After waving goodbye to the children, Frosty the Snowman reassures them that he will be back again someday. Did Frosty ever return as he promised? Some people who are not satisfied with the ambiguity of “I’ll be back again someday” decided to change the lyrics to “I’ll be back again on Christmas Day”. Is it […]
Detroit
The Impact and Importance of Christmas Music
Music can be found everywhere in the world. It is, after all, the universal language. Since humans learned that we could bang sticks against objects and create rhythms, we have had music. There is no form of music, though, that has been embraced across the globe quite like Christmas music. Likewise, the impact of Christmas […]
They tell me to start on acoustic but I’ve decided to start with electric guitar
Yesterday I gave you my thoughts on whether to start on acoustic or electric guitar as a beginning player. Instead of just saying you should start on acoustic, I rambled off 400 or more words so that my blog would be effective for online search engines. While I gave my opinion that I think everyone […]
The Guitar: A Functional Sculpture
An instrument can be seen as an extension of one’s own self to many people. Guitar players are certainly no exception to this. Guitars are more than they appear to many players. The instrument is not only a tool by which a musician can create their music, but also an extension of their own bodies. […]
Google Doodle Guitar Songwriting Contest
Test your songwriting ability by using the Google Doodle Guitar. Record a song 30 seconds or less to win a free T-Shirt and 25 dollar cash prize! The Google Doodle Guitar appeared on Google’s homepage a while back and it’s pretty cool and easy to play. You can drag the mouse over the strings or […]
Pave the way with music
This past July, I attended the The Guild of American Luthiers’ Twentieth National Convention/Exhibition in Tacoma, Washington. Beyond learning a plethora of new and interesting information, I discovered something very simple that I keep thinking about. The convention was held on the campus of Pacific Lutheran University (for that week it became Pacific Luthier University), […]
Open Mic Night @ Andrew’s on the Corner
Join Bobby McManus and friends for what is sure to be a tuneful evening on Friday, September 16th at Andrew’s on the Corner. Bobby will host an acoustic open mic event which will start at 9pm and go until at least 12pm. This event will happen every other week. Dates for the remainder of the […]
Join the Guitar Ensemble at Grosse Pointe Music Academy
Metro Detroit guitarists now have the chance to play in a group with other six-stringers. You can have the same experience that middle school or high school band and orchestra students so vitally benefit from. Guitar Ensemble class is not designed to replace your private lesson instruction. Instead, it is meant to be a supplementary […]
Use What Talent you possess
“Use What Talent you possess: The woods would be very silent if no birds sang except those that sang best” Henry Van Dyke (1852-1933) American scholar, educator, lyricist What do you think the quote means? I like this quote because I think he’s telling you to open up and let it out. Don’t wait […]
Learn Guitar Chords on just three strings
If you’re a beginning guitar player or a guitarist with experience, you will no doubt have fun playing the different inversions of chords on just 3 strings of the guitar. It is very common for guitar teachers to teach the chords using 6, 5, or 4 strings during beginner guitar lessons. This is a good […]
Build Your Music Vocabulary through Piano Lessons
As your Piano Insider of the Grosse Pointe Music Academy, it’s important to me that I share with you my inside information on making piano lessons work for you or for your child. These are lessons I’ve learned after succeeding in teaching lessons and learning from my mistakes as a […]
Experience Success in Piano Lessons
August 27, 2011 You’ve come to the right place. I’m the “Piano Insider” and I’ll be here blogging for the Grosse Pointe Music Academy about all things piano and music lessons. I’m a passionate music teacher who loves learning and loves seeing success in music students. I’m bringing my 10+ years of experience of teaching […]
Group Guitar Classes start in September
Starting this fall, Grosse Pointe Music Academy will have 60 minute group guitar lessons. Group lessons are a fun and affordable way to get beginner guitar instruction. We have guitar classes for ages 8-12 and ages 13 to Adult. Group Guitar Classes will consist of learning guitar skills, techniques, chords, and songs; then practicing them […]
Music School in Canton Michigan
To sign up for Music lessons please call us at 734.418.0640. Lessons will be available for Guitar, Piano, Bass Guitar, Drums, Voice and Violin on September the 6th, 2011. We will soon offer group classes for various age groups and levels. Click here to Register. After submitting your information you will receive a call from […]
If They Build It, you Will Come
You’ve heard the saying from the 1989 hit movie Field of Dreams: “If you build it, they will come.” Well, that’s a little how I felt when the Grosse Pointe Music Academy opened up in my town; just backwards, as they were the ones who built […]
Video Contest at Grosse Pointe Music Academy
Participate in this fun music video contest with a chance to with cash, music lessons, and a free T-Shirt! Are you feeling creative? We’ve decided to offer you the chance to win some cash and free music lessons by recording a solo or band musical performance. You don’t need to have any fancy equipment. We’ll […]
MUSIC TOGETHER – FAQ’s and FREE DEMOS
As a Music Together teacher I am frequently asked these questions about our early childhood mixed-age music classes: Are the same songs used every semester? Why should my child be in a mixed-age class? I’m not musical, Can I really help my child develop musical intelligence? And, my favorite: Do infants really benefit? You’re in […]
Music Together Free Demo Classes
August 23, 2011 EXPERIENCE MUSIC TOGETHER FOR FREE Why just read about a great activity to with your young child – come experience the “joy of family music” at Music Together of Grosse Pointe! We offer mixed-age licensed Music Together classes at the Grosse Pointe Music Academy. Our classes meet for 45 minutes, once a […]
When to adjust your instrument’s truss rod:
In my repair shop, I am often asked how often a “truss rod” should be adjusted. Unfortunately, there is no clear response for this question. The truss rod is in place in case it is needed, not because it is needed. In an ideal world, your truss rod would never require an adjustment unless your […]
Call Me RkrMom
If you’re smarter than I am – and you probably are! – you know that the famous first line of Herman Melville’s classic literary work Moby Dick is: “Call Me Ishmael.” By titling this, my first ever blog-post: “Call Me RkrMom,” am I attempting to tell you that this blog is destined go down in […]