How to prepare for your first lesson!

So you've decided to pick up a new instrument. CONGRATULATIONS! Now what? It's exiting to pick up a new skill but knowing where and how to start can be overwhelming. Let me preface this by saying the best way to get started is to... get started. Book your first lesson and GO. So now that you've booked your first lesson, what do you need to bring? How should you prepare?

Here is your checklist:

Voice/Singing:

-Audio recorder (your smartphone is fine)

-Two, three-ring binders

-Sticky tabs, you'll thank yourself later.

-If you don't yet read music, enroll in my free online Music Theory class.

-Select at least one song to present in the lesson. This song should be a slow to moderate tempo and have a simple melody. Why? You'll have enough to think about in the lesson as you learn to produce your singing voice differently. Your song should allow you to focus on technique and not leave you worrying about the melody and keeping up with the tempo quite yet. My go-to for students who don't know what to bring is "Smile" by Charlie Chapman from Modern Times.

-Bring two copies, one for you, one for the accompanist/teacher, hole-punched, one in each binder. Find sheet music in a comfortable key for you. If you print music out from www.musicnotes.com, you can chose the key and play it first to test if it'll be a good fit. Can't read music yet? That's okay, still print two copies and bring them along and get to know the melody and lyrics well!  If your copy is digital, please make sure you can write on it in some way.

Piano:

-Audio recorder (your smartphone is fine)

-Your assigned piano book or piece, who copies please! If your copy is digital, please make sure you can write on it in some way.

Dive in and don't be shy. Be patient with yourself; the first stages may be the most difficult. Stick with it, practice, and you will see results.