Noteworthy

The latest news from Meyer Music and interesting stories from around the Kansas City band and orchestra scene.

Your Child’s Success in Orchestra Starts with the Right Viola Rental at Meyer Music

Viola rental and learning to play the musical instrument are crucial phases in your child's life for scores of reasons. Playing music has numerous positive effects on the brain. Musicians use their brains more efficiently to process information by using almost every area of the brain. Playing an instrument also forces musicians to use both sides of their brains, the left (the logical side) and the right (the creative side). Between brain responses and the learning experiences, the result is your child’s enhanced cognitive capacities, decision making, motivation to learn and self-confidence. According to a study published in the Journal...

How Should You Care For Your Musical Instrument?

Ah, summer, the season of slack. There’s less stuff we have to do in the summer, and more time for things we want to do. Summer is also a time to get things squared away: weed the garden, wash the car, clean the garage, organize the closet. So, while you’re in your summer square-away mode, don’t forget to take care of your musical instruments. When is the last time your band or orchestra student had their instrument professionally cleaned, tuned, adjusted, lubricated and repaired? Chances are that instrument has been played a lot, cased and carried, and taken in and...

Best Age to Take Piano

What’s the Best Age for Kids to Learn Piano? “When should my child start taking piano lessons?” That’s a question we hear often, and the answer, like the answer to any other question involving your kid, depends upon your kid. Many children are ready to start taking lessons from a piano teacher by age six. A few can start earlier, perhaps at age four or five. Some may need to wait a little longer. How do you know when your child is ready to learn to play the piano? Here are a few questions to answer: Does my child have...

Choosing the Right Musical Instrument for Your Child

Children benefit in many ways from learning to play a musical instrument. But which instrument is the right one for your child? The choices range from piccolo to piano, trumpet to tuba, and baritone saxophone to bass guitar. Children are unique, and the right choice for your child may not be the instrument their best friend plays. This is an important decision you don’t want to make more than once. Get it right the first time, so your child doesn’t ask to stop learning one instrument and start over with another. If your kid shows interest in learning to play...

The Missouri American String Teachers Association Honors Meyer Music with the Distinguished Service Award

The Missouri American String Teachers Association (MoASTA) awarded Meyer Music the Distinguished Service Award on January 26, 2023 at the 85th Annual Missouri Music Educator Association (MMEA) Conference at the Tan-Tar-A Conference Center in Osage Beach. The Distinguished Service Award ¬is presented to those who have made outstanding contributions to the cause of string education in Missouri. This award may include retail music dealers, instrument repair persons, school administrators or supervisors, state music administrators, public school and college officials, composers, orchestra conductors, active or inactive music educators and others whose support of string education has been exemplary. Tom Meyer and...

Tips for Balancing Schoolwork and Music Lessons for Busy Families

As a parent, you want your child to have a well-rounded education and opportunities to pursue their interests and passions. For many students, participating in the band or orchestra plays an important role in their lives. That means, in addition to school performances and practicing at home, they also take private music lessons. For busy families, this can be a challenge. Here are some tips to help you manage schoolwork and music lessons effectively. Make a Schedule That Includes Time for Both Schoolwork and Music Lessons It’s important to consider your child’s passion for music and see it as a...

Piano Rentals in Kansas City Made Easy

Your child has asked you for a piano. Not the keyboard they’ve been playing with for the past few months—but a real piano. While your head may be spinning, the fact your child is interested in learning the piano is a marvelous thing. There are so many benefits to learning how to play the piano such as higher self-esteem, better focus and concentration, heightened memory and dexterity—even an increase in test scores. Pianos vs. a Keyboard While a keyboard may seem financially prudent, there’s truth in the need for a budding pianist to get a feel for the real thing....

The Benefits of Piano Lessons Make Them the Perfect Fit for Just About Any Child

Maybe it was the touch of the keys on the baby grand piano in a hotel lobby, stumbling upon Jacob’s Melodies on YouTube, or your budding musician has started to air play the keys to Elton John’s “Tiny Dancer.” Whatever the moment was, you’ve realized piano lessons might be a great fit for your child. Not only will your child satisfy a natural curiosity for playing the piano, but also the experience of learning to play has many other benefits. Improved Coordination Playing piano teaches rhythm and increases hand-eye coordination and hand-foot coordination. It requires using of both hands and...

Reasons to Consider Playing the Flute

Are you new to music? A seasoned veteran? Looking for guidance on what instrument you should play? Whether you are a seasoned veteran or a beginner, choosing the right instrument for you is important. You should consider sound, the type of music you like to listen to as well as how the instrument can fit into your practice habits. If you are looking for a small, versatile instrument that is easy to take anywhere, the flute may be a good choice for you! The flute is one of the most versatile instruments The flute is small and easy to carry....

Young Musicians Need Extra Support

Playing an instrument is an art form. And in art, there is a common misconception that for young musicians it will just… come naturally. But like anything else in life, mastering an instrument comes only after hours and hours of work and dedication. Which is good news. It means anyone can become a musician, so long as they put in the time and effort. As the parent of a band or orchestra student, there are simple ways you can encourage your young musician. Early on, most parents will have to take the lead to develop good habits. But as your...

Older Entries