by JENNIFER HUMMLER

Sometimes, family-members will be unsure of what they should do while lessons are going on in the
home. Should everyone run and hide in their rooms until the lessons are over to provide a
quiet space for concentration?

Generally, we’d say, “No!” We know, this may go against conventional thinking, but we would rather if you just lived your lives while the lessons are happening. The only activities that should really be avoided are things that would prevent the student or teacher from actually hearing the instrument. So no loud, barking dogs or crying babies in the same room, no vacuuming, using a blender, things like that.

Our goal is to prepare students for real life. In real life, we don’t perform in ideal environments. Whether we
are preparing for a recital, a test at school, or a job interview, we all need to be able to concentrate even if other things are going on around us.

The benefits of music lessons don’t end with being able to play an instrument well; one of the many other benefits includes learning to keep focus and deep concentration even if there are distractions.