Music is at the very least a small part of many people’s lives. Whether you are an amateur listener or a seasoned performer, knowing how to listen to music will benefit you on many levels. Here are a few ideas to help you along the listening process: 1. Listen to the ENTIRE work: Whether this…
Center Stage
EDM and the Dilution of Today’s Music
One of today’s most dominant musical genres is EDM, or electronic dance music. This genre covers a large span of sub-genres that may be discussed. It should not be perceived that this is a negative article against EDM, but simply a clarification of the styles found, and their effects in our musical world. Since the…
An Introduction to Jazz
Since the beginning of the 20th century, jazz music has been an influential genre and a definitive representation of American culture. It has spanned many eras and evolved throughout the years. Here is a brief overview of those eras and their progressions. Jazz arguably originated in New Orleans, Louisiana. Essentially, jazz’s roots come from the…
Sonata-Allegro Form
Continuing on last week’s article, we dive into a deeper and more complex form, sonata-allegro. This form is used mainly in classical music; understanding the inner workings of this form will lead to a higher appreciation of many classical works. It’s my belief that many people are turned off by classical music simply because they…
7 Tips for Successful Practicing
Practicing is necessary when it comes to learning an instrument. Here are a few tips to help your practice sessions run smoothly and efficiently. 1. Warmup: Don’t underestimate the power of a good warmup! Whether it’s doing scales, etudes or some fundamental exercises, a warmup prepares your body, instrument and mind for the music you’re…
An Introduction to Form
Form is the structure in which a piece of music is organized. Form provides the building blocks in which a composer will construct a coherent piece of music. Knowing the form of a piece of music is essential for performing, but just as essential for the listener in the audience. A listener who cannot identify…
The Piano Versus the Keyboard 4 Helpful ideas to guide you to a good purchase!
For beginning piano students, or those looking to upgrade, there can be many questions about what kind of instrument to buy. There are various pros and cons that go into purchasing a keyboard or piano that every parent and student should be aware of. Here are a few helpful ideas to guide you to a…
A Brief History of Classical Music: Part II
Continuing from last week’s blog, this installment continues to explain the history of classical music with a hope that students may retain a deeper understanding and appreciation of this genre. Remember, studying classical music enables minds to easily explore other genres of music, but with better analytical thought. The desired result is a musician who…
A Brief History of Classical Music: Part I
n my ten years of teaching it has always been (and for other teachers as well) a struggle to motivate certain students to study classical music. Classical music is certainly not the end-all to learning an instrument, but rather the most efficient gateway into proficiency in all musical genres. What one student can accomplish through…
Electric Guitars: What You Need To Know
In general and in the past few weeks, many parents and students are approaching me with various questions about all types of instruments. This article serves to be informative to any interested guitar beginners, and may even help to fill some gaps in education for intermediate and advanced guitar players as well. Although many amateurs…