Wherever you happen to be during the holiday season, chances are you will be hearing plenty of Christmas songs. We bet you know most of the lyrics by heart and maybe you are even singing or humming along.

Are you as familiar with Hanukkah songs?

Celebrated this year from November 27th until December 5th, Hanukkah (sometimes also spelled Chanukah) celebrates the re-dedication of the holy Temple in Jerusalem after the victory over the Syrian-Greek invaders in 165 B.C. It also commemorates what many consider to be a miracle: when Judah and his followers entered the Temple, there was only enough oil to burn for one night, but it lasted for eight nights.

That’s why Hanukkah is called “the festival of lights” and is celebrated for eight days. That is also the reason why the menorah holds eight candles, and one is lit on each night of Hanukkah.

A musical celebration

It is true that Hanukkah songs are not as generally well known as Christmas carols. But there are quite a few of them, each evoking a different mood, from serious and solemn to lighthearted and funny.

One of the more popular songs is called “I Have a Little Dreidel”, referring to a four-sided spinning top with a Hebrew letter on each side. It is an upbeat and melodious tune that is traditionally played during Hanukkah.

In fact, a dreidel is not merely a child’s toy, but a symbol of what Hanukkah stands for, as reflected in the lyrics of this song, entitled “Sivivon, sov, sov, sov:”

“Dreidel, spin, spin, spin.
Chanuka is a great holiday.
It is a celebration for our nation.
A great miracle happened there.”

Another solemn song, which evokes the historical importance of Hanukkah, is called “O Rock of My Salvation” and goes like this:

“Restore the Temple where we will bring offerings.
When you will eliminate our enemies,
Then I shall sing at the rededication.”

Hanukkah can be cheery too!

Just as some of the Christmas songs are funny or at least light-hearted, so is a least one Hanukkah song that we know of. It’s called, appropriately enough, “The Hanukkah Song,” and was written and originally performed by comedian Adam Sandler, and later recorded by Neil Diamond.

This song goes to prove that even the most serious of commemorations which, like Hanukkah, are filled with deep historical significance, can have a touch of levity!

Let us do the walking (through the snow)

First things first: we don’t know how to spin the dreidel (though we can probably learn), but we do have experience in teaching all kinds of music – spiritual, secular, and anything in between.

Our Manhattan music lessons cover all kinds of instruments, as well singing and songwriting. And good news is that you don’t have to trudge with your tuba or upright bass through snow and sleet – we’ll come to you and give you lessons in the comfort of your own home or office.

So when you are done celebrating your eight nights of Hanukkah or 12 days of Christmas, give us a call!

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Photo Credit: RonAlmog

The post Light Up Your Hanukkah Celebrations with New York City Music Lessons! appeared first on Hey Joe Guitar.

Music – all genres and styles – is such a big part of our daily lives, but have you ever wondered why and how it was first invented? By the same token, you might also ponder this question: at what point of human evolution had music been created, and what did it sound like?

Those are all very good questions, and unfortunately we – or anyone else, for that matter – don’t have all the answers. The origins of music remain in the realm of mystery, but some plausible theories do exist.

This is what is now commonly accepted: a 40,000 year old flute (the oldest instrument in existence today), carved from a bear’s bone with the hollow wing-bone of a giant vulture, indicates that music was played by prehistoric tribes long before written language – and sheet music – was invented. It is believed that music of that time was used to scare off animals or as part of rituals.

This is what prehistoric music might have sounded like.

And here’s something you may not have known: Neanderthals – extinct species closely related to modern humans who lived 200,000 to 30,000 years ago – were incapable of intelligible speech, yet scientists say they played music and sang.

And here’s a mind-boggling tidbit: British archaeologists believe that our Neanderthals ancestors were partial to…arias! Here’s what they found: “The musicality of the Neanderthals can be identified more with opera than with rap because in addition to music, these hominids also used dance and body language as forms of communication.” Read more.

The birth of music

So what prompted the Neanderthals and prehistoric humans that followed them to create music? As we mentioned before, it’s all a matter of speculation. However, several theories have been formulated over the years. Let’s have a look at some of them:

Evolutionist Charles Darwin believed that music was created as a sexual come-on, kind of a “mating call,” if you will, for the purposes of procreation.

However, other researchers believe that music was invented as a social tool: to bring early humans together in order to form close-knit communities. In other words, music was used to build group cooperation – a prehistoric version of social networking we use today.

As we evolved, so did music, as well as our listening habits. True, we still appreciate music through concerts and other performances where people congregate in a group.

But we also enjoy listening to music alone. In modern times, we don’t rely on a group dynamics to survive and have evolved into a more solitary society that stresses individual needs more than those of a community. Whether this is a good or bad phenomenon we cannot say, but we are happy that music didn’t follow the fate of the Roman Empire and disappeared from our world forever.

Let’s make our own history!

The true origins of music might remain elusive, but one thing is clear: its unique ability to positively influence our emotions, mood and behavior.

We at Manhattan music lessons appreciate how music has evolved and developed over the millennia, and are happy to be part of NYC’s music scene. Whatever style of music or instrument you want to learn (no flutes made out of bears’ bones, please), our teachers will come to your Manhattan, Brooklyn or Riverdale home and give you lessons.

The post Manhattan Music Lessons: We Are Making Our Own History! appeared first on Hey Joe Guitar.

Your child has decided to learn to play an instrument– congratulations! Music lessons are among the best and most enjoyable after-school activities for kids of all ages.

The next step is to choose just the right kind of instrument – by “right” we mean one that is adapted to your child’s age, size, and interests.

It is possible that you already have a specific idea of the instrument you’d like your son or daughter to play. Maybe you played the cello in your youth and would like your kids to continue the family tradition. Please, please resist the urge to influence your child’s choice and nudge him or her in the direction you want to go. (Instead, consider continuing cello lessons yourself!)

So how exactly do you go about choosing an instrument for your child? Here are some tips:

A thought-out choice

There are two things to consider: your child’s wishes, as well as his or her body type.

Let’s start with the first criterion. Say your child has been begging for a drum set. Should you acquiesce? That depends on two factors: the child’s age and the reason for this preference.

In a case of a very young child, the choice of an instrument may be just a whim. Maybe he saw it on TV and wants to have a set in the same way he’d want a new toy. So the question you should ask yourself is: is the child mature enough to know what he wants and does he have patience and discipline to follow through in a consistent manner?

If your child is a bit older, let’s say a pre-teen, the choice of an instrument might be swayed by what her friends are playing. At that age, kids are easily influenced by their peers. As a parent, exercise good judgment in deciding whether a request for the electric guitar is based on a genuine desire to learn this particular instrument, or it is just a passing phase.

Size matters!

What if your child doesn’t know which instrument he wants to learn? Let’s go with the second factor, the body type and physical characteristics.

Keep in mind that your child should be able to handle the instrument with relative ease, both size- and weight-wise. And, he should maintain good posture while playing.

For instance, if your child is little (or just small for his age), the bassoon is not the best choice because of the wide spread of the finger holes. However, the recorder, flute or trumpet might be just the right fit.

As a general rule, any instrument that is big and / or heavy is not suited for a child – unless smaller and lighter versions are available, as is the case with the guitar, violin, cello, double bass, and others (ask us for a recommendation).

Different strokes

Here are some further guidelines that will help you choose an instrument based on your child’s physical features:

• Tuba is a great choice for kids with larger lips, while flute, recorder and clarinet are better for small lips.
• To play the trombone, the student’s front teeth should be even; if your child wears braces, he will be at a disadvantage.
• Piano playing requires not only long fingers, but also hand dexterity.

What if a child has her heart set on a given instrument, but doesn’t (yet) have the size, strength, or other physical attributes to play? Don’t just give up the whole idea of music lessons – strike the iron while it’s hot, as the saying goes. Propose another, more suitable instrument with the understanding that she can switch to her first choice in a few years. Very likely, one of two things will happen (both of them good): she will get to love the current instrument so much – and become so good at it – that she won’t want to change; OR she will transition to the other instrument but still enjoy playing the first one as well.

Can we help?

Once the choice of an instrument is made, your child will need an excellent teacher. Don’t look any further: our Manhattan music lessons are just the ticket. We will send a top-notch, highly experienced teacher to your home or office in Manhattan, parts of Brooklyn, or Riverdale section of the Bronx.

We really will take a great care of your child!

Photo credit:  Cheryl Ogle

The post Choosing an Instrument is Child’s Play – with Manhattan Music Lessons appeared first on Hey Joe Guitar.

Your children are now back at school, but what are they doing in their free time? If they are like a majority of school-age kids, they are probably spending hours playing video and / or computer games – certainly not the most productive – or healthy – way to mold their growing minds.

As a parent, you’d want your children to be involved in a wholesome, educational activity and there is certainly no shortage of those in NYC In fact, as New Yorkers, our kids are very lucky to have such a vast array of interesting things to do. However, as the temperature gets cooler and fall turns into winter, you probably would prefer an indoor activity and, preferably, one that doesn’t require you to take your child out in all kinds of inclement weather.

You came to the right place! Hey Joe Guitar offers not only music lessons for a wide variety of instruments (see below), but our teachers will actually come to your home or office, eliminating the need for long commutes for you or your child.

Now, we are not saying that your child should get involved in music to the exclusion of everything else – especially sports. But we ARE saying that music education should be a part of his or her after-school activities because of numerous benefits it provides.

Why music?

There is plenty of evidence indicating that music lessons are fundamental to children’s physical, social, intellectual, and emotional development. How? Let us count the ways:

1. It improves learning skills in reading, science, math, history, and foreign languages because music helps build reasoning and cognitive abilities
2. Boosts confidence and self-esteem, leading to better social skills.
3. Bolsters focus and concentration, which, in turn, build perseverance in setting and achieving goals
4. Improves motor skills, coordination, and agility by working all the major muscle groups
5. It’s fun! (We list it at the end, but this part is as important as all the others).

Let’s get acquainted!

Okay, so now you know all the reasons why your child will benefit from music education. Now, you might be wondering why choose Hey Joe Guitar. We are happy you asked.

We don’t mean to sound immodest, but we are really proud of our music school and our top-notch teachers, who are among the best in New York.

Again, let us list all the ways in which our Manhattan music lessons strike just the right note:

1. We teach guitar, piano, voice, drums, trumpet, trombone, brass, reeds, saxophone, clarinet flute, violin, viola, cello, strings, accordion, ukulele, banjo, recorder, and mandolin.
2. Our carefully screened teachers are all graduates of top music schools and conservatories, and have many years of teaching experience. They are patient, motivated, and used to working with children
3. Lessons will take place in the comfort and convenience of your Manhattan home or office. (We also come to parts of Brooklyn and Riverdale section of the Bronx). This way, your child will get personalized lessons geared to his or her age, level, and personality.

One more thing…

Now that you know why music training is an excellent extracurricular activity for your son or daughter (or grandchild, niece, nephew), you might be interested to know that we make the enrollment process as easy as do-re-mi.

If you sign up before November 15, 2013, you will get 25 percent off the first two months of lessons. And if you want to offer the lessons as a gift, you can purchase a gift card and get a child on the right back-to-school track!

Photo credit:  Kirstin Mckee

The post After-School Time Can Be Well Spent – With Manhattan Music Lessons appeared first on Hey Joe Guitar.

“Mom, Dad, I am BORED!” Ahhh, the sounds of summer, when school’s out and kids are footloose (and underfoot as well). How can you keep your young’uns productively busy?

Good news is that New York City offers a wide variety of exciting summertime activities for youngsters of all ages http://mommypoppins.com/newyorkcityfamily/new-york-city-kids-summer-activities-guide, so no child should be bored and whining.

Summer holidays also provide a wonderful opportunity to introduce your kids to music. They will have lots of free time to take lessons and practice, and Hey Joe Guitar with its Manhattan music lessons will be pleased to help them along the way.

Don’t forget the music!

Now, we don’t mean to say that playing an instrument and improving your child’s musical skills should be all-consuming. Children need a variety of fun activities in their spare time – visits to the zoo, swimming, monkeying around on a playground, and learning all sorts of cool stuff.

But summer days are long, and, with a little creative thinking and advance planning, music lessons will fit snugly into your child’s (and your) schedule.

In case you are wondering why it is important to initiate your son or daughter to music, we can give you numerous compelling reasons. There is a wide body of scientific evidence showing that starting music training early in life has multiple benefits on the children’s character and development – academic, intellectual, social, and emotional. Music education also helps youngsters develop concentration, discipline, and become better team players (no pun intended) – all the skills and abilities that will serve them well throughout their lives. Remember: a journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step and that first exposure to an instrument will hopefully launch a lifetime passion for music!

Hey Joe Guitar at your service!

Your children are off for the summer, but our NYC music lessons never take a break. Here are some of the advantages our school can offer during the summer and at any other time of the year, for that matter:

• We have excellent, well-trained, personable and patient teachers, all of whom are graduates of top music schools and conservatories, and the majority hold master’s degrees in music and/or teaching.  They are carefully screened to ensure they will teach your children proper techniques, adapted to their age and level.

• We teach guitar, piano, drums, trumpet, trombone, brass, reeds, saxophone, clarinet flute, violin, viola, cello, strings, accordion, ukulele, banjo, recorder, and mandolin. And, we also give voice lessons.

• We come to you! As New Yorkers ourselves, we know just how hot and humid our city is in the summer and we would never ask our students to venture outside with their sometimes-sizeable instruments. That’s why our teachers will “deliver” the lessons to your air-conditioned Manhattan or Brooklyn home or office – they don’t mind breaking a sweat so your kids don’t have to!

If you want to get a head start on summertime music training for a child (or a young-at-heart adult), or if you need further information about our in-house Brooklyn and Manhattan music lessons, please contact us.

Music – this is what’s HOT this summer!

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Photo credit:  Don O’Brien

The post No Need to Cut Class this Summer – with Manhattan Music Lessons appeared first on Hey Joe Guitar.

It’s summer! If you are a New Yorker, you are used to sweltering temperatures. Fortunately, our city has lots of green spaces, where trees and other lush vegetation provide shade and respite from heat and humidity.

So take a blanket, picnic basket and plenty of fluids, and stretch out on the grass. Whether you are sitting / lying under a clear blue sky or a dark, starry one, summertime in the city can be a blast, especially if music is your constant companion.

If you are looking for songs to enjoy throughout the summer, you came to the right place because we have lots of suggestions for you. Go ahead, prep your iPod and get ready to rock, roll, swing, or just chill out with these all-time favorite summertime tunes.

Here comes the sun

“Come on over, let’s have some fun
Dancing in the morning sun
Looking to the bright blue sky
Come and let your spirit fly
You’re living it up this brand new day
Summer sun, it’s time to play.”

These lyrics from Kelly Rowland’s “Summer Dreaming” are sure to put you in the “summery” mood. But there are many, many more songs that are great choices for those long summer days and nights. For example, how about these classic mellow sounds, “Summertime and the Livin’ is Easy” by two legendary performers, Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald.

And, for more vibe, “Summer Loving” from the movie “Grease” might be just the ticket.

Whatever genre of music you prefer for your summer playlist, these all-time classics are terrific for any mood and occasion.

Happy campers

What if you spend at least part of your summer camping in the woods, by the lake or river, rather than picnicking in a park? No problem – there are plenty of songs for the rugged, outdoor adventures, as well as quiet evenings sitting around the fire and eating smores.  Just grab your guitar and start strumming!

How about classics like “Row Your Boat.” – a perfect tune for all ages.  Then there’s a very fitting camping-and-fireside song called “There Ain’t No Bugs on Me.”

Another quirky and fun tune is titled “A Song That Gets on Everybody’s Nerve.” (Make sure you only sing it once, otherwise it may turn out to be a self-fulfilling prophecy). Good news is that there are so many different camping songs, you don’t need to sing the same one over and over again!

By the seashore

Of course, New York has some wonderful beaches and if you spend part of your summer by the ocean, your playlist should focus, appropriately enough, on the sea, sand, and surf. Here too, various songs abound.

Some “oldies but goodies” that we especially like are “The Beach Blanket Bingo”, “Surfin’ USA”, “Stranger on the Shore” and, for a more energetic, upbeat sound, “King of the Beach”.

What if you are not the park / camping / beach person, but would rather run for the hills? If mountain hiking trails are calling your name this summer, a newer version of the old Roy Rogers / Dale Evans classic, “Happy Trails”, might inspire you. Then there is also that old classic, “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough”, “Rocky Mountain High” and, for a some offbeat fun, “These Boots Are Made for Walking”.

What’s hot this summer? Music lessons!

Wherever you are spending those lazy, hazy days of summer, we hope music will be your constant companion. And so will our teachers, who will stay in NYC this summer and will be happy to start (or continue) your Manhattan music lessons in the comfort of your home or office (and if you live in Brooklyn or Riverdale, they will come to you as well).

In the meantime, wherever your adventures take you this summer, here’s one tune that will surely put you into a mellow mood all summer long.

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Photo Credit: Jelle van Lindenhuizen

The post The Sounds of Summer, with Manhattan Music Lessons appeared first on Hey Joe Guitar.

Are you ready to celebrate the 4th of July, joining Americans in our city and country in commemorating the Independence Day? So are we at Manhattan Music Lessons!

Because no matter where we came from and what our ethnic, cultural or religious background is, we are all united in commemorating July 4,1776, the day Americans declared their independence from the British.

Today, the 4th of July is a day of cheerful celebration, with picnics, parades, and fireworks displays taking places all over the country. But have you ever wondered how the very first Independence Day was celebrated?

Birth of the nation

According to historic accounts, Declaration of Independence’s full text was first published in The Philadelphia Evening Post on July 6, 1776 and publicly read in Philadelphia, Easton PA, and Trenton NJ two days later. As the announcement was made, cheerful shouts and firing of muskets greeted the proclamation. And as the news spread across the 13 original states (at that time called “colonies”), the newly independent Americans rang bells and lit bonfires, removing all signs of the British monarchy.

The following year, on July 4, 1777, ships in the Philadelphia harbor were decorated in red, white and blue, and cannons shot 13-gun salutes in honor of each state.

What about the fireworks? They didn’t become part of the celebrations until 1816, when America’s technological advances made the colorful displays possible.

Oh say can you see?

Marching bands or other musical groups perform so many patriotic songs during the July 4th celebrations, but way back in 1776, there were actually very few such melodies.

Two notable exceptions are “The Liberty Song,” released during the American Revolutionary War in 1768, and “Yankee Doodle Dandy,” first sung sometime between 1754 and 1763. Interestingly enough, “Yankee” was originally composed by British soldiers to make fun of the disheveled colonial Yankees with whom they served during the Seven Year War between the British and French North America – today’s USA and Quebec in Canada. Most people who sing “Yankee Doodle Dandy” today have no clue that this popular song was actually intended to mock our soldiers!

The songs we think of as patriotic today, such as “My Country ‘Tis of Thee,” “America the Beautiful,” “Stars and Stripes Forever,” and the national anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner” were actually composed in the 1800s. Other popular tunes, like “God Bless and America” and “This Land is Your Land,” were written in the 20th century.

On 4th of July, life’s a picnic!

NYC has plenty of Independence Day activities planned, including parades, fireworks, and concerts.

And what about the songs for your picnics and backyard barbeques, something newer (but no less patriotic) than the standard 4th of July fare listed above?

May we suggest these “gotta-love-them” tunes:

• “America” by Neil Diamond

• “Born in the USA” by Bruce Springsteen

• “R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A.” by John Mellencamp

• “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue” by Toby Keith

• “Surfin’ USA” by the Beach Boys

Red-white-and blue music

Would you like to learn to play or sing these and other patriotic tunes (or any kind of music for that matter?)

You can, with Manhattan music lessons. Please contact us so we can match you (or your family member) with an excellent music teacher who will come to your home or office. You’ll have a great experience – even without the fireworks!

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Photo Credit: Vinoth Chandar

The post Let the Freedom Ring – with Manhattan Music Lessons appeared first on Hey Joe Guitar.

“When she started to play, Mr. Steinway came down personally and rubbed his name off the piano.”
~Bob Hope

Actually, we at New York music school are pretty sure that never happened, but this very funny quote suggests that tone-deaf people shouldn’t subject their fellow men to their music.

Does this sound familiar to you? Does everyone around you run for the hills, and does your dog hide under the sofa with his paws over his ears when you start to sing or play?

Or maybe you’d like to learn to play an instrument, but you think you can’t because you have been called “tone-deaf?” This is the same as saying you can’t dance because you have “two left feet.”

However, rest assured that neither condition is terminal; in other words, both can be “cured.” Of course, we can’t talk with any level of expertise about the feet, but we do know a thing or two about overcoming the syndrome humorously referred to as  “Van Gogh’s ear for music.”

We don’t actually know whether the great painter could belt out a tune either before or after he snipped off his ear, but we have seen plenty of cases of people who enjoyed singing or playing an instrument, even though they (and everyone around them) believed they were tone / tune-deaf. Fact is, not everyone is a natural talent, but most people can (and do) become proficient at music through work and practice. That’s the truth and don’t let this message fall… on deaf ears!

Tuning in

In its strictest sense, tone-deafness means the inability to distinguish different pitches. We have all heard tuneless warbling or instrumental renditions that sound more like a subway train screeching to a stop than a piece of music.

However, before you call someone (or yourself) tone-deaf, know that this condition is actually very rare – only about 1 percent of the population is truly “amusical.” The rest of the people believed to be tone-deaf actually aren’t, even if they happen to sing / play off-key.

As the late comedian George Burns put it: “”I love to sing, and I love to drink scotch. Most people would rather hear me drink scotch.” (Though Burns was no Pavarotti, he certainly wasn’t shy about singing in public).

So the question is, why can’t some people carry even the simplest of tunes? There may be several reasons for that.

Imperfect pitch

Of course, we can’t generalize because each individual case is different, but some of the common reasons may be:

• Poor hearing: Impaired hearing can certainly diminish our ability to distinguish different pitches, sounds, rhythms, etc.

• Lack of concentration: This happens when you learn to sing or play a particular piece, but you are distracted and not focusing all your mental energies on music. Learning to play is like mastering any subject: you must pay attention!

• Poor control of vocal muscles may be another reason all your songs sound as exciting as a dentist’s drill.

• And perhaps the most common culprit of all: lack of practice. In this particular case, your flat notes are not due to tone-deafness, but, rather, to not having regular practice sessions.

Music to your ears

If the first of the above-mentioned reasons is responsible for flat notes and off-key sounds, we suggest you have a hearing test and follow whatever treatment the specialist suggests. A good hearing ability is essential not only for playing music, but for life in general.

But if you are “tuned out” because of the three other reasons – distracted mind, poor control of vocal muscles, and lack of regular practice (at least half an hour a week with a teacher), our lessons from New York music school can help.

Our teachers will come to your New York home or office, and give you vocal lessons or teach you to play an instrument. You will have an excellent, comprehensive training that includes not only the actual music part, but also all the other essential elements mentioned above. So all the music you sing or play will be easy on the ear!

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Photo Credit: foxypar4

The post New York Music School: Can’t Carry a Tune? We Will Come to the Rescue! appeared first on Hey Joe Guitar.

“All music is folk music. I ain’t never heard no horse sing a song.”
– Louis Armstrong

True, horses don’t usually belt out tunes (at least not the kind that are pleasing to a human ear), but there is at least one documented case of a singing equine – the famous Mr. Ed.

But, generally speaking, we have to agree with the great jazz trumpeter – outside of Hollywood, horses are not known for their musical abilities – it’s a definite neigh. Just as you can lead a horse to the water but can’t make him drink, you can also give him the violin, but, in all likelihood, can’t teach him to play it.

Now, the question you may be asking yourself is: do animals respond to “human” music? The answer is yes, and you heard it right from the horse’s mouth.

Monkeying around

As mentioned, animals (at least the domesticated ones) do respond to music but, according to scientists, they have their own specific preferences. A study carried out at University of Wisconsin-Madison found that our four-legged friends don’t like pitches that are too high or too low, which sound too shrill and grating to their fluffy ears.

Common consensus among animal researchers is that our pets are not fans of heavy metal and similar genres, because these types of harsh sounds make them agitated (lots of humans would agree).

One notable exception are monkeys – research showed that, unlike humans and domesticated pets, these primates love loud and shrill music. Now, THAT’s monkey business!

A different “breed” of music

What about the most common household pets, cats and dogs? Animal behaviorists say that Fido likes classical music the best. In studies, dogs that were exposed to this type of music spent less time barking, and appeared to be calmer and more relaxed.

The same is true for felines. Soft and soothing music is the cat’s meow: it seems to keep the frisky creatures from fighting, making them calm and, as far as we can tell…happy as a lark!

Now, having said all that, music is composed by humans for humans.  Let’s not forget that despite the contention that “animals are people too,” in reality they are a totally different breed (need we even say that?) This means that, given a choice, they’d prefer the so-called “species-specific” music that uses pitches, tones and tempos more adapted to their sense of hearing.

Still, there are certain similarities between “animal” and human music. For example:

• Whales use many of the musical concepts found in human music, including rhythms and structure.

• Bird songs follow rhythmic patterns and pitches that are in tune with human music.

The workings of nature are truly fascinating, aren’t they?

“People” skills only

We have news for you: it seems that you CAN teach an old dog new (musical) tricks!

Now, that doesn’t mean we can teach your dog to play the piano, so please don’t even ask! Our Manhattan music lessons do have a bite to them, but we make no bones about this: we draw a line at teaching in doghouses, stables, or barns. So if that’s the kind of lesson you have in mind, you’re barking up the wrong tree!

However, we’ll be happy to come to your (human) home or office and teach you to play any instrument. In our book, that makes a lot of horse sense!

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Photo Credit: Adam Foster

The post That’s No Bull: At Manhattan Music Lessons, We Like “Animal” Sounds appeared first on Hey Joe Guitar.

What kind of fool are you?

No, we don’t mean to offend you. But, you have to admit, this is a very pertinent question to be asked in a blog about April Fool’s Day.

Fortunately, April 1 comes but once a year so being silly or quirky for a day might be fun (and there is no age limit for silliness – anyone can do it!)

The message here is this: act the fool! There is actually some scientific evidence suggesting that people who are intentionally silly on occasion live longer. So, if you ever wanted to engage in a bit of buffoonery such as kissing the rain, chasing a flock of geese (probably difficult to do in New York) or carving your initials into a tree, go ahead – on April 1, nobody will fault you for being wacky. But please, please, don’t use April Fool’s day as an excuse to get a tattoo of snakes and dragons on your arms!

Do you feel foolish yet?

It had to start somewhere

The origins of April Fool’s Day are not known, though historians suspect that a fool initiated it. Seriously though, some theories have it that it started in 1582, the year France adopted the Gregorian calendar, shifting the observance of New Year’s Day from the end of March to January 1.

However, some traditionalists boycotted the revised schedule and continued to celebrate the New Year on April 1, becoming the laughing stocks of their entire villages (we are not quite sure, so don’t quote us on that, but we suspect that’s how the expression “which village is missing its idiot” started).

These holdouts became the butt of jokes, and the name “April’s Fool” stuck. Needless to say, this was not a politically correct era!

It’s no joke!

The only “celebrations” that take place on April 1 are assorted pranks, hoaxes, and other tomfoolery. As long as they are funny and harmless, it can be great fun.

Of course, NYC is not immune to a bit of foolishness, as evidenced by the annual April Fools’ Day Parade, which starts at Fifth Avenue and 59th Street and winds down at Washington Square Park. The only rule is to dress and act as foolishly as possible.  This is, after all, New York!

Now, you might think that you will never be on the receiving end of an April Fool’s prank because you are too clever.  However, many people have been “hoaxed,” not necessarily because they are gullible, but some of these fictitious tales are so elaborate and, at least on the surface, credible, that lots of people are fooled.

There are too many of these “tall tales” to mention here, but one famous one dates from 1957. A British TV station produced a short documentary about spaghetti harvest in Switzerland.

Unless you know for a fact that pasta doesn’t grow on trees, it’s easy to get caught in this plot.

Tricks AND treats

Are you in the mood to have fun on April 1? If you are, here’s a suggested playlist for your celebration:

“Guess I’m Dumb’” Glenn Campbell or Beach Boys

“What a Fool Believes,” The Doobie Brothers

“I Started a Joke,” Bee Gees

“Seven Day Fool,” Etta James

“How Sweet to be an Idiot,” Neil Innes

Do you want to learn more “foolish” songs? With our Manhattan music lessons you can. Even though our repertoire includes serious pieces of music as well, we’ll be happy to come to your home or office and …play the fool! (Remember though – this is your idea, not ours).

Oh yes, one more thing: in the spirit of this holiday, we’ve inserted a little hoax in this blog. Can you spot it?

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Photo Credit: www.Photobotos.com

The post Just a Silly Love Song? You can Play or Sing it, with Manhattan Music Lessons appeared first on Hey Joe Guitar.

In New York City, the week leading up to Easter (unlike the days before Christmas) is mostly quiet and laid-back. Not so in Spain and Latin / South America, where the Semana Santa, which commemorates the last week of Jesus’ life, is a big and jubilant celebration.

In fact, the Semana Santa (the Holy Week), which starts on Palm Sunday (Domingo de Ramos) and ends on Easter Sunday (Pascua), is one of the most important religious observances in the Spanish-speaking Catholic countries. There is plenty of food, music, dancing, colorful costumes, as well as elaborate processions with ornate floats, which depict scenes from the Bible.

Since the Semana Santa, which dates back to the 4the century AD, is such an important holiday, many New Yorkers of Latin and South American descent head south of the border to celebrate this event and take part in all the festivities.

Any way you look at it, the Semana Santa is a very special fiesta!

Pomp and circumstance

In nearly every community in the United States, Easter Sunday is associated more with Easter bunnies, elegant bonnets (as seen in NYC’s annual Easter parade), and egg hunts, than with religious celebrations.

In South America, however, the emphasis is on the religious context and significance of this holiday, which is one of the most important ones in the Roman Catholic Church because it commemorates Christ’s resurrection.

But even though the Semana Santa is celebrated in a similar festive fashion throughout the entire region, each individual country has its own unique twists. For example:

• During the Semana Santa, Ecuadorians eat a special soup called fanesca, made from a fish base, beans and grains.

• Young girls in the Mexican city of San Miguel de Allende, wear bride-like white dresses for the procession that takes place on Good Friday. In another city, Cadereyta, boys carry streamers during the procession.

• In Peru and El Salvador, rugs beautifully made from colorful flowers decorate the streets.

Sacred music

When we think of Latin and South American music, we think of salsa, calypso, rumba, merengue, tango, as well as other  “hot” and often fast-paced rhythms. Or, maybe we conjure up images of a traditional Mexican mariachi band.

But the Semana Santa music is different – it’s both joyous and sad. During the processions, musicians often play slow brass tones interspersed with heavy drum sounds, aptly expressing Easter’s solemnity and its religious meaning .

If you are not heading south in the week before Easter, but would like to learn to play some of the hymns and other sounds associated with this holiday, our Manhattan music lessons will help you get started. Whether you would like to try typical tunes of the Semana Santa, or any other music on any instrument, we will be happy to come to your home or office and teach you.

We can also help you play Easter-related music from this side of the border, including this classic!

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Photo Credit – Mind’s eye

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“Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!”
~ Dr. Martin Luther King in his “I Have a Dream” Speech.

On August 28, 1963, hundreds of thousands of people from all over America marched on Washington D.C. to demand equal rights in the society that was still largely segregated.

It is difficult to imagine this today, but in those days and in many places across the country, African-Americans had no right to eat in the same restaurants, stay in the same hotels, and use the same restrooms and water fountains as other citizens. These were just some of many injustices and discriminatory practices inflicted on African-Americans one hundred years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation.

King’s rousing “I Have a Dream” speech, which he had given on that summer day on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, has mobilized millions of people and spawned the 1964 Civil Rights Act.

As the country is celebrating the Martin Luther King Day on January 21 and commemorating the civil rights movement that had changed the political and social landscape of the 1950s and 60s, let’s look at some of the the songs that had inspired people to keep fighting for justice and equality.

Songs of freedom

As President Obama mentioned during a 2010 White House event celebrating the Black History Month, “the civil rights movement was sustained by music.” Singing songs of hope gave people courage and comfort in the midst of the upheaval.

In a show of solidarity and support, black and white artists like Mahalia Jackson, Harry Belafonte, Bob Dylan, and Joan Baez, joined hands in promoting the cause through a variety of uplifting songs. The best known among then was “We Shall Overcome,” which was reportedly one of King’s favorites.  The song, which had been performed by a variety of artists, including Mahalia Jackson and Pete Seeger, expresses the hopes for freedom and equality:

“We shall live in peace someday;
Oh, deep in my heart, I do believe,
We shall live in peace someday.”

Other tunes, which captured both the turmoil and optimism surrounding the civil rights movement, also gained popularity. Among them were Bob Dylan’s famous rendition of “Times They Are a-Changin’,” Shirley Verrett’s “Oh Freedom,” and “Change is Gonna Come” by Sam Cooke.

Many more songs have provided a fitting soundtrack for the struggle that had resonated deeply among musicians and American citizens of all ages and stripes. Here’s a list of the most popular ones of that time: http://newsone.com/1460645/top-10-civil-rights-protest-songs-of-all-time/

Comfort though music

You might be wondering which songs that had inspired civil rights activists were King’s personal favorites. From the historic accounts, we know that, besides the aforementioned “We Shall Overcome” by Pete Seeger, he also enjoyed a traditional Black-American spiritual, “There is a Balm in Gilead,” Mahalia Jackson’s rendition of “Amazing Grace,” as well as hymns like “All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name,” “In Christ There is No East or West” and the “Hallelujah Chorus” from Handel’s “Messiah.”

These songs are not civil rights battle cries as such, but are more spiritual in nature. Let’s not forget, however, that besides being an activist, King was also a Baptist minister, so it’s not surprising that he found strength and comfort in religion.

Could King belt out some tunes himself? His widow, Coretta Scott King, a trained classical vocalist, wrote in her 1969 book, “I never really told him he couldn’t sing. He had a good voice for a choir.”

King’s old friend, the Rev. Joseph Lowery, answered this question in witty yet diplomatic manner: “I refuse to comment on the grounds it might make me sound nasty,” he said. “His gift was speaking more than singing, but he loved music.”

Make a difference through music

Love and appreciation of music are certainly good foundations on which to build musical training.

Our Manhattan music lessons are geared to people of all ages and levels, so whether you’d like to play an instrument or sing any of the songs that came out of the civil rights movement (or any other tunes, for that matter), we will be happy to come to your home or office and teach you.

Please call us soon, and in the meantime, let’s not forget people like Martin Luther King, who had fought tough battles and gave their lives so all of us can live in a more just society.

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The post New York City Guitar Lessons: Paying Tribute to Songs That Changed History appeared first on Hey Joe Guitar.

You’ve heard the saying “music is universal,” but can you come up with names of famous musicians who have actually proven this to be true?

One person who immediately springs to mind is the Indian sitar virtuoso Ravi Shankar, who passed away last month. Maybe we wouldn’t even know what the sitar looks or sounds like if it weren’t for Shankar.

We also might not have had many opportunities to hear Indian music which is, both literally and figuratively, worlds apart from the Western sounds that most of us are familiar with.

As Shankar himself explained the difference, “Indian classical music is principally based on melody and rhythm, not on harmony, counterpoint, chords, modulation and the other basics of Western classical music.”

And the sitar, with its light and delicate sound, is the most popular string instrument of Indian music.

A different kind of sound

The instrument that Shankar played so beautifully is, to put it plainly, a long-necked lute with movable frets, played with a wire pick.

Its origins can be traced to the 10th century, when northern India fell under the Persian rule. As Persian culture and music were brought to the conquered land, a sitar-like instrument, most commonly played during religious festivals, appeared on the scene.
Throughout the centuries this instrument had undergone many changes, eventually emerging in its present form in the 18th century.

Over the years, the sitar has crossed over to the Western music. Shankar’s pupil, the Beatles’ lead guitarist George Harrison, introduced this instrument to pop music, playing it on the song “Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown”) and on the LP “Rubber Soul.”

Harrison’s sitar playing inspired Rolling Stones’ guitarist Brian Jones to learn this instrument as well, and he played it on the song “Paint it Black,” in 1966, and then a year later with Jimi Hendrix while recording the song “My Little One.”

Drumming it up

While the sitar is the principal string in Indian music, a two-piece percussion instrument called the tabla provides the main rhythmic accompaniment. Unlike the more conventional western drums, the tabla is quite delicate and can only be played with hands, rather than with sticks.

In its present form the kettle-drum-like tabla is a relative newcomer on the Indian music scene and is probably less than 100 years old, though a more primitive version is believed to date as far back as 200 BC.

Do the sitar and tabla play well together? Shankar, who was probably the best judge of the compatibility of these two Indian instruments, thought so. As he said, “the dazzling and rapid dialogue between sitar and tabla has the power to enthrall even the most uninitiated listener with its thrilling interplay.”

East meets West

We get it – the sitar and tabla are not exactly as popular (or well known) in New York City as they are in their native India.

But that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t aspire to play either of these instruments or that you won’t find anyone to teach you.

We at Hey Joe Guitar are not limited to just a few most popular instruments. We can come to your home or office and teach you any of the dozens of instruments out there, regardless of how well known they are.

Look at it this way: with New York City music lessons, you can be the first on your block to play the sitar or tabla like the Indians do!

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Photo Credit: Bradley Loos

The post The Sitar: From India With Love appeared first on Hey Joe Guitar.

“Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right.”  
~Oprah Winfrey

So let’s talk about New Year resolutions. Yes, again! Doesn’t it sound like 2011 all over again – and each year before that?

You know how it goes: you make a list of things you commit to do (or quit doing) in the New Year.  But, by the time Easter comes – or maybe even earlier – all these promises are forgotten.

We are not making it up. There are actually studies showing that only about a third of people stick to their resolutions.

And, in case you are wondering what other people resolve, there’s a government website  that lists the most popular resolutions. Not surprisingly, drinking less, eating healthier, improving education and career, as well as getting fit are at the top of the list.

We are sorry to see that learning to play an instrument is not anywhere on this list. This is not exactly music to our ears!

Be realistic!

One of the reasons that so many of us don’t follow through on our commitments (other than lack of motivation) may be that we are setting the bar too high.

For example, if you decide that in the New Year you are going to climb the Everest, when your physical condition doesn’t even allow you to climb a flight of stairs (and you don’t have any immediate plans to start exercising), then it is clear that you have been too ambitious, not to say unrealistic, in setting your goals.

The message here is that in order to bring your New Year’s resolutions to fruition, you should stick to commitments that are doable.

And of course, you should only plan to accomplish activities that are healthy, pleasant and enjoyable – take up a new hobby (like playing music or singing, for example), participate in a sports activity, visit more museums – whatever strikes your fancy and makes you happy.

That’s the best way to ensure that your resolutions for 2013 are kept.

Music rules!

You knew we would be talking about music here, didn’t you? We genuinely believe that music training is a terrific activity for people of all ages.

Why do we love music? Let us count the ways:

It makes us happier: A number of studies have shown that music reduces stress and anxiety because it releases the “feel good hormones” like endorphin and serotonin in the brain.

It makes us smarter: There is plenty of scientific evidence demonstrating that children who play an instrument not only score higher on academic tests and generally have better verbal and intelligence skills, but their emotional development is also boosted.

It makes us fitter: Yes, that’s right. Playing an instrument for one hour can burn as many as 204 calories (drums), 170 calories (trombone), 136 (rock-n-roll guitar), and 102 (piano).

It makes for a better world: Music has been shown to be a great “people connector,” bringing together hostile nations and communities in peace and harmony.

Have we convinced you yet?

We’ll let you in on a secret: we at Hey Joe Guitar have a resolution too – to continue bringing music education to people in our community in 2013 as we have done in the years past.

We’d be pleased and honored to bring our Manhattan music lessons to your home or office – all you have to do is call us.

We may not be able to motivate you to climb the Everest, but we will teach you a few crescendos anyway!

Have a happy, healthy, peaceful and MUSICAL New Year!

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Photo credit: Abhisek Sarda

The post In 2013, Bring Music Into Your Life – with Manhattan Music Lessons appeared first on Hey Joe Guitar.

“Ring out the old, ring in the new, ring, happy bells, across the snow. The year is going, let him go. Ring out the false, ring in the true.” ~Alfred Lord Tennyson, 1850 Christmas and Hanukkah are behind us, and the New Year is almost here. This is not exactly a news flash -we are not really telling you anything you don’t already know, are we? But here’s some happy news: December 21 came and went, and all of us are still here! The Mayan predictions didn’t come true, the end of the world is officially postponed, so we have every reason to rejoice and ring in the New Year in style. Whatever plans you have for the New Year’s Eve, whether it includes watching the ball drop in Times Square, partying into the wee hours of the morning, or spending time with friends and family, you will likely have a wonderful time. And chances are that some form of music will enliven your celebration.

Years come and go, but music is eternal! Fact is, live music has long been a part of New Year’s Eve revelries and some concerts have become legendary. Some of you may be too young to remember this, but for almost half a century (from 1929 to 1976), bandleader Guy Lombardo’s orchestra performed New Year’s Eve concerts, initially at Manhattan’s Roosevelt Hotel and later at the Waldorf Astoria. Broadcast first on the radio and later on network TV, these concerts – Big Band music and couples dancing cheek to cheek – have become a major part of New Year celebrations across the United States. In the mid-1970, in an effort to “rejuvenate” Guy Lombardo’s concerts, music icon Dick Clark, host of the American Bandstand, started his own program, Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve. Even though Clark passed away earlier this year, the show, hosted by Ryan Seacrest, is still part of NYC’s annual Times Square celebrations and is aired on television in prime-time. Millions of people have danced to Lombardo’s Big Band and Clark’s pop music over the years, but one of the most grandiose – though less known in the U.S. – musical performances has been the traditional New Year’s Concert of the Vienna Philharmonic, which is broadcast from Austria to an estimated 50 million people in 73 countries (in America, it can be seen on PBS on January 1). The classical tunes, which always include “The Blue Danube Waltz,” are accompanied, in selected pieces, by dancers from the Vienna State Opera Ballet. It may not be a piece of Americana in the same way as Lombardo and Clark’s concerts were, but you can’t beat these performances for classical music, Old-World charm and elegance. Sing, dance, and be merry Of course, when we think of the New Year’s music, the first song that probably comes to mind is the old tune, “Auld Lang Syne.” Penned by Robert Burns, an 18th century Scottish poet and lyricist, it is the last (and the first) song we sing as the clock strikes midnight. It is said that Burns did not intend this tune specifically to mark the New Year, but it’s title, which means “old long since” or “for old time’s sake,” as well as its lyrics, are especially appropriate for marking the end of the old year and the beginning of the new: “Should auld acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind? 
Should auld acquaintance be forgot, and auld lang syne!” While “Auld Lang Syne” might be the most popular and certainly the oldest known New Year’s song, it is not the only one. If you are in the mood for something more recent, you might want to listen to these tunes:

• “Happy New Year,” Abba
• “New Year’s Day,”
U2
• “Another Year Has Gone By,”
Celine Dion
• “Bringing in a Brand New Year,” Charles Brown
• “Funky New Year,” Eagles

Renew your commitment to music “We will open the book.  Its pages are blank.  We are going to put words on them ourselves.  The book is called ‘Opportunity’ and its first chapter is New Year’s Day.” ~Edith Lovejoy Pierce What opportunity will you seize once January 1 rolls in? We are Hey Joe Guitar hope that learning to play an instrument is at the top of your “to-do” list for 2013. Just as we have done in the years past, in the new one we will continue bringing beautiful music right into your home or office.  And, unlike the “Opportunity,” we will knock on your door more than once! So let’s begin the countdown: TEN, NINE, EIGHT, SEVEN, SIX, FIVE, FOUR, THREE, TWO, ONE… HAPPY NEW YEAR – with Manhattan music lessons!

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Photo Credit: kw~ny

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In the small Austrian village of Oberndorf stands a little, quaint chapel. On a cold and snowy December day in 1818, a local minister and a schoolteacher wrote a song there, which was to be performed at the Christmas Eve Mass that year; it was entitled “Silent Night, Holy Night.” Since that day nearly 200 years ago, this song has been translated into nearly every language and has conquered the world.

Some three decades later, across the big pond, Edmund Hamilton Sears, an American Unitarian minister in Wayland, MA wrote a poem, which he called “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear.” When the composer Richard Storrs Willis set it to music, it too had become a much-loved Christmas carol.

And in 1865, after a trip to the Holy Land, an Episcopalian rector Phillips Brooks wrote the words to “O Little Town of Bethlehem,” which was then set to music by his organist, Lewis Redner.

And here’s one more interesting tidbit, something you might not have known: James Lord Pierpont wrote “Jingle Bells” (originally called “One Horse Open Sleigh”) in 1857. Though it was intended as a Thanksgiving song, it had become associated with Christmas instead – perhaps because there isn’t much snow for horses to dash through in November.

Why are we bringing up these seemingly disparate pieces of information? Because, even though we tend to refer to these songs in general terms as “Christmas carols,” each one has its own unique history. But no matter how they came to be, they have survived and transcended centuries, and continue to bring us glad tidings each holiday season.

The happiest season of all

These and so many other songs that we sing or listen to year after year are an integral part of the Christmas celebrations.

Whether they are religious or secular, solemn or lighthearted, holiday songs have never lost their popularity or magic. The same old standards re-emerge each year, in good times and bad, among people of all age groups. There are some things that never change!
We bet that nearly everyone has his or her favorite Christmas song, even if it’s comical, like “Grandma Was Run Over by a Reindeer ” (seriously, how often does that happen?)
We hasten to say that choosing the all-time favorite holiday song is not a precise science (actually, it’s not a science at all), but just for the fun of it let it be known that the biggest selling Christmas single of all time is … TA DA!!!!…Bing Crosby’s “White Christmas.” More than 30 million copies have been sold in the past 58 years. Now, that’s what we call a classic! (Interestingly enough, this song was written by Irving Berlin, who was Jewish).
While we are on the subject of holiday music, you might be wondering what are some of the popular Hanukkah songs? We’ll give you a hint: a song called “Chanukah Bamba” is among the top 10, at least on this list:

Do you hear what I hear?

Whatever holiday songs are your favorite, we have good news for you: if you start learning to play an instrument or take voice lessons right now, by this time next year you’ll be able to play or sing Christmas carols for your friends and family.

Of course, playing an instrument or singing is an enjoyable and relaxing activity all year round, not just when it’s time to rock around the Christmas tree.

Our Manhattan music lessons make it easy and convenient: we will come to your home or office and teach you – comfort and joy all in one!

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Photo credit: Kyle Taylor

The post Joy to the World – With Manhattan Music Lessons appeared first on Hey Joe Guitar.

Are you one of 780 million people worldwide who viewed Psy’s “Gangnam Style” YouTube video?

There’s no doubt that this (no pun intended) song-and-dance number is funky, upbeat, and totally catchy. In fact, in a few months since the song’s July 2012 release, it catapulted into YouTube’s list of 30 most-viewed videos of all time.

Does this mean that the song will continue to be a huge hit for a long time? We can’t say one way or another (since we are not in the business of crystal ball reading), but we do know that even the hottest hit could turn out to be a flash-in-the-pan phenomenon. Just because a song has gone viral doesn’t guarantee its long-lasting success.

Here today, gone tomorrow?

There are numerous songs that sizzle for a while before they fizzle out.  As stated above, we don’t know what the future holds for “Gangnam Style” or this year’s other viral hit, Carly Rae Jepsen’s “Call Me, Maybe.” Will we still love them as much five or 10 years down the road? Stay…tuned!

Sometimes, songs that fall out of grace are the ones borne out of fads, trends, or fashions of the day. Do you remember Rick Dees’ “Disco Duck?” Though it hit number 1 on the charts in 1976, it pretty much waddled away after that.

We are not sure whether it’s the lyrics (“I was on the dance floor, acting strange. Flapping my arms, I began to cluck. Look at me… I’m the disco duck”), or the fact that this song was pegged to the disco craze of the 1970s. But, honestly, how many people are still humming that tune – or even remembering it – today?

We are thinking that perhaps songs about animals in general and poultry in particular are just not destined to be enduring hits (“Old McDonald Had a Farm” might be one notable exception). For instance, aside from occasional parties, weddings, and Oktoberfests, the 1980s craze surrounding the “Chicken Dance” faded with the declining popularity of “oom-pah” music.

These are just two examples of hits that come in with a bang but have a relatively short lifespans.

Songs that the whole world sings

“As it slowly rambles on and on
No need in bringin’ `em back,
`Cause they’re never really gone.”

   – “Just an Old-Fashioned Love Song,” Three Dog Night

Fortunately, for every tune that falls into oblivion, there are so many others that never go out of style. Why they remain popular year after year, and even decade after decade, we do not know. Maybe it has something to do with the performers, music, lyrics, or the mood and emotions these songs continue to evoke in us, time after time.

Whether it’s the Beatles, Frank Sinatra, Janis Joplin, or numerous other recording artists, in many cases their songs live on, transcending time, trends, fads, and crazes. (See 500 greatest songs of all time)

That’s what we mean by “oldies but goodies!”

True, some songs have a mass appeal, while others are more individualistic. None of the songs listed in the above link strikes your fancy? Don’t worry, and …march to your own beat!

You probably have favorite songs of your own, the ones you like to listen to on your iPod. It doesn’t really matter how old they (or you) are – as long as they tug at your heartstrings and hold a special meaning to you (even if nobody else shares this particular affinity), that’s all that matters.

The beat goes on

We at Hey Joe Guitar have been around long enough to know that great music and beautiful songs have a universal appeal.

That is one compelling reason to take up singing or learn an instrument of your choice.  Our Manhattan music lessons make it easy and convenient – we will come to your home or office and teach you. No disco ducks or chicken dances, just beautiful music!

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The post Take to Our Manhattan Music Lessons as a Duck Takes to Water! appeared first on Hey Joe Guitar.

“City sidewalks, busy sidewalks
Dressed in holiday style
In the air
There’s a feeling
of Christmas.”

— “Silver Bells”

True, most cities big and small exude their own special charm during the holiday season, but there is no denying that Christmas, Hanukkah and New Years’ Eve in New York is truly magical.

It is not only because the city glistens and glows with millions of sparkling lights and vibrant colors. Whether you are ice skating under the giant glitzed up spruce in Rockefeller Center, or taking a leisurely ride through Central Park in a one-horse open sleigh (which, needless to say, is jingling all the way), holiday time in the Big Apple is as enchanting as a fairy tale.

While we at Hey Joe Guitar love our city at any time of the year, we are partial to the Christmas season. One of the many reasons we love New York during the holidays is because its concert halls, churches, and other venues resound with beautiful music.

No doubt about it, holiday season in New York is the most wonderful time of the year!

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas

If you love music – as we do – then New York is your kind of town. There is no way we can fit all the wonderful musical performances into this one blog, so we are mentioning just a few to whet your appetite:

• No holiday season would be complete without the legendary Rockettes and Radio City Music Hall’s traditional Christmas Spectacular show (1260 Sixth Avenue). Lavish sets and costumes, as well as magnificent performances, are the quintessential part of New York’s Christmas celebrations.

• What would Christmas be like without the Sugar Plum fairies and other magical creatures? At holiday time, this enchantment comes alive with The Nutcracker. Performed each year by New York City Ballet, it evokes the spirit of old-fashioned Christmases. Lincoln Center, 10 Lincoln Center Plaza.

• The West Village Chorale will perform a number of Christmas concerts during December, including its annual Messiah Sing and Caroling Walk at Judson Memorial Church, 55 Washington Square South.

As we said, these are just three of literally hundreds of musical events that take place all over the city during the holidays, which goes to prove that Christmas and great music go hand-in-hand.

The best stocking filler

All you want for Christmas are your two front teeth? Or maybe you prefer two turtle doves and a partridge in a pear tree? Wait, we have a better idea!

How about a gift that – as the saying goes – keeps on giving, long after the holidays are over? We are talking about Hey Joe Guitar’s gift card for Manhattan music lessons. The recipient of this gift card can have voice or songwriting instruction, or learn to play an instrument. And, leave the traveling to us – we’ll go anywhere in Manhattan to give in-home or in-office lessons (but we’ll ring the doorbell, NOT come through the chimney!)

No matter what holiday you celebrate, this is a useful and practical gift that can be enjoyed the whole year round. And, no batteries are required!

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The post Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas – With New York City Music Lessons appeared first on Hey Joe Guitar.

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“Give thanks, all ye people, give thanks to the Lord,
Alleluias of freedom, with joyful accord,
Let the east and the west, north and south roll along,
Sea, mountain and prairie, one thanksgiving song.”

If you don’t recognize this tune, don’t worry – most people of our generation do not. It has, however, a historic significance, which is all the more relevant and meaningful with the approach of Thanksgiving.
Called “The President’s Hymn,” the song was written in 1863 to commemorate Abraham Lincoln’s proclamation issued that year that National Day of Thanksgiving be celebrated every last Thursday of November.

Politicians’ promises are notoriously fickle, but this particular tradition has survived to this day: Thanksgiving is still celebrated in homes across America as a time to be grateful for all the blessings we have in our lives.

We at Hey Joe Guitar are thankful for so many blessings – people, events and experiences that fill our lives each day. And, needless to say, music and our wonderful customers are among the joys that we are always grateful for.

Songs of gratitude

Thanksgiving’s origin pre-dates Lincoln’s proclamation by over 200 years. It goes back to December 11, 1620, when 102 Pilgrims – English and Dutch separatists sailing on the Mayflower – landed at Plymouth Rock.

As history books tell us, the first winter in the New World was harsh, and many newcomers did not survive. But by the following autumn, with the help of native Indians, the Pilgrims learned to hunt, fish, and grow crops. The feast to celebrate their good fortune marked the first, though unofficial, Thanksgiving.

As they established their colony in Plymouth, MA, these early settlers expressed their thanks though hymns, proving that even back then, music played an important part in people’s lives.
At that time, Baroque music was gaining popularity in Europe, but the Pilgrims who sailed to the New World were not – as far as we know – Bach aficionados.

According to historical accounts, they may have brought with them instruments such as wooden flutes, oboes, and virginals (very small keyboard instruments). And their songs of choice included the 16th century Dutch hymn, “We Gather Together,” as well as the ones from The Book of Psalms, written by Henry Ainsworth in 1612.

Sing, sing a song

Today, many families have Thanksgiving rituals of their own – and we don’t mean just turkey and football. We are referring to the “thanks giving” part of the holiday – taking note of and appreciating all the good things that had happened to us, and great people in our lives.
If you don’t have favorite Thanksgiving tunes of your own, these are some of the songs that will bring the true spirit of Thanksgiving to your celebration:

• “Thanksgiving Song,” Mary Chapin Carpenter
• “Be Thankful,” Natalie Cole
• “Give Thanks and Praises,” Bob Marley
• “Gratitude,” Paul McCartney

…and let’s not forget this beautiful classic,

• “What a Wonderful World,” by the great Louis Armstrong.

Let’s talk turkey!

Would you like to be able to express your gratitude, as well as all the other emotions, through music? Our Manhattan music lessons offer a wide range of instruments to choose from

Once you decide which instrument is best for you, we will come to your Manhattan home or office and give you lessons.

As we wish you a very happy Thanksgiving, let’s remember this quote by the 16th century scientist, Konrad von Gesner:

“Let there be for every pulse a Thanksgiving, and for every breath a song.”

The post At Thanksgiving, Manhattan Music Lessons Go Beyond the Turkey Trot appeared first on Hey Joe Guitar.

“Where words fail, music speaks.” 
– Hans Christian Andersen

The Danish author might have had a somewhat idyllic view of the world (after all, he became famous by writing fairy tales), but he was right on this one: music does speak louder and more eloquently than words.

In fact, music is an excellent, though much underused, diplomatic tool, certainly more effective in taming hostilities and bringing people together than harsh words, threats, or use of force.

Yes, music has the power to create peaceful and friendly dialogue among people of various – and sometimes widely divergent – cultures, beliefs, or political systems.

Joy to the world

How is music used to promote tolerance and goodwill – let’s call it “cultural diplomacy?” A recent article in the Washington Post talks about Maya Azucena, a singer from Brooklyn, who is performing in several parts of Russia, a country where anti-U.S. feelings are on the rise.

Azucena, who tours on behalf of the U.S. State Department, reports that audiences from Moscow to the deepest reaches of Siberia were moved by her renditions of rhythm, blues, soul, reggae, and hip, “all quintessentially American with a deeply American message.”

“It’s apparently still okay to encourage justice and love, freedom and self-expression in Russia, as long as you do it with a song in your heart,” the article states.

This is one of many examples of how music can break down the barriers and make a positive difference in uniting people.

Melodies of love

Earlier this year, Peyton Tochterman, a folk singer from the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, was asked by the State Department to travel to Afghanistan to show how “diplomacy can be shaped by the musical arts.”

As he relates in his blog, armed with only two hand-made Rockbridge guitars, he and his fellow musicians toured the war-torn country, singing in “most difficult, dangerous and inhospitable places on our planet.”

His take on this musical diplomacy? “We are all connected through music and we must continue to celebrate this connection, this language that is so important not just to our own culture, but also to cultures around this fascinating world of ours.”

Four years before he performed in Afghanistan and Azucena sang in Russia, the famed New York Philharmonic performed a historical concert in Pyongyang, the capital of isolated North Korea, which has been closed to the outside world since the end of the Korean War in the 1950s.

This event marked the first such visit from the United States to North Korea. The groundbreaking performance aired on Korea’s state television and was watched live by an audience of thousands in the concert hall. Millions of people who had been indoctrinated to hate the United States listened with bated breaths as American musicians performed works by Wagner, Dvorak, and even Gershwin.  As Song Sok-hwan, the country’s culture minister said at the time, “We hope this will be a big step toward increased bilateral cultural exchange between our two countries.”

Reach out and touch someone

Have all these musical performances brought about a significant improvement in relations between the U.S. and other countries? You could argue that all these efforts were in vain: after all, Russia is still blaming America for many of its internal problems, and North Korea remains as hostile toward the United States as it has always been.

That may well be, but keep in mind that lasting and sustainable change doesn’t always (if ever) occur overnight and it doesn’t always come from the government. There have been many examples in recent years (one of them is the Arab Spring) of change starting at the grassroots level and spreading to the top.

By making an emotional connection with people across the world, music sows the seeds of tolerance and understanding, heals wounds, and inspires change. As singer Bono said, “Music can change the world because it can change people.”

Playing for change

Now that you know the powerful impact music can have on people and nations, you might like to learn to play an instrument too.

You are in luck: our Manhattan music lessons will take place in your home or office – we’ll teach you any kind of instrument you’d like to learn.

Remember Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s words: “Music is the universal language of mankind.” And that is one message that will never be lost in translation!

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The post Manhattan Music Lessons | Diplomacy, or How to Make Friends and Influence People appeared first on Hey Joe Guitar.

These cheerful words were spoken by former President Ronald Reagan, and he certainly knew what he was talking about because he was an avid harmonica player.

The 40^th president of the United States reportedly learned to play this instrument while recovering from the assassination attempt in 1981, and his repertoire included songs like “Git Along Little Doggie” and “Streets of Laredo.”

Perhaps his playlist choices were not exactly presidential but, when it comes to music, Mr. Reagan was in good company: many of the former U.S. commanders-in-chief enjoyed playing an instrument too.

As the Election Day 2012 is getting closer and the contentious campaign is gaining momentum, the two current contenders for the Oval Office are facing a different kind of music: mutual accusations, criticism, and mudslinging.

But politics aside, a lot of U.S. presidents – Democrats and Republicans alike – had at least one point in common: they loved making music.

Hail to the chiefs

Let’s start with America’s first president: it is said that George Washington played the zither. We have no proof of this other than hearsay, but given that Mr. Washington could not tell a lie, we are assuming that he did indeed play this flat stringed instrument and that it was not made from the cherry tree he reportedly chopped down.

Drafting the Declaration of Independence apparently still left Thomas Jefferson enough time to play not one, but three instruments: cello, clavichord, and violin.

John Quincy Adams studied the flute at Harvard but, by his own admission, he wasn’t exactly a virtuoso. In his dairy, he conceded that he was “extremely fond of music, and by dint of great pains have learnt to blow very badly the flute. But could never learn to perform upon the violin, because I never could acquire the art of putting the instrument in tune.”

We are happy to report, however, that Andrew Jackson, the commander-in-chief- who was elected after Adams, was quite proficient at both guitar and banjo.

As for Abraham Lincoln, saving the Union and freeing the slaves – not to mention his daily four-mile walk to school as a boy – still left him enough time to learn a harmonica-like instrument called the jaw or mouth harp. It is said that he played it during the 1858 Illinois state election campaign (which he lost).

Other presidents also had their favorite instruments: Woodrow Wilson played the violin, while Franklin Roosevelt, Richard Nixon, and Harry Truman were partial to the piano.

And talk about being prolific: it was said that Warren Harding could play any instrument with the exception of the trombone and clarinet.

The most recent president whose musical skills are renown is, of course, Bill Clinton. His mastery of the saxophone is legendary. When asked why he continued to play the sax during his presidency, he replied: “Well, I don’t have much job security.”

No, he can’t!

By now you might be wondering what, if any, instruments the present occupant of the White House plays. Alas, while he is an ace on the basketball court, music remains on Barack Obama’s “to-do” list. As he said in a December 2011 interview with ABC-TV, he “would love to be able to play an instrument.” (We take it to mean that he currently doesn’t).

So it must be a measure of relief for the President that his opponent, Mitt Romney, is not known to play any instruments either, although the company he created, Bain Capital, owns the Guitar Center – the largest retail chain of musical instruments in the world.

That should probably come as good news to the voters, since both candidates in the 2012 election appear to be on equal footing when it comes to musical skills – or lack thereof. So it is safe to assume that musical tastes will not be a divisive issue in this race.

Act presidential!

Why do so many presidents enjoy playing an instrument? At least part of the answer may be that this activity has been shown in various studies to reduce stress and soothe the soul.

Nobody can deny that the presidency of the United States is one of the highest-pressure jobs on the face of the earth, so we can only hope that the above-mentioned presidents were able to harness the beneficial effects of playing their instruments.

But listen – you DON’T have to be a president (or, for that matter have a stressful job) to enjoy playing an instrument. If you would like to learn any of the instruments -or their modern versions – that our presidents played, we’ll be happy to come to your Manhattan home or office (even if it’s not Oval), and give you music lessons.

Because no matter which party you belong to, playing an instrument is always politically correct!

***

Photo Credit: Theresa Thompson

The post NYC Music School | Presidents Who Struck the Right Chords appeared first on Hey Joe Guitar.

With a wide variety of music lessons we offer in Greenwich Village, Hey Joe Guitar fits right into this artsy and upbeat neighborhood.

The sounds of all the instruments we teach – guitar, piano, drums, trumpet, trombone, brass, reeds, saxophone, clarinet flute, violin, viola, cello, strings, accordion, ukulele, banjo, recorder, or mandolin (in addition to voice lessons) –blend in perfectly with the spirit of this lively and hip part of Lower Manhattan, which was once home to music legends like Bob Dylan, Jimmy Hendrix, Simon and Garfunkel, Joan Baez, and James Taylor.

Let’s take a walk along the streets that were once the stomping ground of Henry James, Edith Wharton, Edgar Allan Poe, Mark Twain, Walt Whitman, Eugene O’Neill, Norman Rockwell, Jackson Pollock, Mark Rothko, and scores of other famous (and infamous) artists.

“Out-of-the-box” neighborhood

If you were asked which part of NYC is most bohemian and funky – from its shops, coffee houses, bars and music haunts to its people – chances are you wouldn’t say “Wall Street!” That’s because this title goes to Greenwich Village, a small area below 14th and north of Houston Street, which has long been an undisputed hub for rebellious musicians, artists, writers, and other creative types. During the 1950s, this neighborhood (made up of East and West Village) had become a haven for members of a sub-culture movement known as the “Beat Generation” – a phrase coined by writer Jack Kerouac to describe young people who eschewed tradition and practiced unconventional lifestyle such as communal living and psychedelic drugs. Sometime Greenwich Village resident himself, Kerouac pioneered not only the Beat Generation, but also the Hippie movement of the 1960s.

Perhaps it is not coincidental that the hippies, at least those who chose the East Coast over Berkeley, California, flocked to the Village, attracted by its free-spirited, non-conformist ambiance.

Kerouac conveniently lived just around the corner from the White Horse Tavern at Hudson and 11th Streets, a bohemian hangout also frequented by fellow writers Norman Mailer and Dylan Thomas.  The bar, first opened in 1880, is still a favorite haunt for local residents and tourists alike.

While it still retains much of its bohemian feel, over the years rental prices in this once inexpensive neighborhood have risen dramatically.

As Norman Mailer (founder of the Village Voice newspaper) put it: “I got to the Village in 1955. One of the ironies of today is that unless you’re pretty high up in the bourgeois world, you can’t afford to live in Greenwich Village.”

(Needless to say, this could be said about almost any area of New York City).

Bring on the music

Maybe because so many artists used to live or perform here (think Pete Seeger, Joan Baez, Dave Brubeck, Sarah Vaughn, Lionel Hampton, and Dizzy Gillespie, among others), Greenwich Village has always had a vibrant and eclectic music scene, with excellent folk, blues, jazz and rock venues easy to find.

Here are some of Hey Joe Guitar’s favorite music haunts:

• The Bitter End rock club, at 147 Bleecker Street, where Stan Getz, Etta James, Carly Simon, Joni Mitchell and thousands of other musicians and comedians used to perform, is still a lively music venue.

• When he first arrived in NYC in 1961, Bob Dylan performed Woody Guthrie songs at Cafe Wha (yes, it’s the right spelling!), 115 MacDougal Street, which still rocks with live music seven days a week.

• Scores of artists recorded their albums in the basement of Village Vanguard Jazz Club (178 Seventh Avenue South), including Sonny Rollins’s “A Night at he Village Vanguard” in 1957. Vanguard’s own jazz orchestra plays there every Monday night, and other performers make guest appearances throughout the week.

• Sara Vaughn, Lionel Hampton and Tito Puente are just some of the well-known performers who played at the Blue Note. This jazz club and restaurant at 131 West Third Street still has excellent live music every evening.

Finding good music is (literally) a walk in the park

Are you in the mood for live music but want to stay outdoors? Stroll along one of Greenwich Village’s open-air spaces, the Washington Square Park.

Known for an arch and New York university campus buildings surrounding it, the park has long been a gathering spot for students, chess players, street musicians, and other performers. Both Joan Baez and Bob Dylan used to sing here.

In the summer, there is a free festival featuring classical and chamber music, opera and jazz.

Clearly, wherever you go in this neighborhood, there is a wide variety of music to be found in clubs, bars, and on the streets.  All those wonderful sounds might inspire you to learn to play an instrument too. All you have to do is call us and we’ll come to your Greenwich Village home or office to teach you.

Sometimes, it really does take a Village!

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Photo Credit : quapan

The post It Take a (Greenwich) Village: NYC’s Artsy Enclave appeared first on Hey Joe Guitar.

Journalist and commentator Alistair Cooke once said that “New York is the biggest collection of villages in the world.”

He wasn’t wrong. Two of those “villages” are Tribeca and Soho in Lower Manhattan, which have a distinct ambiance of their own.

They are also prime examples of once-shoddy Manhattan neighborhoods that underwent a truly spectacular revival in the past 40 years, becoming two of NYC’s most upscale areas.

Tribeca (acronym for “Triangle below Canal Street”) stretches from Canal Street south to Vesey Street, and from Broadway west to the Hudson River.

Soho (for “South of Houston”) lies nearby, bounded by Houston Street on the north, Lafayette and Centre Streets on the east, Canal Street on the south, and West Broadway on the west.

The two neighborhoods share not only the location and a similar history, but also an impressive shabby-to-chic transformation: gritty industrial facilities that once dominated the local landscape have morphed into expensive real estate that ranks as the city’s priciest.

The fabric of NYC’s life

In the 18th century, residential homes were built in this area, but they were later demolished to make place for factories and warehouses.

That’s because in the 19th and first half of the 20th centuries, this area became a bustling center of textile industry. However, when these manufacturers and traders began to leave, the neighborhood had turned into a wasteland. Its main food market at that time was described by the New York Times as a “dirty, degraded little rat hole” – not exactly a magnet for well-heeled New Yorkers.

However, in the 1960s, that barren area started to experience a renaissance of sorts. Artists and musicians looking for cheap digs began to notice the potential of the large, empty spaces in the former warehouses. What also attracted their attention was the cast-iron architecture on many of the abandoned buildings. Due to its low cost, this material was used on the exterior facades primarily during the Industrial Revolution (1750 to 1850), before being replaced by steel as a construction material of choice. To this day, Soho has the most cast-iron buildings in the world, which makes this neighborhood a historic landmark.

A lofty idea

The rents in the unkempt neighborhood were low  – after all, who in their right mind would want to live in a “dirty, degraded little rat hole?” Only poor or alternative artists who didn’t care much about material comforts didn’t mind making their homes here.

And that’s what happened: the bohemians started to move into abandoned lofts, transforming the bleakly industrial factories and warehouses into beautiful living and work spaces.

The neighborhood started to boom. The prices of Tribeca and Soho lofts – and real estate in general – skyrocketed to the point that Forbes Magazine listed these two neighborhoods among the “most expensive zip codes” in the United States.

Aren’t you sorry you didn’t buy a Tribeca or Soho property when these areas were still affordable “diamonds in the rough?”

Living it up in lower Manhattan

You may not be able to afford a multi-million-dollar price tag for Tribeca or Soho digs, and you may never become a neighbor of Robert DeNiro, Beyoncé or Jay-Z (all of whom live in that area), but that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t explore these neighborhoods’ lively arts and music scene.

As befitting a neighborhood that was once (and still remains) a heaven for all sorts of artists and other creative types, it is brimming with art galleries, trendy restaurants, bars, and shops.

And what about “hot” music venues?”

There is certainly no shortage of those. For example:

• At SOBs (Sounds of Brazil) located at 204 Varick Street you can listen to all genres of music, not just Brazilian.

• Mercury Lounge at 217 East Houston Street and Bowery Ballroom, 6 Delancey Street, host a variety of live concerts.

• Canal Room at 285 West Broadway also rocks with live music, as does Mudd Club at 77 White Street.

We at Hey Joe Guitar love Tribeca and Soho’s artistic vibe, which is why we are happy to come to your home or office – or a loft! -anywhere in those neighborhoods (as well as other parts of Manhattan) and teach you to play an instrument of your choice.

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Photo Credit: jglsongs

The post TriBeCa and SoHo: So Hip and Trendy appeared first on Hey Joe Guitar.

Just because Tudor City is a small NYC neighborhood – just three blocks from north to south and one block east to west – doesn’t mean you can’t find important services there – like music lessons.

Yes, you can! In fact, we at Hey Joe Guitar offer a variety of music lessons in your Tudor City home or office, just as we do in many other Manhattan neighborhoods – big or small.

Why a residential area consisting of Neo-Gothic skyscrapers was named after England’s Tudor dynasty (which had a distinct architectural style of its own) is somewhat of a mystery.

Be it as it may, this East Side residential area, tucked between First and Second Avenues, and 40th and 43rd Streets, has an interesting history.

From beavers to high-rises

When one of the most prominent members of the Tudor dynasty, King Henry VIII was executing his wives over in England in the 1500’s, Manhattan was still a primitive island overran by beavers and other furry creatures.

It may be difficult to believe today, but when explorer Henry Hudson arrived in what is now Manhattan in 1607, he reportedly saw, according to one historic account, “a pleasant shore bordering a strait opening into an illusory ocean beyond…and the presence of fur-bearing animals, whose skins could be bought with trinkets and stuffs of the coarsest kinds.”

Fast forward to the 19th century. By mid-1800s, the farmland that covered much of the East Side, including the present location of Tudor City, had given way to a high-crime neighborhood of shoddy tenements where many poor Irish immigrants lived.

It took a real estate developer named Fred F. French to turn this decrepit area into what he imagined to be an “urban Utopia.” By the early 1930s, his dream was realized with the construction of nine high-rise apartment buildings, as well as a hotel (the current-day Hilton, at 304 E 42nd Street) that accommodated 4,500 residents.

A rich music history

Before we tell you where you can find great music haunts in the vicinity of Tudor City, here is a brief overview of the musical history of the Tudor era, which spans the period between 1485 and 1603.

While it is impossible to sum up nearly 120 years in just a few words, music, song and dance scene thrived during that time in England. In the cities, many musicians were sponsored and supported by the Church and the Royal Court. In the rural areas, where mostly poor farmers lived, folk ballads were performed in the villages and even in the fields.

Quite a few instruments were refined and perfected, including early forms of the violin called the viol, as well as the oboe called the hautboy. Keyboard musical instruments, such as the spinet, harpsichord and the virginal, were also popular.

Henry VIII might not have liked his wives very much, but he was reportedly a music aficionado who not only wrote music to the English folk song  “Greensleeves,” but also owned 10 trombones, 14 trumpets, five bagpipes, 76 recordes, and 78 flutes.  (It’s a good thing his palace walls were thick and, anyway, who would dare complain about the noise, considering his fondness for beheadings).

Party like the Tudors!

Ok, so you may not be able to find many venues nowadays where you can listen to the sounds of the viol, hautboy, spinet, harpsichord and the virginal (though we at Hey Joe Guitar can teach you to play modern-day versions of these instruments).

Still, there are quite a few places just blocks away from Tudor City where you can listen to live music.

For example:

• Live jazz, funk and R & B can be heard seven days a week at SOMETHIN’ Jazz Club, 212 E. 52nd Street, between Second and 3rd Avenue.

• Tuesday and Thursday evenings are jazz nights at McAnn’s,

• 948 First Avenue and 52nd Street.

• Lunchtime is a jazz-at-noon time at Saint Bart’s, 109 50th Street and Park Avenue.

• Something a bit different: Jazz sessions every Wednesday at 1 PM at St. Peter’s Church, 619 Lexington Avenue and 54th Street.

As you can see, Tudor City might be small, but music venues, as well as music lessons, abound.

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Photo Credit: ahisgett

The post Royals Don’t Live in Tudor City, but it is Fit for a King! appeared first on Hey Joe Guitar.

As neighborhoods go, the Lower East Side (also known as LES) is a bustling, high-energy area that truly symbolizes the “melting pot” concept of people from different countries, cultures, and ethnic backgrounds living together. This kind of diversity defines not only the ambiance of the Lower East Side, but many other NYC neighborhoods as well.

Stretching east from the Bowery to the East River Park, bounded on the north by Houston Street and on the south by Canal Street and East Broadway, this once shabby part of Manhattan has morphed over the years into a trendy enclave.

But it wasn’t always like this.

Give me your tired, your poor…

“Everybody ought to have a Lower East Side in their life,” said famed composer Irving Berlin, who certainly knew what he was talking about because, upon their arrival in America in 1893, his family had lived in a cold-water-only basement apartment on Cherry Street. In fact, lower Manhattan is just a hop skip and jump away from the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, where millions of immigrants were processed between 1892 and 1954. A lot of these people settled, like Berlin, on the LES, in what was then a gritty, crime-ridden slum. There is no better place to get a sense of how the “huddled masses yearning to breathe free” used to live here than the Lower East Side Tenement Museum at 103 Orchard Street. In addition to being the epicenter of LES’s history, the eight blocks along Orchard Street provide great “retail therapy” – a wide variety of goods that can be bought at rock-bottom prices.

From rags to riches

In a way, the LES’s history is the quintessential story of the “American dream.”

From a poor neighborhood populated by immigrants trying to make a better life for themselves, the Lower East Side has gradually become a vibrant “in” place of entertainment, dining, and art galleries.

This part of Manhattan is also considered to be more relaxed than neighborhoods to the north. Its easy and casual vibe prompted Lady Gaga to leave her family’s Upper West Side apartment and move to the LES. Her digs at 176 Stanton Street were considerably less posh than her former home, but living in a slightly run-down house had allowed the budding artist to, as she put it, “understand a whole different side of the pavement.”

Another advantage of the Lower East Side, especially for the artsy, creative types, is its vicinity to the East Village.

The (relatively) new kid on the block

Geographically the East Village, bounded by Houston Street to 14th Street and East River to Fourth Avenue, is part of the Lower East Side.

However, geography aside, the East Village has forged an identity of its own. The beatniks, musicians, artists and hippies who flocked to Greenwich Village in the 1950s and 60s were also setting up camp in the eastern part of the neighborhood, which, fittingly enough, got the name of East Village. As a 1964 New York Times guide pointed out, “artists, poets and promoters of coffeehouses from Greenwich Village are trying to remelt the neighborhood under the high-sounding name of ‘East Village.’”

Funky and hip

East Village has many claims to fame, one of which is that it boasts the highest concentration of bars in NYC.

It was also a starting point for careers of numerous musicians like Patti Smith.  Bands such as The Grateful Dead, Led Zeppelin, Sly and the Family Stone, and the Allman Brothers also performed in the neighborhood.

What about today’s music scene?

It is just as alive. Here are just some of the places on the Lower East Side and East Village where you can listen to live performances:

• It may be called Arlene’s Grocery (and it used to be), but nowadays this venue at 95 Stanton Street (not far from where Lady Gaga used to live) features up-and-coming bands.

• Every night, Joe’s Pub at 425 Lafayette Street has live performances of various music styles.

• Are you a fan of experimental and avant-garde music? You can hear some every night between 8 and 10 PM at the Stone, located on the corner of Avenue C and Second Street.

Call us, maybe

Okay, so we are making a reference here to Carly Rae Jepsen’s hit song, but, kidding aside, if you live or work on the Lower East Side or in the East Village (or any other part of Manhattan for that matter), we’ll be happy to come to you and give you music lessons.

We teach a variety of instruments, whatever your age and level may be.

So do call us –no ifs, buts, ands, or…maybes!

***

Photo Credit: Paul Lowry

The post High Times in Low Manhattan (It Includes East Village Too)! appeared first on Hey Joe Guitar.

One of the coolest things about New York City is how neighborhoods with very different vibes blend smoothly into each other – a seamless fusion that you’d expect to experience in this “melting pot” of a city.

Take the Financial District and South Street Seaport, for example. The former is a hub of the country’s economic powerhouses such as the New York Stock Exchange and the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. On any given day of the week, over quarter of a million people descend upon this part of Lower Manhattan to work in banks and other financial institutions. The latter is a relaxed and laid-back area that looks and feels more like a harbor town than a busy city. And yet both these neighborhoods co-habit side by side on the southern tip of Manhattan, each with a distinct ambiance of its own.

A neighborhood of contrasts The Financial District, also called the FiDi, is located in the southernmost section of Manhattan, between the East River and West Street. With a bird’s eye view, the FiDi looks like a sea of modern mega-skyscrapers. But if you look at the neighborhood from the ground level, you might be surprised to see many old two- and three-story brick buildings. They may be dwarfed by the surrounding high-rises, but they are the important vestiges of New York’s (and America’s) history. The Federal Hall on Wall Street, for example, was the location of George Washington’s inauguration as America’s first president, on April 30, 1789. That was the time when settlers from Europe started to build wooden homes here, giving this part of Manhattan (or New Amsterdam, in those days) the look of a small but growing town, which would eventually morph into the financial nerve center of the United States. History on every corner Just a stone’s throw away from the Financial Center lies a neighborhood that projects a totally different feel – that of an old seafaring town. It is not by accident that this part of the city, wedged into the intersection of Fulton Street and the East River, is called South Street Seaport – it is located in the southern-most section of Manhattan and it does have an atmosphere of a seaport, even though it sits on a river. A fleet of old ships moored by the harbor is a constant reminder that this site was once the busiest port in America and historic (though now renovated) buildings once stood along the cobblestone streets. After the Brooklyn Bridge was built in 1870, however, local merchants and residents moved away and the neighborhood fell into disrepair. It was only in the second half of the 20th century that a group of citizens started to turn this community into an open-air museum. The original Fulton Street fish market is no longer there, but a weekend specialty market occupies the former fish stalls along South Street. Eat, drink (in moderation) and be merry! Yes, the South Street Seaport is a beehive of activity, with music festivals, live performances (including at the historic Pier 17), art exhibits, and plenty of shopping and dining options. What about the FiDi? Once the hustle and bustle of a workday is over, the majority of people leave the business district. However, for over 50,000 people this neighborhood is home sweet home. Fortunately, the Financial District is not just all work and no fun! For instance:

• George Washington might not have slept at Fraunces Tavern on 54 Pearl Street, but he did use the premises of New York City’s oldest building (dating back to 1762) to give a farewell speech to his troops in 1783.

• For live concerts featuring various bands, head to Canal Room at 285 West Broadway.

• John Street Bar and Grill at 17 John Street is a great after-work bar dive, and even the most serious financiers need to relax and let their hair down once in a while!

Let’s play together!

If you live or work in the Financial District or South Street Seaport neighborhoods, you can make your own beautiful music!

How? Hey Joe Guitar will teach you! Our music school is mobile, so we will be happy to come to your home or office and give you music lessons on any instrument that strikes your fancy.

Just call or email us and…make a playdate!

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 Photo Credit: vincent desjardins

The post High-Power Side by Side With Laid Back – That’s Financial District and South Street Seaport appeared first on Hey Joe Guitar.

When people talk about the “Manhattan vibe,” they envision a high-energy, hyperactive place that bursts at the seams with people, noise, and chaos. (Don’t get us wrong -we LOVE Manhattan!)

Maybe they’ve never visited Battery Park City, an urban oasis that is  “un-Manhattan-like” in many ways:  on a cold winter day the only noise you will likely hear is the whistling of the wind. In warmer weather, its tree-lined streets, lush greenery, and a 1.2-mile pedestrian esplanade along the Hudson provide a welcome respite from the hustle and bustle of midtown and uptown areas – not to mention stunning views of Jersey City’s downtown district on the other side.

Yes, Battery Park City is a great neighborhood, tranquil enough to relax in and…recharge your batteries!

The river runs through it

Well, to be accurate, the Hudson actually runs by the edge of this neighborhood, providing the western boundary to the area bordered to the east by 12th Avenue / West Side Highway.

Long before this area on the tip of Lower Manhattan became a neighborhood it is today, it was just a rocky ledge. When Native Americans and Dutch settlers arrived here in the early 17th century, they built a “battery” of cannons around the rugged shore. That’s how this part of Manhattan later got its name.

In the 19th century, as more and more immigrants sailed to America, the site was used as a welcoming and processing center before Ellis Island opened in 1892. Today, Historic Battery Park marks the location of immigrants’ arrival in New York.

Battery Park City as it is today was built over filled-in land of soil, sand and rocks excavated from other construction sites – including that of the World Trade Center towers. This planned community originally started out as an innovative experiment in urban living: to create an inner-city neighborhood with a small-town / suburban feel.

Mission accomplished!

Rooms with the view

Okay, so it depends on where in this area you happen to live. If you are lucky, you’ll get a glimpse of the Statue of Liberty, the glass-and-steel towers of the World Financial Center, the New York Harbor or, as mentioned above, Jersey City’s skyline.

If your apartment doesn’t provide rooms with the view, head to Wagner Park where you can admire not only beautifully landscaped scenery, but also sweeping vistas from the roof deck of the Park Pavilions. And just strolling along the waterfront esplanade gives you some great views as well.

Wagner Park is a very scenic location, but it is not the only haven of serenity and greenery in this neighborhood. Other public spaces, such as South Cove, West Thames Park, and Rector Park, all have a quiet charm of their own.

And let’s not forget Battery Park itself, scenically located on the neighborhood’s southern shore. Its beautiful waterfront and flower gardens are certainly worth repeated visits.

A Sunday In Battery Park

Though this is the title of a song written by ABBA’s Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus, Sunday – or any day for that matter – is indeed a good time for a leisurely stroll or a more energetic jog through the park’s pathways.

What else is there to do in the neighborhood besides walking running, admiring the views, as well as free summer concerts in the parks? Since Battery Park City is predominantly a residential area, it doesn’t have as many entertainment venues as other parts of Manhattan.

But no need to worry – just a quick jaunt to the nearby Tribeca will give you a vast array of trendy dining, clubbing, and other entertainment options. And there is no shortage of legendary haunts where you can listen to a wide variety of music styles – Mercury Lounge, Canal Room and SOBs, just to mention a few.

What if you don’t feel like leaving the neighborhood but would still like to hear some good music?

We can help you, by bringing “music” right to your doorstep!

At Hey Joe Guitar, we can come to your Battery Park City home or office and teach you to play any instrument or give you voice lessons – any age and any level.

See, it’s as easy as a… walk in the Park!

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Photo Credit: Anthony Quintan

The post Battery Park City: A Quiet Nook in Manhattan appeared first on Hey Joe Guitar.

Say what you will about Harlem’s reputation as dangerous and squalid, but this neighborhood is no longer the symbol of urban decay. If it were, would a former president of the United States open his offices there?

In 2001, when Bill Clinton headquartered his Foundation at 55 West 125th Street, this is how he explained his choice of the location: “Harlem always struck me as a place that was human and alive, where there was a rhythm to life and a song in the heart, where no matter how bad it was, people held up their heads and went on, and where, when things got good, people were grateful and cared about their neighbors.”

That’s the kind of Harlem its residents are proud of: one of the most important historic centers of African American culture and arts. It is home to 12 colleges – including the prestigious Columbia University – 14 museums, and numerous music venues.

To say that Harlem has a very distinct vibe of its own would be an understatement: from a once downtrodden area, it has morphed into one of NYC’s most vibrant neighborhoods.

Harlem globetrotters

In the mid-17th century, Dutch settlers named this part of upper Manhattan, located between 110th and 135th Streets, Nieuw Harlem, after the city of Harlem in the Netherlands.

In those early days, this area was a farming community, which had become, by the beginning of the 18th century, an upper-middle-class suburb of NYC. Eventually, however, the land became barren and the residents started to abandon their properties. Irish immigrants began to squat in the neighborhood, turning the desolate area into a shantytown.

However, like the mythical phoenix bird rising from the ashes, Harlem experienced a remarkable revival, sparked by scores of talented and creative people who settled here at the dawn of the 20th century.

Great expectations

Modern Harlem’s history of transformation from a slum to a vibrant multicultural area it is today began in the early 1900s, with the influx of African Americans from the southern states. Freed from slavery only decades earlier, they started to move north, with many of them settling in Harlem. People of African – Caribbean descent also flocked to this part of Manhattan. Together, these new arrivals laid foundation for a phenomenon that became known as the “Harlem Renaissance.”

During this period in the 1920s and 30s, Harlem saw a veritable explosion of music and other artistic expressions.  Jazz, blues, swing, big band, and spirituals had their heyday, launching the careers of singers and musicians who would become world famous, among them Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, and Sarah Vaughan, Louis Armstrong, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Billie Holiday, and countless others.

Their careers were often launched at venues that have survived to this day and are now considered to be a legendary part of Harlem’s history.

Harlem nights

It’s impossible to talk about the neighborhood’s music scene, past and present, without mentioning the Apollo Theater at 253 West 125th Street, one of the most famous music halls not only in NYC, but also in the whole of the United States.

In addition to the above-mentioned performers, this landmark launched the careers of other vocalists and musicians as well: Diana Ross & The Supremes, Gladys Knight & the Pips, Jackson 5, Marvin Gaye, Patti LaBelle, Stevie Wonder, Luther Vandross, and many others. In 1964, Jimi Hendrix won the first place prize in an Amateur Night, an Apollo tradition that is still thriving today.

And let’s not forget the Cotton Club, another legendary Harlem music venue at 656 West 125th Street. Actually, its early years in the 1920s were not exactly boastful, at least by today’s standards. Reflecting the mores and practices of that era, the club was segregated – only white patrons could come to the establishment, where they were entertained by black artists.

But despite this shameful past, the Cotton Club has become a true Harlem tradition. Through performances by – among other renowned entertainers of the day – Duke Ellington, Cab Calloway, Count Basie, Billie Holiday, Nat King Cole, Ella Fitzgerald, and Josephine Baker, the club has been an important part of our country’s jazz history.

Today, the Cotton Club is still a great live music haunt open to all, where you can listen to jazz, blues, swing and gospel.

Let’s play together!

We at Hey Joe Guitar agree with President Clinton: Harlem definitely has “a rhythm to life and a song in the heart.” That is why we are happy to offer music lessons in this NYC neighborhood, which vibrates with so many different sounds.

Whatever instrument you’d like to learn, we will come to your Harlem home or office – or any other Manhattan neighborhood, for that matter – and teach you.

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 Photo Credit: Simon Whitaker

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Among all of NYC neighborhoods, the section known as Midtown West is one of the busiest and liveliest. Every day (and much of the night as well), it is a beehive of frantic activity and nervous energy – always on the move, never at rest. That may be why New York is known as a city that never sleeps. In a span of just a few minutes, hundreds of taxis whizz by, cars honk, street vendors sell hot dogs and other fare, and throngs of pedestrians elbow their way through the sidewalk. This cacophony of sounds, sights and smells is a quintessential Midtown West, the part of Manhattan that famous architect Le Corbursier referred to as “the vertical city with unimaginable diamonds.”

Bright lights, big city Take our word for it: no one who lives, works, or just visits this lively neighborhood — which stretches from 30th to 59th Street on the west side of Fifth Avenue — will ever be bored. Whether you look straight ahead, behind you, left, right, or even skyward, there is something interesting to see. Some of the most famous NYC landmarks are right there in Midtown West, starting with the ultimate high-rise (and not just for King Kong) — the Empire State Building, located at 350 Fifth Avenue. The junction of Broadway and Seventh Avenue, between 42nd and 47th Streets, is the home of Times Square, possibly the most dazzling sight in the whole of New York. And let’s not forget the Rockefeller Center at Fifth Avenue and 49th Street, not exactly small potatoes if you consider that millions of people from all over the world visit this spot each year, especially during the holidays, when a spectacular Christmas tree illuminates the site with thousands of lights. The vicinity of Rockefeller Center is also famous, because that’s where Radio City music Hall is located at 1260 Sixth Avenue. The legendary home of the Rockettes is the largest indoor theater in the world, and certainly among the major music venues in the city, along with Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center, both of which “live” in the Midtown West as well. And let’s not forget this neighborhood’s history as a textile-manufacturing hub, with numerous designers’ offices, wholesale and retail shops still in existence along Seventh Avenue, between 34th Street and Times Square – the area known as the Garment or the Fashion District. And, of course, there is no shortage of dining options in this neighborhood – restaurants, diners, and coffee shops abound at practically every turn. A hell of a neighborhood Despite its name, Hell’s Kitchen is not actually a restaurant (if it were, we are guessing that not many people would want to eat there). It is an area located within Midtown West, between 34th and 52nd Streets, and Eight Avenue to the Hudson River. Though nobody knows for sure how the rather unusual name originated, fact is that from the 19th century until the 1980s, this used to be one tough and dangerous neighborhood, where numerous gang wars played out on almost daily basis. In the past 30 years, however, the area has been cleaned up, “reformed,” and given a new identity: Clinton. Today, Hell’s Kitchen / Clinton is a “respectable” area full of theaters and restaurants – a long way from its gritty beginnings. Given this transformation, New Yorkers now venture into the formerly hellish neighborhood with a new “devil-may-care” attitude! Give our regards to Broadway! We can’t talk about Midtown West (or even New York City, for that matter), without giving its due to Broadway. Not just the street, mind you, but everything it represents: the artistic and musical center of our great city. Whether you call it the Theater District or the Great White Way, for more than a century this stretch of Manhattan, as well as the neighboring streets and avenues, have housed dozens of theaters big and small. Broadway musicals are legendary; no wonder so many of us can play, sing (or at least hum or whistle) some of the more famous tunes. We at Hey Joe Guitar love all the music that’s rocking Broadway – and Midtown West as a whole. If you live or work in this neighborhood and would like to learn to play an instrument, call us. We’ll come to your residence or place of business and teach you. Even in Hell’s Kitchen, we’ll make heavenly music together!

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Photo Credit: Paul Lowry

The post Midtown West: It’s not Just the Lullaby of Broadway appeared first on Hey Joe Guitar.

If we had to describe the Midtown East section of Manhattan succinctly, we’d say it’s a quieter version of the adjacent neighborhood lying to the west. There is less of a hectic activity going on here, on the eastern side of Fifth Avenue, than the high energy emanating from Midtown West. And that’s a great thing about NYC – neighboring areas generate a totally different buzz and yet they are all part of the same city. Talk about diversity! The house Cornelius built (and other landmarks) Midtown East stretches from 42nd to 59th Street, and from Fifth Avenue to the East River. While it is a section of its own, it also comprises several smaller, mostly residential “sub-neighborhoods” like Tudor City, Sutton Place, Murray Hill, Kips Bay, and Turtle Bay. By the sound of their names, you’d imagine quiet, laid-back towns rather than a bustling city that surrounds them.

As we mentioned before, Midtown East in no match for its west-side neighbor in terms of the vibe, but it is home to some of NYC’s best-known architectural landmarks. Along 42nd Street and Park Avenue is one of the most opulent railroad stations in the United States. The Grand Central Terminal is worth mentioning not only because 750,000 people pass through this site every day, but also because of its history. It was built at the end of the 19th century for Cornelius Vanderbilt’s expanding railroad network. Reflecting the fashion of the day, it was constructed in the Beaux Arts style. Exquisite features such as the four-sided brass clock, and the circular marble and brass pagoda make this building an interesting architectural landmark. In the 1960s, there was talk of razing the station but, after much debate and controversy, concerned New Yorkers, including Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, saved the building from the wrecking ball. Another notable Midtown East landmark is the Chrysler building, at 405 Lexington Avenue. This 77-story skyscraper, constructed in 1930, was for a short time the tallest building in New York, until Empire State Building stole the thunder a year later with its 102 floors. Still, with the Art Deco style and stainless steel exterior, the Chrysler Building remains to this day a prominent part of the NYC’s skyline. And let’s not forget St. Patrick’s Cathedral, located at 460 Madison Avenue. The church opened in 1879 and is still a well-known New York landmark, visited by more than 5.5 million people each year. It is interesting to see how the neo-Gothic church is flanked on both sides by tall, modern buildings – the eclectic blend of the old and new styles that cohabit harmoniously on the same sidewalk. It’s in the pocket! When people think of New York, they conjure up images of gigantic buildings and huge, open spaces, like Central Park. But the Midtown East district is just the opposite. In line with the idea that “less is more,” several parks in this part of Manhattan were created on small pieces of land – the minuscule (by urban standards) size that justifies their name, “vest pocket parks.” Greenacre Park at 53rd Street and Lexington Avenue measures only 60 by 120 feet, but with its well-designed multi-level sitting, a waterfall, shady areas, and an outdoor café, this space provides respite and relaxation. Another green oasis in this neighborhood is the Paley Park, the 4,200 square feet space located nearby, at 3 East 53rd Street. Like Greenacre, it also has a waterfall and seating under the trees. Both these “vest pocket parks” prove that a quiet and relaxing oasis can be found even in the urban jungle! We’ll come to you We at Hey Joe Guitar love all kinds of New York neighborhoods: east, west, uptown or downtown – we feel at home wherever we go. And we do get around! Our music school is mobile, so we go wherever in Manhattan our customers work or live. Is your home or office in Midtown East? That’s not a problem: we will come to you and teach you to play an instrument of your choice.

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Photo Credit: S. Diddy

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“Woke up, it was a Chelsea morning, and the first thing that I heard Was a song outside my window, and the traffic wrote the words. It came a-reeling up like Christmas bells, and rapping up like pipes and drums.”

What better description of a NYC’s neighborhood is there than the words of Joni Mitchell’s 1969 song, “Chelsea Morning.” (Yes, the singer actually did live in Chelsea when she wrote this tune).

The song inspired Bill and Hillary Clinton to name their daughter Chelsea. And Collins performed this song at President Clinton’s 1993 Inaugural ball.

Is this the only example of a song about a Manhattan neighborhood inspiring a person’s name? We are not sure, but let’s just say that there are no people (to our knowledge) named Hell’s Kitchen!

London calling!

Actually, the name of this west side neighborhood, stretching from 14th to 29th Street and from Broadway to Hudson River, is not totally original.

In the mid-18th century, a retired British Major Thomas
Clarke bought 94 acres of land in this part of Manhattan and named it Chelsea, after an English military hospital. His own mansion was built on what is now West 23rd Street, the site of the present-day London Terrace building. (And yes, there is a neighborhood called Chelsea in London as well.)

Over the centuries, Chelsea’s history mirrored that of other NYC neighborhoods – from the influx of immigrants settling in the area, to a gritty district full of lumberyards, breweries, and tenements for low-income people.

Prior to World War I, before Hollywood became the motion picture capital of America, Chelsea was the center of the (silent) film industry; in fact, several of Mary Pickford’s movies were made on the top floor of an armory building at 221 West 26th Street.

“Market” value

In recent decades Chelsea has blossomed into a combination of an artsy, commercial, and residential enclave, which – like other NYC neighborhoods – has maintained its ethnic and social diversity. Some local historic landmarks also remain, including 19th century buildings and sites.

One of them is the Chelsea Market, located in the lower part of his neighborhood, between 15th and 16th Street, and Ninth and Tenth Avenue. Before it became an indoor shopping and food mall, the building housed the National Biscuit Company, maker of the Oreo cookies.

The company eventually left New York City, but the ground floor of the building, was later redesigned into an arcade brimming with food stores and restaurants.

And, if you are looking for live entertainment in the neighborhood, you can have your pick of several high-vibe haunts:

You don’t have to have a defiant streak to enjoy Rebel, Chelsea’s dance, lounge, and live music venue at 251 West 30th Street.

Even if you don’t remember (or had no chance to experience) hot sounds of Havana in the 1950s, you can relive them at Son Cubano at 44 West 27th Street –so “real,” you’d never know you were in Chelsea!

For a multi-disciplinary feel of the artistic input from the media, literature, and performing arts, head to The Kitchen at 12 West 19th Street. No cooking required, just a curious mind!

Let’s strum, drum, blow, or hit the keys together!

As you can see, Chelsea has a lot to offer! If you are looking for Manhattan music lessons, we are here for you!

Hey Joe Guitar teaches all kinds of instruments to people of all levels and ages in this neighborhood, and we’ll be happy to come to your Chelsea home or office as well.

Call us – whether you need us during the Chelsea morning, afternoon or evening – as long as your neighbors won’t mind!

The post Chelsea: A Gem of a Neighborhood on the West Side appeared first on Hey Joe Guitar.

The answer:  When it is a recorder!

True, to an untrained eye, the two instruments may look a lot alike and, in fact, they do have common roots – the recorder was a forerunner of the modern-day flute.

Although its heyday can be traced back to the late Renaissance and Baroque years (which is why Bach, Vivaldi, Handel and many other composers of that era featured the recorder in their music), it remains, to this day, a popular instrument with NYC Music School amateurs and professionals alike.  Bruce Springsteen, Paul McCartney, and Billy Joel are among the world-famous musicians who play the recorder.

Should you?

If you like soft and melodious sounds more suited to a chamber orchestra or a solo performance than to a rock band, and if you are looking for an instrument that is relatively inexpensive and easy to learn, then the recorder may very well be a great fit for you. (And yes, we can definitely teach you to play it in your New York City office or home – but more about that later).

Whistling in the wind

You guessed it – the recorder is a woodwind instrument that features a tin whistle. These days the recorders are most commonly made of wood or plastic, but four or five centuries ago, when preservation of wildlife was not yet a hot-button topic, they were often carved out of ivory.

Though there is some evidence that a primitive version of the recorder (made from a sheep’s bone) existed already in the Iron Age, this instrument evolved, and reached its peak, in the 16th and 17th centuries.

If you listen to the music of that era, such as cantatas, sonatas and operas, you will understand why the recorder (and woodwinds in general, along with the strings) was a popular instrument for the composers of that time.

As larger orchestras started to gain popularity, the recorder, which was not loud enough to play “bigger” and richer sounds like the percussion instruments, was slowly phased out and replaced by the flute and clarinet.

But as it sometimes happens with temporarily forgotten artifacts, the recorder got its second wind (no pun intended) at the beginning of the 20th century, and never fell into oblivion again.

Did you know…

… these interesting facts about the recorder?

• Its name came from the old English word recorden, which meant to “sing,” “practice,” or “warble.”

• In the Baroque era, when they were at the height of popularity, recorders were used to mark events such as “miracles,” funerals, marriages and love scenes.

• William Shakespeare referred to music produced by recorders in two of his plays: “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” and “Hamlet,” where it was described this way:

“Govern these ventages with your fingers and thumb, give it breath with your mouth, 
and it will discourse most eloquent music.”

• After the recorder’s revival in the 20^th century, Led Zeppelin used it in their song “Stairway to Heaven;” Jefferson Airplane played the recorder on the albums “Surrealistic Pillow,” “After Bathing at Baxter’s” and “Volunteers;” and Rolling Stones used it in “Ruby Tuesday.”

Learn to play!

As we mentioned before, the recorder is an easy instrument to learn for children and adults alike. It might have become obsolete in the past, but one of the great things about living in the 21^st century is that you can find inexpensive recorders with no hassle, either in NYC music stores or online (if you are not sure where, just ask us!).

What about finding recorder lessons and music lessons in your neighborhood? We are glad you asked! We at Hey Joe Guitar will be happy come to your Manhattan home or office and teach you.

In no time at all, you will become a great whistleblower!

The post Breathe New Life Into Your Recorder appeared first on Hey Joe Guitar.

“When you work, you are a flute through whose heart the whispering of the hours turns to music.”

Mostly Wind

The post Manhattan Music Lessons Bring Magic to the Flute appeared first on Hey Joe Guitar.

Her website mentions how, as a child, she used to go to fancy restaurants in the neighborhood and dance around, using her breadsticks as batons. Later, she waitressed at an Upper West Side diner and bought herself a Gucci handbag with the money she made at that job. However, the multi-platinum and Grammy Award-winning artist is not the only famous musician who lived on Upper West Side or sought Manhattan music lessons. Scores (no pun intended) of music greats also flocked to the neighborhood at one time or another: Duke Ellington, Miles Davis, Judy Collins, Billy Joel, Carly Simon, Sting, James Taylor, and Madonna are just some of the celebrated performers who made their home in this part of Manhattan, nestled between Central Park and the Hudson River, and West 59^th and 110^th Streets. As a matter of fact, some neighborhood landmarks had become indelibly linked with the music industry legends who lived or worked here over the years. For example, the iconic Dakota building on West 72nd Street has become known as the home of John Lennon, Leonard Bernstein, and Judy Garland; Igor Stravinsky, Sergei Rachmaninoff, and Gustav Mahler composed at the storied Ansonia at 2109 Broadway, also the stomping ground of Enrico Caruso and Arturo Toscanini. There may be a reason why the Ansonia, originally a hotel, was a favorite haunt for performers. According to a New York Times article, the building’s architect, William Earl Dodge Stokes, “built it for musicians, and that’s why the doors to each apartment were double-width, so grand pianos could easily be moved in and out. It’s also been claimed that the temperature-control system, a great benefit for sinuses, lured singers.” Alive with the sound of music A diverse and vibrant part of NYC, the Upper West Side is a veritable treasure trove of arts and culture. The famous Julliard School of Music, Lincoln Center, the Avery Fisher Hall — home of the New York Philharmonic — as well as Metropolitan Opera are also located here. But classical music is not the only kind that resounds through the neighborhood. Various local venues offer excellent live jazz, blues, rock, and other beats to satisfy all tastes. And since Upper West Side is part of the city that never sleeps, most of these clubs are jamming it up into the wee hours of the morning. For example, The Smoke Club at 2751 Broadway, Cleopatra’s Needle, 2485 Broadway, or Dizzy’s Club Coca Cola (33 W 60th St), are just three the of many great places where you can listen to hot live jazz or jazz and blues. Have instrument will travel Given such a rich and eclectic musical tradition, is it any wonder that we at Hey Joe Guitar music school absolutely LOVE the Upper West Side? We are happy to be a part of this neighborhood and nurture its residents’ love and appreciation of music by teaching them to play a variety of instruments in the comfort and convenience of their Upper West Side home or office. And don’t be misled by our name – we are not just a guitar school and don’t only offer guitar lessons. Like the neighborhood we live in, we are much more versatile than that. With Hey Joe Guitar, you can learn to play practically any instrument: guitar, piano, voice, drums, trumpet, trombone, brass, reeds, saxophone, clarinet flute, violin, viola, cello, strings, accordion, ukulele, banjo, recorder, and mandolin. We also offer composition, songwriting, and voice lessons; in fact, we can give you any type of music lesson you can think of. With such broad and diverse offerings, we are a good fit with Upper West Side, a bustling neighborhood that Lady Gaga and many other prominent artists call “home.”

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“My 9 year old son started taking lessons from Hey Joe Guitar in early Feb. 2011 and let me tell you he LOVES it — LOVES his instructor! Even invited our HJG instructor . . .” “My Daughter Loves Her Guitar Lessons with Joe! I could not have asked for a more compassionate and patient guitar teacher for my eight year old daughter . . .” Update: Read our review from MommyPoppins!

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Feast your eyes on some new additions today to the stunning Gottlieb Jazz Photos set, uploaded by the Library of Congress to their Flickr Commons collection. Rehearsals, performances and even a jazz wagon ride in Times Square – wonderful photos.

The post All That Jazz: The Amazing Gottlieb Archives appeared first on Hey Joe Guitar.