Learning Differences: Studies have shown that there are three main types of learning modes: Visual (with the eyes), Aural (with the ears), and Kinesthetic (with the hands). Everyone uses all three modes to learn, but everyone also has a DOMINANT mode. Our goal is to identify the dominant mode of each student and make adjustments in our teaching to best suit their needs. Visual students may stare at the page and play mechanically. (So we work on the memory and freeing up the performance to make it more musical). Aural students may need to hear recordings or us play the music before they can understand and perform it musically. Kinesthetic students may get lost in the score and have trouble reading notes so we get them to memorize the material as quickly as possible so they can "feel" the music when they play. In each case we concentrate on the strengths of each individual and build up their weaknesses through proven pedagogical methods. Brain Hemispheres Beginning students on all instruments are trained one hand at a time for the first few months. Because the right hemisphere controls the left hand and the left hemisphere controls the right hand, it is too confusing for the brain to put it all together at first. A few months into the lessons we start combining the right and left hands (and brain) and confusion and frustration are common. For a short time is becomes very hard to play the instrument and students often feel inadequate and want to give up. That is the reason we require new students to commit to a year with us: you have to break through the confusion and frustration to get to the point where the brain develops enough to make playing music fun. Once you reach that point, you are hooked for life. Do more than exist - live. Do more than touch - feel. Do more than look - observe. Do more than read - absorb. Do more than hear - listen. Do more than listen - understand.