Recitals can be the highlight of the season for many music students. It is your one shining moment to show all of your friends and family your mad skills as you rip through the ivories, shred the guitar, belt out some vibrato and move your bow effortlessly across the strings! But before you step out…
Center Stage
Five Ways to Make a Great Cover Song
In a day where nothing is noteworthy unless it has gone “viral”, there has been a whole new meaning to the words “cover song.” Just type in your favorite artist on YouTube, and there is a good chance you will have to dig your way through dozens of acoustic guitar versions made by every kid…
Need Some Inspiration? Try One Of These Musical Genres!
Every Noise at Once The link above is a really cool interactive map of almost every musical Genre imaginable and the artist and bands that are known for each particular style. Just click on the link next to map and play around. If you click the genre you can hear an example of what each…
One Way You Can Benefit From NYSSMA.
Why should I participate in NYSSMA? What could I possibly learn from being judged by a total stranger? How is NYSSMA going to make me a better musician? These are the type of questions I have been hearing a lot the past couple of months from students about whether or not they should participate in…
What is the Most Important Part of Music?
So, here is a good question for you this week: “What is the most important part of music”? Parents will often ask me “Is there a certain part of the song my child should be focusing on? Is every song different or should I make sure my child understands more about “rhythm, tempo, hand coordination,…
Does Technology Make Music Better?
This past weekend I was on a flight to Los Angeles and I came across this article about the Hapifork. Are you familiar with it? The Hapifork is the next generation of everyday utensils (or so says Skymall). The fork as we know it has remained unchanged for centuries. It has been the staple of…
How To Turn an Entire City Into a Musical Instrument
This week, I was inspired by a really cool story about a band that turned an entire city into a musical instrument! Most of you are probably not familiar with the band Efterklang. It is a Danish rock band that has been together since the early 2000’s. What caught my attention about this band was…
One Thing That Cannot Be Taught
There is one thing in life that cannot be taught, yet it is something that all of us are born knowing how to do. Do you know what it is? There is no formal education on the subject, and no PHDs in the field of study. Kids do it the best, and when adults participate…