By Lyn Ransom, D.M.A. Lyn Ransom, D.M.A., is the recently-retired Director of Program Development at Music Together LLC and coauthor of Music Together Preschool. She helped to develop Music Together’s Babies Program in 1999 and was a curriculum writer for all of the Music Together song collections. In addition to 25 years’ experience teaching adults […]
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Don’t let summer stop your groove
With the summer in full swing, many students are taking breaks from their music lessons to engage in more seasonal activities. What many students don’t realize, however, is the importance of continuing practice throughout their break; a point I often push on my students. As practice time diminishes, so do many of the important physical […]
It’s a real shame when folks be throwing away a perfectly good pink guitar like that
Shortly after I blogged about how inexpensive short-scale guitars are rare, I found this pink guitar in Harper Woods on trash day. It’s an inexpensive First Act child’s guitar, but after a thorough inspection I realized that the only thing wrong with […]
Get your child a full size guitar so they can grow into it…
Wait! The title to this post is all wrong. That is the absolute worst thing that you could do to a beginning guitarist! If you subscribe to this philosophy you may as well buy clothes that are too big for them so that they can grow into them. Don’t let an ignorant sales person at […]
Practice, Practice, Practice
If we could acquire cool skills without taking the time to practice them that would certainly allow us to have a multitude of abilities that would otherwise be impossible. Maybe in the future our brains will download information and allow our bodies to know the necessary actions to perform such abilities. As of right now […]
Upgrading your guitar to a bone nut and saddle.
Often times I am asked by customers what upgrades they can make to their guitars to improve the sound of their instrument. Most of the time, I advise them to replace their nut and saddle with one made from a bone material. This is a fairly low cost repair that is always an improvement. Most […]
Am I ready for Rock Band Class?
Rock Band classes are small group lessons typically 3-5 students who work on playing together rhythmically and learning performance skills while playing their songs. An experienced teacher guides the group providing instrument coaching and objective critique. Anyone who has started a band realizes that there is certainly potential for a power clash between the lead […]
6 Benefits of Music Education for Your Child
Early childhood music education is good for your child. It helps to develop brain areas of your child, develop critical problem solving skills, etc. In this article, let me highlight some of the benefits of music education: 1. Early musical training helps develop brain areas involved in language and reasoning. It is thought that brain […]
Music Education Helps Kids’ Brains With Sound Stimuli
By Erika Krull, MS, LMHP Music Education Helps Kids’ Brains With Sound Stimuli By Erika Krull, MS, LMHP I was in several music classes when I was in school. One of the most frustrating things for the teacher had to be chatty students in class. If the whole point of your activity is to […]
Taking Music Lessons with your son or daughter
Many people frequently ask us about taking lessons with their son or daughter. We typically get that request for guitar or piano lessons and some other instruments as well. Taking music lessons with your child can be an excellent bonding experience for beginning students. Children are very inspired by watching their parents play music. Seeing […]
Should I take music lessons as an adult?
We get the many of the same questions from adults wanting to learn music all the time… Is your music academy only for children? Am I too old to learn to play guitar? Is 65 too old to learn piano? I’ve always wanted to play the violin, can I still learn? The answer is no […]
Brain Research and Music Instruction in the Curriculum
The following article appears in the online version of the Los Angles Times and was written by Liz Bowie. For years, school systems across the nation dropped classes in the fine arts to concentrate on getting students to pass tests in reading and mathematics. Now, a growing body of brain research suggests that teaching […]
Infants and Learning Music
By Lyn Ransom, D.M.A. on January 25, 2011 Lyn Ransom, D.M.A., is the recently-retired Director of Program Development at Music Together LLC and coauthor of Music Together Preschool. She helped to develop Music Together’s Babies Program in 1999 and was a curriculum writer for all of the Music Together song collections. In addition to 25 […]
Group Lessons or Private Lessons???
Group music instruction is typically for beginners looking to learn the basic fundamentals of their musical instrument before committing to a more disciplined format of private lessons. Obviously, students will always get more attention in a one-on-one teacher student setting but group lessons function very well for people new to their instrument. Currently Grosse Pointe […]
The Detroit Concert Choir
The Detroit Concert Choir (DCC), under the artistic direction of Gordon Nelson, is an international award-winning vocal ensemble. Recognized as local, national and international pacesetters of choral music, the group has built a worldwide reputation for excellence. The group’s repertoire includes international contemporary a cappella compositions, American folk and gospel, and great masterworks for chorus […]
The Story of the Star-Spangled Banner
If there is anything taken more seriously than the US flag, it’s possibly the national anthem. The Star-spangled Banner accompanies just about every major American function, and at major sporting events a significant honour is bestowed on those asked to sing what is probably the best known national anthem in the world. Listen closely to […]
Reason for cutting music education in schools is a myth!!!!
The US has radically cut back on the music classes to focus on math and science citing our slippage in international education ratings. First of all, it is interesting to note that, according to NAMM’s website, the world’s top academic countries consistently place a high value on music education. Secondly, in the latest report by […]
Susan VanHecke, author of Raggin’ Jazzin’ Rockin’: A History of American Musical Instrument Makers
Hey, drumheads! So, you already know that Zildjian cymbals and Ludwig drums are among the world’s finest. But how much do you really know about the people behind the famous names? I’ve recently written a book to clue us all in: Raggin’ Jazzin’ Rockin’: A History of American Musical Instrument Makers, published by Boyds Mills Press, […]
Tips for making the most of your piano practice times
1. Piano practice must be done regularly. A shorter daily practice time is far more effective than one long practice time a day before your lesson. 2. Make piano practice a part of your daily routine. It might be a good idea to practice during the same hour each day. Some students find it helpful […]
The Value and Quality of Arts Education: A Statement of Principles
“Every student in the nation should have an education in the arts.” This is the opening statement of “The Value and Quality of Arts Education: A Statement of Principles,” a document from the nation’s ten most important educational organizations, including the American Association of School Administrators, the National Education Association, the National Parent Teacher Association, […]