You may think you know all the songs by heart, and you probably do. But are you familiar with some of the unusual stories surrounding these tunes?

What better time than now to reveal some of the more salient — and not widely known — details about the most popular holiday songs.

Let’s get started.

Did You Know?

“Joy to the World” was originally about Christ’s resurrection and his second coming on Easter, not his birth. So strictly speaking, it was not intended as a Christmas song.

“Silver Bells” was originally called “Tinkle Bells.” But when the songwriter Ray Evans’ wife found out about this title, she responded: “Are you out of your mind? Do you know what the word tinkle is?”

During a Christmas truce in WWI, the French, English, and German troops sang “Silent Night” in their own language. It’s too bad that they started shooting at each other when the truce ended.

In 1944, Judy Garland sang “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” in the movie Meet Me in St. Louis, which became an instant holiday hit. But the original song had different lyrics from the ones we hear in the film: the opening lines were “Have yourself a merry, little Christmas/It may be your last.” Considering that the song was sung by a mother to her daughter, these words had to be changed. By the same token, other lyrics — “faithful friends who are dear to us gather near to us no more” — were also removed from the film.

These are just some of the interesting facts about Christmas songs, but there are more.

Oh Hanukkah!

What about Hanukkah, which this year is celebrated December 2 through December 10?

Did you know that in the original Yiddish version of “I Have a Little Dreidel” the dreidel is made out of bley, meaning lead. It was translated in English to clay.

There are four versions of Adam Sandler’s non-traditional Hanukkah song. The one you don’t typically hear is the uncensored version that includes the line “Drink your gin and tonic-ah, but don’t smoke marijuan-icah.” Another version, however, encourages listeners to “Drink your gin and tonic-ah, and smoke your marijuan-icah.”

So there you have it: fascinating, little-known facts about some of the most popular holiday classics. Aren’t you glad we told you?

On this note (pun intended), we’d like to wish you all a wonderful and magical holiday season!

Photo courtesy of Ed and Eddie and Flickr

The post The Most Wonderful Time of the Year: We Reveal the “Secrets” Behind Holiday Classics appeared first on Hey Joe Guitar.

You know the titles and melodies of these songs, but you may not know that many of them have very interesting histories.

So let’s look at five fascinating facts about the most popular holiday tunes:

1. Several songs that celebrate Yuletide, including “Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer,” “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree,” “Holly Jolly Christmas” and “White Christmas” — the top-selling Christmas song of all time — were written by Jewish songwriters.

2. Another popular tune, “Jingle Bells,” is traditionally associated with Christmas, but it was originally written to celebrate Thanksgiving. And it was the first holiday song to be played in space when astronauts Walter Schirra Jr. and Thomas P. Stafford performed it on a harmonica (the world’s best-selling musical instrument) on December 16, 1965 while they were orbiting Earth in Gemini 6.
3. The song “Do You Hear What I Hear?” is part of the Christmas repertoire, but it was actually written in October 1962 as a plea for peace during the Cuban missile crisis.

4. “The Christmas Song,” commonly known as “Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire” seems perfect for a cold winter day, so it is surprising to learn that it was written during a summer heatwave in 1944 as a way to “stay cool by thinking cool.”
5. Australians have their own version of “The Twelve Days of Christmas” where all the animals are replaced by their local wildlife: “Two snakes on skis, eight dingos dancing … nine crocs a – snoozing … ten wombats washing …” And yes, there is a kangaroo in there as well! There’s even an Aussie version of “Jingle Bells” that includes the lyrics, “All the family is there sitting by the pool.”

New Versions of Old Songs

Are you tired of hearing the same old holiday tunes all over again, yet want to continue to enjoy the holiday spirit they impart? No problem. Some old classics have been updated in recent years, and we hope they will bring you much comfort and joy.

With music in our hearts, we’d like to wish our students, their families, and everyone else, very happy holidays!

The post Do You Hear What We Hear? Five Things You May Not Know About Christmas Music appeared first on Hey Joe Guitar.

Speaking of music, there are so many great summer-related songs that it is difficult to choose only five. But choose we must, so here is our list of timeless songs that (in our humble opinion) best reflect the spirit of the summer — whether you are spending it in the city or on a secluded beach somewhere.

1. “Those Hazy Lazy Days of Summer.” This melodious and upbeat tune by Nat King Cole is as close to the ultimate summer song as you can get.

2. ““Kokomo” has the “beach vibe” that is so typical of The Beach Boys songs. (Think “Surfin’ USA” and “Surfer Girl”)

3. “Summer Wind.” When Frank Sinatra sang it, you could almost hear and feel how “the wind came blowing in from across the sea,” skimming through the palm trees and ruffling the leaves.

4. “Summer in the City” by Joe Cocker pulsates with the balmy energy of the sizzling summer in the urban jungle.

5. “Summertime and the Livin’ is Easy.” We just have to include this song on our list. Just think: would it really be summer without this smooth Ella Fitzgerald classic?

The Sounds of Summer

Obviously, the above is only a partial list of all the great summer hits — both old and newer ones.

Among the ones that are not listed but are certainly worth mentioning are Kelly Rowland’s “Summer Dreaming” “Summer Loving” from the movie “Grease,” and “King of the Beach” by the appropriately named Wavves.

And how can we not mention George Harrison’s song, “Here Comes the Sun.” The music is beautiful and the lyrics impart that quintessential summery feel:

“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.”

We hope you take these words to heart and enjoy the summer months because ‑ before you know it— fall will be upon us and you might remember the warm, sunny days with a bit of nostalgia.

Photo: Musician at the Beach

The post A Place in the Sun: Five Cool Songs for Hot Summer Days appeared first on Hey Joe Guitar.

It’s the beginning of December and chances are you are already hearing the same old, traditional holiday songs over and over again.

Now, we don’t mean to denigrate the beloved classics

because to many people they represent the very essence and spirit of Christmas or Hanukkah.

Having said that, we were not totally surprised by a study that came out a couple of years ago. It showed that, while many of us like to hear some holiday music in the beginning of the season, we tend to dislike it towards the end, simply because we’ve been over-exposed to it.

It seems that too much of a good thing can actually have the opposite effect!

New Take on Old Classics

According to an article in the Washington Post, the reason for the enduring appeal of the most popular holiday songs is because “they were so well crafted…and so deeply expressive in capturing the holiday experience in a way songwriters these days are unable to do.”

Why aren’t more new Christmas songs being written, you may wonder? The above-mentioned article explains it this way: “No one, not even such superstars as Taylor Swift or Beyoncé, has managed to turn a temporary seasonal hit into an evergreen.”

You may argue that holiday songs don’t necessarily have to have the enduring appeal of the old classics. Even if these new tunes are hits for one or two seasons only, they could still bring “comfort and joy” to millions of people.

Do You Hear What We Hear?

In fact, there are some new holiday songs being recorded – or, in some cases, new versions of old favorites.

We particularly love this beautiful rendition of “Hallelujah,” by Pentatonix, which is on the group’s new 2016 holiday album.

Already last year we became fans when we heard this acapella group’s unique version of “Little Drummer Boy, which shows how old classics can be performed with a new twist.

There are also some other modern holiday songs for your listening pleasure. Among them you’ll find “Christmas Lights” by Coldplay, “Love is Christmas” by Sarah Bareilles, and several others.

What about Hanukkah songs? Adam Sandler may or may not like them all, but here are some fun renditions for you to enjoy.

All these new tunes may or may not become holiday classics, but they are fun to listen to while they last!

Photo: Youth Choir in Healdsburg on Wikimedia Commons

The post Spice Up the Holidays with New Music appeared first on Hey Joe Guitar.

Welcome to the month of May, which is a bridge of sorts, connecting spring ad summer seasons. There are quite a few special occasions to be observed this month. For instance, if you are a fan of Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Yoda, and company, today is the day to say “May the Force Be With You” and celebrate the Star Wars story that binds our galaxy together.

However, the Star Wars Day is not the only major (at least to some) observance this week. Another is the National Music Week, which is celebrated From May 1 to the 8th. Do these two seemingly different events have anything in common? Actually, they do: The soundtracks from the “Star Wars” franchise are…out of this world!

So much to celebrate!

The question of why we should celebrate music is, we think, redundant. But even though the answer is obvious, here are some of the reasons: Music is a health-booster: it’s good for the heart and the mood. It also relieves stress and anxiety, boosts the immune system, promotes better sleep, and heals your soul. There are mental benefits as well. For instance, it has been scientifically proven that playing an instrument is conducive to academic and professional success. That’s because music boosts confidence and self-esteem, leading to better social skills. It also bolsters focus and concentration. And let’s not forget that holding and playing an instrument improves motor skills, coordination, and agility by working all the major muscle groups. So there you have it – all the excellent reasons to celebrate the National Music Week.

Let there be music!

Now, let’s look at some ways to celebrate this event. You could, for instance:

• Decide to start music lessons on an instrument of your choice. It’s really easy – just contact us and we will send one of our awesome teachers right to your Manhattan, Brooklyn, or Riverdale home or office.
• One of the many perks of living in New York City is the sheer abundance of music events. Attend as many as you can. For example, the Met Orchestra is kicking off its new season this month with a diverse repertoire. Or see Billy Joel in concert at Madison Square Garden.

We are guessing you won’t be able to attend all the events, but at least you know they are there! Enjoy the music – this week and beyond.

Photo by unknown, available under Creative Commons Licence.

The post Celebrate the Music, With Manhattan Guitar Lessons appeared first on Hey Joe Guitar.

If you think that Christmas is over, you are right… but also wrong! While the Catholic and Protestant celebrations are indeed behind us, Eastern Orthodox churches are yet to commemorate this holy event on January 7.

Actually, Eastern Orthodox congregations don’t dispute December 25 as the time of Christ’s birth, but they follow a different calendar – one that lags behind by nearly two weeks.

The Orthodox churches adhere to an old, Julian calendar, named after its creator Julius Caesar, who introduced it in 46 BC as a reform of the ancient Roman timetable. In 1582, however, Pope Gregory XIII modified the Julian calendar in order to correct its inaccuracies and miscalculations, such as 11 extra minutes each year, which was not compatible with the timing of the solar year.

The Gregorian calendar made up for the 11-minute discrepancy and has been widely used throughout the world. But the liturgical calendar of the Eastern Orthodox Church continues to follow the Julian system. So now you know: Christmas is celebrated on January 7 and New Year on the 14th.

Different dates, same faith

Despite the discrepancy in the timing of their observances, members of the Orthodox Church celebrate the same sacraments as other Christians. In fact, in the early days of Christianity, Roman Catholics and Orthodox congregants worshipped together. The split between the two denominations occurred in 1054 as a result of a dispute over the Papal authority.

Quite a few countries follow the Orthodox teachings, including Greece, Russia, Ukraine, Moldova, Belarus, Bulgaria, Serbia, Macedonia, and Romania. The immigrants from these countries established their churches in the United States, and in NYC as well.

Just as Western Christians observe the four weeks of Advent, their Eastern Orthodox counterparts practice the 40-day Nativity Fast, which is a traditional time of prayer, abstinence and penance.

On January 7, churches may light a fire of blessed palms and burn frankincense to commemorate the gifts the three wise men brought to baby Jesus.

There is one common thread that the Western and Eastern Christians share in their celebration of Christmas. Do you know what it is? You guessed it: music!

Multi-lingual Christmas

We love the songs that resound throughout the Orthodox churches at Christmas, and we especially enjoy hearing them in languages of each country. Here’s a sampling:

Bulgaria
Greece:
Ukraine:
Serbia:

These are just a few examples, but they give you a sense of how beautifully solemn Eastern Orthodox Christmas is.

It’s not all Greek to us!

At Hey Joe Guitar, we find religious music, regardless of its denomination, truly inspirational. But it’s no news to you that we love ALL styles of music, whether put into song or played on any instrument (after all, we are a music school!).

Our excellent teachers (many of whom are multi-lingual too) come to your Manhattan, Brooklyn or Riverdale (Bronx) home or office to give you lessons adapted to your (or your child’s) level.

Whether you celebrate New Year’s on January 1 or the 14th, 2014 is a great year to start guitar lessons, begin the piano, or learn any other musical instrument!

Photo by pjarrettphoto

The post The Tale Of Two Christmas Calendars: NYC Music School Brings You Up To Date! appeared first on Hey Joe Guitar.

Chances are that wherever you go these days, you hear traditional Christmas carols. Yes, they are beautiful and, for many of us, bring memories of Christmases past. “Silent Night,” “O Holy Night,” “The Little Drummer Boy,” and “Do You Hear What I Hear,” are among the carols that usually carry the Yuletide season into the New Year.

We at Hey Joe Guitar love those songs too, but, let’s be honest, sometimes we would like to hear something new – or, at least, something that is not as widely played as the traditional carols.

Do such songs exist? Yes they do! There are plenty of lesser-known tunes that beautifully express the true spirit of Christmas. We hope that, among the ones listed below, you will find some that will… strike a chord with you and your family.

Put on your listening ears

These are among our favorite not-so-well-known Christmas songs. Do you agree that they are worth listening to?

There is a Star that Shines Tonight – Sheryl Crow

Christmas Celebration – B.B. King

New Star Shining – Ricky Skaggs

Dear Santa Tim McGraw

Please Come Home for Christmas – The Eagles

Notice how this selection includes different genres, from jazz and blues to pop and country. So whatever kind of music you are partial to, chances are you will find exactly what you like!

Sounds from near and far

Speaking of lesser-known Christmas songs, have you ever wondered what traditional tunes are most popular in other countries? Of course, we all know the one from our south of the border neighbors, but how about these tunes from around the globe:

Yes, we know, the world is a vast place and the wealth of Christmas musical traditions is huge. Unfortunately, we can’t include all of them here, but at least you have an opportunity to hear some of them.

All you want for Christmas: New York City Music School

Say your interest is piqued and you want to pursue music – Christmas and other. Nothing could be easier and more enjoyable than getting involved with our NYC music school

Whatever instrument you want to play – guitar, piano, drums, or anything else – (or whatever songs you would like to sing), our excellent teachers will come to your Manhattan, Brooklyn or Riverdale home or office to give you personalized music lessons.

Photo by rein

The post Beyond JINGLE BELLS – New York City Music School Reveals Lesser-known Christmas Songs appeared first on Hey Joe Guitar.

‘Tis the season of “fa la la la la, la la la,” and chances are you too are belting out, or at least humming to, some Christmas tunes. Whether it’s about rocking around the Christmas tree, decking the halls with boughs of holly, riding through the woods in a one-horse open sleigh, or poor grandma getting run over by a reindeer, these traditional songs are an integral part of the holidays.

But wait: have you ever wondered what interesting and maybe even wacky tales are behind the most popular Christmas carols? No? Well then, read on…

Holly Jolly Christmas

Sure you know all the seasonal standards, but – do you REALLY? Here’s a list of some curious facts about Christmas music you may have missed along the way:

Christmas is a Christian holiday, but many of the most popular tunes are the creation of Jewish songwriters and composers. For example, the music and lyrics of “White Christmas,” the most recorded Christmas song in history, were written by Irving Berlin.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJSUT8Inl14&w=500&rel=0

Johnny Marks was the prolific songwriter of “Rudolf The Red-Nosed Reindeer”, “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree” and “Run Rudolph Run”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6xNuUEnh2g&w=500&rel=0

“I’ll be Home For Christmas”, was composed by Walter Kent; “Winter Wonderland” is the creation of Felix Bernard; and “The Christmas Song”, was composed by Mel Torme.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JE8D52xD4uw&w=500&rel=0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SOszvL9lgSs&w=500&rel=0

And don’t think that Jewish composers are behind only the 20th century’s crop of songs – the music to “Hark the Herald Angels Sing”, was composed in 1840 by Felix Mendelssohn. In fact, there is something very interesting about this particular piece of music. Read on to find out!

Stories behind the songs

“Hark the Herald Angels Sing” has been a traditional Christmas carol for more than 170 years, but Mendelssohn actually composed this cantata – to the lyrics written in the previous century by a Methodist cleric Charles Wesley – to commemorate Johann Guttenberg’s invention of the printing press. Why a prominent composer would mark an invention that had occurred 400 years earlier with a religious song, we do not know. But whatever the reason is, we are happy that he gave the world this wonderful carol, which is still a part of Christmas repertoire all these years later.

Hang on – there are more fascinating facts out there. For instance, “Jingle Bells”, one of the most popular holiday songs, is not about Christmas at all; it was originally written for the Thanksgiving celebrations.

Another typical song is “Do You Hear What I Hear?” You’d THINK it’s a Christmas tune, but in reality, it is a peace song, inspired by the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ad7KU9bCTAM&w=500&rel=0

And there is a sweet “awwww” moment associated with the above-mentioned “I’ll be Home For Christmas:” Gemini 7 astronauts Frank Borman and Jim Lovell asked to have this song played for them while they were in space. Their wish did come true: they returned to Earth on December 18, 1965, after two weeks spent in orbit.

Comfort and joy – in your home

We are happy to share with you all these fascinating tidbits and hope they have inspired you to further explore the world of music – Christmas and otherwise. Do you want to be a little drummer boy (or girl)? Or perhaps you’d like to start guitar or piano lessons or, for that matter, learn to play any other instrument in the convenience of your own home or office?

Contact us and one of our wonderful NYC music teachers will appear at your doorstep, whether you live in Manhattan, Brooklyn, or Riverdale. With music in your life, you’ll never have a “Blue Christmas!”

Photo by The Dolly Mama

The post Christmas Songs Demystified – New York City Music School Tells All! appeared first on Hey Joe Guitar.

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!

***

Photo Credit: RonAlmog

The post Light Up Your Hanukkah Celebrations with New York City 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.

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?

***

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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“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

The post Ring in the New Year in Style appeared first on Hey Joe Guitar.

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.

“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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“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.”

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