies about who or what should be said or done, and I still don't.  

But, there is one thing I have been learning from what other parents tell me about having kids.  No one knows what to do with the kids that don't have an attention span.

I don't know how many people I have show up at my door that walk in and start telling me that their kid is good, but they just have ADD.  That is combined with the parent not telling them what they need to be doing, and letting them run around my house, getting into everything and causing havoc.  Usually, I don't say anything with parents and kids, as I feel like it is not my place, but really... After some broken things and some misplaced things of my own, it has to stop.

I don't care if your child is taking music lessons or walking to school, there needs to be something shown to them about discipline and respect.  Simple things like when an adult is speaking to you, you listen to them.  When you are in someone else's home, you leave their things in the place where you found them.  When someone is speaking, you don't interrupt them.  When you are going to music lessons, you focus on music lessons.  Not the penny on the floor.

Of course, we can't do or say these things, because it would be abuse and the kids just have ADD or need to be kids.  

The truth is, what these kids need is to be yelled at.  They need to get in trouble and they need to be told what is wrong and right with basic things.  They need to have boundaries and structure.  It doesn't mean an iron fist, it means putting something in their lives that they can lean onto so that they feel comfortable and don't feel like they have to be in ten places at once.  

So, my conclusion is this.  ADD is a bullshit excuse for parent's who won't take the time to be honest with their kids about what is wrong and right.  I know parenting is hard, but you chose the path.  You can't bring a kid to a teacher and tell them that you want them in lessons to discipline them or to put them in shape because they have ADD.  The kids don't need music class, they need to be grounded in the basic concepts of life.

The reason why I'm mentioning all of this is because I've decided to close my studio off to students under the age of 12.  Because of the mis-behaviors and the inability for the kids to control themselves, I'm not going to offer anymore lessons to kids that don't have basic respect for others.  I'm really sad about it, because I love it when a kid gains confidence in themselves when they are learning music.  But, I see that all of the up and coming generations are going to have to be cut off from things like this because they don't have enough discipline to pay attention and to focus on their goals.  I wonder what will happen to them when they are older?

Have your own thoughts about kids with "ADD?"  Feel free to let me know!  Visit my website at www.apollomusicstudios.com. 

There are parts of music that are a lot like cookies and sweets and other parts that are a lot like vitamins. As a teacher, I believe that kids need both.

In a lot of my past blogs, I've focused a lot on both sides. You've heard the positive reinforcement, encouragement and exploration with low pressure side. And, you have heard the keep the discipline side. Or, if you haven't read those, you are hearing it with this blog.

That's exactly what kids need. That's the huge balance of teaching, learning and even parenting. Knowing what to give the kids and when to give it to them.

Here's what I've noticed. Children typically approach me for lessons in one of three ways. The first is that they are timid, afraid and not quite sure what to do with lessons. At other times, they are divas. I actually have had a couple of four year old kids walk up to me and tell me they wouldn't take lessons because they believed that they already knew everything.  The third is that they start by testing the boundaries to see exactly how much they can get away with.

Yes, it's all intuitive from the kids. So, it boils down to this. At times, they need cookies. They need to be egged on and given a push to build up their confidence. At other times, they need to know that they need to learn and not be divas. And, at others, they just need to get whipped into shape so that they know how to be respectful and disciplined.  It's a very fine line balance, and all kids come needing a little bit of all of it.

That comes before the music. It shows in the music, but it's not just a musical thing. It's a principle that is important across all disciplines and ideas and that every good teacher probably already knows.

Want to give your kid some sweets or vitamins? Contact me at info@apollomusicstudios.com or at 303-657-2717 or check out my websites at www.apollomusicstudios.com or www.coachingmusician.com.  

Whenever a child comes for a first lesson, the first thing that I do is set ground rules. It includes things like being prepared for their lesson on time every week, practicing, paying attention to what I'm saying to me and having the discipline to correct what I tell them. Simple rules, right?

Parents, lets get real! Those rules last for about two weeks before the kids are testing boundaries, seeing how disciplined they 'really' have to be and trying to find ways out of the rules that have been set. I don't care if they are five or twelve; it always comes back around. However, the boundaries can be set back again. What it takes is a little team work.

This is where parents become involved and start teaching their children about discipline. A music teacher can do it to a certain extent, but if the parents step in and back the teacher up, it makes it all that much easier. Remind your children to be prepared, to practice and explain what discipline is about. And, team up with the teacher to make sure that your child is sticking to the rules.

Why do I keep emphasizing this? Because it is one of the most important rules to learn early on with music. If children can learn how to become disciplined first, it will be easier for them to grow in their learning later on. The more they go, the more structure they will need to learn because the music gets harder and harder. And, I'm not talking about structure that isn't fun and takes a ruler to learn.  I'm talking about structure that allows children to develop focus in learning.  If there is a continuous effort to teach children to be disciplined, it will be easier.

Want to know more? Feel free to contact me at info@apollomusicstudios.com or visit my websites at www.apollomusicstudios.com and www.coachingmusician.com. 

You probably saw me speak about this in a couple of performance blogs up, called 5 Tips for Your Next Performance. The number one rule that I speak about is carrying the stage. I think that this rule is so important that I thought I would mention it again here.

When you perform you should carry the stage. What exactly does that mean? In a nutshell, it means that you have complete control over everything that is going on during the time that you are on stage. You aren't letting the things that are happening on stage control you, but instead, you are going full force ahead with the music.

Second thing about carrying the stage: you are letting the weight go straight out to the audience. You have their full and undivided attention and it's not going anywhere. There is no snoozing, no speaking on cell phones or to friends and you could hear a pin drop.

It's really about presence. And respect. And confidence. Those are all good.

Want to really acquire it? Carry the stage by knowing your music. Forwards and backwards. Know it until you cry over it, get sick over it, want to throw it out the window and then start to breathe it. Nothing will stop the music from getting to the audience. Then, practice it again.

By the time you get to the stage, you can let the music shine, you can have the confidence that you need and you can demand whatever you want from the audience and from the musicians.

That's what it means to put the stage on your back. It's not about the stage. It's about what you have to say and how you are going to say it.

Simple as that.  

Get some help with performance.  Visit my website at www.apollomusicstudios.com or www.coachingmusician.com.