Big News: Music Lab Launches Four Exciting New Classes!

At Music Lab, we’re constantly evolving to provide our students with the best musical education possible. Today, we’re thrilled to announce the launch of FOUR new classes, designed to expand your musical horizons and skills. Whether you’re a budding drummer, an aspiring violinist, a theory enthusiast, or a future songwriter, we have something special for you. Here’s a sneak peek into what’s coming:

1) Drum Lab 🥁

For the first time in nine years, we’re introducing a new Drum Lab class for beginners! If you’ve always wanted to learn how to keep the beat, now is your chance. Our Drum Lab will cover the basics of drumming, from rhythms to rudiments, in a fun and supportive group setting. Join us every Wednesday at 5.15pm and start your journey to becoming a proficient drummer!

2) Violin Lab 🎻

We’re excited to launch our brand-new Violin Lab, a group class dedicated to violin players of all levels. This 45-minute weekly session is perfect for those who want to delve into the world of strings, improve their technique, and play beautiful music together. Whether you’re a complete beginner or looking to refine your skills, Violin Lab is the place to be.

3) Theory Lab 🤓

For those who want to deepen their understanding of music, we’re introducing Theory Lab. This class is perfect for anyone preparing for exams, grades, GCSEs, or simply wanting to enhance their musical knowledge. We’ll cover everything from the basics of music theory to advanced concepts, ensuring you’re well-prepared for any musical challenge. Stay tuned for the announcement of days and times!

4) Songwriting Lab 🎶

Have you ever dreamed of writing your own songs? Our new Songwriting Lab is here to help you turn those dreams into reality. This weekly class will guide you through the process of writing music, crafting lyrics, and creating arrangements. It’s a fantastic complement to your instrumental skills and a must for anyone looking to make their mark in the music world.

Don’t Miss Out!

These exciting new classes are a fantastic addition to our current offerings, providing you with even more opportunities to grow and develop as a musician. And the best part? You can join any of these classes for just £14.5 a week!

So what are you waiting for? Sign up now and be a part of the musical journey at Music Lab. Let’s make some noise!

For more information or to book your place, visit our website at www.musiclabschool.co.uk/trial-lesson.

We can’t wait to see you there!

The Impact of Screen Time on Children with ADHD in Music Learning 🎶

For children with ADHD, learning music can be a powerful tool to enhance concentration, discipline, and emotional expression. However, the increasing presence of screens in children's lives can significantly affect their ability to benefit from music education. Understanding how screen time impacts these children can help parents and educators devise more effective strategies for teaching music to young learners with ADHD.

Challenges in Music Learning for Children with ADHD 🎼

Children with ADHD often face specific challenges when learning music, including:

- Difficulty Maintaining Focus 🧠: Music learning often requires extended periods of focused attention on reading music, practicing scales, or listening carefully to melodies and harmonies. For a child with ADHD, maintaining this focus can be challenging without the right teaching strategies and learning environment.

- Impulsivity in Practice and Performance ⏩: Impulsivity can lead to rushed decisions like playing notes without proper timing or skipping over more challenging parts of a piece.

- Organizational Challenges 🗂️: Learning an instrument requires a certain level of organization, such as keeping sheet music in order, maintaining a practice schedule, and remembering techniques and finger placements.

- Motor Coordination Difficulties 🤹: Many children with ADHD struggle with fine motor skills, which are crucial for playing instruments accurately and with the correct technique.

How Screen Time Exacerbates These Challenges 📱

- Overstimulation and Focus 🔊: Screens provide a barrage of visual and auditory stimuli that can overstimulate a child with ADHD, making it difficult for them to focus later during music lessons. The rapid changes and instant feedback from screens can make the sustained, patient effort required in music practice feel even more challenging.

- Disrupted Sleep and Learning 🛏️: Poor sleep can impair a child's cognitive abilities, reducing their ability to concentrate during music lessons. The blue light from screens can disrupt sleep patterns, making it harder for them to focus and retain information learned during lessons.

- Reduced Physical Activity 🏃‍♂️: Excessive screen time often leads to reduced physical activity. Physical activity is beneficial for managing ADHD symptoms as it boosts brain chemicals like dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin, which play essential roles in attention and behavior.

- Impaired Social Skills 🤝: Excessive use of screens can take away from real-life interactions and social play, which are crucial for developing social skills. For children with ADHD, practicing these skills is even more important to help mitigate social difficulties.

- Instant Gratification 🎮: Screens often provide instant feedback and gratification, which can be more appealing to children with ADHD than activities that require sustained effort and patience. This can lead to a preference for easy rewards, impacting their ability to handle delayed gratification and persevere in more challenging tasks.

- Distractibility 💨: The multitasking nature of digital environments can mirror and exacerbate the distractibility characteristic of ADHD. It makes it harder for children to practice sustained attention and working memory.

To help manage these effects, it’s beneficial to set consistent rules for screen use, ensure screens are turned off at least an hour before bedtime, and encourage activities that promote focus and interaction, such as reading, outdoor play, and structured group activities.

My Child Never Really Practises... Should They Just Quit?

Every parent wants to see their child succeed and enjoy their activities, but what if your child isn't putting in the effort to practice? It's a common scenario in music education, and the knee-jerk reaction might be to think they should quit. However, before making any drastic decisions, it's important to understand the concepts of growth mindset and the types of motivation: exogenous and endogenous.

Understanding Growth Mindset

A growth mindset, a term coined by psychologist Carol Dweck, is the belief that abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work. This contrasts with a fixed mindset, where individuals believe their talents are innate gifts. When children struggle with practice, it isn't necessarily a sign that they lack ability or interest. Rather, it could be an opportunity to foster a growth mindset by encouraging persistence, effort, and a positive attitude towards learning and improvement.

Exogenous Vs. Endogenous Motivation

Motivation can generally be categorized into two types: exogenous and endogenous. Exogenous motivation comes from external sources—rewards like trophies or praise. While this can be effective, it might not sustain long-term engagement. Endogenous motivation, however, is driven by internal rewards. This includes personal satisfaction, enjoyment of the activity, and the intrinsic value of learning.

Strategies to Foster Endogenous Motivation and Growth Mindset

1. Set Achievable Goals: Help your child set small, attainable goals that lead to bigger objectives. This allows them to experience success and understand that their efforts have a direct impact on their outcomes.

2. Encourage Self-Assessment: Teach your child to assess their own playing and identify areas for improvement. This self-reflective process helps cultivate an internal motivation to get better, rather than just practicing to meet external expectations.

3. Focus on the Process, Not Just the Outcome: Emphasize the importance of the learning process. Celebrate the effort your child puts into practicing, not just their achievements or the final performance.

4. Explore Different Genres or Instruments: Sometimes, lack of motivation stems from a lack of interest in the specific instrument or style they are currently pursuing. Experimenting with different musical styles or instruments can reignite their passion.

5. Create a Supportive Practice Environment: Make practice sessions a routine that involves support and participation from family members. This can transform practice from a solitary chore to a fun and engaging family activity.

6. Use Role Models: Share stories of musicians who have overcome difficulties and achieved greatness through persistent effort. Knowing that even successful musicians had to start somewhere and worked hard can inspire perseverance.

Before You Decide to Quit

Quitting should be the last resort. It’s crucial to first try to understand the root of the issue. Is it the choice of instrument, the teaching method, or perhaps the external pressure that's affecting their motivation? Open a dialogue with your child about how they feel and what might help them enjoy their musical journey more. Sometimes, all it takes is a shift in perspective—both for the parent and the child.

In conclusion, the decision to quit isn't as simple as it might seem. It's an opportunity to teach valuable lessons about motivation, effort, and personal growth. By fostering a supportive and understanding environment that promotes a growth mindset and internal motivation, you might find that your child rediscovers their passion for music and their willingness to practice blooms naturally.