Music Lessons

Piano • Guitar • Ukulele • Clarinet • Trumpet • Sax • French Horn

I want everyone to love music as much as I do!

I am an encouraging teacher who knows how to pose a challenge and understand what a student needs. All my work has the student at heart.

Students aged 8-108

 

Beginner to intermediate. You can learn to rock the campfire or start your own band!  I can show you:

• All the chords you could ever need

• Common (and not so common) strumming patterns

• How to sing and play

• Reading chord charts, TAB and standard notation

• Clever riffs

• How to learn a song by ear

• Transposing to a different key

• Music theory

• Songwriting

For all ages as this is the perfect gateway to guitar for younger players!

We will learn:

• Open chords

• How to sing and play

• Reading chord charts, TAB and standard notation

• Fun riffs

• Music Theory

• Songwriting

All ages and abilities welcome.

 

No matter what your history is with the piano, I can help you enjoy it! All my students learn the following:

• How to play a song by ear

• Reading music and chord charts

• Chord theory and how to use it to play any pop music

• Songwriting

• How to sing and play

• Transposing to a different key

 

The genre is up to you. I am a classically trained pianist, but I also play ragtime, jazz and pop. Show me the music you love!

 

 

But I Don’t Have Any Talent!

 

Many of us say this about ourselves or our loved ones, but it is a terrible myth! As a music teacher with nearly twenty-five years of experience with hundreds of students, I am pleased to report that I have not encountered a single person who is a complete musical dud. Everyone who wants to can learn music, even if they begin lessons before they can feel the beat or if they can’t carry a tune in a bucket. Don’t worry – you will!

 

 

 

Think of it this way: you have likely already learned three of the most challenging skills known to humankind. We don’t say that only certain children have an aptitude for walking, talking or reading. For the most part, we simply expect them to keep working hard at these tremendously challenging (but immensely rewarding) tasks. Music is available for all of us to learn.

 

 

 

No one will tell you that learning to play music is easy, because it is not. It takes just as much effort and support as learning to read or speak a language, and just as much getting up and trying again as learning to walk.  But anyone can do it if they are encouraged to keep at it over time, and the pleasure gained from it is immeasurable.

 

 

Sure, having natural ability helps, but raw talent is a small part of the equation for learning something new. More important by far is determination, that stick-to-it-ivness that keeps a person trying hard to do something they know matters.

 

 

 

And music matters.

 

Jen

 

 

 

I have been a music teacher for over twenty-five years.

 

I studied classical piano since childhood, picked up the guitar over a boy as a teenager, learned a variety of band instruments in high school, and did a teaching degree in University. I’ve played for weddings, theatre productions, choirs, adjudicators, dances, markets, and, of course, friends and family.

 

I believe music is about play: each skill a musician masters creates new opportunities for them to experiment, express emotion, and connect with others. Music is also a discipline that encourages determination, self-control, emotional awareness and joy. Absolutely anyone can learn to play music.

 

I’ve worked with hundreds of students aged three to eighty-three and am fortunate to have learned from all of them. I can’t wait to work with you too!

 

Jennifer Spruit, B.Ed., MFA

 

 

 

 

 

So, Your Child is Taking Music Lessons!

 

 

 

Music is shared joy. It touches the heart and awakens the soul. But, learning an instrument is also a discipline that requires enormous effort. Music students learn more than just how to play, they also expand their capacity for self-discipline, emotional expression, and persistence.

 

How can parents help?

 

All children who grow up to be musicians (from professionals to those who can whip out the guitar at the campfire) have had family members who encouraged and supported them through their learning. They need your time and attention to be successful.

 

• Listen to them practice whenever you can. Comment on what you notice.

 

• Make sure your child has a suitable space for practicing. My parents kept our piano under the stairs in a windowless room when I was a kid, and while it was quiet, it was also really dungeon-like! A good rule of thumb is that a screen shouldn’t be on in the same room.

 

• Make sure they have a reasonable instrument. It doesn’t need to be top of the line, but it shouldn’t make the learning harder. There is nothing worse than learning to play on a terrible instrument.

 

• If your child is very young (under 9), sit with them while they practice, or enlist a teenage sibling or other grown up (lonely neighbour, enthusiastic grandparent, visiting auntie, etc.) to help. Most children love having a special time with their parent or family member. Make it fun.

 

• Attend lessons with your child if you like, particularly if they are very young.

 

• Check out their assignment book to see what they are up to.

 

• Remind them to keep going when it gets tough. Help them see how they are improving over time.

 

• Ask them what their favourite part of a song is and why.

 

• Encourage a habit of practicing daily for older students (with one day off). For the very young, practicing most days is sufficient.

 

• Ask your child about their goals for a particular song this week.

 

• Encourage your child to play about on their instrument in addition to working on their assignments. Improvising, writing music, and just plain fiddling are exactly what Mozart spent his childhood doing.

 

• Listen to music together. See live music. Sing and dance (especially if you think you can’t).

 

• Encourage your child to share their work with friends and family when they are comfortable.

 

• The support of parents grows great musicians a little each day, with lots of love and patience. Your child will appreciate your connection to their passion as they undertake their musical journey.

 

 

 

FAQ

 

 How much do you charge?

 

All lessons are $25 for a half hour.

 

Where are you located?

 

Lessons take place in my home studio (Near Courtenay Elementary School)

 

What open times do you have?

 

Please contact me or click here

 

Can I sit in on my child’s lesson?

 

With the ever changing climate in today's world events please contact me for current status

 

How can I help my child practice?

 

See So Your Child is Taking Music Lessons

 

What if I need to miss a lesson or my schedule changes?

 

You can start or stop at any time without penalty

There is no charge for a missed lesson if you let me know 24 hours in advance.

Schedule changes can usually be accommodated.

 

Do you do drop-in lessons?

 

Yes, if availability allows.

 

 

 

 

Jennifer Spruit

CONTACT

MUSIC LESSONS

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