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Happy Passover

This 2020 Passover will definitely be different. It may be difficult to find some of the items normally required for Seder. Most importantly, it will be impossible or at least not recommended to be together with family members. But Passover will still be a very special time. A little creativity and adaptation will be necessary, but the celebrations will go on. Love and light will transcend the difficulties the world faces today. May this Passover bring you and your family health, peace and happiness. Chag Pesach Sameach!

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Always Look For the Silver Lining

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The whole world is undoubtedly going through unprecedented events.  Very scary things are happening all over the globe and uncertainty just about everything is the common thread that reaches every one of us.  Somehow through all this, we should try to find the positive. Maybe we are being called to reassess priorities. Let’s try to enjoy and be thankful for what we have.  If you’re lucky enough to be healthy, be thankful. Be thankful for every one of your family members and friends who are healthy. If you’re lucky enough to be home with your family, enjoy the time you get to spend with them.  We’re usually too busy working and long for more time with our family. Play with your children, get to know them better. Make time for some of the activities you enjoy and often are too tired for, like reading, exercising, playing board games or  card games, listening to music, playing an instrument, learning something new, whatever it may be. Share these activities with your family. Call a friend you haven't talk to in a while. Write a poem.

If you’re lucky enough to be working, take care of yourself by following the CDC guidelines (wash your hands often, use hand sanitizer, keep adequate distance from other people, etc.) so you can come home safely to your family and keep them safe as well.  I guess these are common sense suggestions, but hopefully we can all be mindful and grateful for every moment. We are all in this together. Let’s make the best of it. And always remember, life is better with music and family.

Motivating your child to practice

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So your child got very excited about music. She wants to learn how to play an instrument.  You brought the instrument and signed her up for lessons. Of course practicing between lessons will be key to learning and mastering skills. Getting your child to practice between lessons may not always be challenging,  but probably, most likely, there will come a time that she may not be very enthusiastic to practice. Here are some tips from music teachers, psychologists and other experts on how to better motivate your child to practice.

 -It is very important that the child be the one making the decision about what instrument to play.  Also she should be the one deciding what type of music she’ll be learning. Children by the age of 9, or even younger will have preferences. Choosing personalized, one on one lessons easily allows for these choices.

 -Practice shouldn’t be measured by “amount of time used for practice”,  but by achieving a goal for the day. For example being able to play certain cords, scales, motive, or a drum fill or beat. Have your child be involved in deciding what the goal should be for the day. Maybe she’ll decide to practice little bits of a song she wants to play each day.

 -Try not to make it feel like an obligation, instead, try to get your child to “play for you” or challenge him to play exercises she learned last week or increase her speed. Maybe she can teach you how to play what she learned in her last lesson.

 -Be your child’s biggest fan. Ask about their lessons, have them show you what they’ve learned. Always encourage them. Maybe you can take lessons too and then practice together. Be involved and always be enthusiastic about practice time and music in general

 -Keep track of your child’s accomplishments, maybe by keeping a journal or a board displayed in the living room or kitchen. Celebrate success by doing something special. Maybe a special dinner, breakfast or meal, or outing. 

 -Have your child perform as much as possible. For family members at family gatherings. School events if possible. Recitals. Getting ready for a performance is very motivating.

 -Show your child the value of music. Talk about how many people would love to have this opportunity to learn music but not everyone does. Maybe you or other adult family members can explain how they took lessons for a short while and quit and now regret it. Take your child to concerts and shows. Play music at home, sing along. Watch musicals. Dance.

 -Find the right teacher. This is probably the most important factor. Find a teacher who understands your child’s learning style, and a person who’s able to teach concepts in a way that keeps your child interested. When your son or daughter likes his or her teacher, they’ll be more willing to take direction  and practice consistently. It’s very important that your child “connects” with her/his teacher. The best teachers are usually the ones who not only teach, but know how to be a good friend or mentor to your child. Elite knows how important having the right teacher is, so it guarantees a match with your child. If a teacher doesn’t seem to “connect”, another one will be provided and your first lesson will be free.

Black Friday Sale!!

Black Friday Sale! Sign up today and get a free lesson. Gift certificates available. Call for details. Personalized lessons. All levels. All ages. Piano, guitar, violin, voice, drums and more. #pianolessons #guitarlessons #violinlessons #voicelessons #drumlesson #ukulelelessons

Providing personalized music lessons since 1996. Reviewed as the best music school in Florida. Teaching Guitar, Piano, Drums, Violin, Voice, Ukulele, Bass, Keyboard, Saxophone, Flute, Cello Clarinet & more in areas in and around Weston, Pembroke Pines, Coral Springs, Southwest Ranches, Miami, Miramar, Hollywood, Fort Lauderdale, Plantation, Davie, Sunrise, Parkland, Boca Raton, Boynton, Delray, Pompano, Lighthouse Point, Orlando

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