Method of music instruction

Abstract

A method of music instruction can comprise a system in which students receive a different colored wristband upon completing various intervals of training. Each wristband can provide a sense of accomplishment to the student and provide an incentive for the student to continue his/her training. Students can receive the first wristband upon completing three months of lessons, and a different wristband after completing each three month interval thereafter until reaching eighteen months. After eighteen months, a different wristband can be awarded at each six month interval until completing thirty-six months of lessons. Students can also receive certificates and trophies in tandem with the wristbands upon completing certain intervals of training.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of instruction comprising the steps of:
 (a) providing an initial lesson to a student;   (b) scheduling a first achievement milestone on a date sixty to one hundred days after the initial lesson; and   (c) providing an award to the student upon reaching the first achievement milestone.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the first achievement milestone comprises completion of a predetermined number of lessons by the student. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the first achievement milestone comprises a test that must be taken and passed by the student. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the step of scheduling a first achievement milestone on a date sixty to one hundred days after the initial lesson comprises scheduling the first achievement milestone ninety days after the initial lesson. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 4 , further comprising scheduling a second achievement milestone on a date ninety days after the first achievement milestone. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the award comprises a wristband. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 6 , wherein the wristband includes distinctive indicia thereon. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein the distinctive indicia comprises alphanumeric characters. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein the distinctive indicia comprises a decorative logo. 
     
     
         10 . A method of music instruction comprising the steps:
 (a) providing an initial music lesson to a student;   (b) scheduling a first achievement milestone about three months after the initial music lesson; and   (c) providing an award to the student upon reaching the first achievement milestone.   
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein reaching the first achievement milestone comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of the student completing of a predetermined number of lessons by the student, and the student passing a predetermined test. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 11 , further comprising scheduling a second achievement milestone three months after the first achievement milestone, and scheduling a third achievement milestone three months after the second achievement milestone. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 10 , further comprising scheduling a first plurality of additional achievement milestones beginning three months after the first achievement milestone and continuing every three months until eighteen months after the initial music lesson. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 13 , further comprising scheduling a second plurality of additional achievement milestones beginning two years after the initial music lesson and continuing every six months until five years after the initial music lesson. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 14 , further comprising scheduling a third plurality of additional achievement milestones beginning six years after the initial music lesson and continuing every year until ten years after the initial music lesson. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the award comprises a wristband having distinctive indicia thereon, the distinctive indicia comprising at least one from the group consisting of alphanumeric characters and a decorative logo. 
     
     
         17 . A non-transitory computer readable storage medium comprising programming instructions that, when executed, causes a computer processor to perform a method of operating a music school that has provided lessons to a plurality of music students, the method comprising the steps of:
 (a) maintaining student retention data comprised of how long each of the plurality of music students has taken lessons from the music school;   (b) maintaining instrument data comprised of which instrument each of the plurality of music students has taken lessons on from the music school;   (c) cross referencing the student retention data with the instrument data and producing an instrument retention report showing an average duration of lessons for each instrument.   
     
     
         18 . The non-transitory computer readable storage medium according to  claim 17 , wherein the method further comprising the steps of:
 (a) maintaining student progress data for each of the plurality of music students, the student progress data comprising one or more selected from the group consisting of progress toward an award, teacher comments, and deadlines;   (b) providing a parent portal by which parents of the plurality of music students can log in via the Internet, and view the student progress data for their child.   
     
     
         19 . The non-transitory computer readable storage medium according to  claim 17 , wherein the method further comprises the steps of:
 (a) receiving and maintaining student source data for each of the plurality of music students, the student source data comprising a source by which each of the plurality of music students has been introduced to the music school selected from the group consisting of personal referral, walk in, Internet website, social media, radio advertising, television advertising, and print advertising; and   (b) cross referencing the student source data and the student retention data and producing a student source report showing an average duration of lessons for each source.   
     
     
         20 . The non-transitory computer readable storage medium according to  claim 19 , wherein the method further comprises the steps of:
 (a) receiving and maintaining teacher data for each of the plurality of music students, the teacher data comprising at least one teacher for each of the plurality of music students; and   (b) cross referencing the teacher data and the student retention data and producing a teacher retention report showing an average duration of lessons for each teacher.