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 […]
St. Clair Shores
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
The Power of Music Babble
August 9, 2011 The power of Music Babble One of the most powerful things I’ve learned my education as early childhood music specialist is that music IS a language. This is more than a catchy or cliché saying –its actually researched based and proven true. Based on the research of Gordon and the Music Learning […]
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 […]
Words of Wellness
Grosse Pointe News Article July 28, 2011 In true patriotic spirit, the Fourth of July weekend had me singing, “I’m proud to be a…Grosse Pointer.” Well that’s a bit of a fib, as technically I live in St. Clair Shores, but I did grow up in GP, and you know there’s no better place for […]