Modes are inversions of a particular series of notes. In music, notes are grouped into patterns called scales that are used commonly in songwriting. Major scales have 7 unique notes in them and thus have 7 modes. The key of C Major contains the following 7 notes: C, D, E, F, G, A, and B. […]
Harper Woods
What is Tonic, Supertonic, Mediant, etc.?
If you start reading a book on music theory you will most likely come across words like Tonic, Supertonic, Mediant, Sub-Dominant, Dominant, Sub-Mediant, and Leading Tone. In the scale of C Major there are 7 notes. They are C, D, E, F, G, A, and B. In this scale, C would be the Tonic, D-Supertonic, […]
Is it ok to start on bass guitar?
There are a good number of people that don’t know the difference between a 6 string guitar and the 4, 5, or 6 string bass guitar. Those that are familiar know the vast differences in the function of each instrument. Bass guitar provides the link between rhythm and harmony that the guitar will follow with […]
What’s your favorite guitar solo?
Knowing lot’s of chords and lot’s of scales is a good thing. Knowing how chords and scales interact functionally with one another is very empowering for the creative musician. The notes in a chord are a subset of a particular parent scale. The most common scale is the Major scale which contains 7 notes and […]
Tertian Chord Harmony
Tertian chords sound like they might be chords that reside on an alien planet somewhere in the universe. While the word is not typically used, tertian chords are the fundamental chords that are used by all popular american music and most music from around the world. Tertian harmony is so common that most musicians assume […]
Do I have to learn scales on the guitar?
Many people don’t like the idea of having to practice their scales on any instrument. There seems to be this idea that because the guitar is a pop music instrument that you don’t have to learn any real fundamentals like scales to be a good player. It’s no surprise because beginning music players, regardless of […]
How many guitar chords are there?
Chords are groups of notes that when played together form some type of consonant or dissonant harmony. It’s typical for beginning guitar students to ask how many guitar chords exist. The answer is not infinity, but it’s still too many to bother counting. It’s much more productive to learn a few fundamental chords in depth […]
Can I start my lessons on a keyboard rather than a piano?
Modern technology has made it very inexpensive to get a full 88 key piano keyboard. These keyboards often have hammer-action keys which give it the feel of a real piano. Anyone who has compared keyboards without weighted keys to a real acoustic piano knows there is quite a difference. The feel from piano to the […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Grosse Pointe Symphony Orchestra Summer Concert August 7th
August 7 Summer Concert St. John Hospital, 3 p.m., Cafeteria St. John, Free Concert Guest Soloists: Don Baker, principal oboe, Detroit Symphony Orchestra; Laurie Landers Goldman, violin, Detroit Symphony Orchestra Oboe Concerto No. 3 in g minor by Handel Violin Concerto No. 2 in E major by J.S. Bach Violin and Oboe Concerto, […]
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 […]
Rhythm Society Orchestra August 4th Music on the Plaza
Music on the Plaza in the Grosse Pointe Village proudly presents the Rhythm Society Orchestra. Thursday August 4 Music on the Plaza, Grosse Pointe Bring a chair and listen to some swingin’ big band sounds. Free. Band plays 7:00 to 8:30 The RHYTHM SOCIETY is a 15-piece dance band specializing in true vintage swing music. […]
Art and Lutherie Ami Guitar
AMI Never judge a book by its cover! The Ami’s are modeled after the dimensions of a parlor guitar of the early 1900’s. Small in stature but surprisingly large where it counts most… Tone and projection. The Ami’s tone is clear and pronounced, making it a great guitar for acoustic blues, slide, folk, fingerstyle or […]