When you have your music lesson, do you ever wonder how the instrument you are holding in your hands was originally created? In other words, what was the evolutionary path of your guitar, piano, or any other instrument?

Yes, we know, this is not a question most people ask themselves. Yet, it’s a very interesting subject because instruments, just like other objects, have an often-fascinating history.

Well then, let’s explore the origin and development of some of the musical instruments that are part of our lives.

Humble beginnings

Our interest in this topic was sparked by a recent report that cites a study conducted by researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and others. Their findings, based on years of comparing various measurements, X-rays, and CAT scans of hundreds of violin-like instruments dating back to the 10th century, indicated that the instruments underwent changes comparable to the Darwinian process of evolution by natural selection.

This led us to another study published in an Australian magazine called “Acoustics” (yes, we are clearly a very well-read bunch!). In it, a scientist at the Australian National University argued that the development of instruments depended on the materials available at the specific time in history. That was perhaps one of the earliest examples of recycling: people used whatever scraps they found and fashioned instruments out of them.

For instance, based on some archeological finds, thousands of years ago people drilled holes in bones and made flutes. And when termites hollowed the centers of eucalyptus branches, all kinds of wind instruments were created.

Historical records, however, don’t provide us with all the information because most instruments were made from perishable materials like animal skin. But as time went by, more and more instruments were created out of studier, stronger, and less degradable materials, such as pewter, brass, and bronze alloy, from which instruments like cymbals – and later other percussions – developed.

It is interesting to note that in those pre-historic times, nobody just sat down and decided to create a musical instrument. It was more a process of surprising – and often accidental – discovery. For example, blowing into a conch shell might have led to first wind instruments, while banging a sword against a metal object eventually led to the invention of percussions.

Old versus new

Let’s not forget the wood, from which our ancestors built most common string instruments – violins, violas, cellos, double basses, and guitars. Throughout the ages, wood was in abundance; the earliest instruments were made out of boxwood, holm oak, cedar, and many others.

By the way, there is an interesting fact about the violin that we’d like to share with you: the most famous maker of this instrument in history, Antonio Stradivari, used the wood that was slightly different from what is available today. It had something to do with the cooler climate in the 18th century Europe. That’s why the sound of the original Stradivarius is not easy to duplicate with modern violins. (However, many professional violinists say that modern violins are just as good –if not better – than the old ones).

Here and now

Would you like to find out more about the forerunners of our present-day instruments? There are many resources out there and they are all very interesting.

Needless to say, when our teachers come to your Manhattan, Brooklyn or Riverdale home of office, they will not be carrying a conch shell or animal bone. And they have zero training in making music out of a hollowed tree branch.

However, when it comes to teaching the newer and more common instruments, our teachers are…highly evolved!

Photo by unknown, available under Creative Commons License

The post Riverdale Guitar School Delves Into the Origin of (Musical) Species appeared first on Hey Joe Guitar.

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

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

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

Birth of the nation

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

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

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

Oh say can you see?

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

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

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

On 4th of July, life’s a picnic!

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

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

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

• “America” by Neil Diamond

• “Born in the USA” by Bruce Springsteen

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

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

• “Surfin’ USA” by the Beach Boys

Red-white-and blue music

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

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

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Photo Credit: Vinoth Chandar

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