Keynotes: Helping people learn music

Just how hard or easy is it to learn music? Can a non-musically inclined person actually learn the art? How long will it take for one to learn how to sing or play an instrument?

Rynette B. Polistico, teacher of Keynotes School of Music, says “yes,” music can be learned. And while she admits that some are really gifted in music, she says that a person’s dedication and genuine interest in the craft ultimately pays off.

“You can learn music, of course. You can sing or play an instrument. For some it’s easy but for others it’s difficult. But as long as you’re willing to learn, you can do it,” she said.

Polistico currently handles 270 students, most of them taking up voice lessons, piano, violin, and drums.

“I’ve got students who come twice or three times a week. Some can only come once a week. It’s fine as long as there’s consistency in coming and that they practice regularly at home,” she said.

Keynotes, now located on the Babauta Compound beside Pacific Medical Center on Gualo Rai, Middle Road, holds classes from 1:30pm to 8:15pm Mondays to Fridays and 8:30am to 6pm on Saturdays.

The music school used to hold office and classes in a building near Verizon on Middle Road.

“We moved because we wanted to have a bigger place. We needed extra room and a cozy place for students,” she said.

Keynotes, which caters mostly to five to 13 years old, began business in 2002 with Polistico as the lone teacher.

Polistico, a graduate of BS Conservatory of Music from St. Scholastica in Manila, came to the CNMI in 1994 as a music classroom teacher on Rota. She spent two years on the island.

From 1997 until she moved to Keynotes, she worked for Saipan businessman Frank Cabrera’s music school.

“I’m so glad for the opportunities I’ve had. Music has always been my passion. And I love to teach children,” she said.

Polistico personally teaches voice, piano, and the violin.

Drum and guitar lessons are being handled by another teacher.

She said she is happy that, although Keynotes is relatively a new school, it has gained a following from the local community.

“Our schedule is pretty tight but we can assure the parents that we’re giving our students adequate attention each session. I’m concerned about the students’ progress,” she said.

As teacher, she said her job is to expose the students to a variety of styles to determine what best suits them.

For instance, she said that a beginner student needs to be able to listen to as many tunes or types of songs as possible to know which is the best for his or her voice.

At Keynotes, part of the students’ annual program is a recital that not only aims to build their self-confidence but allows them to engage in a variety of productions.

“We want to develop in them the confidence to perform before an audience. At the same time, we learn what particular music best suits them,” she said.

She said Keynotes will in fact hold a recital on Oct. 17 at Pacific Islands Club’s Charley Cabaret. The event is set at 3pm and will last about two hours.

“I’m so excited. Over 60 of our students will be performing. They’ll be singing, playing the piano, violin, drums, and guitar,” she said.

Performers, she said would be doing Disney, pop, and possibly Broadway entertainment type of presentations.

She said the recital will be free to visitors. “We’d be able to offer it for free because production cost would be taken cared of by proceeds from the souvenir,” she said.

She said Keynotes has “mixed” students—locals, Filipinos, Americans.

She said many parents enroll their children so they would learn how to sing or play an instrument. At times, she said, the students themselves want to take up a music class.

“Either way, it’s good for the children. It’s always admirable for parents to encourage their children to learn new skills and learning music is one of the best gifts they can give their children,” she said.

Enrolling in a music school, she said, does not automatically turn a child into a musical prodigy, especially when the student has zero background.

“As I’ve said, some people are gifted but some take time to learn. But for those ‘not gifted’ there’s always room for learning,” she said.

For people, she said, with “untamed” voices—the kind that seems to go in all directions—“that can be treated.” She said it is a matter of choice of songs.

“You need to listen a lot to songs, try different songs, you’d later know what’s the best for your voice. The teacher should be able to help what kind of songs are good for you,” she said.

She said a person with no musical background can play well or sing well after about a year or two of consistent lesson or practice.

For piano, she said, it may take one to three years to achieve basic performance level.

She said Keynotes has a curriculum that would address each student’s needs. She said the best age to teach a child music is from age seven.

“We accept five year olds and they do learn. Age seven and up, I’d say is the best. That’s the time when the children can already read notes, have their own schedule, and develop their passion for music,” she said.

Experts said that children should recognize numbers and know the alphabet before taking up an instrument.

Polistico said a “good voice” usually comes out in the afternoon to evening. This is why recitals, concerts, and musicals are done mostly in the evening. “It’s the best time to sing,” she said.

She advised persons who are serious in learning how to sing to take care of their voices by not drinking cold drinks at least before and after a session, avoiding sweets because they cause sore throats, and avoiding cigarettes as they reduce vocal range.

Keynotes, she said, does not only cater to children but adults, too.

“It’s basically the same rule for everyone. If you want to learn something, make sure you have time, discipline to do it, and determination,” she said.

The most important of all, she said, is practice. “You only spend a limited time in school but you can practice a lot outside,” she said.

Based on her experience with children, she said “those who practice a lot learn much faster than those who don’t.”