In my first year of college at Wayne State University, I noticed a comic strip in my guitar instructor’s office. The drawing was of a conductor holding his baton in a room of flames, surrounded by a pitiful-looking bunch of guitarists and banjo players. The caption read, “Conductors Hell.” After mentioning this to friends for […]
Guitar Lessons
We teach air guitar too!
Dudes: I know that you guys offer guitar lessons, piano lessons, drum lessons, violin lessons, flute lessons, ukulele lessons…basically lessons for every instrument known to mankind. But, I’m writing to find out if you offer air guitar lessons. I mean, I love the guitar and all its intricacies but, what I want to be able […]
Rkr Mom tells her story
Rock Band Jam Camp (Part I) Ok, so I don’t know what possessed me. Well, actually, I do: It’s called Summer Vacation. This is the time when us at-home RkrMoms (Rocker Moms) need to find something to entertain our kids so they don’t end up [{in the basement} on the street, {playing video games} getting […]
Music Academy in Canton
It seems like parents love the first recital. When their kid gets up there in front of a crowd for the first time and strums out his or her first guitar solo, that’s a moment a parent will never forget. But someone else is beaming when they see that child conquer their inhibitions and […]
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 […]
All about Drumming
Did you know that late night talk show host, Craig Fergueson, is a drummer? So is actor, Billy Bob Thornton and the Mindfreak himself, Criss Angel. It seems keeping steady rhythm on a set of skins would be pretty easy if Criss Angel can pull it off without the aid of mirrors or camera tricks. […]
Stolen Guitar! Please Help
Friday, September 16 at 9:00pm – September 17 at 12:00am Message from Bobby McManus: As some of you may have heard my main Seagull acoustic guitar which I use for my original music (the one with the Band-Aid) was recently stolen. While this is a major setback to my plans of recording an album Im determined […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
History of the Ukulele
Everybody thinks that the ukulele came from Hawaii. Well, while it’s true that the word ukulele is a Hawaiian word (it means, “Jumping flea”), the uke actually has Portuguese origin, taking its characteristics from the cavaquinho and the rajao. It is said that Portuguese immigrants brought the ukulele to the islands in the late 1800’s […]
Guitar Lessons in Canton Mi
I am feeling generous today so I’m going to give you a free guitar lesson by writing this blog on how to play the guitar. You will benefit from this whether you are trying to learn Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, or Classical Guitar. While each of these types […]
GPMA Canton Campus is seeking Music Teachers and Students
New Music Academy in Canton, Michigan is Seeking Teachers and Students A new Music Academy in Canton is seeking teachers for their private lessons and group music instruction program. We offer the following programs: 1. Piano Lessons, and Keyboard Lessons Piano teachers should be willing to work with students from ages 5-adult. We are […]
Canton Music Academy
The Grosse Pointe Music Academy is excited to announce that it will be expanding to Canton. The academy was initially started in Grosse Pointe, and before that, the owner used to teach 45-50 students every week in Plymouth. However, an opportunity to start a guitar store in Grosse Pointe Park arose, and they decided to […]
What are frets, and when should I have them replaced?
Frets are metal strips (usually nickel alloy) embedded along the fretboard (also called fingerboard) and located at exact points that divide the scale length in accordance with a specific mathematical formula. When a player presses a string against a fret it shortens the vibrating length of the string, thus […]
Five Ways Piano Lessons Benefit Children
Two years ago, my wife and I started our oldest daughter, then six years old, in piano lessons. Both of us being musically oriented, we feel that music instruction is just as important as enrolling her in soccer, gymnastics or ballet. But, when practice begins and the sound of scales badly played reverberates through the […]
Register Now For Fall Music Lessons
Grosse Pointe Music Academy Sign up now for Private and Group Music Lessons You can register early to get the best available times starting in September Families can save valuable time each week by scheduling lessons for 2 or more children at the same time! Private Lessons Guitar (Electric, Acoustic, and Bass Guitar) Our […]
Why is it called “rock n’ roll?” What does the “roll” mean? Why is it sometimes “and” yet sometimes “n’?”
Is “Rocket ‘88” by Jackie Brenston and his Delta Cats the very first rock and roll record? The question has inspired debate amongmusicologists for years. Another equally contentious question: Where does the term “rock and roll” come from? “Rock” is derived from the Old English roccain, related to the Old Nordicrykkja meaning, “to pull, tear, move.” The earliest […]
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 […]
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 […]