Noteworthy

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

How to Choose the Best Music Teacher (and Help Your Child Succeed in Lessons)

If you’re like most, you can look back and pinpoint a teacher who made an impact on your life. Likewise, choosing the right teacher for your child’s music lessons will make a huge difference in musical success. A great teacher can inspire a lifelong love of music, while the wrong fit may lead to frustration or discouragement. Whether your child is just beginning or older and already active in the school band or orchestra program, the combination of finding the best music teacher for private lessons, classroom instruction and your encouragement at home can make all the difference in your...

What is the Right Age to Begin Music Lessons?

When to start music lessons is a natural decision for some, but it’s not as cut and dry for others. It doesn’t simplify matters that every child is unique, and no child follows an exact development timeline. Maybe your preschooler loves making music with pots and pans, or your older child dreams of joining the school band and earning a music scholarship for college. Maybe you’re looking forward to picking up an instrument once the kids are older and you have the time. Regardless, the right time to begin music lessons depends on natural curiosity, developmental and mental readiness, and...

Best Holiday Songs to Learn on Different Instruments

With the holiday season around the corner, what better way to spread joy than through music? Whether you’re a beginner picking up an instrument for the first time or a seasoned musician, learning holiday songs adds a warm festive touch to family gatherings and celebrations. Here are some of the best songs to try on different instruments to fill your home with holiday cheer. If you’ve been thinking about taking music lessons, it’s a great time to get started. You don’t even need to own an instrument. Meyer Music offers a rent-to-own program at its three Kansas City locations. Contact...

Mastering Piano Practice: Tips from Piano Teachers to Make the Most of Your Piano Lessons

We live in a world of instant gratification. We tend to want what we want, when we want it and have little patience. Not mastering a skill right off the bat quickly leads to frustration, which causes many people to simply give up. More than 2,000 students take music lessons from Meyer Music every week, so our music teachers see their fair share of frustration, but more importantly, success and personal satisfaction. Mastering piano practice and experiencing real improvement can make a world of difference in how quickly you improve and how much fun you have along the way. After...

Could Learning Piano Benefit Your Child’s Development? Let Us Count the Ways…

As parents, we want to involve our kids in activities they enjoy, can excel in and that benefit their long-term development. But we also wonder: who has the time or money to invest in activities that may not be the right fit? It’s a tough decision. The challenge is finding something that checks all those boxes. There are the usual options like school clubs, online games and sports, but even the most left-brained kids need a creative outlet as well. For some, piano lessons could be that perfect, unique activity that will support development during childhood and last long into...

Discover the Ease and Peace of Mind of Renting a Viola from Meyer Music

The decision has been made. Your child wants to play the viola. Much like all violas are not the same, not all viola rental stores and options are the same. Of course, renting a viola compared to buying one offers flexibility and financial ease, so a viola rental is an excellent option for parents and students just beginning in orchestra. Meyer Music, with our trusted reputation among Kansas City orchestra teachers and parents, stands out as the top choice for viola rentals in the Kansas City area. The Advantages of Renting a Viola When your child decides to play the...

How to Prepare for the School Band or Orchestra Season

So long summer and hello new year for band or orchestra students. We know many band or orchestra parents are doing more than just the usual back-to-school shopping. When your child is involved in the school band or orchestra, you're in charge of renting or ensuring instruments are ready to go, your student has what the music director suggests or requires and maybe even nudging practice time. At Meyer Music, we’re here to help make this transition smooth as possible. We’ve been supporting band and orchestra students since 1966, so we know a thing or two about getting musicians’ school...

The Lifelong Benefits of Learning an Instrument

What Parents Should Know As a parent, you want to give your child opportunities that will enrich their lives and set them up for success in school and later in life. One of the best opportunities is enrolling them in band or orchestra class. Learning to play a musical instrument is proven to have several benefits that go far beyond the music room. From cognitive and emotional development to social skills and lifelong enjoyment, the advantages never end. If your student wants to pursue band or orchestra, doing so can positively impact his/her/their life now and years from now. A...

Servicing and Repairs: Prepare Your Instrument for a Harmonious Season

Servicing and Repairs: Prepare Your Instrument for a Harmonious Season As summer approaches, it's time to think about the well-being of your musical instrument. Whether you're a student, a professional musician or an avid enthusiast, Spring and Summer are perfect times to consider taking your instrument into Meyer Music for servicing and repairs. Trusting your instrument to our skilled technicians will ensure that it's in prime condition for the upcoming season, allowing you to make the most of your musical pursuits. Why Should You Service Your Instrument? Over time, musical instruments experience wear and tear. Regular usage, changes in temperature...

Practice and Preparation are Keys to Success in School Music Contests

When we think of school bands and orchestras, we might associate them with sporting events or concerts, but spring is the time when band and orchestra students prepare for spring competitions. Contests for concert bands, ensembles and solo performers fill the spring semester’s music calendar, which for many young musicians reaches its crescendo with a state music festival in April. Some high notes from school band directors Matt Bradford, band director at DeSoto High School in DeSoto, Kansas, tells us, “Contests give band members many opportunities to perform. We emphasize playing in small ensembles because it helps students prepare. Practice...