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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
With summer practically here, all students will be enjoying their break from school, if not from music lessons as well. With so much free time, summer is the perfect opportunity for students, parents and teachers to explore new and exciting aspects of music that they may have never experienced before. The next few months provide…
Every time I find myself buried underneath the Manhattan grid, navigating my way through the tunnels between trains, it is without fail that before I am able to reach the surface of the city streets, some out of tune acoustic guitarist bombards my ears. For all the musicians I have heard panning away in the…
It is now the time of year where the weather has finally begun to warm up and the first signs of summer of are upon us. While some families might be spending their weekends at the beach or the lake, many will be sitting inside nicely air conditioned performing arts halls listening to the beautiful…