Common Chord — February 2026

Monthly insights and musical guidance from Dr. Bob Lawrence

A publication of The Dallas School of Music

Common Chord is a monthly reflection from the Director of The Dallas School of Music. Each issue offers insight into music education, student development, and the values that guide our teaching community. These essays serve as an ongoing record of learning—what we’re practicing, discovering, and refining together as students, families, and educators.

FROM THE DIRECTOR

Consistency Beats Intensity!

By February, the excitement of a new year has usually faded.
The routines are familiar. The goals are still there—but the initial burst of motivation has quieted.

This is not a problem.
In fact, this is where real learning begins.

One of the most common misconceptions students have is that progress comes from intensity—long practice sessions, sudden bursts of effort, or pushing harder when things feel difficult. While energy and enthusiasm are valuable, they are not what build lasting musical skill.

Consistency does.

Music is learned the same way language is learned: through regular exposure, repetition, and thoughtful listening. Small, focused practice sessions—done consistently—develop coordination, awareness, and confidence far more effectively than occasional marathon efforts.

At The Dallas School of Music, we emphasize clarity over quantity. That means understanding what you are practicing, why you are practicing it, and returning to those ideas week after week. Technique strengthens. Rhythm stabilizes. Listening improves. These changes often happen quietly, but they are real—and they compound over time.

For students, February is an important moment to trust the process. If practice feels less dramatic, that does not mean progress has stopped. It usually means skills are settling into place. This is when habits are formed, when patience is tested, and when musicians begin to develop true independence.

For families, this is a reminder that steady support matters more than pressure. Encouragement, structure, and consistency create the environment where learning can continue to grow—especially during the less exciting middle stretch of the year.

Accomplished musicians are not built in bursts.
They are built through steady effort, thoughtful repetition, and a long view of progress.

As we move through February, stay consistent. Stay curious. Stay engaged.
The work you are doing now is laying the foundation for everything that comes next.

— Dr. Bob Lawrence
Director, The Dallas School of Music

EDUCATIONAL FOCUS

As we move through February, our instructional focus across the school centers on consistency and clarity. This is the point in the year when routines begin to solidify, and small daily habits start to shape long-term progress.

In lessons, students are refining foundational skills—steady tempo, thoughtful hand position, careful listening, and accurate note reading—while learning how to practice with greater intention at home. Rather than rushing ahead, we are emphasizing quality over quantity, helping students understand that meaningful improvement comes from focused, well-directed practice, even in short sessions.

This steady approach builds confidence, supports musical independence, and lays the groundwork for stronger musicianship as the year continues.

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

Throughout our studios this month, we are seeing students settle into a productive rhythm—arriving prepared, listening more carefully, and engaging more thoughtfully in their lessons. These moments may not always feel dramatic, but they are where real growth happens.

Families play an important role in this process, and we are grateful for the encouragement and structure provided at home. Together, these small, consistent efforts create an environment where students feel supported, motivated, and capable of steady progress.

February reminds us that music education is built one lesson at a time. The progress we see today—quiet, focused, and intentional—becomes the foundation for lasting confidence and musical growth.

CODA

Music education is a long conversation—between teacher and student, effort and understanding, patience and progress. Common Chord exists to document that conversation as it unfolds, one month at a time.

Thank you for being part of our learning community and for trusting us with your musical education. We're honored to have the opportunity to help you discover, learn, and play music.