FAQ
Is the recorder the same as a precorder? What is the difference?
A precorder is slightly smaller than a recorder and uses the same fingerings as the recorder.
The most important difference is that the precorder has RAISED tone holes. This enables young players to physically 'feel' the holes that they are covering. On a regular-size recorder, the tone holes are not raised, making the holes difficult to 'feel' and to know if they are covered completely. The precorder makes it far easier for the young student to successfully cover the tone holes and thus produce the correct-sounding pitch.
Another plus for using the precorder for young students is that it is easy to blow but NOT easy to overblow. If you have heard many beginning students who are using the regular-size recorder, you know they 'squeak' a lot! This is because either they don't have the tone holes completely covered, OR they are overblowing- or both!
I want my students to hear the pitches correctly, especially since we are also learning to sing those pitches in solfege. Starting young students out on the precorder (as opposed to the recorder) has made all the difference for me and my students.
What do the lessons include and how long are they?
Video lessons run from 30 minutes or less for the youngest students, PreWindsongs K5/1st grade, to about 45 minutes for the other courses. Each lesson has a free, complete follow-along video Guided Practice, where I guide your student through the homework. Lessons use various musical games, visuals, and the method book to help the student learn, understand and practice new musical concepts.
What is required for the homework?
Students are asked to practice 2x a week for the youngest course - PreWindsongs - and 3x or more a week for all of the other courses. Each lesson also has a separate 10-15 minute Guided Practice. This is a complete 'follow-along' practice of the homework songs. This enables the student to be independent of the parent when doing their homework assignment. The Lesson link and the Guided Practice link are mailed weekly to your inbox.
How much does a course cost?
ON-Line Cost: Each semester of a course is $80. Most courses are 2 semesters. (see page for complete details)
IN-Person Cost: $30 a month for 7 months (see IN-Person/Hybrid page for complete details)
Hybrid Cost: $25 a month for 7 months (see page IN-Person/Hybrid for complete details) All of my courses have a follow-along Guided Practice AND have personal interaction with your child every other week or so, via video chat. This is when they send their solos to me and I get to cheer them on by sending a video response.
What if I don't like the course? Is there a money-back guarantee?
Actually, for ON-Line students, you get to preview the first 4 lessons of any course. If you decide to enroll after previewing, only then will you be charged for the course. Just send me an email to let me know that you want the links for the first 4 lessons, and I will gladly send those to you.