Center Stage

Depending on where you study music, you will come across different solfege systems. Each system has its advantages and disadvantages, as further explained. Moveable “Do”: This type of solfege assigns the note “do” to the 1st scale degree of whatever key you are playing in. In other words, if your piece is in A major,…

This July seems to have a dearth of what would be considered the more popular of classical composers. We’re going to switch gears a little bit and discuss a great musician of another genre, Beck Hansen (better known by just his first name). Born July 8, 1970, Beck has permeated genres such as pop, rock,…

It’s already July! Time to get out in the sun and hear some great music. New York has some awesome summer festivals, some that are even free. Go to as many as you can – these festivals aren’t all year round! 1. Central Park Summerstage: Each summer Central Park, located in Manhattan, has a concert…

Quite often we regard instruments such as the piano, violin and guitar with having a high virtuosic potential. While this is true, we also view other instruments in a light where we may think they are “easy” or sub-par to their more popular companions. Here’s a list of a few instruments that you would never…

This June we celebrate two fantastic pianists and composers from vastly different time periods. Edvard Grieg (b. June 15, 1843) and Chick Corea (June 12, 1941) were and are virtuosos of their time, respectively. Both composed music that was technically demanding, yet very popular to the general public. Edvard Grieg was born in Bergen, Norway….

After this past weeks’ NYSSMA it’s a good idea to recap on things we did well, and the things we could do better for next time. In addition, many students are participating in our upcoming recital, so this information is invaluable for the next performance! 1. Decipher your paper: While this is more of a…

These days almost everyone accesses their music via the internet. Whether it’s from Spotify, Pandora, YouTube, iTunes or other music radio/streaming sites, music has become more easily available than ever. Here we explore how this effects the music industry, the artist and the consumer. To understand the effects of music streaming, it would be wise…

NYSSMA is right around the corner! Here are a few last minute tips and suggestions to help you get the best possible score. 1. Scales: By this time you should have all your scales memorized up to speed with appropriate octaves. If not, get on it – losing points on a scale is the worst…

This week we celebrate two giants of the Romantic era, who actually share the same birthday. Johannes Brahms (b. 1833) and Pyotr (Peter) Ilyich Tchaikovsky (b. 1840) were born on May 7. They have proved to be some of the most influential and memorable composers of their era. Brahms was born Hamburg, Germany to a…

This April celebrates two great composers, one classical and one jazz. Sergei Rachmaninoff (April 1, 1873 – 1943) and Edward Kennedy “Duke” Ellington (April 29, 1899 – 1974). Both were regarded as geniuses of their craft, and left a lasting impression on the music world long after they passed. Sergei Rachmaninoff was a Russian composer…