If you have ever attended symphony orchestra performances, you know that the music doesn’t just “play itself.” Someone is responsible for ensuring that all the different instrument sections are balanced in the overall sound, so that a concert goes off without a hitch. We are talking here about conductors, sometimes also called “musical directors.” They have been around for centuries, so they are a familiar sight to concert goers everywhere, but have you ever wondered what their role is? Obviously, it goes far beyond just raising and haphazardly waving their batons.

Simply put, their role is to help musicians play well together, but, as you can imagine, the task is much more complex than that.

Not just a magic wand

You may not have given much thought to the conductor’s role, but you’d probably notice his absence. That’s because without a leader, individual musicians in large symphony orchestras would have to use their own judgment – for example, on how to interpret a particular score – and the result might be uncoordinated and awkward. Of course, there are exceptions to that rule as well ! Very likely, these ensembles rehearsed with the conductor and performed in concert without one. In a way, a conductor is like any other team leader – in business, sports, or any other environment. He or she has to make sure that everyone in a group is in sync with each other. In music, this literally means being in tune and harmony! What the audiences usually see is a well – no pun intended – orchestrated performance. This means that in rehearsal, the conductor put in a lot of work to ensure coherence and coordination among musicians. What exactly does this entail? According to Wikipedia, “the primary duties of the conductor are to unify performers, set the tempo, execute clear preparations and beats (meter) and to listen critically and shape the sound of the ensemble.” That’s just a general definition of a conductor’s job, but there’s much more involved. For instance, through gestures, a conductor communicates instructions to the musicians, directing them when to start or stop, how fast to go, when to play louder or softer, etc.

We’ll conduct your lesson!

Over the years, there had been many famous composers who conducted their own orchestras – like Bach, Beethoven, Berlioz, Mendelssohn, Wagner, Mahler, Strauss, and Rubinstein to mention just a few. Other prominent conductors included Arturo Toscanini, Herbert von Karajan , Leopold Stokowski, and Claudio Abbado , among others. Each and every one of these brilliant conductors took the performances to the new level and delighted audiences with their mastery. At Hey Joe Guitar, we don’t conduct orchestras. However, our New York City music teachers are skilled at guiding their students through all the intricacies of music – whatever the instrument. When we come to your Manhattan, Brooklyn, or Riverdale home or office, we’ll make sure you play with harmony, balance, and coordination.

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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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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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In a few days, on May 3, people across the globe will be celebrating a really cool holiday – the World Laughter Day, which is observed on the first Sunday of every May.

As its name suggests, this is not a serious or solemn occasion. Far from it – it is all about good humor, upbeat mood, and fun. And yes, it is also a proven health-booster, which may be the reason why laughter is called “the best medicine.”

This much we know – a sincere and heartfelt giggle or chuckle has more positive impact on our physical and mental wellbeing than most people realize. For instance, it has been scientifically proven that laughter reduces stress, soothes tension, and can even relieve pain. And some studies also show a strong connection between laughter and a healthy heart.

And that, dear friends, is no joke!

Health benefits

Now, you may be wondering what is the connection between laughter and music – if, indeed, there is one. Well, we do have some answers for you.

A few years ago, researchers at Japan’s Osaka University found that people who often laughed and listened to music had lower blood pressure, which, in turn, had benefitted their cardiovascular health.

Another study, carried out at the University of Maryland Medical Center, showed a similar effect: that laughing and listening to upbeat music improved the function of the inner lining of blood vessels, lowering blood pressure.

The doctors don’t know for sure why this happens but whatever the reasons are, at least we have evidence that combining laughter with music is good for what ails us.

A barrel of laughs

Now that you know there is science behind the laughter-music connection, it’s time to start practicing both. Where do you begin? How about by looking at these very funny videos that show that music and laughter really do go hand-in-hand:

• Whoever said symphony orchestras tend to be serious never saw this video . It sure gives a new meaning to the phrase “hitting the right keys!”
• Just because these musicians are dressed to the nines doesn’t mean they are stuffed shirts!
• We bet you never saw anyone playing the piano quite like this .
• We all know Weird Al Jankovic is, well, weird, but he can be hilarious as well !

These are just some examples of the laughter-eliciting music. Don’t you feel better already?

Never a comedy of errors!

Our Hey Joe Guitar teachers have a hearty sense of humor but they take music lessons seriously. When they come to your Manhattan, Brooklyn or Riverdale home or office, don’t expect them to crack jokes, perform stand-up comedy, or emulate Weird Al. Sorry, that’s not what we do!

So when you contact us, we won’t send in the clowns but, rather, an amazing music teacher who is experienced in an instrument of your choice – all joking aside!

Photo by unknown, available under Creative Commons License

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If you are a guitar player or just someone who loves to listen to the sounds of the guitar, you’ll be happy to know that April is the International Guitar Month. The annual (since 1987) celebration is dedicated to recognizing this universal stringed instrument, as well as all the talented musicians who play it.

Now, you may think that we at Hey Joe Guitar are responsible for the creation of this holiday. It is a totally legitimate supposition and we don’t blame you for thinking this. However, we’d like to clarify that this month-long celebration is the brainchild of the Guitar Association, a New York organization whose goal is to “bring together and grow the guitar community by promoting greater access to learning and playing guitar.”

We think it is a very worthwhile objective, don’t you?

Different strokes

If you are rolling your eyes just about now, thinking that we will give a long tutorial about the types of guitars out there (classical, acoustic, and electric), or their sizes (¼, ½, ¾, and full), relax! There is so much more we want to share!

For instance, let’s look at some interesting guitar -related stuff:

1. A really cool electric guitar orchestra .
2. Some guitar humor .
3. Rock’n’roll history expressed through 100 famous guitar riffs .
4. North Korean kindergarten students in concert .
5. A talented young guitarist right here in the United States.

Right at your fingertip

One way to celebrate the International Guitar Month is to get to know this wonderful instrument.

A while ago, we wrote a blog about how various orchestras run community outreach programs allowing young children to touch and handle a wide range of instruments. The same is true for the guitar – by holding and strumming it, you literally get the feel of what this instrument is all about, from its smooth and curvy body, the fretted fingerboard, and, of course, its sound!

Once you or your child decide to learn to play the guitar, we’ll be here to help. We have many excellent guitar teachers and will be happy to match you up with one best suited to your level and needs. He or she will come to your Manhattan, Brooklyn or Riverdale home or office and teach you to…strike a chord!

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The post With the Guitar, You Can Be All Fingers and Thumbs! appeared first on Hey Joe Guitar.

Why is a piano so hard to open? And why is slippery ice like music? We’ll give you answers to these questions in just a little while, but first let us introduce this blog’s topic: musical jokes. We will start with silly jokes kids tell and then move on to more, um, mature ones adults laugh at.

Why are we telling jokes all of a sudden? Well, doctors tell us that laughing is good for us. As Charlie Chapin (who certainly knew a thing or two about humor) said, “A day without laughter is a day wasted.” So without further ado, let’s start laughing!

Out of the mouths of the babes

The answer to the first question above (why is a piano so hard to open?) is: “Because the keys are on the inside.” And the response to the second one, “why is slippery ice like music,” is “if you don’t C sharp, you’ll B flat!” Hey, we never said they were good jokes! Here are some other ones:

• What do you call a cow that plays a musical instrument? A Moo-sician!
• Why was the musician arrested? Because she got in treble!
• What’s the most musical part of a turkey? The drumstick!
• What do you get if you cross a sweet potato and a jazz musician? A yam session!
• What’s the most musical bone? The trom-bone!

Now let’s continue chuckling at jokes grown-ups tell.

Ageless humor

Going up the age ladder, here are some music-related jokes that adults find funny:

• “I like the song you sang. One day you should put it to music.”
• “Why are pianists’ fingers like lightning? They rarely strike the same place twice.”
• “What did the guitar say to the guitarist? Pick on someone your own size!”
• Note left from pianist to his wife: “Gone Chopin, have Liszt, Bach in a Minuet.”
• “Haven’t I seen your face before?” a judge demanded, looking down at the defendant. “You have, Your Honor,” the man answered hopefully. “I gave your son violin lessons last winter.”“Ah, yes,” recalled the judge. “Twenty years!”

Knock, knock, who is there?

Your music teacher – the one who will never get in…treble! Joking aside, teaching music is no laughing matter, but it certainly doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be fun and enjoyable too. The teacher we will send to your Manhattan, Brooklyn or Riverdale home or office will never be dull, dour and humorless – though cracking jokes is not exactly part of her job description (neither is taking care of lighting, so we don’t really know how many music teachers it takes to change a lightbulb). The teachers’ primary goal is to instruct, guide, inspire, and motivate their students. So if you ever hear the one about the teacher who showed up at your doorstep with his musical instrument in hand, that is no joke, it’s real life!

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Do you know what today is? Yes, it’s Monday, February 2nd, but it is also a special occasion of sorts – especially for people who care about tradition, weather, and small animals.

Like every year, February 2nd is Groundhog Day, when – as legend has it – the furry rodent wakes up from winter hibernation and goes out to look at his shadow. If he sees it, there will be six more weeks of winter. If not, good news: spring is just around the corner.

This custom is particularly “hot” in Punxsutawney, PA, where a groundhog named Phil has been predicting the early or late onset of spring since 1887. The tradition is based on Candlemas, the day that marks the midpoint between winter and spring. This is how a poem describes it:

“If Candlemas be fair and bright,
Winter has another flight.
If Candlemas brings clouds and rain,
Winter will not come again.”

We hasten to add that none of the above is based on scientific evidence, but there are plenty of folks out there who swear by the groundhog’s predictions.

No need to shiver

For the record, Phil has seen his shadow about nine times out of 10, and the predictions so far have been correct 39% of the time – make of this what you will.

Now, let’s assume that today Phil sees his shadow, meaning that we still have weeks of winter ahead. Does this mean you have to grudgingly put up with the continued cold weather? It all depends on your attitude and state of mind!

What we mean is this: February doesn’t have to be cold and dreary. Did you know that in 2002 and 2012 temperatures in New York City reached balmy 40s? (No, it’s not exactly tropical weather, but it’s not frigid either). And, February days are not all grey and bleak; on average, NYC has 17 sunny or partly sunny days during this month – certainly much more comfortable conditions than those in Alaska or North Dakota, the states which, according to National Climatic Data Center, have the coldest winters.

Heat up with music!

An important thing to remember as you slog through February is that each day is bringing us closer to spring – no matter what Phil would have you believe. After all, that’s the law of nature – seasons come and go (well, maybe not so much in North Dakota, but certainly in New York!)

In the meantime, you can brighten and liven up February days with upbeat music that reminds you of summer, but you can also learn to play your own “hot” tunes. We make it so easy for you – just contact us and we’ll send a friendly and…warm teacher to your Manhattan, Brooklyn, or Riverdale home or office.

No need to leave the comfort of your house – we will do all the trudging through the snow, sleet, slush, and other winter obstacles.

In the meantime, we wish you a shadowless Groundhog Day!

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