The Fons Blog

David Lindberg

David Lindberg, Owner of David’s Music House. Canonsburg, PA.

One of my favorite responsibilities of running David’s Music House is guiding our teachers/mentors to teach more than how to just play an instrument. So much of becoming a true musician is often neglected in modern music education. Technology as a learning tool has often replaced the irreplaceable… personal, inspirational mentoring. I feel that music is best-learned through face-to-face, personal human interaction.

Our mission at David’s Music House is to Teach, Mentor and Inspire. To ensure growth in learning and inspire the student to continue studying, beyond initial curiosity, students must WANT to learn. That’s where the FACE-TO-FACE INSPIRATION comes in. Without that, you’re only selling shoes. Here’s some other things we stress at our school.

1. Learn to Perform

During the earliest stages of learning, music students need to learn how to perform in front of others. I understand that some students purely wish to play an instrument for their own entertainment. However, DMH instructors encourage all of their students to perform on our Coffee House Stage, bringing the student out of the lesson room to perform what they’ve learned to give the student the experience of audience feedback.

2. Learn to Listen and to Play With Others

Students must be taught how play music together and to listen to each other! I’ve known many musicians who find it impossible to LISTEN to other performers. David’s Music House Mentors teach students how to listen closely while playing music with others. You will learn skills such as adjusting dynamics, allowing a soloist to be heard above the rest of the ensemble. Careful listening also guides the student to play in time with rest of the group. Most importantly, listening skills allow us to hear how BEAUTIFUL a complete collection of performers sounds! This is the primary concept. taught in orchestras and big bands as each individual part only sounds musical when performed together.

3. Technology is a Tool. Real Life Music is the Best

We’ve focused on teaching listening, performing, and connecting skills as we’ve witnessed more and more young musicians tending keep their music experiences within their bedrooms, basements, or the YouTube community. We all realize the internet is leading youth to become more siloed and disconnected from inter-personal connections. YouTube lessons and performances are great tools for learning and getting feedback on your playing. However, they can also discourage students from playing with other musicians. Real life music is the best. Concentrated listening to the current moment is a skill we think most important to developing as a musician.

Learning to Perform, to Listen, and to Play Music with others guides our instruction, and inspires our motto.. “The Lesson Room Is Only The FIRST Step”. Students need not only instructed, but INSPIRED. To become great musicians, students must learn to share their work, interact with others, and become HUMBLE LISTENERS.

David

Learn more about David and his music center at http://www.davidsmusichouse.com.