So many people contact me looking for discounted instruments or deals. Just remember, I am giving you the very best and most competitive prices I can. And if you have ever spoken to me, you know it’s not about the money to me. So please, always let me know if there’s anything we can do to make your experience better!! That’s what I’m all about folks.
Hello! Is “Lift Every Voice” truly the “Black Anthem”? I heard it described this way, and I wasn’t sure. I am open to comments. What are some other good songs?
Hi again. I am working on spirituals and gospel songs, in preparation for Black History month. It is nice to see that “Let There Be Peace on Earth” is considered “non-denominational, which my good friend Aaron says is still a denomination. At any rate, what songs are appropriate for this time? As we approach the Obama inauguration, it just feels that much more inspiring. What a great time for our country.
Hello one and all and Happy New Year! A bit of advice. Someone contacted me and said her son wanted to start the oboe. Try before you buy! Oboes (and bassoons) are incredibly expensive. And this was a grade school child. Not the wisest move. Let him/her try it out, or take a lesson with an oboe player first. Someone will be willing. Then move forward with your educated decision.
I have been so busy lately with my own choral activities that I have not had a chance to blog. I hope all of you had a good Thanksgiving holiday. Learning a new song, either instrumental or vocal can be a challenge. One can’t judge a song on its initial hearing, practice, or rehearsal. It takes a few listen-throughs to really understand where a piece is headed. Give it time before you make a decision on a song’s worth. You might discover something in the song you never knew before.
When playing the keyboard, it is so important to practice one hand at at time. When you are ready to add the left hand, perhaps just sustained chords at the beginning. Sometimes, you can just practice one hand at a time. But slowly, and one phrase at a time. Then put it together. Always build and add slowly, rather than being too ambitious and have to take away.
When young people don’t know the words to a song, they often make up nonsense words instead. This is a bad habit and should be discouraged. I often take extra time when teaching a new song just to go over the lyrics. The words and the music go hand in hand together, and it is critical that they are learned together. Sometimes, the notes of the song and the words are directly related, especially in a “story” song. Learn your words!
Hey! Sorry I have been away for a little while. I recently was recruited to join an orchestra of serious amateurs and music teachers, etc. Oh, it was so much fun! I haven’t played in a group for over a year, so this was nice, and it will get me practicing again. I enjoyed hearing the blends of the winds and all the orchestral colors again. There is nothing, nothing, like live orchestral music!
Some people are able to play the piano at sight, just by looking. Others can’t. I was recently asked if notation should be taught before or after one learns to play the notes. It is probably best to learn them one at a time, perhaps even separately. Later, one can associate the two together. After all, reading music shouldn’t hinder the actual act of performance. The sound is what’s important.
When singing, it is often so challenging for young people to remember their harmonies. I often wonder what might be the very best ways to do this. Repeated practice is the key, but some people just have a “knack” for remembering their notes. I’m not sure if this is just a “gift” or what exactly. And if someone can’t “hear” their tones, what do you do? Hmm. Just a thought. But I always take my hat off to a cappella singers. Amazing!