An important part of learning an instrument and performing is bowing properly. Often overlooked, taking a bow properly puts the finishing touches on a performance and adds to a student’s confidence. Not knowing this skill can lead to awkwardness in what otherwise might be a fine performance. Every teacher and instrument have their own process […]
As we pass over the year anniversary since the world was flipped upside down in a global pandemic, the need to communicate and express the gambit of our emotions and experiences grows paramount. With many ensembles and venues shuttered, many musicians face a seemingly uncertain season wondering when the next performance will take place or […]
As I continue to cope with staying at home and social distancing, I find myself searching for activities to fill my extra free time – lately, I’ve been doing some research into musical theater – anything from history, biographies, how to guides, anything goes! If you’re a fan of music theater, there’s bound to be […]
Oftentimes we celebrate the birthdays of some of the most well known composers, such as Beethoven, Mozart, and Bach. But sometimes observing the birthdays of lesser known composers is a fun way to expand our horizons. Below is a list of some notable February birthdays of various composers, some famous and some less well known. […]
During the great March on Washington in 1963, as marchers for civil rights linked their arms and joined their voices together in song, Martin Luther King, Jr. preached that he dreamed of a day when the “jangling discords of our nation” would finally be transformed into “a beautiful symphony of brotherhood.” For King, this was […]
Summer is a great time to make strides in your musical studies – give yourself a chance to grow as a musician by scheduling practice time along with all those other fun summer break activities! Here are some tips for making the most of your summer free time. Make Music the first activity of the […]
As the famous joke goes when asking for directions – “how do you get to Carnegie Hall?” The answer – “Practice, practice, practice!”. As easy as is to tell someone to “just practice”, we know that consistent practice can be challenging for some students and most teachers know, lack of consistent practice is often the […]
Today’s instrument is a little extra special because it is an instrument that the author designed and built from scratch! Let’s get to know CSM’s folk instruments – meet the Kalimba! CSM’s Kalimba was made during the pandemic lock-down by yours truly – it was a super fun learning experience that utilized some non-traditional, cutting-edge […]
It is too often that clients sign up for music lessons without really understanding what a commitment it is. For a student to be successful the client must be ready to commit time and money to get the full benefit. Those who view music lessons as just another temporary activity, misunderstand the impact music could […]
Heightened pulse. Sweaty hands. Shallow breath. Serious gaze. Anxious thoughts… Almost every musician has encountered some form of nerves or the “butterflies” before a performance. Some may even wrestle with a Glossophobia: the fear of social situations in which one is watched or judged by others (also known as “Stage Fright”). When encountering stressful situations, […]
Let’s get to know CSM’s Folk Instruments! Today’s instrument is the Bowed Psaltery – a super cool stringed instrument dating back to the 12th Century! What is a bowed psaltery? The bowed psaltery is a hollow-bodied, triangle-shaped wooden instrument set with a series of metal strings threaded through metal string pins. Bowed psalteries come in […]
How good is your memory? Are you gifted with the ability to see or hear something once and recall forever? For most musicians, even those highly trained and advanced in their specialties, overcoming forgetfulness is a part of the lifelong battle we face in daily practice. The search for perfection is elusive, yet most strive […]
Ask any seasoned music teacher what they view as one of the most critical elements for success in music lesson and the words “motivation” and “practice” will move to the top of the list. As the old saying goes, “the teacher opens the door, but the student must walk through it”. In a time where […]
The month of December marks the 250th anniversary of the birth of Ludwig van Beethoven. Great concerts and celebrations of this composer’s music had been scheduled around the world, but due to the global pandemic, these concerts have been postponed indefinitely. Instead of the sublime music of Beethoven filling concert stages and symphony halls across […]
One of the most difficult techniques new guitar students face is the dreaded bar chord. A bar is when a guitarist uses one finger to hold down 2 or more strings. Unfortunately, this technique is often made more difficult than it has to be. If a student is not made aware of body mechanics, how […]
When taking on any new hobby/activity there is always a little more needed to get started than you think. Many think all you need to go hiking is a good pair of shoes, however when you start getting into it you might realize you need a little more especially to make your time more enjoyable. […]
“Stop Going Through the Motions!”, something that I heard screamed across the football field as a kid. This refers to anyone on the football field that was not giving their all or was not in the moment. Instead, we were jogging when should’ve been sprinting or daydreaming instead of paying attention to the play on […]
As the school year begins and the recital season draws closer, it’s a good time to review some performance etiquette practices! You’ve practiced diligently to memorize your piece, you’ve signed up for a time slot, and you’ve had your dress rehearsal with your accompanist. It’s time to perform in recital! If you’re like most […]
As the days grow longer and the sun shines brighter, summer brings with it a sense of excitement and adventure. It’s the perfect time to engage in activities that uplift our spirits and create lasting memories. Among the multitude of options, music-related activities stand out as a fantastic way to enhance your summer experience. Whether […]
Something that frustrates me as a teacher is the excuse “I’m sooooo busy”. Which to me does not change the fact that you did not practice, you made no progress, and the student is getting frustrated by lack of progress. This is a trend that I’ve noticed getting worse and it may be true that […]
In my last post, I shared the beginning of my experience building a medieval harp replica at Folklore Village in early August. The post concluded with a cliffhanger – I had just carved through the side wall of my soundbox! Calamity! Read on to learn how some modern technology saved my 9th century reconstruction: I […]
Folklore Village is a folk craft school near Dodgeville, WI that offers a variety of classes covering many art mediums. The “Build a Small Harp in a Weekend” course gave me an opportunity to learn some hand carving skills while building a small medieval harp whose design is based on a depiction of a harp […]
Creative ways to practice Music Theory MusicTheory.Net is a wonderful, FREE tool to help you practice everything from intervals to complex chords. It includes both paper and ear training exercises. We highly recommend this site to prospective music majors. Sheet Music MusicNotes.com is a super helpful music download website, where you can search and read through examples […]
So you want to major in music… We’ve compiled a list of major music schools in the Tri-State area with direct links to school information and audition requirements. We hope this helps you in your journey to pursue a career in music! Remember: If you are planning on majoring in music or would like to […]