7 Notes, Frisco

At 7 Notes, musical mentors come in many different forms. Formal instructors share the responsibility of teaching with parents, who attend music lessons alongside their children per the Yamaha method. The Yamaha method focuses just as much on classroom environment as it does on the actual skills being taught. Children's parents are encouraged to actively participate at the group lessons which, instead of sticking to one instrument, explore a wide range beginning with the keyboard and children's own vocal cords. Along with seven or nine other students, the kids learn solfège, a musical language that helps them internalize pitch. Once they've matured enough to understand musical basics and jive well in an ensemble setting, they can decide on which instrument they'd like to explore in depth.

A similar approach called the Suzuki method guides piano and violin lessons. This blend of ear training and note reading also requires parents take an active role, mandating their presence at each lesson and mastering classes just for adults. The method also approaches music as a language, one that can be learned organically when teachers tweak lesson content to fit each child.