Alicia Norman Music Lessons

First I like to sit down with you and talk about where your heart is and what you would like out of our time together. I go over with you what I believe I can do to help you. After also going over a few questions and exercises we will get you started right away. We can go as slow or quick as you need. But I always want you to get the most for your time and money. And my goal is not to make you a professional musician over night, but to take the time to do it right! 

I have a bachelor degree in music ministry. I also have been trained professionally in vocals. I am well versed in music theory. I have also written songs for 25 years as well and completed one year in my first year of college focused on learning techniques in how to write songs well. Although I am not professionally trained on acoustic guitar, I have played for 25 years which has given me the ability to play most basic chords and through that I have acquired a good skill in playing rhythm well. I also play some piano and am musically trained in music theory on the piano, although I am not advanced enough at this time to teach piano, but can use the skills and training that I do have to help teach vocals, songwriting or music theory. 

I didn't think I was capable of teaching until I realized I was hoarding skills and techniques that could help people. I started to notice friends around me were struggling to feel confident in their skills as singers and so I felt compelled to offer helpful tips. As I did that, I realized how much it helped and they appreciated them. So then I decided to become confident in sharing the training and experience I have learned with those around me who could use even 1/8 of what I have learned. I wanted to invest in others because of those who invested in me. I wanted to believe in others who didn't feel that others believed in them. Take them under my wing because the road isn't always easy, but having others to invest in you makes it so much easier and so I wanted to do that for them! 

Beginners to moderately advanced. Most of the students I have worked with so far have been people who didn't think they could sing at all but desired deep down inside to at least just sound good enough with casual singing in church or elsewhere. Most of them assumed they were tone deaf, but through the first lesson or two I was able to show them that, that wasn't true. Most of what they assumed was from insecurities, other people's opinions of them and pitchiness through being nervous. Slowly but surely they learned to listen, relax, breathe and focus through the tips that we worked on. To see the excitement and joy of finding out you are not tone-deaf at all, is the best feeling I believe I have seen. 

Is this teacher targeting your goals or their own? There are definitely basics to learn but I believe all lessons should be customizable to the student as seems fit. Doesn't mean you'll feel super comfortable, as progress doesn't always feel great in the process, but through a healthy amount of challenge and stretching I believe each student is capable to grow. So with that I would also be on the look out for someone who will bring you outside of your comfort zones and not choose the easy route, but the simple and effective route! 

Are you willing to put in the effort and practice outside of the actual lesson? That's where true skill comes from. You learn techniques in a short period of time with me but the real work begins once you go home. Spending even just 30 minutes a week or more on what we learn, taking that time to look and sound silly (yes that's part of it, but it works and it's fun!) really works wonders!!