Look no further. As summertime and the livin’ is easy. This means that when school is out and kids are on vacation, the last thing they want to do is practice music.

We get it. But as music educators we know that stopping guitar lessons or piano lessons (and not practicing) for several weeks is not a good thing. Children (and adults too, for that matter) who resume their music lessons after a summer of inactivity often need several weeks to “catch up” — to relearn what they already knew but have forgotten.

There is actually a well-documented phenomenon called “Summer Learning Loss” or “Summer Slide.” This refers to the decline in students’ academic skills due to inactivity (that is why students are encouraged to read during school breaks).

Don’t Give Up – Summer Guitar Lessons Are Here!

We realize it’s tough motivating children to practice or even having summer guitar lessons or other music lessons in NYC when they’d rather be outside. Here are five tips on how to get them to play their music:

1. Start by explaining to your son or daughter why it is important to keep practicing: so that they don’t lose all the skills they already mastered.
2. By the same token, it would be good if they understood themselves how frustrating it would be in September to have to “catch up” and relearn what they already knew but have forgotten during the summer.
3. It’s all in the scheduling. Don’t overburden the child with “musical chores.” No planning lessons and practice sessions to the exclusion of playtime and all the other activities. Just because she has lots of free time on her hands doesn’t mean her music training should fill every hour of her day!
4. If your child has a friend who also plays an instrument, arrange for them to practice together. Perhaps put on a mini-concert for parents and relatives afterwards!
5. Keep them enthused and inspired by attending some summer concerts together.

Keep on Playing!

Looking for summer guitar lessons in NYC? We understand that your summer schedule may be different than during the school year. No problem! Just contact us as soon as possible and we’ll be happy to set up your summertime lessons.

Photo: Outdoor Acoustic Guitar Performance courtesy of Mariana Vusiatytska and Unsplash

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Why November 6th, you may wonder? That’s because on this day in 1814, the woodwind’s inventor, the appropriately named Adolphe Sax was born in Belgium. He started building saxophones in the early 1840s.

And the rest, as the saying goes, is history!

We love the sound a saxophone makes and so did scores of musicians like John Coltrane, Branford Marsalis, Charlie Parker, Stan Getz, former President Bill Clinton, and countless others.

Five Things About the Sax You Didn’t Learn in the Kindergarten (or Later)

1. The saxophone family consists (from the smallest to the biggest) of the sopranino, soprano, alto, tenor, baritone, bass, contrabass and sub-contrabass.
2. Though most commonly constructed of brass, the saxophone is a member of the woodwind family.
3. French composer Hector Berlioz created the first saxophone composition, Chant Sacre, which he conducted in 1844 while Adolphe Sax played this instrument.

4. The first American jazz musician to become a famous saxophonist was Coleman Hawkins, in the 1920s.

5. Inventor Thomas Edison auditioned saxophone players for his recording label, Diamond Disks.

More Joys of Sax…

Another important fact about the saxophone that should not go unmentioned is that the Muppets have a sax-playing character named Zoot.

DOn a more serious side, the most compelling reason to love the sax is because it makes such beautiful music, as demonstrated by this orchestra!

Just ask some of our excellent saxophone teachers. They can show you how truly versatile and expressive this instrument is.

Photo: King Zephyr Alto Sax (c.1946) courtesy of woodleywonderworks and WikiMedia Commons

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But while they are enjoying their break, chances are that school and homework are the furthest things from their minds.

And we bet that practicing their instrument is not on their radar either. But there is no reason to take vacation from music!

Hey, we understand that kids need to have a carefree vacation. But on the other hand, giving up all their regular activities — including music — is not a good thing.

Kids, Don’t Stop the Music!

If your children don’t play their instrument for weeks, they may lose some of the skills and techniques they had mastered during the school year. This means that they will have to re-learn what they already knew but had forgotten in the meantime. (It’s the so-called “use it or lose it” phenomenon!)

If that’s the case, they may lose their motivation to keep on playing and want to give up music lessons altogether. You certainly don’t want that to happen — they have worked hard to achieve a certain level of proficiency and it would be such a pity not to build up on the progress they made.

This is where you, the parent, can, um, call the tune!

Here are five ways to motivate your child to keep on playing:

1. Encourage: Explain to your child why it is important for him/her to continue practicing and what would happen if he/she doesn’t: much of the progress he/she made during the school year would be lost and he/she would have to re-master the skills he/she already learned.

2. Be Flexible: It’s not necessary to keep the same practice schedule during vacation as during the school year. Find a “happy medium” — say 20 minutes a few times a week.

3. The Importance of Scheduling: It’s probably not a good idea to schedule practice for when your child is tired and cranky — like in the evening. Choose the time when he/she is rested and energized, maybe right after breakfast.

4. Team Effort: If your child has friends or family members who play an instrument, arrange a group practice. If they play well together (pun intended!), they could perform a “concert” at the end of the summer to show off their skills.

5. Turn Music Into a Family Affair: There is no shortage of concerts and live performances in NYC this month. Go with your child and inspire him/her in their musical journey!

As you can see, there are lots of ways to keep your child practicing this summer.

Photo: Piano Practice Hands courtesy of WikiMedia Commons

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Now, you might think that these articles are self-serving — that (no pun intended) we are tooting our own horn because, after all, we are a music school.

Well, let us tell you that what you read about in our blogs is based on facts (real, not alternative), and solid science is behind everything we write.

So with this in mind, let’s look at five reasons why music lessons make you healthier.

Let’s Count the Ways…

Actually, there are many ways in which music benefits your physical and mental health; these are just top five:

1. Stress reduction. It’s a well-known fact that extreme or chronic stress and anxiety can lead to serious conditions like heart disease or strokes. Playing an instrument, however, helps release “feel-good” hormones like endorphins and serotonin, which, in turn, have a calming effect on our nervous system.
2. Better immunity. Music boosts our immune system so our body is able to fight off various viruses and germs that attack our bodies and make us sick.
3. Improved sleep. A good night’s sleep is essential for health. If you have trouble falling asleep or are awake at night, music will help you sleep better.
4. Pain relief. That’s right, there’s evidence to suggest music can reduce your perception of pain and the need for meds.
5. Quicker recovery. If you’ve been ill, music can speed up the healing process.

But Wait, There is More…

Music lessons can also improve motor skills, coordination, and even muscle tone — think of all the strength you need to hold an instrument or blow into it!

And did you know that music is beneficial at any age? According to an article in LiveScience, “Musical activity throughout life may serve as a challenging cognitive exercise, making your brain fitter and more capable of accommodating the challenges of aging.”

There is even more good news: it doesn’t matter which instrument you or your child are learning to play — they are all equally good in providing health benefits.

So our advice (one that your doctor will surely approve of) is this: Eat balanced meals, exercise, and take music lessons!

Photo: Students Playing Music Together

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If this comes as news to you, let us reiterate what we (and scientists) have said many times before: playing music helps develop or improve a variety of skills, ranging from social and academic to emotional and psychological.

Now, the question you may be asking yourself is: “What is the best instrument for my child?”

Before we answer, let us say that our recommendations below are subjective, in a sense that what’s great for one child may not be the best choice for another.

These are general guidelines, based on our own experience, as well as that of music teachers and child development experts.

Okay, having said that, the answer depends on factors such as the child’s age, the length and agility of fingers and legs, fine motor skills, and whether he or she is able to cope with the mechanics of the instrument.

So that leaves us with smaller, more manageable instruments.

Give Me Five (Instruments, that is!)

For kids eight years of age and older, the five instruments that are easiest to learn and handle:

1. The guitar comes in a variety of sizes and styles to suit any student’s need
2. The violin. It also comes in child-appropriate sizes
3. The flute is one of the easiest instruments to learn, easy to transport, and fun to play
4. The recorder —just like it’s cousin the flute, it’s wonderful for small hands
5. The piano is one of the most versatile instruments for all ages

All of these instruments are more compatible with a child’s body; they are easy to learn and (except for the piano) to carry.

The bottom line is this: let your kids play what they want to play. There is no such thing as a “bad” instrument!

But whatever the age and instruments, remember that in order for the lessons to be truly beneficial, children need an excellent teacher to guide and mentor them on their musical journey.

Photo: Girl Playing the Recorder Courtesy of Max Pixel

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As a music school, we have many people – adults and children alike – tell us they would love to play an instrument. A lot of them express interest in the guitar. We are, of course, delighted and excited to teach them to play this wonderful string instrument.

But before we match our students with the most amazing teachers in New York City, we ask them what kind of guitar they have in mind. More often than not, they have no idea that there are several types of this instrument to choose from.

By Any Other Name, It’s Still the Guitar!

The so-called “simple” or “classical” style is the kind everyone imagines when thinking of the guitar.

Another well-known type is the electric guitar. The purely technical definition of this instrument, according to Wikipedia is: “a fretted string instrument that uses a pickup to convert the vibration of its strings.” But to put it in simple terms, it gives the rock and roll music its unique tone and character.

What about the acoustic guitar? We are glad you asked! Unlike the electric guitar, which uses electronic amplification, the acoustic type produces sound by transmitting the vibration of the strings to the air.

Now let’s move on to the steel guitar, which is usually positioned horizontally. Its strings are plucked with one hand, while the other hand changes the pitch of its strings with the use of a bar or slide called a “steel”.

Now, you might think that metal guitar is somehow related to its steel cousin, but that’s not the case. As the name suggests, the metal guitar is used by heavy metal and psychedelic rock musicians,

since its sound can be best described as “loud,” and “distorted.”

Next, there is a flamenco guitar, which is similar to the classic model but has a thinner top and less internal bracing. As its name suggests, it is used most commonly in flamenco music.

If you prefer the melodic sounds of the blues, there are several guitars on the market that are great for playing that genre.

What about the rhythm guitar? Actually, it’s more about the guitarist and his (or her) role in the band than the instrument itself. For instance, the rhythm guitar(ist) provides chords and rhythmic references for the vocalist and other players.

This is, of course, a brief description of various guitar types, but if you or your son or daughter are interested in learning more about these instruments, we’ll be happy to oblige!

New Year, New Guitar Lessons

The guitar has long been one of the most popular instruments. Why? Because the piano is too bulky and heavy to carry on the motorcycle!

We are joking of course! People of all ages choose to play this instrument because it’s so versatile – the types outlined above cover all music genres.

And it is also a great “equalizer”: even though many people imagine guitarists as male, fact is that there are lots of talented women guitar players as well.

All this goes to say that boys AND girls can enjoy and benefit from guitar lessons!

Photo: Wunjo Guitars of London on Wikimedia Commons

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We do know that the late astronomer, cosmologist, and astrophysicist Carl Sagan believed in the universal (literally) appeal of music and its power to connect terrestrial and extraterrestrial beings.

Back in 1977, Dr. Sagan spearheaded the creation of Voyager Golden Record – a kind of time capsule containing 27 tracks of earthly music that NASA sent into space on Voyagers 1 and 2 with the hope that aliens would hear and love it.

The eclectic mix includes such oeuvres as Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 2 in F, Peruvian panpipes and drum, a Georgian chorus, Louis Armstrong’s “Melancholy Blues”, and many others.

A Gift to Cosmos

As president Jimmy Carter said at the time of the launch in 1977, “This is a present from a small, distant world, a token of our sounds, our science, our images, our music, our thoughts and our feelings. We are attempting to survive our time so we may live into yours.”

At the time, very few of these gold-plated copper records were produced – two were sent into space and 10 are on display in NASA facilities. It is said that not even Dr. Sagan was able to obtain a copy.

But soon it will be easier to do so. A new Kickstarter campaign is creating replicas of the gold-plated phonograph records, which will be available for the first time here on Earth in August 2017, just in time to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Voyager launches.

Watch This Space

Human beings have always been fascinated by the sounds emitted in outer space.

Do aliens appreciate our music? There is some evidence that they do!

Seriously though, in all likelihood we will never know whether extraterrestrials enjoyed the sounds on the Voyager Golden Record, even if it does reach alien civilizations.

That’s because neither of the Voyager spacecraft is heading toward any defined stellar destination, so no encounters of the third kind are planned.

Voyager 1, however, entered interstellar space in 2013 and it is now almost 13 billion miles away from Earth. It is closing in on a star called Gliese 445 and is expected to reach it in about 40,000 years.

But if our music does ever reach extraterrestrials’ ears, chances are good that, in the very least, they will be intrigued by it.

According to Space.com, “Humans would probably have little to teach them about science and mathematics that they don’t already know…However, our art and music is singularly human, and could likely be fascinating to an alien species.”

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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Starting tomorrow, an exciting period will begin for college basketball players and their fans. We are talking, of course, about “March Madness,” which will last until the beginning of April. Strictly speaking, this event marks the beginning of the annual NCAA Men’s and Women’s basketball tournaments, which will determine the national champions of college basketball. It is the largest national single-elimination competition anywhere in the world.

If you are not a basketball fan (or a fan of any sport, for that matter,), you may be wondering what all the fuss is about. Well, enough people are interested in this event to justify its name, “March Madness,” which aptly describes the excitement surrounding this event. And you may also be asking why would a school like ours care about a sports phenomenon that has nothing to do with music lessons. Our answer is that music always finds its way into all kinds of situations. March Madness, for instance, features an annual music festival with the participation of some big names like Bruce Springsteen, Kenny Chesney, Fergie, Rihanna, and others. (Of course, this is not the only sports event that features famous performers – NFL’s Super Bowl is another).

Not just basket cases!

There are also more “links” between basketball and music. Did you know that quite a few NBA stars are also talented musicians? For example, Kevin Durant of Oklahoma City Thunder and Cleveland Cavaliers’ Iman Shumpert are accomplished rappers. David Robinson, formerly of San Antonio Spurs, is a piano and saxophone player. And Jerry Stackhouse, who played 18 seasons in the National Basketball Association and currently works as an assistant coach for the Toronto Raptors, has a pretty good singing voice. He even performed the “Star-Spangled Banner ” at a NY Nets versus Chicago Bulls game. Here are some more basketball champs with musical talents.

Hoop-la about our lessons!

Now that you know why March Madness is such a huge event, let’s listen to a few songs that are appropriate for this occasion: “Roundball Rock ” “Basketball ” “Heart of a Champion ” “That’s How I Beat Shaq ” Having said that, let’s look at the big picture: there are songs and pieces of music that are uniquely suitable for all sorts of events and occasions – sports and others. So why not invite one of our music teachers into your Manhattan, Brooklyn or Riverdale home or office and find out for yourself why we are always on the ball!

Photo by unknown, available under Creative Commons Licence.

The post With New York Music Lessons, the Ball is Always in Your Court appeared first on Hey Joe Guitar.

In his 1976 hit, “I Write the Songs ,” Barry Manilow sang about putting “the words and the melodies together.” In the simplest terms (although the process can sometimes be quite complex), that’s what songwriting is all about: the blending of lyrics and music.

A question people sometimes ask us is this: what do I create first– the music or lyrics? This is just like the age-old brain teaser of what comes first, the chicken or the egg? We are not about to debate the issue of the chicken versus the egg, but when it comes to songwriting, there is no definite “right-or-wrong” answer. If an idea or a theme strikes you, you will likely write the lyrics first and then create the music that matches the song’s mood. On the other hand, if a melody swirls in your mind, you might want to expand it and then add words to it. Either way, it works!

Words and music

History tells us that various musicians have their own, individual approaches to the process of song creation. For instance, opera composers like Puccini and Rimsky-Korsakov wrote music first, and then had the librettists create words. However, the famed team of Richard Rogers and Oscar Hammerstein usually wrote the lyrics before the music. While many musicians may disagree with this statement, English theatre and film director Peter Brook said in an interview, that “never in history has a guy written the tunes, and someone has come along and put the words to them. I once asked Richard Rodgers whether he had any tunes in his bottom drawer waiting for a lyric. He told me that it was only when he heard the lyricist’s precise words, such as Hammerstein’s ‘O, what a beautiful morning,’ that the melodies emerged.” Others may argue with this “lyrics first” approach. For instance, The Beatles’ hit “Yesterday ” began as a melody in Paul McCartney’s dreams. Later, he added lyrics to it. But Elton John reversed the process – at least in this particular case . As you can see, he created an impromptu melody to match an existing text!

In a word…

Whether or not you are interested in writing your own songs or playing the ones already created by others, our teachers can help. When they come to your Manhattan, Brooklyn or Riverdale home or office, they will offer their guidance and inspiration, no matter what instrument you play. And if you take voice lessons, you’ll be able to belt out any song – music AND lyrics!

Photo by unknown, available under Creative Commons License

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Autumn in New York, as Frank Sinatra famously sang, is “so inviting.” He was right, of course. There is something special about this season. Yes, it’s sad to say goodbye to the sunny and warm days of summer , but early fall in New York is usually lovely as well. Trees in Central Park and other green spaces in the city are “dressed” in eye-popping colors of yellow, orange, and red. And the freshly fallen leaves emit a subtle, earthy scent into the crisp air.

As the 19th century English poet Percy Bysshe Shelley so beautifully wrote, “There is a harmony in autumn, and a luster in its sky.” Is it any wonder that the beauty of the fall season has inspired not only poets, painters, and other artists, but also many composers and songwriters? Let’s listen to some pieces of music inspired by colors, scents, and the mood of the autumn.

Season’s bounty

At the beginning of the 18th century, Italian composer Antonio Vivaldi wrote four violin concertos, which turned out to be his most famous work. Titled “The Four Seasons,” it included the very beautiful autumn concerto . A century later, Austrian composer Josef Strauss wrote a waltz entitled “Autumn Roses” . Another beautiful waltz celebrating the fall season, aptly named “Autumn Dream” was composed by a 20th century British composer Archibald Joyce. What about autumn songs? Speaking of waltzes, listen to Tony Bennett’s 1956 rendition of “The Autumn Waltz” . Of course, one of the most famous fall songs of all time is a 1945 classic written by a Hungarian composer Joseph Kosma and called “Autumn Leaves.” It was recorded in both English and French . There is also Neil Young’s “Harvest Moon” , U2’s “October” , and many others. Which of the above pieces of music inspires you the most?

Fall for us!

We hope all these compositions will motivate you to start making some music of your own. A great thing about music lessons is that you can begin them at any time of the year – in other words, music is always in season! Thankfully, our teachers are not just fair-weather friends; even when it rains and the temps drop (as often happens in the fall), they will still …waltz into your Manhattan, Brooklyn, or Riverdale home or office. So don’t wait until fall turns into winter – contact us while the leaves still have their radiant color!

Photo by unknown, available under Creative Commons License

The post “Fall” Into Music, With Brooklyn Piano School appeared first on Hey Joe Guitar.

You know by now that our teachers make house calls in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Riverdale. But here’s a question: what kind of learning environment have you created in your home in preparation for your music training? Does it foster creativity and productivity or, to the contrary, are there too many distractions around you, preventing you from concentrating?

Trying to master an instrument is not that different from any other kind of learning. Your surroundings are a big factor in how well you are able to absorb the information at hand. If things around you are chaotic – say your cat is jumping on your instrument and your dog is chewing your notes (just as n example), you’ll be too distracted to pay attention to your lesson. Now, before, we tackle some of the ways to “clean up” your learning space, let’s look at why it is important to have an environment that’s conducive to your music lessons.

Noises off!

It has been scientifically proven that too much stimuli in our environment, such as disorder or noise, will diminish our learning capacity. These factors create bad study habits; your mind is distracted and “all over the place,” instead of concentrating on the most essential tasks. That’s why it is important to develop a one-track mind! Your attention should not be diverted by things that are unrelated to music. When you lose your focus, you might as well pack up your instrument.

Get ready!

We know that living in New York – the city that never sleeps – is not always conducive to a learning-friendly environment. Plus, apartment walls are often paper-thin, so noises from the neighbors trickle into our own living space. What’s a city dweller to do? It’s true that you can’t eliminate all the distractions around you, though you can certainly minimize them. Focus on things that you can – and should – control. For instance:

• Location, location, location: Pick a quiet room in your apartment where you feel most comfortable and relaxed.
• Clean up and organize your space: You may think that clutter doesn’t affect your learning capacity but it does, because the mess around you creates a distraction. You don’t need a large room to practice your music, but you do need a tidy space.
• Disconnect yourself: During your lesson or practice session, turn off your computer and cell phone. Incoming calls, tweets, texts, etc. are sure to interfere with your lesson.

Make your lesson count

The above are some of the suggestions for creating an environment that is pleasant and conducive to music learning. But there are other things you should do as well, which should be obvious but we are going to reiterate them anyway: no matter what you play – whether it’s the guitar, violin, or any other instrument, please be prepared. In other words, when your teacher rings the doorbell, you and your instrument should be ready to go. Preparedness is a lesson worth learning!

Photo by unknown, available under Creative Commons License

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Welcome to October! The whole month unveils before us, so let’s get organized. We mean this literally because the first week of October is the National Get Organized Week. What exactly does this entail, you may wonder? Actually, it could mean a variety of things, from organizing your closet and drawers, to organizing a labor union! In other words, any task or activity to which you give an orderly and coherent structure.

What about music lessons? We are so glad you asked because, while there’s absolutely nothing wrong (and a lot of good) about improvisation in music, when it comes to lessons, good preparation and advance planning – in other words, organization! – are very important.

Get ready!

You want your lessons – and music experience in general – to be both productive and enjoyable, don’t you? We do too! To achieve this synergy, we suggest that you follow these simple steps: First of all, make sure your instrument is in good “working” condition, which means that you always protect it from harm and damage, and generally take excellent care of it. Now that you’ve taken care of your instrument, take care of yourself. Sit (or stand) comfortably and hold your instrument correctly. Proper posture is very important – not only because it helps you play better, but it also prevents aches and soreness. How do you make sure your body is ready? Start by stretching and strengthening your wrists, hands and arms before your lesson. 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 essential, especially if you play a woodwind or brass instrument. If you take voice lessons, learn how to use your abdomen muscles and have proper breathing techniques. Your instrument and body are ready, but what about your attitude? Are you enthusiastic, motivated, and focused? We hope so, because mental readiness is just as important as the physical one. Last but certainly not least, don’t forget to schedule your lessons on regular basis and practice in between.

Always prepared

Now that we’ve given you some tips on how to get organized for your lessons, you may be wondering what to expect of our teachers? We can assure you that besides being excellent music instructors, they are also very organized. For instance, they always show up at your Manhattan, Brooklyn, or Riverdale home or office on time and well prepared for the lesson. It’s true that we can’t micro-manage everything, but when it comes to music lessons, we have the right …key! With our organizational skills and yours, we’ll make quite a team!

Photo by unknown, available under Creative Commons License

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It happens every year: come September, school is back in session! We do hope you took our advice and kept up your music lessons during the summer, so that your skills have not gotten rusty. But if you (or your child) are just starting your music training – welcome! We are happy to have you on board and will do our best to make your musical journey as fun and exciting as possible.

But before we start, there are some things you should know: our excellent teachers  love excellent students! What we mean is this: if you (or your child) are disinterested, indifferent, or unmotivated, then you will probably not enjoy your music lessons (of course, there is always a chance that, given time, music will grow on you). Ask yourself: do you or your child have what it takes to be a good student? Obviously, we hope the answer is a resounding “YES!” You may think that in order to master an instrument or sing beautifully you have to be musically gifted. Talent is nice, of course, but that is not the most important requirement. So what makes a good music student? Let’s have a look.

Our wish list

We realize that there are no “perfect” students. That’s fine. But we love pupils who are as close to “ideal” as humanely possible (again, we are not talking about talent here. It’s more about the attitude!)

• First and foremost, we like students who are enthusiastic – about music in general and their instrument of choice in particular. It doesn’t matter whether they choose the guitar, piano, voice training, or even the tiny harmonica . What counts is that they play that instrument with passion.
• As we said, we like the students who play their instruments – not hooky! This means you have to stick to a regular lesson and practice  schedule. Don’t cancel and miss your sessions unless you really must. If that’s the case, reschedule as soon as possible to keep the momentum going.
• Stay focused during lessons! We know – it is sometimes difficult to concentrate on just one task when your brain is going in all directions. But if you are not going to be mentally present and attentive, then what’s the point of having a lesson?

To sum up, we’d love our students to be enthusiastic, disciplined, and focused. Hey, it’s not too much to ask for, is it?

We solemnly swear…

Now that you know what we are looking for in a student, you may be wondering what to expect of our teachers. When a teacher of ours comes to your Manhattan, Brooklyn, or Riverdale home or office, he or she will:

• Help you develop your skills and improve the mastery of your instrument.
• Teach you the right playing technique  by making sure you handle the instrument correctly, have a good posture, etc.
• Ensure that you make steady progress.
• Inspire and motivate you to stay on course!

If you keep to your checklist and we keep to ours, we will make such beautiful music together!

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How do you listen to music? Is it more of a passive experience – for instance, you hear “background” music while you go about your daily business, or do you get really immersed in each sound? There is nothing wrong with the “peripheral” approach – as long as music is a big part of your life, lifts your spirits, relieves the stress, and generally improves your well-being, it’s all good!

But there is also another way to let music into your life and allow your brain to absorb it more fully. It’s called “mindful” or “active” listening. Basically, it means that you don’t just “lend an ear,” but actually listen with all your senses. This kind of “active” approach will help you develop not only better listening skills, but also a deeper appreciation of music.

Mind the music

In 1939, American composer Aaron Copland wrote a book titled “What to Listen for in Music.” Yes, this work is more than 70 years old, but, like music itself, it is timeless and as pertinent today as it was back then. If you are interested in this fascinating topic, then the book will provide an insightful resource. With “mindful” listening, you will not only hear different rhythms, pitches, variations, instrumentation, etc., but will also be able to “see” (in your mind’s eye) the figurative color and texture of music. But while there are several ways through which you can enhance your music listening experience (see below), how you actually interpret each piece is deeply personal. It’s just like looking at a painting or another piece of art – you may learn how to distinguish one technique from another, or understand various artistic influences, but only you know what this piece means to you.

What makes music tick?

This very interesting National Public Radio piece explains very well how to hear more in music. How do you go about it? Choose your favorite piece of music and focus on its rhythm and meter, melody, harmony, and overall dynamics. Look for these elements in various styles of music: classical, jazz, pop, rock, and whatever other genres you like listening to. With time, you will develop a much deeper appreciation of music. Now, you might be wondering how to foster this skill in children, so that they develop interest in music. The good news is that kids are naturally curious and open to new experiences, so exposing them to various music genres, as well as a variety of musical instruments, will lay a solid foundation for the future.

Listen up!

To understand how music works and how it is put together you should learn music theory; it will really open your eyes to many different aspects of music. When our teachers come to your Manhattan, Brooklyn or Riverdale home or office, they will show you not only how to play your instrument, but also how to “understand” the music. Think of this experience as a deep ocean: it’s fine on the surface, but once you explore what lies beneath, a whole new and exciting word is opening its mysteries to you!

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It’s vacation time and your kids just want to be carefree. At this point, school and homework are probably not even on their radar. Does this attitude extend to their music lessons as well? In other words, do your children stop playing their instruments during the summer?

At the mere mention of practice, your child will probably run the other way. We get that. But the fact is that kids who don’t play during their summer vacation may lose some of the skills and techniques they had mastered during the school year. We have seen this time and again: children who resume their music lessons after a summer of inactivity often need several weeks to “catch up” – relearn what they already knew but have forgotten. Picking up an instrument for the first time after a long hiatus can be so frustrating and de-motivating that students may not event want to continue playing. That’s why it is important that they (and adults too, for that matter) constantly build on their current level of ability. There is actually a well-documented phenomenon called “Summer Learning Loss,” or “Summer Slide,” which refers to the decline in students’ academic skills due to inactivity (that is why students are encouraged to read during vacation). The same applies to music literacy as well.

Keep on playing!

What can you, as a parent, do to encourage your child to keep taking music lessons and practicing during the summer? It’s all in the scheduling. Don’t overburden the child with “musical chores” by planning lessons and practice sessions to the exclusion of playtime and all the other activities. Just because he has lots of free time on his hands doesn’t mean his music training should fill every hour of his day! On the other hand, tell the child that vacation from school doesn’t mean vacation from her instrument. She should commit to a certain number of music lessons during the summer and some practice time as well. Explain to her why it’s important to play even when school is out: so that she can keep progressing. You might say something along these lines: “You’ve been so good about taking lessons and practicing. You wouldn’t want to lose all the skills you already learned, would you? At the end of the day, your child learns to foster a sense of responsibility and discipline. These skills will surely prove useful throughout her life – and not just in music!

Business as usual

Just as your child doesn’t take a break from music, neither do our teachers. To paraphrase the USPS motto, “Neither rain, nor snow, nor sleet, nor hail shall keep Hey Joe Guitar teachers from their appointed rounds (though a zombie invasion might!) A teacher will come to your Manhattan, Brooklyn, or Riverdale home or office to give music lessons all summer long. This way, your child will lose no skills, and even gain some new ones!

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We all know how important good education is – as the late Nelson Mandela noted, it is the most powerful weapon, which we can use to change the world.

Subjects such as English, math, and sciences are the backbone of every school’s curriculum. But a nationwide survey released last month shows – to our delight – that parents and teachers alike believe music education in public schools is vital. In fact, the majority of those who were surveyed stated that music should be a required class in middle school, and that students should have a chance to learn an instrument as early as elementary school.

The study in question, called “Striking a Chord, A Public’s Hopes and Beliefs for K-12 Music Education in the United States in 2015” also raised some very important points, one of which is that parents and teachers believe music is critical to a child’s social and emotional development. They are right, of course!

A multitude of benefits

Clearly, parents and teachers know the value of music education. The study has shown what we have always known, both through the scientific evidence and our own experience: children benefit from music lessons in many different ways:

• Music training improves academic performance in reading, science, math, history, and foreign languages.
• It helps build reasoning and cognitive abilities.
• It boosts confidence and self-esteem, leading to better social skills.
• It bolsters focus and concentration, which, in turn, build discipline and perseverance in setting and achieving goals.
• Last but certainly not least, it improves motor skills, coordination, and agility by working all the major muscle groups.

And there is even more: youngsters will carry all these skills and abilities into adulthood, which proves the saying that good education is never wasted!

By the way, these benefits apply to all the instruments: the guitar, piano, flute, or whatever else your child wants to play.

Given all the great advantages of playing an instrument, it is a great pity that music education program in this country’s public schools is not adequately funded.

A child’s play

Many of our students are children and we see first-hand how much they enjoy learning to play an instrument. That’s because kids are naturally curious, enthusiastic, and open to new experiences.

Our teachers love working with children and they are really good at it. They are very patient and know how to keep a child interested and motivated. But that’s not all: the teacher will also ensure that your child learns only the correct techniques, which is an important part of the overall music training.

And we believe is “homeschooling:” lessons take place in your Manhattan, Brooklyn or Riverdale home or office, so your child can feel comfortable in his or her own environment.

Let’s hear it for education!

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Did you know that today, June 1, marks an important holiday? (Let’s just say it’s important for anyone under 18). We are talking about the International Children’s Day.

Yes, it’s an actual holiday, proclaimed back in 1925 by The World Conference for the Well-being of Children, a Geneva-based United Nations agency that works to help youngsters around the globe have happier and healthier lives.

Depending on where they live, “happier and healthier lives” could mean proper nutrition, clean drinking water, medical services or educational opportunities – all the things we often take for granted.

And what about music lessons? Obviously, in some regions of the world, access to instruments and music training is rare, and that’s sad. But there is also positive news – for instance, this story about children living in a slum in Paraguay who used their creativity to fashion musical instruments out of discarded household items and formed an orchestra!

It only goes to prove that where there’s a will, there’s a way!

From all corners of the world

Music, as we all know, is universal, and since the Children’s Day is celebrated internationally, we looked at what youngsters are up to (music-wise) in other parts of the world.

It’s truly amazing to see so much young talent – children and teens performing on a variety of instruments or raising their voices in a song. We find all of these examples inspiring and uplifting:

USA : A beautiful concert by the LA Children’s Orchestra.

China : We are awe-struck by what this five-year-old can do.

Germany : This street performance gives a new meaning to the song “Drummer Boy”.

Argentina : This kid is amazing – so young and already so talented.

The Netherlands : What a gifted violinist this boy is.

India : This little girl has a big voice!

Australia : A good example of what you can accomplish with regular singing lessons.

Child’s play

We wrote before about the numerous benefits youngsters derive from music training. There is plenty of evidence to prove that regular music lessons – whether learning any kind of instrument or working with a teacher to master the art of singing – can improve all aspects of our children’s lives: academic, social, and emotional.

If you are wondering what present to offer your son or daughter (or any other child), our gift card is wonderful token of your love. It can be used to introduce a new student to music or allow an already initiated one to continue his or her training with one of our excellent teachers, who will come to a Manhattan, Brooklyn, or Riverdale home or office to give lessons.

Remember, the best gift for this, or any other, day, is the one that will keep on giving –as Plato put it, “the rhythm and harmony that find their way into the inward places of the soul.”

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“I would love to learn to play an instrument but I don’t have what it takes.”

We have heard this kind of statement plenty of times and we are always surprised by this defeatist attitude. While playing any instrument does require certain skills, it is – pun intended – within the grasp of most people!

True, most of us are not Mozarts (or Einsteins, for that matter), but that shouldn’t stop us from taking – and enjoying – music lessons.

How do you know you “don’t have what it takes” if you haven’t given it a fair chance?

Skills within your reach

Let’s start with the basics: mental skills that will help you learn to play (we’ll talk about physical skills in a minute). Basically, these skills are the same as the ones needed for any kind of learning, and not just music.

For instance:

Setting realistic goals: We underline “realistic” because that’s the key to success. If you decide to learn to play so you can become a virtuoso and perform in the most famous concert halls, well, it may happen. But more likely than not, you will not rise to the top ranks, at least not immediately. In order not to become frustrated and disappointed (and want to give up your lessons altogether), set realistic goals for yourself, such as becoming as skilled as you can in your particular instrument, or mastering a certain piece of music. Realistic goals are more reachable and, therefore, more satisfying in the end.

Patience and perseverance: Rome, as the saying goes, was not built in a day, and mastering an instrument takes time too. Also, progress will sometimes be quick and at other times slow – and that is totally normal when you are learning something new – so you have to be prepared for those peaks and valleys and not be tempted to quit each time you hit a bump in the road.

Good practice habits: If you don’t practice in between your lessons, you will not make much progress – need we even say that? Practice is important because it reinforces what you had learned with your teacher, gives you a chance to correct whatever passages / pieces / techniques pose a problem for you, and prepares you for your next lesson.

Yes, you can!

Johann Sebastian Bach famously noted that “it’s easy to play any musical instrument: all you have to do is touch the right key at the right time and the instrument will pay itself.”

We must tell you that, as much as we adore Bach, your piano, guitar, trumpet, or double bass will NOT play itself! Besides the above-mentioned mental skills, you also need physical abilities to get a musical sound out of your instrument – such as dexterity, correct posture, and right breathing techniques.

The good news is that a good music teacher can help you develop all of the above techniques so that you not only sit (or stand) pretty with your instrument, but also avoid aches, soreness, and shortness of breath. Yes, it’s a process, but a process worth learning!

We can assure you that our music teachers are trained and experienced in helping students master all of the above skills – both mental and physical. During a lesson in your Manhattan, Brooklyn, or Riverdale home or office, the teacher will help you with whatever hurdles you thought prevented you from learning to play music. Now, isn’t this worth a try?

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Did you know that tomorrow, May 5th, is National Teacher Appreciation Day? You didn’t think we’d miss mentioning such a momentous occasion, did you?

We don’t need to tell you how important good teachers are – without them, the educational system would crumble and fall apart. It’s as simple as that.

Fact is, teachers are the backbone of our music school. Without them, Hey Joe Guitar would not exist – after all, how would we be able to teach musical instruments without these talented individuals, dedicated, as they are, to spreading the joy of music to students of all ages.

Yes, teachers, really do matter!

And those are not merely tales out of school!

The art of teaching

Most people may not think of teaching as an “art,” but it is! That’s because nurturing and developing minds and talents is a skill in itself.

Let’s look at some of the qualities excellent teachers should have and impart to their students:

• Work ethic: Good teachers work hard, putting considerable time and effort into preparing lessons and following up on students’ progress.
• People skills: It is absolutely essential that a teacher is not only likeable, but actually likes and respects her students, and knows how to communicate with them effectively.
• Passion: Knowing the subject is essential for a teacher, but it’s not enough. He must LOVE the subject and convey that passion to his students. This is one example where being “contagious” is a good thing!
• Inspiration, encouragement, and motivation: A good teacher knows how to spark her students’ curiosity, and keep them interested and motivated. By making learning fun, she inspires students to keep going until they reach their full potential.

Do such teachers actually exist in the real world? Oh yes, they do! And we know them personally!

Truly remarkable!

We never tire of boasting and bragging about our own teachers, but we assure you that we are telling it like it is!

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: whatever instrument they teach – guitar, piano, drums, trumpet, trombone, brass, reeds, saxophone, clarinet flute, violin, viola, cello, strings, accordion, ukulele, banjo, recorder, mandolin, or voice – our teachers are amazing.

All of them are graduates of the top music schools and have several years of experience teaching kids and adults of all levels. They are patient, friendly, attentive, and have all the skills and qualities listed above.

And you know what else? We don’t expect the students to travel the length and width of New York City to connect with our teacher. Just contact us and we will send one right to your Manhattan, Brooklyn, or Riverdale home or office. Isn’t that a teachable moment?

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Let’s talk about fitness. You go to the gym and work out religiously, but instead of feeling like a million bucks, you are suffering from soreness, muscle pains, or maybe even torn ligaments and other sports-related injuries.

If exercise is supposed to be good for you, why are you feeling like a truck has hit you? Could it be that your workout technique leaves a lot to be desired? Maybe you don’t warm-up sufficiently beforehand, don’t stretch afterwards, or just don’t do the moves the right way?

We are bringing up this analogy as a lead-in to the topic du jour: music lessons. When it comes to playing an instrument, the important thing is not only what you learn, but also HOW you learn it. Just as exercise that is not adapted to your body and strength could harm you, so can bad habits in music training.

Mistakes to avoid

Let’s look at some common mistakes beginning learners often make.

• The instrument is not adapted to the player’s age or size: an instrument that is too big or heavy for you (and especially for your child) to handle and use comfortably will not only slow down the learning process, but may also cause wrist sprains and other injuries.
• Bad posture and body position while playing: slouching back and shoulders, or an angled and twisted torso will cause pain and tension – and it goes without saying that if you are tense and uncomfortable, you will not play well. (Being flexible and nimble is important when you handle one instrument; imagine how much more challenging it is when you play three simultaneously ).
• Playing music that is not adapted to your proficiency level: trying pieces that are too hard for you will not hurt you physically, but it may lead to frustration or lack of confidence in your abilities. In the extreme cases you may feel that you are not making any progress and throw in the towel. (Here’s a thought: maybe you should learn to walk before you can run!).

Obviously, none of these scenarios is conducive to effective music training. Fortunately, all of these bad habits can be prevented or reversed. How? You guessed it: by working with an experienced music teacher.

We’ll teach you right from wrong!

Among the many skills a teacher should have is the ability to convey a good technique. That’s because learning to play an instrument takes more than just strumming or hitting the keys. It is also about good posture, correct body position, dexterity, and the right way to hold an instrument – all of which should be adapted to the student’s age, level, and speed of progress, as well as the specificities of each instrument.

Every one of our teachers is highly trained not only in the music itself, but also in proper practice techniques. Therefore, when a teacher of ours comes to your Manhattan, Brooklyn, or Riverdale home or office, he or she will help you develop good playing habits.

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]]> https://heyjoeguitar.com/at-new-york-city-music-school-we-welcome-parental-guidance/ Thu, 05 Feb 2015 00:01:11 +0000 http://www.heyjoeguitar.com/?p=1900 Moms and Dads Rule the Roost at New York City Music School In May and June we celebrate Mother’s and Father’s Day, respectively. Each of these occasions is dedicated – and rightly so – to all our wonderful moms and dads. But did you know that February is National Parent Leadership Month, dedicated to recognizing...

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]]> Moms and Dads Rule the Roost at New York City Music School

In May and June we celebrate Mother’s and Father’s Day, respectively. Each of these occasions is dedicated – and rightly so – to all our wonderful moms and dads. But did you know that February is National Parent Leadership Month, dedicated to recognizing the important role of parents in raising physically and emotionally healthy families?


If you are a parent yourself, you know what a huge responsibility you have nurturing your children. Not only do you provide them with all the necessities of life – food, shelter and clothing – but you also teach them right from wrong, instill proper values, and generally make sure they are well prepared to face all of life’s challenges. You can never take a vacation from being a responsible and caring parent – it’s a 24/7, non-unionized job!

We are not about to give you parenting advice – after all, nobody knows your child better than you do. But we will say this: from our experience teaching music to kids of all ages, we can univocally state that parents play a key role in helping their kids develop interest in music and encourage them to keep on practicing.

Support system

We see this every day: the most dedicated and motivated students are those who receive their parents’ guidance, encouragement, and support. No, we are not referring here to Leopold Mozart, who tutored his prodigious son from an early age and helped shape Wolfgang’s musical genius. Rather, we are talking about “average” moms and dads who understand the benefits of music education and make sure their youngsters learn, practice, and make progress.

Keeping your child motivated to play an instrument is not always an easy task – some kids lose patience and /or get bored. If you left them to their own devices, many would probably give up after a few lessons. This is where parental oversight and guidance are crucial.

Of course, it’s not always easy to keep a child’s focus and motivation level up – we know that. Here are a few tips to help you along:

• Never force your kids to learn a specific instrument – just because you love the piano doesn’t mean they will. Respect their right to choose – and support their choice.
• Make sure, however, that your child’s instrument is a good fit for his or her age and size – not too large or too heavy to handle. Likewise, gently steer your child toward an instrument that matches your living conditions. For instance, if your apartment has thin walls, drums may not be the most neighbor-friendly choice.
• Getting kids to practice in between lessons is often a daunting task. But without practice there will be no progress, and this is where you can help. Set up a daily practice schedule that is manageable for both you and your child. Also, use your creativity: rather than telling the child he or she must practice 30 minutes a day, set musical goals such as playing the first eight measures of a piece without any mistakes. Next day, have the child play the next eight measures – and so on. It doesn’t matter how long it takes – it’s getting there that counts.
• Never forget to praise the child for the effort she is making and tell her how proud you are of her progress.

Remember: behind every motivated child is a parent who inspires!

Let’s work together!

There is no question that you play your parental role very well – not only in helping your son or daughter’s musical development, but also in hiring the best teacher in New York City.

Our instructors know the…score, but when they come to your Manhattan, Brooklyn or Riverdale home or office to give a music lesson in, they are counting on your support. It may take a village to raise a child, but it takes a great teacher and a caring parent to keep that child enthusiastic about learning.

Photo by unknown, available under Creative Commons License

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]]> https://heyjoeguitar.com/in-home-music-lessons-manhattan-brooklyn-nyc-voice/ Mon, 01 Dec 2014 00:01:45 +0000 http://www.heyjoeguitar.com/?p=1824 Get Rhythm – with Manhattan Voice School “The only thing better than singing is more singing.” So says the famed jazz vocalist Ella Fitzgerald, whose impressive vocal range spanned three octaves. We, of course, agree. Powerful human voice that breaks into a rousing song is a beautiful sound. And even if there are no lyrics...

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]]> Get Rhythm – with Manhattan Voice School

“The only thing better than singing is more singing.” So says the famed jazz vocalist Ella Fitzgerald, whose impressive vocal range spanned three octaves.

We, of course, agree. Powerful human voice that breaks into a rousing song is a beautiful sound. And even if there are no lyrics involved, it can still send the chills up your spine! Just listen to this “wordless” song by a Russian performer. Several years ago, it was plucked from obscurity and posted on YouTube, where it quickly became a viral sensation.

And here is another example of a strong, ear-pleasing voice.

See? When we say “the power of the voice,” we mean it!

A perfect pitch

Now, it’s certainly true that most people are not born with voices that can shatter glass (though many babies seem to have amazingly strong voices – especially in the middle of the night!).

What does singing off-key sound like? It sounds like this .

Vast majority of humans can carry a tune – some better than others. But there’s a huge difference between singing in the shower and performing in front of an audience – even if it is only your family and friends.

The best way to sing with power, passion and confidence is to know how to control your voice. You may have heard about vocal components like the pitch, rhythm, volume, tone, and pace, but learning to fine-tune and use them to the best effect while singing is an art!

There are other important singing skills to master as well – for instance, how to use your abdomen muscles, proper breathing techniques, good posture, etc. They are necessary not only to help your voice carry high and low notes, but also to keep your vocal chords in shape.

All of this might seem like a lot of work and you may not know where (or how) to start building and developing your voice. No need to worry – we are here for you!

With a song in our hearts

As you know, Hey Joe Guitar offers guitar, piano, drum, trumpet, trombone, brass, reeds, saxophone, clarinet flute, violin, viola, cello, strings, accordion, ukulele, banjo, recorder, and mandolin lessons right in the comfort of your Manhattan, Brooklyn, or Riverdale home.

But that’s not all! We also have excellent voice teachers who certainly know how to carry a tune. They also have the ability to help you whip your own voice into shape, so that you can sing, sing a song, sing out loud, sing out strong!

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]]> https://heyjoeguitar.com/with-nyc-music-school-youll-never-be-out-of-practice/ Tue, 04 Nov 2014 00:01:19 +0000 http://www.heyjoeguitar.com/?p=1697 Don’t let your instrument play hooky – make a weekly date with your Manhattan music lessons instructor “That which we persist in doing becomes easier, not that the task itself has become easier, but that our ability to perform it has improved.” Ralph Waldo Emerson Are you one of those people who started music training...

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]]> Don’t let your instrument play hooky – make a weekly date with your Manhattan music lessons instructor

“That which we persist in doing becomes easier, not that the task itself has become easier, but that our ability to perform it has improved.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Are you one of those people who started music training but somewhere along the line you decided to …tune out? Or maybe you (or your children) have not quit, but are not spending enough time practicing with a teacher?

Learning to play an instrument, like anything else you undertake in life, requires commitment, motivation and discipline. But, the good news is that, unlike training for the Olympics, you don’t have to practice many hours each day. If you play for your own pleasure and enjoyment (rather than preparing for a concert at Carnegie Hall), 30 minutes to one hour of practice a week with a teacher should be sufficient to keep improving your skill. It sounds totally doable, doesn’t it, but you’d be surprised at how many people just won’t do it.

Let the music begin (and continue!)

There are many reasons people cite for not practicing regularly or giving up music altogether. Even if they don’t blame their dog for ripping up their musical scores, they may come up with other excuses for not doing their “homework.”

For example, perhaps they thought that the instrument would just play itself – like those “magic” pianos you sometimes see in music stores – and no input of time or energy would be required of them. (Okay, so we are being a bit facetious here, but you wouldn’t believe the lame excuses people give for not practicing!)

Seriously though, many people give up because they underestimate the effort it would take to master the instrument. If they don’t become virtuosos overnight, they become disappointed with their lack of progress and decide to stop.

Or, they may genuinely have very busy jobs and lives, and decide that playing an instrument is too time-consuming.

Needless to say, we disagree with all these “reasons” and can offer some compelling counter arguments of our own.

Busting some myths

We find that all too often people harbor misconceptions about what it takes to learn an instrument. They may believe that they need to devote many hours every week to their music training – not so!

This particular myth falls under the same category as the one about having to exercise intensively for hours every day in order to get physically fit. In fact, federal recommendations call for half an hour of moderate physical activity five days a week to stay healthy (of course, if you want to work out more than that, you certainly can). However, people who are not aware that even a little exercise each day is beneficial get discouraged by the idea of time-consuming daily workouts, and give up fitness altogether.

We are bringing this up to demonstrate how misconceptions can throw us off the track. Just as it’s not necessary to pump iron or do other strenuous exercises each day to stay in shape, long-winded and too frequent practice sessions with your music teacher are not a requirement either.

A musical interlude in your busy week

We do realize that many of our clients – adults and children alike – are very busy. We get that, which is why our Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Riverdale music lessons are tailored to your schedule. Not only that, but we make those lessons easy and convenient for you because we come right to your home or office, so you don’t have to waste valuable time commuting to meet your teacher.

Out of out of 10,080 minutes that tick along each week, you can surely put aside 30 to 60 of them to get that all-important music exposure and all the benefits it offers: a healthier brain, sharper focus and concentration, improved motor skills and coordination, and better mood. (But, if you want to devote more time each week to your music training than the bare minimum mentioned above, we certainly wouldn’t stop you).

As Greek philosopher Aristotle so aptly put it, “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.”

Photo by Music Master

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]]> https://heyjoeguitar.com/manhattan-guitar-lessons-are-always-age-appropriate/ Tue, 09 Sep 2014 00:01:46 +0000 http://www.heyjoeguitar.com/?p=1681 That’s true – with our NYC guitar lessons, playing an instrument never gets old! “All I really need to know I learned in kindergarten.” Yes, you can argue that this famous quote and book title by minister and author Robert Fulghum is flawed. After all, advanced calculus or quantum physics are not your typical topics...

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]]> That’s true – with our NYC guitar lessons, playing an instrument never gets old!

“All I really need to know I learned in kindergarten.”

Yes, you can argue that this famous quote and book title by minister and author Robert Fulghum is flawed. After all, advanced calculus or quantum physics are not your typical topics five year olds routinely master.

However, for the purpose of this blog, let’s not be such purists. The general idea here is that young children are naturally curious, creative, and motivated to learn new things – a great time to expose them to music.

While there is no guarantee that this early start will turn them into prodigies or even lifetime music aficionados (though we can certainly hope this will happen), the immediate effects of music training are well documented: sharper learning skills, improved motor coordination, and better emotional stability.

Those are compelling reasons to strike while the iron is hot (in the manner of speaking, of course) – certainly before your sweet child turns into a burly and defiant teenager, for whom “music” means harsh-sounding, ear-shattering sounds of heavy metal, not the soft and mellow tunes.

True, all you, as a parent, can do is guide and encourage them while they still listen (and maybe even look up) to you.

From the mouths (and fingers) of babes

So many of the most prominent musicians and composers started to “dabble” in music at a very young age and had become masters of their art.

The best known, perhaps, is the ultimate “child prodigy,” Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, who famously started learning the keyboard instrument called the clavier at the age of three, and by five he was composing minuets.

Ludwig van Beethoven too was an early starter: he played the piano at the age of five, gave his first public performance at seven, and composed his first piece of music at 11. In both Mozart’s and Beethoven’s cases, parental guidance was crucial: Wolfgang’s father, Leopold, and Ludwig’s dad, Johann, were driving forces behind their sons’ musical training. We don’t know whether these two youngsters had to cajoled into playing, but the result was truly amazing!

There were others, too. Frederic Chopin began to play the piano at five. Violin virtuoso Yehudi Menuhin started music lessons at four, playing his first concert at seven. The list is truly endless.

Better late than never

What if you didn’t start your music training in childhood? Is it ever too late to begin? We can’t say this empathically enough: when it comes to music (or learning in general), there is no such thing as “missing the boat.” Music training is one boat you can easily catch midstream.

Just ask Andrea Bocelli . The world-renowned Italian tenor started his opera career at 34, even though some “experts” warned him that it was too late to begin.

We are here to tell you otherwise – that there is no such thing as the “wrong” time to start playing an instrument or taking voice lessons, and don’t let any so-called “experts” or other naysayers dissuade you.

Fact is, adults of any age can derive many benefits from music, just as children do. As Greek philosopher Plato put it, “Musical training is a more potent instrument than any other, because rhythm and harmony find their way into the inward places of the soul.”

Who can argue with that?

Not for kids only

Now, we can’t promise you that your child will become another Mozart (or Einstein, for that matter), but with our Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Riverdale in-home music lessons, he or she will be able to learn to play an instrument in the comfort of your own home.

As we stated above, playing music is a wonderful activity for people of all ages – whether you are a late bloomer, a baby boomer, or just a “regular” adult. Remember: the oldest violins make the sweetest music.

We bet you didn’t learn THAT in kindergarten!

Photo by Angel of light

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]]> https://heyjoeguitar.com/nyc-guitar-school-is-a-class-act/ Fri, 05 Sep 2014 00:01:41 +0000 http://www.heyjoeguitar.com/?p=1642 Learn to Play – at Manhattan Music School September is here
 And so is fall. So welcome children,
 welcome all.
 I hope vacation 
was real fun
 And that you’re glad 
school has begun. -Anonymous This little ditty is a dead giveaway about this blog’s topic: it’s back to school time in New York City! We...

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]]> Learn to Play – at Manhattan Music School

September is here

And so is fall.
So welcome children,
 welcome all.

I hope vacation 
was real fun

And that you’re glad 
school has begun.

-Anonymous

This little ditty is a dead giveaway about this blog’s topic: it’s back to school time in New York City! We are always a bit sad to say good-bye to the lazy, hazy days of summer but, with any luck, we still have plenty of warm and sunny days ahead.

What about the children? Chances are not all of them are eager to start school (and who can blame them?) Maybe your youngsters have mixed feelings – happy about reconnecting with their old friends(and making new ones) but not so happy about homework and climbing up that tricky rope in gym class.

Of course, as adults who have been there, done that, we know that school and all the extracurricular activities can be fun. We’ll tell you about in a little while. But first, let’s listen to some back-to school songs – many of them may even remind you of your own school days way back when.

Classroom classics

“ABC” – The Jackson 5

“School Days” – Chuck Berry

“We’re Going to be Friends” – The White Stripes

“Rock & Roll High School” – The Ramones

“To Sir With Love” – Lulu

“Be True to Your School” – The Beach Boys

Let the music play!

As mentioned above, beginning of the academic year is synonymous with all the great after-school activities your child can get involved in. If you think we are going to bring up music lessons just about now, you are right!

There are many compelling reasons why music education is a great and wholesome activity for your son or daughter, many of which we already covered.

At the risk of sounding repetitive, here, in a nutshell, are some of the many benefits children will draw from music lessons: better academic, intellectual, social, and emotional development; improved concentration, language and reasoning skills, as well as boosted creativity.

Once your child shows interest in starting music lessons, there are two things to consider: what instrument will he / she will play and who is best qualified to teach your son or daughter.

We have answers to both these questions.

At your service!

The choice of an instrument depends on factors such as age and size – the child should be able to handle the instrument with ease and feel comfortable holding and playing it. In case of a young child, good options include the recorder, flute, violin, or child-size guitar. Larger and heavier instruments like double bass or tuba may have to wait until your child is able to handle them!

Whatever instrument you pick out, chances are we teach it:
guitar, piano, drums, trumpet, trombone, brass, reeds, saxophone, clarinet flute, violin, viola, cello, strings, accordion, ukulele, banjo, recorder, and mandolin. And, we also give voice lessons.

As for finding awesome teachers for your youngster – no worries! Our Hey Joe Guitar instructors (all of whom are graduates of top music schools and conservatories) are highly experienced in teaching people of all ages, including children. Before we send them out to your Manhattan, Brooklyn, or Riverdale home or office, we screen them very carefully to ensure they will patiently teach your kids proper techniques, adapted to their age and level.

So welcome to the brand new school year!

Photo by misst.shs

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]]> https://heyjoeguitar.com/manhattan-music-lessons-believe-power-education/ Tue, 05 Nov 2013 00:01:47 +0000 http://www.heyjoeguitar.com/?p=1298 Instrumental harmony that can change the world – NYC | Manhattan music lessons will help keep you in tune   Recently, a heart-warming story about the benefits of music came from an unlikely source: The World Bank. The international financial organization provides loans to developing countries to reduce poverty in various regions of the world....

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]]> Instrumental harmony that can change the world – NYC | Manhattan music lessons will help keep you in tune

 

Recently, a heart-warming story about the benefits of music came from an unlikely source: The World Bank. The international financial organization provides loans to developing countries to reduce poverty in various regions of the world. But, it seems, it is no stranger to music either!

An article in the organization’s publication describes how music classes are keeping young people in violence-ridden neighborhoods of San Salvador (El Salvador’s capital city) off the streets.

The World Bank-supported initiative, which encourages at risk-youth to develop skills in music and the arts, has had a positive impact. “It enabled 75 young Salvadorians to take up music classes and learn to play a musical instrument,” the article reports. “These after-school workshops fill the youth’s free time, keeping them out of trouble.

Now plans are underway to create a youth symphony orchestra in San Salvador’s most precarious areas.

Instrument for change

Similar projects exist or are being organized in Honduras and Guatemala, which, along with El Salvador, are Central America’s most violent regions.

In the United States too the importance of music training for disadvantaged children and teens has gained recognition among educators. So-called “music clinics” and other music and arts-related programs and projects are taking place in school districts across America. They all share the same goal as their Central American counterparts: to keep at-risk kids focused on a positive, nurturing, and fun activity as an alternative to street violence that is prevalent in their communities.

Keeping kids out of trouble

Many studies, including one by the National Arts Education Research Center, have demonstrated that violent behavior decreased in kids who participated in music and arts programs.

There are many reasons why music and arts education is effective in keeping potentially violent teens on the straight and narrow. For example, many youngsters turn to crime because of peer pressure, lack of purpose, hopelessness, or deep-seated but unexpressed anger. In all these cases, music education provides a benefit by giving the teens a meaningful purpose, self-confidence, a sense of accomplishment, civic pride, discipline, and a way of expressing – through music – their feelings.

As the 19th century poet Berthold Auerbach so eloquently put it, “Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.”

We are sure all the kids who participate in the World Bank’s project, as well as those in our country, would agree.

Let’s be in tune!

We at Hey Joe Guitar are proud to do our part by offering, though our non-profit CWB Foundation for Children & Music, a variety of music programs to schoolchildren in New York City’s economically disadvantaged neighborhoods. We hope to make a positive and meaningful impact on their lives and to help them develop a lifelong passion for music.

However, music education is, needless to say, beneficial to people – kids and adults alike – of all sociocultural backgrounds and conditions. Our school can give you in-home or in-office music lessons in Manhattan, Brooklyn, or Riverdale – whatever instrument strikes your fancy.

With Hey Joe Guitar, you can be part of a (good) gang!

Photo Credit: Nelomi Jangos

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]]> https://heyjoeguitar.com/key-success-manhattan-music-lessons/ Fri, 25 Oct 2013 18:52:26 +0000 http://www.heyjoeguitar.com/?p=1290 NYC Music Lessons Will Help You Achieve Your Goals What does it take to be successful, whether in your professional, academic, or personal life? Obviously, there are many factors involved – from hard work, discipline, and perseverance to a goal-oriented and positive attitude, in addition to strong “people” skills. But would it surprise you to...

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]]> NYC Music Lessons Will Help You Achieve Your Goals

What does it take to be successful, whether in your professional, academic, or personal life?

Obviously, there are many factors involved – from hard work, discipline, and perseverance to a goal-oriented and positive attitude, in addition to strong “people” skills.

But would it surprise you to learn that another important aspect of success is – music!

You may not be inclined to take our (admittedly biased) opinion seriously, since we are obviously big music fans. But if you don’t believe us, maybe this recent New York Times piece will convince you.

Essential components of success

The connection between music training and academic achievement has been borne out by many studies. There is a body of evidence showing that kids who take music lessons get better grades in science, math, history, and foreign languages than those who had not been involved in music education; they also have better social skills and stronger self-confidence.

But as the above-mentioned article points out, the benefits of music extend to adults in the workplace as well – in whatever professional field they happen to be: “Many high achievers said music opened up the pathways to creative thinking. And their experiences suggest that music training sharpens other qualities: Collaboration. The ability to listen. The power to focus on the present and the future simultaneously.” The article goes on to say that music “functions as a ‘hidden language,’ one that enhances the ability to connect disparate or even contradictory ideas.”

Sounds of success

The article mentions some people outside of the music industry whose music training has helped propel them to the top of their fields: former Secretary of State under President George Bush Condoleezza Rice, who trained to be a concert pianist; former chairman of the Federal Reserve Alan Greenspan, was a professional clarinet and saxophone player, and Paul Allen, the co-founder of Microsoft, is a guitar aficionado.

But these people are just the tip of an iceberg – there are many more examples of successful people who have been involved in music. Here are a few current and past musically inclined high-achievers:

• Former President Bill Clinton plays a saxophone
• Physicist Albert Einstein played the piano and violin
• Astronaut Neil Armstrong played the baritone horn (on earth; not in space)
• British writer Charles Dickens played the accordion

Telephone inventor Thomas Edison was a pianist

And here is a more extensive list of movers, shakers, and their favorite musical instruments

Would these folks be just as successful without music training? We can’t say for sure, but we tend to think that music has been a significant contributing factor in their booming careers.

We’ve got what it takes!

At Manhattan music lessons, we believe in achievement. No matter how old you are and what goals you have set for yourself, music can help get you there. It provides a great boost for your (or your child’s) creativity, and ability to focus and perform – all the essential elements of success.

Our NYC teachers will come to your Manhattan, Brooklyn, or Riverdale (Bronx) home or office and give you lessons on an instrument of your choice

Whether you aspire to be successful or already are, with our music lessons, it won’t be lonely at the top!

Photo Credit: Polka-dot Zebra

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]]> https://heyjoeguitar.com/choosing-instrument-childs-play-manhattan-music-lessons/ Tue, 08 Oct 2013 16:05:07 +0000 http://www.heyjoeguitar.com/?p=1266 Manhattan Music Lessons: There’s an Instrumental Difference Between the Bassoon and Flute Your child has decided to learn to play an instrument– congratulations! Music lessons are among the best and most enjoyable after-school activities for kids of all ages. The next step is to choose just the right kind of instrument – by “right” we...

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]]> Manhattan Music Lessons: There’s an Instrumental Difference Between the Bassoon and Flute

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

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

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

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

A thought-out choice

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

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

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

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

Size matters!

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

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

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

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

Different strokes

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

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

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

Can we help?

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

We really will take a great care of your child!

Photo credit:  Cheryl Ogle

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]]> https://heyjoeguitar.com/school-time-can-well-spent-manhattan-music-lessons/ Tue, 01 Oct 2013 00:01:45 +0000 http://www.heyjoeguitar.com/?p=1229 Manhattan music lessons will keep your child off the streets – literally! Your children are now back at school, but what are they doing in their free time? If they are like a majority of school-age kids, they are probably spending hours playing video and / or computer games – certainly not the most productive...

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]]> Manhattan music lessons will keep your child off the streets – literally!

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

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

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

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

Why music?

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

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

Let’s get acquainted!

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

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

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

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

One more thing…

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

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

Photo credit:  Kirstin Mckee

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