n this installation of the history of rock and roll, we explore the decades of the ’60s and ’70s. This is arguably rock’s pinnacle of achievement, ushering in the superstars we have all come to know and revere. While American rock and roll was still going strong with artists such as Elvis, something was brewing…
Center Stage
A History of Rock and Roll, Part I
This month we explore the roots and evolution of rock music, beginning with its inception in America. Rock music has a deep history, which is full of facts that you perhaps have never known before. We begin with the pre-history of rock and roll and how it came about. Rock and roll was a musical…
November Composer Birthdays
This month we celebrate two highly influential composers of the first half of the 20th century: Aaron Copland (b. 11.14.1900) and Benjamin Britten (b. 11.22.1913). Both paved the way for creating sonorities that were later considered characteristic of their cultures (American and British, respectively). In addition, both of these composers wrote music that was accessible…
Spooky Compositions: Getting you in the mood for Halloween!
From as early as the Medieval Era, there have been compositions of music that sound spooky or creepy to our ears. Here are a few examples you can listen to in order to create that eerie ambience for Halloween! 1. Dies Irae: The Dies Irae is originally a Gregorian Chant from the early Medieval Era….
World Music: Africa
In most music lessons, we tend to concentrate on music of the Western tradition, classical being the main one. I would like to take the time to introduce you to some instruments and music styles of other countries/continents that you may have never heard of before. In this article we will explore the instruments of…
Virtuosos of the Classical World
The month of October shares the birthdays of two of the most talented composers/performers to grace the world. Franz Liszt, born October 22, 1811 and Niccoló Paganini, born October 27, 1782 are known as virtuosos. A virtuoso is a musician whose talents are on a professional and seemingly other-worldly level. These gifted individuals break down…
Why Posture Matters
Whether you play an instrument that requires no breath (ie. piano, violin) or one that does (ie. woodwinds, brass, voice), proper posture is the fundamental key to performing properly and in a healthy manner. Without proper posture, execution of phrases can become difficult, not to mention various health problems that may arise. Here are a…
Components of an Orchestra
From talking to many students recently it is evident that there are some holes in the education of the modern-day orchestra. The symphonic orchestra has it’s roots in the Baroque Era, was solidified in the Classical Era, grew even larger in the Romantic Era and essentially has stayed the same ever since. Here are a…
Singing: Nature Versus Nurture
In this article we explore the question of whether or not being able to sing is a skill that can be learned or if it is a natural gift given to a select few. The process of learning to sing is much like learning a language; both from scientific and from anecdotal evidence you will…
Things I Wish I Did More As A Young Musician
As I get older and continue to teach younger generations of students, a slew of retrospective thoughts come into my mind. Here’s a list of things I wish I had done a little differently while I was younger. I can’t say I regret much in my music career, but I do wish to share these…