Did you know that October is Emotional Wellness Month?

Before you start scratching your head wondering what “emotional wellness” has to do with music, let us tell you that there is, indeed, a strong connection between them.

By its definition, emotional wellness means relaxation, inner peace, and stress reduction; it is the ability to lead joyful lives, despite occasional setbacks. In other words, it is a healthy balance of the mind, body and spirits.

In fact, there is evidence showing that even in the most tragic circumstances, music can lift our spirits and soothe the soul.

How exactly does this happen?

Gotta Love the Music!

In a nutshell, studies have shown that listening to or playing our favorite music on a regular basis can help boost our emotional wellbeing in several ways. By releasing dopamine, a chemical in our brain that affects our mood, music can:

• Alleviate occasional “blues” or feelings of sadness. (For people suffering from chronic depression music can bring relief as well, but it is important to see a mental health care provider for diagnosis and treatment).
• Impart positive feelings of happiness, pleasure and comfort.
• Have a calming effect, reducing stress and anxiety.
• Eliminate the “blahs” by boosting your brain power, memory, and alertness.

And the good thing is that anyone, of any age, can benefit from music’s magic!

Get Happy!

What are some of the concrete ways to improve your emotional wellness?

It’s really quite simple: throughout the day, listen to the kind of music you enjoy most. And if you haven’t yet started music lessons, now is a good time to consider doing that — we’ll be happy to help!

In the meantime, get yourself into a positive mood with an upbeat tune. How about this one:

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We, um, wholeheartedly, agree with this goal and are happy to play our role in helping all our students be healthy and happy. How? While it may not be immediately obvious that a music school has anything to do with cardiovascular health, it actually does.

In fact, research suggests that music can – both literally and figuratively – mend broken hearts. Of course, music alone can’t do this; other factors such as a healthy diet, exercise, and tobacco-free life are very important.

But music can certainly play (no pun intended) its part. Here are five ways how this is done:

1. Music reduces stress and anxiety, both of which can cause abnormal heart rhythms and palpitations.
2. It helps lower high blood pressure, which is one of the factors of heart disease. Research shows that exposure to music slows down the respiratory rate and reduces hypertension.
3. By reducing stress and anxiety (see #2), music can also alleviate the symptoms of depression. And yes, evidence shows a link between the two conditions: studies demonstrate that depressed people are almost twice as likely to develop heart disease.
4. It helps the healing and recovery process after heart surgery. Some top hospitals, including the Mayo Clinic, play soothing music to their post-op patients.
5. Though playing a musical instrument is not exactly an intensive workout, it does burn calories and help keep your heart healthy.

Heartfelt Music

There is also another heart-related event in February: Valentine’s Day on the 14th, when giving and receiving of love is celebrated.

Songs are a huge part of this holiday. While they have no direct influence on physical health, love songs evoke so many positive emotions that make our hearts go flutter!

Isn’t it worth celebrating anything that makes us feel happy?

Photo: Happy Heart courtesy of fauxto_digit and Flickr

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Did you know that today, November 5, is the National Stress Awareness Day? You’ll probably tell us that you are too…stressed out to remember to put such events on your agenda, but that’s precisely a good reason why you should! After all, stress is like a nagging back pain – we all suffer from it from time to time (some of us more often that others), but we don’t really do much about it. However, there are some proven ways to ease both your backache and the stress.

Today, however, we’d like to focus on stress reduction only (since we are not licensed back healers), and talk about how music can relieve many of the symptoms of anxiety.

Down to a science

There’s lots of evidence to suggest that, aside from many other health benefits, music is a very effective stress management tool. For instance, in one study carried out at Monash University in Australia, college students made a presentation before a group with either Pachaelbel’s Canon or no music in the background. Those who were accompanied by music felt less anxiety, and also had lower heart rate and blood pressure than students who presented without music. This finding is not really a surprise to us because we’ve always known that listening to music relaxes our minds and bodies, slowing the pulse and heart rate, lowering blood pressure, and decreasing the levels of stress hormones. Singing, by the way, is also a great way to release tension.

“Soul” music

You may be a heavy metal aficionado, and there’s nothing wrong with that. But if you have a lot of stress in your life, soothing music will be more effective in taming your inner chaos. In one study conducted by a British university, researchers were looking at which types of music relieved anxiety the most. They determined – not surprisingly – that the most calming sounds were harmonious. “The most common labels for the relaxing tracks were, ‘peaceful,’ ‘serenity,’ ‘sadness’ and ‘joy,’” the researchers noted. So what should you listen to when you are stressed? Actually, there’s a wide variety of tunes, ranging from the above-mentioned Canon in D Major, to Louis Armstrong’s wonderfully uplifting “It’s A Wonderful World.” There are also sounds that will thoroughly relax you from inside out. And these tunes are supposedly scientifically proven to calm you down. You can’t argue with science!

Cool, calm, and collected

So now you know what kind of music will soothe your soul, but there is even more good news from the world of science. Researchers found that playing a musical instrument can switch off the so-called “stress response,” which, in turn, promotes inner peace and emotional balance. And this is where our teachers can help. They will give you or a family member music lessons right in the comfort of your Manhattan, Brooklyn, or Riverdale home or office, eliminating the stress of commuting to and from. And that’s definitely something to be happy about!

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We don’t mean to be too inquisitive about your, um, bedroom habits, but we would like to know this: how well do you sleep at night? Are you lucky enough to fall into deep and relaxing slumber, or are you tossing and turning all night long?

If you are like most people, chances are that you sometimes (or maybe often) have difficulties falling – or staying – asleep. If you’ve tried natural remedies like drinking warm milk before bed or counting sheep, but sleep still eludes you, music may be a great remedy. Several studies conducted in recent years have demonstrated not only that certain types of music promote restful sleep, but also that listening to music during sleep could enhance brainpower and lead to better memory.

Land of Nod

We know that lullabies help fussy babies catch some zzzz’s, but what kind of music will lull adults to sleep? For most people, heavy metal is probably not the most effective sleep inducer, unless, of course, you are a hardened Metallica fan and find the group’s biggest hit, “Enter Sandman ” to be a Zen-like experience. For the majority of us, however, soft and smooth sounds have a more relaxing and calming effect. In fact, psychologist Dave Elliot of the University of Cumbria found that the most relaxing music features 90 beats per minute, a 4/4 beat, piano and strings, and narrow note sequences where the notes move from low to high. What does this tune sound like? The aptly named “World’s Most Relaxing Music ” may just do the trick. Then there is a new 8-hour long piece of music by British composer Max Richter, which is believed to be the longest “lullaby” ever recorded. Titled “Sleep,” it will premiere in Berlin in September from 12pm to 8am. The audience will be given beds instead of seats. It will probably be the first time in history that a concert’s success will be judged by how many people fell asleep during the performance!

Night sounds

If you can’t be in Berlin for this particular concert, or can’t wait until September to get a good night’s sleep, you may try listening to these calm and soothing tunes: Binaural sounds
Deep sleep music
Weightless music
Dream music
Relaxing music
Delta waves

A hard day’s night

Many musical instruments can play soothing and relaxing tunes – for instance, the flute, harp, sitar, or the violin. Also, many items that don’t fall into the strict category of musical instruments produce the most beautiful and relaxing sounds: Tibetan “singing” bowls or wind chimes , for instance. And what about our music teachers? Rest assured that when they give you a music lesson, they will never (intentionally) put you to sleep! We guarantee that no matter what time of day or evening they show up at your Manhattan, Brooklyn, or Riverdale home or office, you’ll never catch them napping!

Photo by unknown, available under Creative Commons License

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Back in December, when Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge visited New York, the press reported every detail of their whirlwind tour of our city. One thing that we found especially interesting was a story about a meeting between Kate and Hillary Clinton, during which the former U.S. Secretary of State mentioned the importance of singing to babies. “We’re trying to encourage more people to sing … because the research suggests that it’s beneficial,” Clinton told Kate.

This may or may not have been news to the Duchess, but it’s not news to us. There is plenty of scientific evidence demonstrating that singing lullabies or nursery rhymes to infants before they learn to speak may help develop their language skills later on. And there are other benefits as well, including fostering emotional comfort as babies grow and develop.

The expert’s take

All this is important, of course, but there is more you should know: singing is good for older children and adults as well.

Studies have shown that raising your voice in a song has both physical and psychological benefits. Professor Graham Welch, Chair of Music Education at University of London, has studied developmental and medical aspects of singing for 30 years, so he is certainly an expert in this field. This is what he says: “Singing has physical benefits because it is an aerobic activity that increases oxygenation in the blood stream and exercises major muscle groups in the upper body, even when sitting.”

What about the psychological / emotional aspect of this activity? The professor explains that singing “reduces stress levels through the action of the endocrine system, which is linked to our sense of emotional well-being.”

The positive effect comes from the endorphins and oxytocin (NOT to be confused with a drug Oxycontin!). These two hormones, which are released during singing – and music in general – are associated with feelings of pleasure and stress reduction, respectively. In our book, any activity that can make us healthier and happier is certainly worth pursuing!

Sing, sing a song!

Do you want to be able to sing but feel you don’t have what it takes? Maybe you think you can’t carry a tune because you are tone-deaf? Actually, only a tiny percentage of the population is truly tone-deaf, suffering from a rare condition called amusia. For the vast majority of people, however, “tone-deafness” – inability to hear pitch or distinguish among musical notes– is nothing more than lack of training. It could also boil down to lack of confidence in your ability to carry a tune, or not knowing how to use your voice.

Let us reassure you with another piece of scientific evidence: research suggests that a good singing voice is simply a matter of training and practice. Singing is not an unattainable art form reserved only for the most talented and gifted vocalists; it is a skill that anyone can master with the help of an experienced and patient voice teacher.

This is where we can definitely help. When one of our teachers comes to your Manhattan, Brooklyn or Riverdale home or office, you will learn proper breathing techniques, tone placement, muscle control, and other fundamental aspects of singing that will give you confidence to belt out many a tune.

Remember: the key to…singing in key is training, practice, and an awesome teacher!

Photo by Connie Larsen

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Did you know that February is the American Heart Month? While cardiovascular health should be among our primary concerns each day of the year, this month is as good a time as any to raise awareness of the importance of heart health, especially since heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States.

Why are we talking about the Heart Month in this blog? That’s because there is plenty of research suggesting that music can – both literally and figuratively – mend broken hearts.

Heartfelt music

Music has been credited with many beneficial effects on our brain, body and soul – from making us smarter to making us happier and healthier. In fact, unless you play or listen to very loud music on prolonged basis (which can lead to hearing loss), there is nothing negative about music exposure – it’s all good!

At the…heart of the matter are several scientific studies showing that music can actually boost your cardiovascular health.

How exactly does this work? Before we answer this question, let us give you a very brief tutorial. Long-term stress wreaks havoc not only on our nervous system but also, doctors tell us, on the heart. For example, over time chronic stress may increase the heart rate and blood pressure, unleashing the so-called “stress hormones” like cortisol and adrenaline into the body. All these factors could weaken the heart, causing heart attacks, strokes, and other medical conditions.

Music to the rescue

Now for the good news: studies have shown that music is one of the best de-stressors around.

However, let us make it perfectly clear: music alone can’t prevent cardiovascular disease or stave off heart attacks. A tobacco-free lifestyle, which also includes regular exercise and sensible eating habits, is the basis of a strong and healthy heart. We thought it would be important to emphasize this point.

Back to music: just as stress tends to emit harmful hormones into the body, exposure to music releases some powerful substances of its own: endorphin and serotonin. They are known as “feel-good” hormones because they effectively reduce stress and anxiety; playing or listening to music has been shown in studies to maximize the output of these stress-busting hormones.

That’s why many hospitals use music therapy to help their patients recover. At the famous Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, music is played for heart patients to help them reduce post-op stress, tension, and anxiety.

Just what the doctor ordered

You might be wondering what kind of music is best for your heart.

Let’s put it this way: any music that you enjoy playing or listening to will be beneficial. Generally speaking, classical music is great, but so are jazz, blues, and even rock, if that’s your thing.

However, researchers at Sanford University found that that being exposed to the same music over and over again decreased its beneficial effects on the body, so mix it up – play or listen to different tunes. By the same token, if you don’t like a particular style of music, don’t listen to it because doing so will increase, rather than diminish, stress. And that would be the exact opposite of what you are trying to accomplish!

Music as you like it

We at Hey Joe Guitar care about your heart – and ours. That is why we make our Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Riverdale music lessons easy and convenient.

Not only do our teachers come right to your home or office, but we also offer a wide variety of instruments – guitar, piano, drums – whatever, wherever, and however you like it.

Any music that pulls on your heartstrings can be yours for the asking!

Photo by Scott Wilson

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It’s not exactly a news flash: January is typically the coldest month in New York. Even if we are lucky enough not to be hit by snowstorms that immobilize the entire city, we still have to put up with crummy weather.

During these bleak winter months, various viruses and germs that lay dormant the rest of the year attack our bodies. Let’s put it this way: the holiday season may be over, but the flu season is in full swing. Whether we are struck by sneezes, sniffles, and nose blowing of a common cold or suffer from shivers, aches and fever, the winter bugs make us feel miserable.

What can you do to stay healthy when everyone around you is sick? Admittedly it’s not easy – after all, cold and flu are called contagious diseases for a reason. However, you can take some steps to bug-proof your body and make it more resistant to the pesky viruses around you.

Be the picture of health

Some of the preventive measures are just common sense: exercise, wash your hands often, drink lots of fluids, and eat right. An apple a day may not always keep the doctor away, but several pieces of fruit might: a vitamin-rich diet is an excellent immunity booster.

Also, as surprising as this may sound, going out for some fresh air (well bundled up, of course) is actually a good way to avoid contagion. That’s because viruses tend to live longer and spread more effectively when you are indoors with an infected person.

There is also another very effective way to strengthen your immune system – music! Although this statement may sound self-serving (after all, Hey Joe Guitar is a music school), we can assure you that it is based on science.

Researchers from several international universities have discovered that exposure to music may, in fact, help you fight off disease. How is this possible? It all comes down to how some of our body mechanisms react to the sound of music.

Here is how this works: listening to music for about 50 minutes a day increases the levels of antibodies, which neutralize bacteria and viruses. At the same time, scientists found that music lowers the levels of cortisol, one of the main stress hormones. Since stress weakens the immunity, it is logical that when less of it circulates in the body, we are less likely to get sick.

That’s the power of music, baby!

Just what the doctor ordered!

Your doctor may not make house calls, but our music teachers certainly do. And when they show up at your Manhattan, Brooklyn or Riverdale home or office, you can expect an immunity-bolstering experience.

Now, you might be wondering which musical instrument is best for your health. It all comes down to this: whatever instrument “speaks” to you is the one that has – figuratively speaking – your name on it. The sounds of the guitar, flute, saxophone, or any other instrument, really are healing!

Photo by unknown, available under Creative Commons License

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T.S. Eliot claimed that April is the cruelest month, but he may not have been aware of the research suggesting that, in fact, January should be claiming this title.

Studies done over the years indicate that January is the “blues” month, which has nothing to do with the music genre, but, rather, with the funk many people are in.

Why January? There are several reasons: Christmas and Hanukkah are over and the withdrawal from the cheer, comfort and joy is not easy. And if you have gained a few extra pounds – as many people do during the holidays – then you might be down in the dumps. Also, January in New York is often cold and gray, with the prospect of several more bleak weeks ahead. It is a well-known fact that many people are affected by the weather, a phenomenon aptly called “SAD” – Seasonal Affective Disorder.

The combination of some (or all) of these factors can indeed make you feel listless and “out of it.” But there IS light at the end of the tunnel: all that gloom and doom are temporary.

Beat the blues

Experts tell us (and who are we to doubt them?) that there are some effective ways to lift your spirits when they are low. Different things may work for different people, but generally speaking these activities have proven to be real mood boosters:

• Get moving: When you are feeling blue you probably don’t want to get off your comfy sofa and venture outdoors. But physical activity is one of the best cures for winter “blahs,” so c’mon – bundle up and go for a walk. Or how about skating in Central Park’s Wollman or Lasker Rinks? There is also the annual Winter Jam sports festival in Central Park, which takes place on January 25 from 11 am. to 3 pm. You can snowshoe there, do Nordic skiing, and other fun activities that are healing for your body AND soul.
• Be a culture vulture: New York is a treasure trove of arts and culture. Get out there and enjoy the concerts, exhibits, and whatever other events strike your fancy.
• Relax: Yes, but don’t just sit there staring at the wall. Instead, practice “active” or “mindful” relaxation, which helps relieve stress, as well as find serenity, inner peace, and emotional balance. Here are some techniques to help you get to that “happy place.”

Don’t forget the music!

You knew we’d say it, didn’t you – music has been proven to be a very effective “picker-upper” for January (and other) blues. By releasing endorphins in the brain – “the feel-good” hormones that make us happy – music provides an emotional release from all the tensions and stress factors.

Of course, if you are feeling low, you probably shouldn’t listen to or play a piece that will make you even sadder. What you want is music that is upbeat and has uplifting lyrics. For instance:

“Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” by Israel Kamakawiwo’ole

“What a Wonderful World,” by Louis Armstrong

“Smile,” by Harry Connick Jr.

Tune in!

One way to turn January into a “happy” month is to start an enjoyable and mood-boosting activity. We are talking, of course, about music lessons.

Fact is, music training provides a multitude of benefits for people of all ages.

When it comes to teaching guitar, piano, drums, or any other musical instrument, our teachers are true miracle workers. No, they won’t come to your Manhattan, Brooklyn or Riverdale home or office with a magic wand, but they will use their professional experience, patience, kindness, and sweet personalities to make sure your music lessons lift your spirits. And who knows, the first song they’ll teach you to play could be this one .

Photo by unknown, available under Creative Commons License

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Are you one of those people who can’t organize or structure their thoughts and concentrate on just one idea / task at a time? You are certainly not alone because so many of us are multitasking and juggling various obligations at the same time.

If you (or your child) ever said “I just can’t focus,” then we have some very good news for you: researchers have discovered an effective way to whip your thoughts and attention span into tip-top shape: music!

A study carried out jointly at Harvard and Japan’s Kyoto University reports that soothing sounds of a Mozart minuet improve the ability of children and older people to focus on a task, while ignoring irrelevant information that might be “crowding” their brains.

Who knew music had such a powerful effect on our concentration? Well, WE certainly did!

The science behind it all

The above-mentioned study is not the only one that has demonstrated how music can help the brain focus more effectively. Other research has also shown that melodious sounds help the brain release dopamine, a chemical neurotransmitter which impacts many mental and cognitive functions, including motivation, attention, learning, and concentration.

What does this mean to you and your child? Experts tell us that for adults, music boosts on-the-job productivity, while in kids it improves academic performance – all because of a better ability to concentrate and process the information at hand. For all age groups, this translates into increased creativity across all fields and domains.

Music education can also make you more successful in all aspects of your life. All that, we believe, starts with the ability to focus because it helps us hone in on what is important and relevant to us at any given time.

Rein in your wandering thoughts

What kind of music is most effective in improving our concentration? Rhythms and transitions in Mozart and Beethoven’s compositions are believed to help the brain focus better.

But that’s not all: researchers at the University of London’s Institute of Education found that children are more likely to appreciate a wider range of music later in life, if they had been exposed to history’s most famous composers – like the ones mentioned above – early on.

But, let’s go back to the type of music that boosts concentration.

Some experts believe that rhythmic patterns specific to Baroque music, such as Vivaldi’s Four Seasons and Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto #3 are especially focus-friendly.

Is it all about classical music, you may wonder? The above-mentioned studies …focused on that genre, but you can boost your concentration with other melodies as well – it’s all about what “speaks” to you.

For example, the so-called “ambient ” music, the kind that creates a certain mood, has also been shown to have concentration-boosting properties because it’s so soft and soothing.

The bottom line…

From our own extensive experience and anecdotal evidence derived from students at our NYC music school, we can tell you that music really does improve concentration.

Of course, it all depends on several important factors, such as the quality of instruction – our music teachers are among the best in New York – as well as the correct technique adapted to the age and level of each student.

We also believe that students are able to focus better if the lesson takes place in a quiet and comfortable environment, which is why our teachers make “house calls” in Manhattan, Brooklyn and Riverdale section of the Bronx. So please contact us and we’ll…focus on you right away!

Photo by Vikingmaid

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If you have been following our blogs, you know that we often talk about benefits of music – physical, emotional, and social.

However, there is one negative aspect as well. We are referring to the hazards of constant exposure to very loud music, which could lead to hearing loss and / or tinnitus, a very unpleasant ringing in the ears.

How could this happen? It all comes down to decibels.

Noises off

Simply put, a decibel is a unit used to measure the intensity of a sound. Studies show that that we can safely listen to music up to 85 decibels, which, in musical terms, translates into (just as an example) a normal piano practice or chamber music concert in a small auditorium. If you frequently exceed this threshold, you are putting yourself at risk of hearing impairment.

That’s because very loud noises  (above 110 decibels) damage sensitivesensory cells in the inner ear, and, over time, the hearing suffers. What does 110 decibels sound like? It is equivalent to noise blared by a power mower or jet engine.

Now, you may be wondering whether any music attains this level of loudness. The answer is yes.  The average decibel count at a rock concert is about 115, with peak passages reaching the ear-blasting 150! That may explain why many professional musicians are almost four times more likely to suffer noise-induced hearing loss, and many of them do.

Famous rockers like Neil Young, Phil Collins, Eric Clapton, and Pete Townshend are just a few among many musicians living with irreversible hearing damage because of the noise levels they have been exposed to. In fact, Townshend helped found an organization aptly named HEAR (Hearing Education and Awareness for Rockers), which spreads the message about the dangers of repeated exposure to excessive noise.

The sound and the fury

Of course, it would be a great pity to forego the pleasure of music (either as a player or listener) just to avoid the risk of hearing damage. Good news is that there are ways to prevent this condition in yourself and your children – as long as you take sensible precautions.

Even if you don’t attend too many rock concerts, chances are that you and / or your children listen to music on iPods and other MP3 players, which can easily attain high decibel levels. However, there is no need to take drastic steps and give up your personal audio equipment altogether – just practice good sense and moderation by lowering the volume and taking frequent breaks.

You can also invest in some good noise-cancelling headphones, but the best prevention (which really IS worth a pound of cure) is educating yourself and your children about dangers of excessive noise and the importance of protective measures.

Gentle on the ears

It goes without saying that our teachers know all about the effects of excessively loud music, and would never endanger your children’s ears. Such knowledge – along with other important aspects of music education like the proper technique and posture – is what distinguishes excellent teachers from the rest.

So when our teacher rings the doorbell at your Manhattan, Brooklyn, or Riverdale home or office, you can be sure that your little ones will be safe and – no pun intended – sound. After all, no matter what kind of instrument they play, they will always need their ears!

Photo by: Loic Brohard

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None of us can forget the unspeakable tragedy that happened at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newton CT last year, where 20 children and six adults were killed in a shooting spree. This horrific event has left emotional scars on the victims’ families and the community at large, but these brave people have been finding comfort in an unexpected source: music and arts.

In a recent article, Jimmy Greene, whose daughter was killed in the shooting, says that playing his saxophone has helped him deal with his grief. “I picked up my instrument one day and felt much better,” he recounts. “I realized that music is a big part of who I am and the more I played, the more like myself I felt. In the time I didn’t play, I kind of lost sense of myself in a way.”

He adds that he found music helpful in “dealing with the grief and the loss, the pain and the sadness that I deal with every day.”

Greene is a professional musician who also teaches music at Western Connecticut State University, but the fact is that many other people in Newton have found a measure of relief in music and creative arts in general.

We at Hey Joe Guitar music school are not surprised – we have always known through our own experience (which is backed by a vast body of research), that music has a strong therapeutic effect, which eases both emotional and physical pain. That’s because music provides an outlet for expressing feelings that mere language does not.

Musical miracles

Just as an example, studies show that music has a beneficial effect on cardiovascular heath because it normalizes blood pressure, as well as heart and respiratory rates. It also has shown promise in cancer recovery by helping reduce anxiety in patients receiving radiation therapy, and ease nausea and other discomforts from chemotherapy.

There is also strong evidence of benefits to mental health. For instance, music therapy lowers stress and anxiety, and helps depressive patients recover quicker.

What is the connection between music and healing? Experts say that is an intricate process, but, generally speaking, music helps us relax, distracts our minds from our problems, and provides an emotional release from all the tensions and stress factors that can make us ill.

Now, you might be wondering what kind of music is the most powerful healer. It all depends on the genre YOU like and respond to best – classical, jazz, blues, pop, or the type we usually associate with the word “soothing,” which is a New Age-like, subliminal sound Video
Whatever lifts your spirits and brings you pleasure is fine by us!

To your health!

As the songs says, we believe in music Video We have seen many instances of the powerful effect that our Manhattan, Brooklyn and Riverdale (Bronx) music lessons have had on our students – whatever their age or level of proficiency.
You might think, “a lesson is a lesson, so what’s the big deal?” We beg to disagree! We pride ourselves on our individual, personalized approach , as well as our top-notch teachers .
Whether for health or pleasure (or both), we are just what the doctor ordered!

Photo be Helder Silva

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Remember when your mom used to tell you to sit straight? We hope you listened to her because good posture – the body’s alignment in relation to the force of gravity – is very important.

Maybe you’ve never thought about it, but gravity overstresses your muscles, joints, and ligaments. If you constantly slouch or stoop, chances are you’ll end up with chronic aches and pains. But correct posture will distribute the force of gravity evenly throughout your body, preventing soreness and other discomfort.

You might be wondering why in the world we are talking about posture in a music blog. Just sit straight and read on!

Yes, mother knows best!

Whatever instrument you play, regardless of whether it’s small and light like the harmonica or big like the upright bass, certain muscles of your body will be working overtime because of the repetitive motion required for playing.

Repetitive stress injuries like tendonitis, bursitis, as well as back, neck and shoulder pain could strike a musician just as they sometimes happen to athletes. But yes, you can prepare your body to resist these pesky and painful inconveniences.

We don’t mean to sound like your mother, but this merits repeating: correct body posture and movement – called “body mechanics” – while holding your instrument is very important for any musician. It will not only prevent physical discomfort but a poor performance as well!

Fit as a fiddle

If you play your instrument sitting down, remember to sit with a tall, straight back near the front of the chair, with your feet flat on the floor – your center of gravity should be on your feet and “sit bones,” rather than on your back or neck.

What if you play standing up? Your body must be balanced, with the weight evenly distributed between the two feet, which should be placed in a V position, not too close or too far apart.

And, it goes without saying that you should stand tall and not slouch, stoop or bend, so you can hold and position your instrument properly.

Whip yourself into shape

Clearly, we can’t teach you all about proper posture and weight distribution right here and now (but our Manhattan music lessons instructors who come to your home or office, will!)

Just to give you some practical ideas, these tips will help you “ache-proof” your body so you can handle your instrument like a pro:

Stretch before playing. These exercises will help you become more flexible and “fluid.” Strengthen your wrists, hands and arms, since they are essential “tools” while you play. Simple exercises like squeezing a tennis ball or lifting a dumbbell will be useful. Building up the core strength of your diaphragm trunk muscles is very important, especially if you play a woodwind or brass instrument.

These are just several of many exercises that will, if practiced regularly, improve your posture – in music and in life.

But even the best exercises will not prevent soreness if you don’t know how to hold your instrument correctly, so ask your Manhattan music lessons teacher to show you. He or she will be happy to come to your NYC home (Brooklyn and Riverdale in the Bronx included) and …set you straight!

Photo by Enrique Pellejer

The post Straight Talk, from New York City Guitar School appeared first on Hey Joe Guitar.

You already knew that music is very beneficial for your health, as well as for emotional and cognitive development – that’s not exactly breaking news.

Just as a reminder, a multitude of studies have demonstrated that music training in children improves social skills and academic performance. In adults, music has been shown to lift the mood and relieve anxiety, and, consequently, help prevent numerous medical conditions that are stress-related.

And in the elderly, exposure to music has been known to boost memory and help prevent the onset of age-related, cognition-depleting diseases, such as dementia and Alzheimer’s.

Yes, music is a wonderful boost for any age, and the best thing is, it’s all natural – no artificial preservatives, additives, or pesticides.

But, as compelling as these benefits are, music offers even more health perks, such as physical fitness. Wait, you’ll see!

Put your muscles to work

If you ever played an instrument or took voice lessons, you know how much physical strength and endurance these actions require. Whether you play the lightest instruments like a flute or recorder, or the big and heavy ones like the upright bass; whether you blow into it, strum it, or let your fingers do the walking, you can’t get even the smallest sound out of any of these instruments without putting your muscles to work.

For example, in the very least, wind instruments big and small require the use of facial muscles, as well as various muscle groups located in your chest and abdomen.

For the guitar, your forearm, wrist, shoulder, and neck muscles are put to work, and for the piano, the small muscles of your hands are getting a workout.

And what about the drums? We are glad you asked, because this percussion instrument gives a terrific lower and upper body workout by exercising your legs and arms, making you move and, as a result of all this action, burn fat and calories.

In fact, nearly every instrument will burn a certain number of calories – 204 for an hour of drum practice, 170 for the trombone, and 136 for the rock guitar.

Another very important health and fitness factor of music training is that, no matter which instrument you play, you must maintain a good posture. That’s because correct posture strengthens the spinal column and promotes good body alignment, preventing the deterioration of muscles and ligaments that keep you balanced, flexible, and pain-free.

Flex your muscle!

Now, you might be wondering how does all this music-related muscle activity make you healthier and fitter.

This is what you should know: With age, our muscle mass declines and the body becomes weaker and less resistant to all kinds of ailments like osteoporosis, arthritis, joint diseases, and other medical conditions. But building up muscle mass throughout your life will help your body stay strong, fit, and healthy.

And by the way, this is another good reason to work with a qualified music teacher: it’s easy to grab an instrument and start strumming, but unless you maintain the correct posture and muscle control, you might end up with aches, soreness, and stiffness. A good teacher, however, will show you the proper way to sit or stand, hold your instrument, and use your muscle groups.

Stay healthy – with Manhattan music lessons

We at Hey Joe Guitar believe in the beneficial powers of music and will be happy to send one of our excellent teachers to your Manhattan, Brooklyn or Riverdale home or office.

All our instructors are carefully screened, so you can be sure they will not only teach your proper musical techniques, but also help you derive the health benefits of music!

Photo credit:  Sokolin Maimon

The post Manhattan Music Lessons are a Good “Fit” appeared first on Hey Joe Guitar.