We can now look forward to a new year which, we hope, will be happy, healthy, prosperous, and peaceful. The beginning of January is a good time to talk about that pesky subject: New Year resolutions. We say « pesky » because while they are undoubtedly sincere and well-intentioned, most of them get broken by the time Spring comes along. Among the most common resolutions people make is learning a new skill or improving an old one. Very often this involves music lessons because, as we all know, music lifts our spirits and makes us (and everyone around us) happy. But how can you make sure that your resolve to start music lessons in 2020 doesn’t weaken (or disappear altogether) as months go by?

Easy Does It

Psychologists say most New Year resolutions fail because we set unrealistic goals for ourselves. For instance, we resolve to run the New York Marathon, but we don’t train for it as regularly as we should, and then we get disappointed when we can’t make it to the finish line. This is just one example of many showing how we sabotage our resolutions by aiming too high, too quickly. It is much better to make resolutions that are realistic and achievable. For instance, instead of aiming for the marathon, you should start with jogging small distances several times a week, and gradually work up your stamina and endurance.

Stay Inspired!

How does all this relate to music lessons? Obviously, if you are a beginner, don’t set yourself an overly-ambitious goal of playing at Carnegie Hall anytime soon. If that doesn’t happen, you’ll feel disappointed and frustrated, and maybe even give up your music training. Thinking big is good, but achieving your goals doesn’t happen overnight; it takes patience and practice. In other words, it’s one step at a time. Here is what we suggest to keep your music-related resolutions:

1. Choose an instrument that best fits your personality, size, and strength. If you opt for something that’s too big, heavy, or just isn’t « you, » the lessons may not work out.
2. Choose a good teacher, one that is experienced, patient, and kind. This will ensure you get not only the instruction you need but also the support. We don’t mean to brag (actually, we do), but we have the most wonderful teachers who’ll come to your home or office to give you lessons.
3. Practice a little bit every day. This way, you won’t be overwhelmed by too much “homework,” but still make progress.
4. Enjoy your lessons! The more pleasurable your music experience is, the more your skills will improve and your appreciation of music grow.

We hope we have helped you keep your resolutions well into 2020, and beyond. And we join ABBA in wishing you all the best for the New Year!

Photo courtesy of pxhere.com

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

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

Let’s get started.

Did You Know?

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

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

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

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

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

Oh Hanukkah!

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

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

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

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

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

Photo courtesy of Ed and Eddie and Flickr

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

t the risk of shooting ourselves in the foot but in the interest of full disclosure, we are telling you here that some historical evidence shows musical instruments to be harmful and even deadly.

Yes, you heard us right: HARMFUL AND DEADLY.

Now let us explain.

Mass Frenzy

American inventor Benjamin Franklin was a very clever man and one of his creations was a musical instrument he called “glass armonica” — a series of glass bowls of different sizes that produced beautiful sounds. The instrument became popular across the big pond, where Mozart and Beethoven composed music for it.

But some doctors of yore insisted that listening to it could kill women and anyone else who had fragile disposition. In other words, according to the 18th-century physicians, glass armonica was an instrument…of torture, affecting the nerves and causing a multitude of health problems.

According to a recent article on this subject, “in 1808, people attributed the death of armonica virtuoso Marianne Kirchgessner to the instrument’s eerie tones. Some psychiatrists went so far as to say it drove listeners to suicide.”

Eventually, as the article points out, this instrument “was relegated to the great big concert hall in the sky.”

You’d think people had wised up in the 19th century but even then, some medical professionals and scientists insisted that listening to music in general (and not just to glass armonica) was a potentially deadly pursuit.

Specifically, they said music caused hysteria, premature menstruation, homosexuality, and even death.

Then and Now

What a huge difference two centuries make!

No longer considered to be dangerous to our health, music is a big and important part of our lives — in a positive way, of course. In fact, we now know for sure that it has numerous benefits on our physical and emotional wellbeing.

And we also know that no instrument could cause you any bodily harm — unless, of course, you try to swallow your flute or attempt to carry your grand piano on your back.

So we hope you will not be discouraged by the warnings of the 18th-century doctors and give musical instruments a chance!

Photo courtesy of Vince Flango and Wikimedia Commons

The post A « Deadly Pursuit ? » Music That Got a Bad Rap appeared first on Hey Joe Guitar.

Did you know that October is Emotional Wellness Month?

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

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

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

How exactly does this happen?

Gotta Love the Music!

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

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

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

Get Happy!

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

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

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

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But you know how it goes: September is here and it’s back to school time. For us at Hey Joe Guitar this means that our wonderful teachers will get real busy giving in-home private music lessons all around NYC.

We have mentioned many times in the past how important and beneficial music education is to kids of all ages https://heyjoeguitar.com/: it improves a variety of learning skills —such as language, reading and math — boosts self-esteem and confidence, and bolsters focus and concentration.

All these skills are not only crucial for the youngsters’ academic achievements, but will also pave the way for future successes in their professional life.

Yes, we’ve said it all before but we’ll never tire of shouting this message from the rooftops: MUSIC TRAINING IS GOOOOOOOOD!

Our Welcome Mat is Out

If your child is a returning student – welcome back! We sincerely hope that he or she practiced playing during the summer, so that they kept making progress and have not lost their proficiency.

We extend a warm welcome to the new students as well. We are happy to have you among us and are delighted that you decided to make music a part of your life. We will do everything we can to make this experience a happy and fulfilling one!

But what about the ones who are undecided?

Maybe your child would like to take music lessons but you are not sure which instrument is the best fit? We can help. Follow this guide and if you have more questions, don’t hesitate to contact us for advice.

We’d like to finish with this quote from the former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. These words beautifully express why music training is so important in our children’s lives:

“Music education can help spark a child’s imagination or ignite a lifetime of passion. When you provide a child with new worlds to explore and challenges to tackle, the possibilities are endless.”

Photo: Children Playing Violin Suzuki Institute courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

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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

The post Five Reasons to Motivate your Child (and yourself) too Not Take a Vacation From Music appeared first on Hey Joe Guitar.

Yes, spring is a wonderful time to raise your voice in song. This season naturally lends itself to singing — just listen to the birds outside your window.

It doesn’t really matter what kind of tunes you belt out — whether it’s an aria or a pop melody. What’s important is that you put your heart and soul into it because, as many scientific studies show, singing is very good for you!

Here’s why.

Five Reasons Why You Should Burst Into Song

1. Singing lowers stress levels and releases muscle tension, so it has a relaxing and calming effect.
2. It improves mental alertness, concentration, and memory by allowing more oxygen to reach the brain.
3. By stimulating a tiny organ in the ear called the sacculus, singing imparts a feeling of pleasure.
4. Singing exercises major muscle groups in the upper body, increasing strength and stamina.
5. It improves the overall quality of sleep and lessens the severity of snoring (yes, really!) In fact, there is even a CD called “Singing for Snorers.”

Now, lest you think that singing is beneficial only for adults, studies have shown that singing lullabies or nursery rhymes to infants before they learn to speak may help develop their language skills later on.

Whip Your Voice Into Shape!

What if you would like to sing but believe you can’t carry a tune? Only very few people are truly tone-deaf. So in all probability you can sing but may not know how to use or control your voice.

A good singing voice is simply a matter of training and practice, which includes learning how to use your abdomen muscles, proper breathing techniques, good posture, etc. All this is necessary not only to help your voice carry high and low notes, but also to keep your vocal chords in shape.

This way, you’ll never be out of tune!

Photo: The Youngsters Singing courtesy of WikiMedia Commons

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As John Denver, who always performed with his acoustic guitar, sang:

“This old guitar taught me to sing a love song
It showed me how to laugh and how to cry.”

Yes, the guitar’s multi-layered sound can evoke all kinds of emotions, but there are many more benefits you can get from it. So let’s look at…

Five Reasons to Learn the Guitar:

1. Because it comes in different sizes (¼, ½, ¾, and full), people of all ages — from kids to seniors — can learn to play it. It is a truly ageless instrument.
2. Studies show that learning to play the chords and read sheet music opens new neural pathways, improving both cognitive and muscle memory.
3. According to Guitar World, “Guitarists have ability to slur, slide, hammer, pick up and down, finger, tap, bend, whammy, vibrate, play with your palm, play with your teeth, use a slide and play with so many types of dynamics and articulations that they can’t be replicated successfully.” No other instrument can beat such dexterity!
4. It’s a very versatile instrument on which many musical genres can be played: blues, jazz, country, rock, flamenco, and numerous others.
5. It comes in all kinds of shapes and varieties: classical, steel, acoustic, and electric. You learn to play one, and then can switch to another.

Out of the Hands of Babes…

We mentioned that even young children can learn and enjoy the guitar. Just look at these two examples of how kids in different countries play this instrument: in North Korea, it’s the pop sound and right here in the United States, rock music.

Enjoy celebrating the International Guitar Day and remember that this great instrument is…right at your fingertips!

Photo: Guitar Store courtesy of WikiMedia Commons

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There is a reason why we are bringing up this topic: March 20 has been designated by the United Nations as the International Day of Happiness. It’s just one day, but there is no reason why the entire month of March (and all the years of our lives, for that matter) should not be filled with happiness!

According to the UN, this event is intended to “increase human happiness and wellbeing.” There are many ways to achieve this goal, and one of them is — you guessed it — music!

Scientific research clearly shows that people who are exposed to music feel happier.

So let’s look at…

Five Pieces of Compelling Evidence that Music Makes Us Happy

1. Music boosts our mood by releasing the “feel good hormones” — such as dopamine — in the brain.
2. Another hormone, endorphin, has been scientifically proven to relieve pain. And, of course, less pain means greater wellbeing!
3. Music is known to reduce stress and anxiety, also alleviating the symptoms of depression.
4. A new study demonstrates that music boosts creativity.
5. Music keeps the brain more alert, even as we age. And a sharp brain equals an active and happy life.

Burst with Joy!

Science is clear: music and happiness go hand in hand – not just on March 20 but throughout your life.

To sum up, music lifts our mood, reduces stress, alleviates pain, makes us more creative, and keeps out brains sharp.

So if you haven’t yet started your music lessons, now is the time to get happy.

Photo: Colours courtesy of Camdiluv and Flickr

The post Five Ways to Fill This Month with Happiness (Clue: It’s All About Music!) appeared first on Hey Joe Guitar.

What – you are saying that you are still trying to keep your resolution from 1994? It’s time to let it go, turn the page, and start with a clean slate. After all, each New Year brings with it fresh beginnings and new chances to get it right.

There is a very simple key to achieving your goals: keep them simple, realistic, and fun. If you decide to travel to the Moon, you probably won’t accomplish that, at least not in 2018. And if you resolve to do something you absolutely do not enjoy — like sticking your tongue to a frozen pole — you’ll probably renege on that promise fairly quickly (we certainly hope you do!)

But if your resolutions include activities you’ll enjoy and derive pleasure from, you will probably keep on doing them. We are referring, of course, to music lessons!

Five Reasons Why Music Should be Present in Your Life in 2018:

1. For children, music improves academic and social skills.
2. For people of all ages, music has many benefits on mental health: it reduces stress, calms nerves, and lifts the mood.
3. Music boosts our immunity, so the body is able to fight various illnesses. In other words, music is certainly nothing to sneeze at!
4. For those suffering from insomnia, music will, literally, put you to sleep.
5. If you have been sick, music can help you recover quicker, provide pain relief, and speed up the healing process.

Now that you know some of the reasons why learning to play an instrument should be one of your top priorities for 2018, you may wonder how to motivate yourself to keep this resolution.

It’s simple: choose the instrument that best fits your personality and interests — strings, woodwinds, percussions, or brass. Then find an experienced teacher (no need to look far, we have excellent instructors at your service).

You are ready to start your musical journey. Happy New Year!

Photo: Young Boy in a Band Playing a Violin courtesy of Circe Denyer and PublicDomainPictures.net

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

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

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

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

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

New Versions of Old Songs

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

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

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

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

The post Five Reasons the Saxophone Rocks, Rolls, and Jazzes Up the Music World appeared first on Hey Joe Guitar.

But let’s not forget the benefits of singing, whether solo or in a group.

Sing, Sing a Song…

Here are just a few of the many advantages of singing:

1. It strengthens the immune system: A recent study showed that an hour of singing reduces stress hormones and increases the body’s immune activity.
2. It boosts your self-esteem: When you sing in front of a group and get positive feedback from your audience, you will feel more confident, even if you are normally a shy person.
3. It is a natural anti-depressant: Research shows that singing helps release endorphins, the feel-good brain chemical that makes you feel uplifted and happy.
4. It is a good workout: It may not totally replace physical exercise, but singing is an excellent workout for your lungs, diaphragm, and overall circulation.
5. It improves your posture: When you raise your voice in song, you are also developing good posture: standing up straight, expanding your chest cavity, and aligning your back and shoulders. After all, nobody ever sang a powerful song while slouching or stooping!

So there you have it: five reasons why singing is good for you, no matter what age or gender you are.

Belt Out a Tune

Do you want to be able to sing but think (or have been told) that you can’t? Actually, only a small percentage of the population is truly tone-deaf, suffering from a rare condition called amusia. For others, the inability to hear pitch or distinguish among musical notes is nothing more than lack of proper training.

Don’t be deterred by people saying that you sing off key. Your ability to carry a tune can be vastly improved by lessons that train your voice. A good teacher will show you proper singing techniques and vocal projections.

So go ahead and find your voice!

Photo: Michal Shapira courtesy of Alexander Kinik and WikiMedia Commons

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We hope your kids had an enjoyable and relaxing break, but still managed to keep up with their music lessons. Regular practice will make it so much easier for them to build on their progress.

If they have slacked off — as children tend to do sometimes — they may have to work a bit harder to get their groove back. And if your kids are totally new to music lessons, we welcome them with open arms.

As a parent, you surely know that music education is vital for your children and teens. But if you need a reminder, here are five compelling reasons for starting (or continuing) to play an instrument during this school year. All are based on scientific evidence as well as our own experience:

Benefit #1 – Improved scholastic performance: Music training can boost your children’s academic and social skills, including intellectual, motor, language, and overall literacy.

Benefit #2 – Emotional health: Music can help youngsters develop emotional strength and resilience to deal with whatever challenges they may face.

Benefit #3 – Better focus: For kids who are often distracted and “all over the place,” music lessons can help boost focus, self-control, and attention span. After all, playing an instrument requires an alert mind, patience, and concentration.

Benefit #4 – Physical fitness: You may not think of music lessons as a workout, but it is. It requires good body posture and coordination, proper breathing techniques, as well as muscular strength to hold the instrument.

Benefit 5 – Increased brain power: Research shows that music boosts brain activity enabling us to process and retain information, solve problems, and regulate behavior.

There you have it: five reasons why music lessons are so valuable to your kids.

The First Step…

If your child is new to music lessons, he or she may be apprehensive about starting. Let us reassure you (and your child) that our teachers will try to make this experience both enjoyable and productive, regardless of which instruments your child chooses.

With regular lessons, a new student will develop each of the skills listed above, while having fun and feeling a sense of accomplishment.

And we bet that your child’s progress will be music to your ears!

Photo: Children Playing Guitar courtesy of WikiMedia Commons

The post See You in September: Five Benefits of Music Lessons appeared first on Hey Joe Guitar.

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Sounds of Summer

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

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

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

“Come on over, let’s have some fun
Dancing in the morning sun
Looking to the bright blue sky
Come and let your spirit fly
You’re living it up this brand new day
Summer sun, it’s time to play.”

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

Photo: Musician at the Beach

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

Our city is not only the birthplace of several music genres like hip hop, freestyle, doo wop, bebop, disco, punk rock, and new wave, but also of many world-renowned musicians.

We can’t mention all the excellent home-grown performers in this blog, but here are (in no particular order) five that we love — not only because of their talent, but also because they are quintessential New Yorkers, who have remained true to their hometown:

1. Neil Diamond. Born in Brooklyn, the singer commemorated his attachment to his native city with the words “Well, I’m New York City born and raised,” in the song titled “I am I said” as well as in “Brooklyn Roads.”

2. Lady Gaga. Stefani Germanotta, as she was then known, was born at Lennox Hill Hospital and grew up on NYC’s Upper West Side. Her website mentions how, as a child, she used to go to fancy restaurants in the neighborhood and dance around, using her breadsticks as batons. Later, she waitressed at an Upper West Side diner and bought herself a Gucci purse with the money she made at that job.

3. Billy Joel. The Bronx-born singer paid homage to his native city in his 1980s hit “Uptown Girl” and also has been performing one show a month at Madison Square Garden since 2014!

4. Barbara Streisand. Born in Brooklyn, the singer and actress sang about NYC in the 1977 song, “New York State of Mind”

5. Tony Bennett may have left his heart in San Francisco, but he was born in Queens and still lives right here in the city. We can only hope that his 1960s hit “The Good Life” was inspired by New York.

Their Kind of Town

As we said, these are just five performers who have their roots in NYC. But there are many others as well who were not only born here, but also sang about their native city.

For instance:

• Barry Manilow was born in Brooklyn and had a song titled “This Is My Town.”

• (Paul) Simon and (Art) Garfunkel. Both hail from Queens, and while they were still together, they released “A Heart in New York.”

• Brooklyn-born Jay-Z, and Alicia Keys, born in Manhattan, recorded together “New York,” a song that has energy and vibe of their native city.

We can’t possibly mention all the talented musicians who hail from New York City, but you can see who they are right here.

We thank them all for their musical contributions to our city and the world!

Photo: New York City Skyline

The post New York Has Talent: Five Famous Musicians Who Hail From The Big Apple appeared first on Hey Joe Guitar.

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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That’s because until last year, Feingold was not a well known figure, except perhaps to a NYC teenager Brianna Perez, who attends a music program at the Bronx Global Learning Institute for Girls.

What brought the unlikely pair together is an old violin. That’s right – an old violin!

A Gift of Music

The inspiring story starts just after WWII, in the displaced persons camp in Germany, where Joe found himself after his mother and brother were killed in a concentration camp.

Before the war, while living in Warsaw, Poland, Joe played the violin. But his beloved instrument was lost. He missed it a lot.

While waiting to be resettled from the camp to the United States, Joe traded a carton of American cigarettes for a violin, which he brought with him when he was finally able to move to America. He lived on the Upper West Side and worked as an architect.

All the while, he continued to play the violin, but eventually it became too difficult for his aging hands.

One day in 2014, Feingold heard about an instrument drive managed by the Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation, which distributes donated instruments to NYC public schools.

He took his cherished violin to the Lincoln Center to drop it off, hoping it would come to life again.

A Musical Bond

The story could have ended there, but it didn’t. When filmmaker Kahane Cooperman heard an interview with Joe on a local radio station, she wanted to find out which student would be practicing on Joe’s violin. So she traced the instrument to Brianna, who was 13 years old at the time.

Joe went to the school to hear Brianna play “his” instrument and was very moved by her performance.

This experience inspired Kahane to make a documentary film about the unlikely musical bond between the nonagenarian and the Bronx teen. Appropriately titled “Joe’s Violin,” the film premiered at Tribeca Film Festival last year.

And in February of this year, the movie was nominated for an Academy Award for the best documentary short subject.

We are glad to share this touching story with you — even more so, because March is the Music in Our Schools Month, which sheds light on the numerous benefits of music programs.

What better example can there be to celebrate this event than to know how one instrument can change the lives of many students? We say “many” because after Brianna graduates, the violin will pass on to another student, and so on.

It’s the circle of life!

Photo: Violin Courtesy of Jason Hollinger on Flickr

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This, of course, is a purely theoretical (or, if you prefer, hypothetical) question, but genetics work in mysterious ways! We became intrigued by it a couple of months ago when we came across an article with this headline: “This instrument is the musical love-child of a double bass and a trumpet.”

Naturally, we had to read it and we are glad we did. We learned that a rather unusual offspring of a string instrument — double bass – and a trumpet (brass) is called Tromba Marina (“marine trumpet”), and it was popular in medieval and Renaissance Europe. According to the article, this bundle of joy “sounds like literally nothing else we’ve ever heard.”

And it is a handsome little fella (or a lass, we can’t be sure): made of wood, it is long and lanky, narrow at the top and wider at the bottom.

The instrument, which dates back to the 12th century, “has one long, thick playing string which is bowed and a host of resonating strings.”

Old but Not Forgotten!

We learn more about the Tromba Marina’s origins from Clare Salaman, the founder and director of The Society of Strange and Ancient Instruments (more about it a moment).

Here’s what she says (as quoted in the article): “Many surviving instruments were found in convents. It seems that tromba marinas were a staple of the Northern European nun’s musical instrument box. Wind instruments would have been off-limits for women so it’s possible that tromba marinas were used as substitutes for trumpets.”

Fascinating, isn’t it?

And speaking of fascinating things, we find The Society of Strange and Ancient Instruments totally awesome.

Just look at some of the many unusual old instruments the Society features:

• Baroque Triple Harp: A chromatic harp with three rows of strings.
• Baroque Guitar: A small guitar with 5 pairs of strings.
• Bray Harp: A diatonic harp with bray pins that buzz when pushed close to the soundboard.
• Cajon: A large box with a hole in the back.
• Clarsach or Celtic Harp: A harp with levers that can change the pitch of each string by a semitone.
• Leg Bells: Metal bells braided onto a woven band tied around the leg.

… and many more!

The Past and Present

It’s important to note here that every “modern” instrument – be it the guitar, piano, violin, flute, etc. – has historical origins of its own.

Instruments that we teach in our school didn’t just appear magically overnight out of nowhere. Someone in centuries past had to either invent them from scratch or take an already existing instrument and modify it to make it sound better.

Not every instrument may be a “love child” in the same way as the Tromba Marina is, but we, for one, love them all!

Photo: String instruments at the Musical Instrument Museum, Berlin on Wikimedia Commons

The post The Mating Game: A “Love Child” That Toots Its Own Horn appeared first on Hey Joe Guitar.

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

The post The Many Sounds and Functions of the Guitar appeared first on Hey Joe Guitar.

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

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

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

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

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

New Take on Old Classics

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

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

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

Do You Hear What We Hear?

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

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

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

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

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

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

Photo: Youth Choir in Healdsburg on Wikimedia Commons

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

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

The post In a Galaxy Far, Far Away, a Musical Star Trek is Underway appeared first on Hey Joe Guitar.

For one, this almost exclusively residential district doesn’t feel like part of New York at all. It is sleepy, tranquil, and bursting with vibrant colors of its stately 19th century mansions. In fact, when you walk around this neighborhood, you may feel magically transported to another time period.

This may be why Ditmas Park, which is bordered by Dorchester Avenue, Ocean Avenue, Newkirk Avenue and East 16th Street, is referred to as Victorian Flatbush.

Let’s explore this neighborhood, which can rightly be described as charming and quaint.

Notable Architecture

The area now occupied by Ditmas Park was settled in the 17th century by a Dutch immigrant Jan Jansen Van Ditmarsen (for whom the neighborhood was named). According to historical records, upon his arrival he built a “fine Dutch Colonial style farmhouse.”

The land remained in the Ditmarsen family until the beginning of the 20th century, when a real estate broker Lewis H. Pounds purchased it.

As he developed the formerly rural area, Pounds deployed several different architectural styles to bring an eclectic rather than uniform look to the area: there are Colonial Revival and Queen Anne buildings, Arts and Crafts bungalows, wood-frame houses with wide-open porches, and other styles.

Best places to see these architectural gems are along Albemarle, Marlborough, Rugby, Argyle, Westminster, and Beverly Roads. This is “old” Ditmas Park at its best.

Let There Be Music (Lessons)!

But not everything in this neighborhood is a throwback to another era.

For instance, the 40-acre Parade Ground offers more modern amenities, including baseball, soccer, softball and football fields, as well as running and cycling paths.

And even though Ditmas Park is mostly residential, there are some good eateries along Cortelyou Road – the Farm on Adderley and Mimi’s Hummus, among them.

Brooklyn Botanic Garden is nearby, as is Prospect Park and other interesting venues and activities.

It’s true that, because of its homespun character, Ditmas Park may not have a vibrant arts scene. But good news is that there is no shortage of in-home music lessons in this attractive, down-to-earth neighborhood.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

The post Many Faces (and Facades) of Ditmas Park appeared first on Hey Joe Guitar.

Bounded by Atlantic Avenue to the north, Court Street to the east, Degraw Street to the south, and the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway to the west, Cobble Hill is one of Brooklyn’s oldest neighborhoods.

It is also one of the most interesting, which, according to the New York City Dept of Parks & Recreation, “Its namesake, the surrounding neighborhood of Cobble Hill, was first settled in the mid-17th century by Dutch farmers.”

In fact, the Cobble Hill Historic District teems with beautifully preserved landmarks. Among them is the Old St. Paul’s Roman Catholic Church at 14 Greenville Avenue, which dates back to 1838; and seven brick row houses at 33 and 35 Strong Place, built in the Queen Anne architectural style in 1891.

From Rural to Urban

Up until the middle of the 1800s, Brooklyn was primarily a rural area. The present-day Cobble Hill had only 45 houses and 112 residents. It started expanding (and getting more urbanized) in the latter part of the 19th century, first with the influx of wealthy Manhattanites, followed by immigrants from Ireland and Italy, many of whom settled in neighboring areas of Brooklyn as well.

In that sense, Cobble Hill has a cosmopolitan vibe that is characteristic of many of New York’s “melting pot” neighborhoods. And, like elsewhere in the city, there is no shortage here of excellent restaurants and ethnic food stores.

Lots To Do

Whether you are trendy and hip, or quiet and laid-back, you will find that Cobble Hill is – no pun intended – right up your alley. And if you are looking for arts and culture, you will discover it here as well. For instance, there are a number of quaint, independent bookshops in the neighborhood, which are a fast-dying breed. So venues like BookCourt at 163 Court Street and the nearby Community Book Store (212 Court Street) need the support of every reader. What about the music scene? There are quite a few places along Smith Street that feature live music: Pano e Vino, Bar Tabac, Clover Club, and other venues. And would you like to have live music right in your own house? You can: in-home music lessons are available in Cobble Hill, as well as in other Brooklyn neighborhoods like Dumbo, Williamsburg, Brooklyn Heights, Park Slope, Carroll Gardens, Boerum Hill, and Ditmas Park.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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There is a good reason why its name is Carroll Gardens: the neighborhood’s main features are deep front yards, often surrounded by decorative wrought iron fences.

This explains the “garden” part. But why Carroll, you may ask?

Until 1964, this 40-block neighborhood, was just part of South Brooklyn. But then a local civic group renamed the area in honor of Charles Carroll, who was a signer of Declaration of Independence, as well as a civil rights activist.

Carroll was the U.S. senator from Maryland, but he did have a strong connection to the NYC borough. In 1776, during the Battle of Brooklyn, Carroll’s regiment helped defend this area; in fact, 400 of his soldiers died in an attack on a British camp.

Fortunately, this was the only bloody episode in the history of this quiet and scenic neighborhood.

A “Revolutionary” Neighborhood

Carroll Gardens is bounded by Degraw and Warren Streets to the north, Hoyt and Smith Streets to the east, Ninth Street to the south, and the Brooklyn-Queens and Gowanus Expressways to the west.

As mentioned above, during the Revolutionary War, this area was a site of a bloody battle. Then, in the early 1800s, many wealthy New Yorkers built summer homes here.

But the 19th century also brought European immigrants to South Brooklyn’s shores – the Irish were the first ones to settle in the area that is today called Carroll Gardens.

Later, Italians arrived, infusing the area with their native foods, customs, and traditions – the ambience that permeates the neighborhood to this day.

But there are traces of other ethnicities in Carroll Gardens as well – for instance, its flourishing French population has earned this section of Brooklyn the nickname “Little France.”

Both Italian and French influence is still present in Carroll Gardens in the form of restaurants, grocery stores, and other venues and events.

Arts and Crafts

So what is there to do in Carroll Gardens, other than admire beautiful gardens in front of quaint brownstones along quiet, tree-lined streets?

As far as arts scene is concerned, the neighborhood boasts the Smith Street Stage, a community theater dedicated to Shakespeare plays.

There are also jazz nights at Clover Club at 210 Smith Street, pottery and glassware workshop at the Painted Pot, 8009 Third Avenue, and many other cool events for children and adults alike.

And let’s not forget in-home music lessons that are available year-round in this cozy part of Brooklyn.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

The post The Verdant Landscape of Brooklyn’s Carroll Gardens appeared first on Hey Joe Guitar.

Brooklyn Heights fits into the latter category. Located away from the borough’s businesses and factories, it is peaceful and charming. With its tree-lined streets, it could very well be a suburban neighborhood. In fact, it was originally referred to as the “Brooklyn Village.” Because of this relaxed and easy-going feel, this area, which stretches from Old Fulton Street south to Atlantic Avenue, and from the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway to Court Street, has been called “America’s original suburb.” Architecturally too, Brooklyn Heights has a lot to boast about.

Historic houses

Being a “home” to over 600 historic buildings deserves official recognition and in 1965, New York’s Landmarks Preservation Commission designated this neighborhood as the city’s first historic district. As the Commission noted at the time, Brooklyn Heights’ “stately brick and brownstone houses, on their tree-lined streets with their stone sidewalks, represent most of the principal architectural styles of the 19th century…the houses represent almost unchanged the community as originally built.” Examples of pre-Civil War architecture abound: Built in 1824, a wood-frame house at 24 Middagh Street is Brooklyn Heights’ oldest home. Just a stone throw away, at 64 Poplar Street, stands a clapboard house built in 1834 by poet Walt Whitman and his father. Other sections of the Heights boast architectural gems as well: Row houses on Remsen Street, the Herman Behr Mansion at 82 Pierrepont Street, and St. Ann and the Holy Trinity Church, located on the corner of Montague and Clinton Streets. Brooklyn Historical Society is a great resource to explore the Heights’ 400-year history.

Nature and culture

This neighborhood’s architecture and historical sites are certainly worth seeing, but there is more here to entice visitors. The Promenade is the neighborhood’s most popular public space. Besides its beautifully maintained flower beds, trees, benches and playgrounds, it also offers great views of the Brooklyn Bridge, the Manhattan skyline, and the Statue of Liberty. But just because Brooklyn Heights is a quiet area doesn’t mean it lacks culture. On the contrary! The Heights Players is Brooklyn’s oldest self-sustaining community theater, which has been part of this neighborhood for nearly six decades. And there is also the Brooklyn Heights Music Society, which sponsors concerts in various Brooklyn locations each year. Of course, there is no shortage of in-home music lessons either – it’s easy and convenient to set them up!

The post Brooklyn Heights: A Neighborhood With a View appeared first on Hey Joe Guitar.

While the Brooklyn area in question had been around longer than the Disney character, which was created in 1941, the neighborhood got its name much later. It stands for “Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass,” a term coined by artists who moved there in the 1970s, while this former manufacturing district was a mostly deserted neighborhood. Dumbo a great example of old, multi-ethnic New York City neighborhood that has been, over the years, reshaped and redefined by its developers.

Calling all art lovers!

Bounded by Brooklyn Bridge Park to the north, the Brooklyn Bridge to the west, Brooklyn Heights to the south, and Vinegar Hill to the east, Dumbo is a real 21st century neighborhood: it has the highest concentration of technology firms in New York. A quarter of the city’s tech companies are based within a 10-block radius in this relatively small section. But Dumbo is not just about technology – it also boasts a thriving art scene that gives the neighborhood a trendy and edgy vibe. For example, the waterfront Brooklyn Bridge Park offers jazz and classical music concerts, as well as a wide variety of other cultural events. And if you walk around this park, you will encounter funky art in the form of sculptures. But that’s not all: On every first Thursday of the month, art lovers have a chance to visit some of Dumbo’s galleries and artists’ studios, many of which are located on streets paved with century-old cobblestones.

Dumbo is all “ears” – for music!

The arts scene, no matter, how lively, would not be complete without music. In that respect too Dumbo has much to offer. For instance, 68 Jay Street Bar, located in the historic Grand Union Tea Company warehouse, offers not only good food, but also features live bands and other performances. But there is more: moored in Dumbo just under the Brooklyn Bridge is a barge that on most days morphs into a venue for “floating” chamber music concerts. “Bargemusic” holds more than 200 concerts each year, and has been an integral part of the local community for nearly four decades. These and other venues are dedicated to spreading the love of music. Another way to fill your (not Dumbo the elephant’s) ears with beautiful sounds is to sign up for in-home music lessons in this very neighborhood. Now you know: this combination of the arts and music scene makes Dumbo one of Brooklyn’s most buzz-worthy neighborhoods.

The post Under the Bridge: Gem of a Brooklyn Neighborhood! appeared first on Hey Joe Guitar.

It is also, like the rest of Brooklyn (and New York City), ethnically diverse: for instance, it “mixes” the hipster crowd that defines the “new” Brooklyn with Hasidim Jews, and first-generation Italian and Puerto Rican immigrants who have been part of this community for a while. This diversity may explain why Williamsburg boasts so many ethic food stores and restaurants.

A new vibe

Once upon a time, Williamsburg was just a plain neighborhood, with industrial buildings, tenements, and modest attached homes as far as the eye could see. But over the past 15 years or so, it experienced a renaissance of sorts, morphing into one of New York City’s most vibrant enclaves. Today, the once neglected waterfront boasts not just new, sleek high-rises but also parks and other green areas, such as the 7-acre East River State Park and Grand Ferry Park.

A feast for eyes and ears

Why is this eclectic neighborhood, which borders Greenpoint to the north; Bedford-Stuyvesant to the south; Ridgewood, Queens to the east; and East River to the west, worth visiting? First of all, it’s an easy hop from Manhattan – and even the Manhattanites, who are not easily impressed by anything lying outside their borough, would not be disappointed (but please don’t sue us if you are!) A good place to start is with arts and culture, because artists have been essential in bringing creative energy into this neighborhood. Not surprisingly, there are several interesting galleries here, including the Front Room Gallery at 147 Roebling Street; Art 101, 101 Grand Street; Figureworks at 168 North 6th Street; and more. There is also no shortage of live music concerts, for example at Williamsburg’s Music Hall , located at 66 North 6th Street. But there are also less traditional venues like Brooklyn Bowl on 61 Wythe Avenue, which is a bowling alley with “electrifying live music.” Or Rough Trade at 64 N 9th Street – a record store in front and concert venue in the back. These are just a couple examples among many. And speaking of music, if you live in Williamsburg, you can take advantage of in-home music lessons by some of New York’s top teachers. This way, you won’t have any reason to ever leave Williamsburg!

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You’d have to be living in an alternate universe or under a rock somewhere not to know that we are in the midst of a pre-election campaign season, and a contentious one at that. One thing that unites the candidates on both sides of the political spectrum – those who are still in the running at the time of this writing – is music.

All three candidates have their own favorite songs that convey their political messages and inspire their supporters. Let’s have a look at what they like.

Hillary Clinton

According to Rolling Stone magazine, Secretary Clinton, who grew up with classic rock, has particular affinity for female performers because they are “the best at what they do, whether that’s fronting a raucous soul band, writing hypnotic dance anthems, unspooling intricate rap lyrics about female empowerment or crooning ballads about heartbreak and young love.” At her campaign stops the same lineup of 13 songs is played: Latin pop (Jennifer Lopez’s “Let’s Get Loud,” Marc Anthony’s “Vivir Mi Vida”), pop (Katy Perry’s “Roar,” Kelly Clarkson’s “Stronger,” Sara Bareilles’ “Brave”), modern rock (American Authors’ “Best Day of My Life” and “Believer,” Gym Class Heroes’ “The Fighter”).

Bernie Sanders

Did you know that in 1987, when Sanders was mayor of Burlington, VT, he recorded an album called “We Shall Overcome.” It featured folk songs like “This Land Is Your Land” and “Where Have All the Flowers Gone?” These days, as a presidential candidate, Sanders has eclectic musical tastes, ranging from Beethoven’s symphonies to Motown sounds, pop and disco music. And one of his campaign ads features a short excerpt from Simon and Garfunkel’s “America.”

Donald Trump

“The Donald” courts controversy wherever he goes – in politics AND music! Various artists, including Aerosmith, Adele, Elton John, Neil Young, the Rolling Stones, and Bruce Springsteen, among others, demanded that Trump stop playing their songs at campaign rallies. But even though Young snubbed him (objecting after his “Rockin’ in the Free World ” was played when Trump announced his candidacy), “the Donald” said he admires his music: “He’s got something very special. I’ve listened to his music for years …when I went to the concert at Madison Square Garden, Neil got up and totally brought the house down.”

Leaving politics aside

At Hey Joe Guitar, we stay out of all controversies – political and other. Our main goal (the only goal, really) is to bring music, in form of private lessons, into your Manhattan, Brooklyn, or Riverdale home or office. Our teachers are not going to discuss political candidates or their campaigns. Instead, they will focus their efforts on teaching you how to make beautiful music with an instrument of your choice!

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Here’s a head scratcher for this week: do you know what Vincent Damon Furnier, Robert Zimmerman, and Peter Gene Hernandez have in common? The answer: they are the real names of musicians we know as Alice Cooper, Bob Dylan, and Bruno Mars, respectively.

In fact, many musicians – and famous people in general – take on stage names, which sound nothing like the original monikers they got at birth. We will give you more examples in a minute, but first let’s have a look at why so many famous people go that route.

What’s in a name? You’ll be surprised…

The reasons are many. For instance, the real name may be difficult to pronounce or remember. One such case is Cat Stevens, whose parents named him Stephen Demetre Georgiou. Or, the birth name might be quite a mouthful. That is probably why Declan Patrick Aloysius Macmanus thought it would be easier for everyone if he re-named himself Elvis Costello; ditto for Lady Gaga, whose given name is Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta. Sometimes, artists with ethnic sounding names prefer to be known by a more Anglicized aliases, which would help them blend better into the English language-dominated music industry. For example, would you ever guess that Henry John Deutschendorf, Jr. morphed into John Denver, and Pitbull was once known as Armando Christian Perez? And occasionally, artsy and creative people want names that are hip rather than ordinary. A long time ago, one British chap named Reginald Kenneth Dwight decided it would behoove his career to become Elton John, and Calvin Broadus morphed into Snoop Dogg. And by the way, Mozart was baptized as Johannes Chrysostomus Wolfgangus Theophilus, so it’s no wonder he eventually shortened it to Wolfgang Amadeus! Here are some more examples:

• Anthony Dominick Benedetto was the birth name of Tony Bennett.
• Billy Idol was named William Michael Albert Broad at birth.
• Gaynor Hopkins became Bonnie Tyler.
• Faroukh Bulsara was no other than Freddy Mercury.

And here are some other examples of the “before and after” names.

We call it like it is!

What about musical instruments? Do they have aliases or are they still called by their real names? Aside from some abbreviations – such as “uke” for ukulele or the piano for the pianoforte, instruments pretty much still go by their given names. That makes it so much easier to call us and say: “I’d like to learn to play the cello, the guitar, or any other instrument – just name it. We’ll send one of our excellent teachers straight to your Manhattan, Brooklyn, or Riverdale home or office. They’ll introduce themselves to you by their real names!

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

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

So much to celebrate!

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

Let there be music!

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

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

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

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Bach’s daughter Catharina was also musically gifted but, as a female, could not compose professionally. She did, however, excel as a singer. Then there was the duo of Leopold Mozart and his prodigious son and pupil, Wolfgang Amadeus. Theirs was the case of the student outgrowing the master, though Leopold was a gifted violinist and composer in his own right and there is no doubt he passed on his talent to his son. And Leopold’s other surviving child, daughter Maria Anna (Nannerl) became a talented clavierist. Moving on to the 19th century, two musical families stand out. First, there was the composer Felix Mendelsohn and his sister Fanny. But while Felix gained fame and recognition, Fanny did not get the encouragement or support to improve her craft, even though she was very talented . And of course we should not forget “The Father of the Waltz” Johann Strauss Sr. , and his son, Johann Strauss Jr. (aka “The King of the Waltz”). Johann Sr. had two other talented sons as well: Josef Strauss , who wrote over 300 dances and marches, as well as Eduard Strauss I, who joined the family’s orchestra as a harpist and eventually as a conductor. And then there was Eduard’s son (and Johann Sr.’s grandson), Johann Strauss III, who conducted the Strauss Orchestra and the first recordings of his family’s works.

Is it in the genes or in the water?

In more recent times, there had been other examples of famous musical families – Judy Garland and Liza Minelli, Frank and Nancy Sinatra, Nat King and Natalie Cole, John and Julian Lennon, and others. By now you may be wondering whether musical talent is inherited. There is some evidence to suggest that creativity could, indeed, be passed on from one family member to another. But there is also something else: people who love and play music (or sing), instill and nurture the same passion in their children. In other words, they create and foster a music-friendly environment. But it doesn’t really matter if affinity for music is inherited or learned. Either way, lessons will help you (or your child) discover and explore all the wonderful musical mysteries. So invite a teacher of ours into your Manhattan, Brooklyn, or Riverdale home or office and start spreading the love of music all around you!

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We love it when we hear or read about the positive impact musical instruments have on the lives of people everywhere. True, instruments are inanimate objects but they have such magical powers. By “magical” we don’t mean “supernatural” or “mysterious,” but rather “meaningful” in the ways they touch and change so many lives.

A case in point is a 300-year-old Stradivarius that New York violinist Joshua Bell played last month during a concert at Lincoln Center. As New York Post told it, that prized instrument “saved dozens of people from the Holocaust.” This uplifting and inspiring story is worth telling, especially since the violin in question has a fascinating history of its own.

Once upon a time…

First of all, a little background: Italian luthier Antonio Stradivari crafted 1,116 string instruments during his lifetime. Of those, 540 violins, 50 cellos and 12 violas survive today. As the article relates it, Bell first saw the instrument in question nearly 15 years ago in a London shop where he went to buy some strings. “The shopkeeper emerged from a back room with a stunning violin in hand,” Bell recalled. “He told me it was the famous Huberman Strad, and I was instantly intrigued.” The violin was so named because it had once belonged to the virtuoso Polish violinist Bronislaw Huberman. On Feb. 28, 1936, while Huberman performed at Carnegie Hall, the Stradivarius went missing from his dressing room. He never saw his beloved instrument again. As it turned out, the violin was stolen by a two-bit violinist Julian Altman, who sneaked into Huberman’s dressing room during the concert. Altman used shoe polish to disguise the prized instrument, which he played at every gig he had over the next 48 years. He finally confessed to the theft on his deathbed in 1985. On the day that Bell found the instrument in a London shop –restored to its golden varnish again – it was about to be sold to a German industrialist who wanted to add it to his collection. However, Bell purchased it himself for nearly $4 million.

A life saver

Thankfully, before Altman stole Huberman’s violin, it played – both literally and figuratively – a very important role in saving the lives of many musicians. Huberman, who was Jewish, performed – on his famous Strad, of course – at a series of U.S. venues in order to raise money to settle European musicians and their families in what was then Palestine (now Israel). With WWII just around the corner, Huberman recognized that getting Jews out of Europe was extremely urgent. As it turns out, Bell’s own Russian-Jewish great-grandparents were among the emigrants, so his connection to Huberman’s Strad is very strong. “When I perform in Israel with the Israel Philharmonic,” he said, “I am always touched to think how many of the orchestra members are direct descendants of the musicians Huberman saved from the Holocaust — with funds raised by concerts performed on the same instrument I play every day.”

Make your own history

At Hey Joe Guitar, we like all instruments, but we have special affinity for the ones that have a rich history, even if it’s a poignant one like Huberman’s Strad or these old cellos. But even if you owe just “regular” instruments, one of our teachers will be happy to come to your Manhattan, Brooklyn, or Riverdale home or office and give you a lesson. Because even an ordinary instrument can make extraordinary music!

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If we asked you what special day is celebrated today, April 11, you probably wouldn’t know without running a Google search. Here is a clue: it involves a capella singing of easy-on-the-ear tunes, with three voices harmonizing to the melody of a fourth voice (the bass provides the foundation and the baritone fills in the middle spaces). Have you guessed? We are celebrating the National Barbershop Quartet Day, observed annually on April 11.

It’s true that this style of music is not necessarily on everyone’s radar. But that’s exactly why today is a good opportunity to get acquainted with this old musical tradition that started in England in the 1600s and flourished in our country at the dawn of the 20th century.

A bit of history…

In the 17th century, British barbers equipped their shops with a cittern (a stringed instrument similar to a lute) so that their customers could strum on it while waiting for their shave and haircut. And that’s how the term “barber’s music” was coined across the Big Pond. Even though a similar tradition was brought over to America in the 1830s and barbershop music became popular here between 1900 and 1919, it faded with the advent of the Jazz Age in the 1920s. But in 1938, when the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barber Shop Quartet Singing in America was formed, this style of music experienced a renaissance of sorts. For those who are not familiar with barbershop quartets, here are some examples from the archives of Barbershop Harmony Society (BHS): The 2011 winners of BHS’s international competition From the 2015 BHS competition The performance of UK’s Great British Barbershop Boys has bits of humor (or humour) in it And, of course, Jimmy Fallon’s version is always funny .

At the top of your voice

Whether you are a fan of barbershop quartets, a capella performances, or choral music in general, and would like to “fit in” with that crowd, the first step is to learn to sing. It sounds simple, but if you want to excel in any vocal group (or in solo performances for that matter), you have to learn 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. This is where singing lessons can help. One of our trained voice teachers will be happy to come to your Manhattan, Brooklyn or Riverdale home or office and help you raise your voice in song – and no haircuts are necessary!

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Here’s a riddle for you: “If you have me, you might take me for granted; if you don’t have me, you’ll miss me terribly. What am I?” Did you guess? Actually, there are no wrong answers here, but the one we are getting at is “health.”

We are bringing it up because today, April 7, is World Health Day. Of course, we should all take care of our physical and mental well-being each day of the year. Thankfully, it’s never too late (or too early) to start living healthy– as the famous quote, which has been attributed to various people, points out, “If I’d known I was going to live so long, I’d have taken better care of myself!” What exactly does “living healthy” entail? It’s exercise, healthy diet, and doing things that are pleasurable and reduce your stress level. There are lots of activities that will accomplish this, but – for obvious reasons – we’d like to hone in on one. You must have guessed by now that we want to talk about music and its therapeutic effect on the body and soul.

Here’s to your health!

First, let’s talk about how music can prevent all kinds of ailments or, in the very least, help us recover quicker. Scientific studies have shown that music:

• Has beneficial effects on the heart and the entire cardiovascular system.
• Boosts our immunity so our body is able to fight off various illnesses.
• Calms nerves, reduces stress, and lifts your mood.
• Helps you sleep better, and we all know that a good night’s sleep is beneficial to our overall health.

And here is even more good news: there is a considerable body of evidence indicating that music therapy can help patients recover from or manage a number of illnesses, including cancer. It can also increase brain function in dementia patients, provide pain relief, and speed up the healing process.

Just what the doctor ordered

You may be wondering how much music does it take (either through playing or listening) to feel the beneficial effects. We are not aware of anyone actually providing any metrics, but we do know that any exposure to music is better than none at all. So if you decide to take music lessons – no matter which instrument you choose – they will not only help you draw all the above-mentioned benefits, but also help you develop other skills. That’s because music training also boosts your (or your child’s) concentration, discipline, and other mental functions. Would you like an amazing teacher to come to your Manhattan, Brooklyn, or Riverdale home or office and give you music lessons? Just contact us and start boosting your health, stat!

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The song that probably best represents the month of April is the “oldie” titled “April Showers.” It was composed in 1921 by American composer Louis Silvers and performed over the years by the likes of Al Jolson, Frank Sinatra , and others.

One of the reasons we like this song is because we appreciate the beauty of rain. You are probably thinking, “what’s so beautiful about the rain? It is wet, it makes puddles, and is not very pleasant.” Fact is that it not only nourishes the nature (as this particular song says, it makes “way for sweet May flowers”), and keeps vegetation fresh and green, but we also like the relaxing sounds it emits as it falls down. (Okay, we concede that listening to rain is much more enjoyable than walking in it!)

Cacophony of sound

We have written about the rain before, but this time we would like to explore the more creative side of this natural phenomenon. A case in point is a building in Dresden, Germany that, literally, is singling in the rain. The house in question is a brightly-colored building that, appropriately enough, is part of an arts project in that city. Here’s how it works: An intricate system of drains and funnels is attached on the outside of the building, and when it rains the entire house becomes an instrument. What kind of “rain music” does it make? Listen to this . Now, if you think all rain is the same, well, it isn’t. It makes different sounds depending on what it hits. This video , (which, by the way, consists of over 1 million drops), proves that. And if you are wondering whether humans can imitate the sound of rain, it turns out they can !

Our lessons will never be rained out!

If you are a rain aficionado (provided such people actually exist) you may like to know that there is actually an ancient Mexican musical instrument called, appropriately, the rain stick. It makes a sound that is reminiscent of they falling rain . Can you “play rain” on more conventional instruments like the guitar or piano? You can certainly try and a teacher of ours will come to your Manhattan, Brooklyn, or Riverdale home or office to give you lessons – even in the rain!

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What kind of fool are you? This question is intended with all due respect, but we can’t help asking it because tomorrow is the internationally celebrated annual holiday, April’s Fool Day. Even if you are not a buffoon the other 364 days of the year, tomorrow is a good opportunity to act a bit “foolish,” just for the fun of it.

You wouldn’t be the first person on earth to pull a prank or, for that matter, fall victim to one. Even famous people do, so we thought it would be fun to look at some of the music world’s most clever jokers, pranksters, and hoaxers.

Bring in the clowns

Now, you know that humor is a subjective concept, meaning that what some folks think is hilariously funny, others may find in bad taste. We are not endorsing any of these pranks; we are merely letting you know what some musicians had been up to on April Fool’s (and other days) in years past. Are they funny? You be the judge:

• The Beatles: We know that Paul McCartney is alive and well, and living right here in New York. But back in the 1960s, a rumor surfaced that Paul died in a car accident and was replaced by a double who looked and sounded just like the original (what are the chances of that?). This hoax was hatched by the student newspaper at Drake University. The Beatles themselves had a hand in propagating the rumor; “Paul is dead man/Miss him, miss him, miss him” can be heard when playing “I’m So Tired” backwards, among other mumblings and backwards clues.
• In 1969, reports emerged about the imminent release of a new album compiling a “super-session” with Bob Dylan, Mick Jagger, John Lennon, and Paul McCartney. Entitled The Masked Marauders, the album supposedly couldn’t feature the names of the performers because of contractual clauses, but the star-studded lineup was revealed in the October 18, 1969 issue of Rolling Stone. The album turned out to be a prank dreamed up by the then- Rolling Stone editor Greil Marcus.
• Like him or not, but Howard Stern can pull a mean prank. On his radio show, he aired an “unedited version” of Beyoncé “If I Were a Boy,” which he claimed was leaked from her performance on The Today Show in November 2008. He said this was what Beyoncé sounded like “in the raw.” Luckily, the doctored tape was quickly discredited and did not have any negative impact on Beyoncé’s career.

These are just three examples, but there are, of course, many more!

It’s no joke

At Hey Joe Guitar, we enjoy occasional silliness but when it comes to music education, we are very serious. We know that giving music lessons to people of all ages and levels of proficiency is no laughing matter. That’s why we make sure that a teacher who comes to your Manhattan, Brooklyn, or Riverdale home or office, is a master at his or her art – whether it’s the guitar, violin, or any other instrument.

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When you listen to your favorite songs, do you ever wonder how they came to life? In other words, what person or event had inspired this particular piece of music? That’s a very pertinent question, because nothing in music (or art in general) happens haphazardly. Whether you call it a “muse,” a “spark,” or anything else, there is always that special moment or person who gives the artist the idea, force, and energy to create something new.

Just as an example, one of Ludwig von Beethoven’s best-known compositions, “Für Elise ,” was inspired by a woman believed to be Austrian singer and performer Therese Malfatti. (Music historians believe that the piece was originally called “Für Therese,” but the name was, over the years, mistranslated to “Elise.”) What about modern-day music? Let’s have a look at who was behind some of the most popular songs of our time.

“You are my inspiration…”

Obviously, we can’t cover ALL the songs here, but here is the “beef” on some of them: It has been long believed that the inspiration for Neil Diamond’s 1969 hit single “Sweet Caroline ” was the daughter of US president John F Kennedy. However, in 2014 Diamond revealed that his real muse was his then-wife Marcia Murphey, but he needed a three-syllable name for the chorus and Marcia didn’t fit the bill. That’s how “Sweet Caroline” came to be! Billy Joel’s romance with the supermodel Christie Brinkley inspired him to write “Uptown Girl ” in 1983. In real life, they were married for nine years until 1994 and had a daughter, Alexa Ray. What about Elton John’s “Candle In The Wind?” He wrote the original version in 1973 as a tribute to Marilyn Monroe. Fourteen years later he asked his writing partner, Bernie Taupin, to rework the lyrics to pay tribute to Princess Diana; he performed the new version at her funeral on September 6, 1997. And we can’t omit to mention one of the most curious “musical mysteries” of the past 40 years: who inspired Carly Simon’s 1972 hit, “You’re So Vain ?” Actor Warren Beatty had long been rumored the subject of this song. Last year, Simon admitted that the song’s second verse is about Beatty, but hasn’t revealed who the “muses” were for the other parts of the song. So at least some of the mystery still lives on!

Let us inspire you!

One thing that is certainly NOT shrouded in mystery is this: whoever (or whatever) inspires you, your child, or another member of your family to start music lessons, we are happy to help. Whatever instrument you choose to play, we will dispatch a well-trained and experienced teacher to your Manhattan, Brooklyn, or Riverdale home or office. This we can promise: we will always try to inspire you to move forward on your musical journey!

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March marks quite a few special observances: the International Women’s Day on the 8th, St. Patrick’s Day on the 17th, and Easter on the 27th. But you may not know that there is also a lesser-known event observed in March: the Sing With Your Child Month.

We believe that this is a wonderful idea and we are backed up by scientific research indicating that singing with children – starting as early as in infancy – offers a multitude of benefits.

Beyond “Old MacDonald”

Of course, a young baby is not able to sing with you; he or she will more likely gurgle along. But rest assured that even though the singing is one-sided, it is still a great bonding experience that fosters closeness and emotional comfort. As the child grows from babyhood to toddlerhood and beyond, singing together takes on a whole new dimension. It is still that wonderful “togetherness” moment, but scientists tell us that this activity also benefits the child in other ways: it helps develop language skills, encourages the child to express his or her emotions, and (hopefully) fosters the love of music that will last a lifetime. And there is also another benefit: your child will probably not notice (or care) if you are singing off-key! Now, when we talk about “singing with the children,” we don’t mean to suggest that this should be strictly a parent’s job. The image of entire families belting out tunes together is truly inspiring!

A powerful singing voice

Everyone can raise his or her voice in a song, even though some people do it better than others. This is the so-called “recreational” singing and there is absolutely nothing wrong with it. But if you would like to sing with power, passion and confidence, you may need lessons. Please contact us and one of our amazing teachers will come to your Manhattan, Brooklyn, or Riverdale home or office and help you whip your voice into the best possible shape before letting it out the door! There is a lot of work (but also much pleasure!) involved in developing the art of singing. The teacher will show you how to control your voice and the vocal components like the pitch, rhythm, volume, tone, and pace. He or she will also teach you how to use your abdomen muscles, develop proper breathing techniques, good posture, etc. All this is necessary not only to help your voice carry high and low notes, but also to keep your vocal chords in shape. All these are useful skills to have – not just to sing with your child, but raise your voice in a beautiful song whenever the mood strikes you!

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“It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold: when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade.” ~Charles Dickens, Great Expectations This quote is very fitting because yesterday, March 20, marked the Vernal Equinox – the first day of spring! This must be a happy event for all those who are sick and tired of winter, including millions of New Yorkers who are still shivering from the massive blizzard that blanketed our city with snow in January.

Of course, as much as we crave a less inclement weather, this season – and especially the month of March – can be unpredictable. As Mark Twain said, “In the spring I have counted one hundred and thirty-six different kinds of weather inside of four and twenty hours.” Still, the mere promise of the warmth and sunshine ahead is enough to make our hearts sing. And this is our clever segue into music!

A bountiful season

Not surprisingly, spring had inspired many composers to write some of their most beautiful pieces. For instance, there is the “spring” section in Antonio Vivaldi’s “The Four Seasons,” which is so light and upbeat that it aptly expresses the joyfulness of the season. Robert Schumann composed “Spring Symphony ;” Felix Mendelssohn wrote “Spring Song ;” and Igor Stravinsky composed “Rite of Spring .” Of course, there is also Ludwig van Beethoven’s “Spring Sonata ,” as well Johann Strauss’s famous waltz, “Voices of Spring ” But – psssst – we’ll let you in on a secret: while we love these (and other) “spring” compositions, we have a special affinity for Frederic Chopin’s “Spring Waltz .” To us, this melody evokes the image of a sunny day and a butterfly flittering from one (spring) flower to another.

Turn over a new (musical) leaf!

Spring imparts a sense of renewal that inspires us to bring our creative energy – whatever form it may take – to fruition. In other words, it is a time for making choices and taking action. For example, if you (or a member or your family) are thinking of learning to play an instrument or develop your voice, now is a good time to begin your private lessons. And starting is really easy: just contact us, tell us what instrument you’d like to play, and one of our amazing teachers will…spring into action right in your Manhattan, Brooklyn, or Riverdale home office.

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We recently came across some very interesting footage (which we are sharing below) that shows how various animals react to music. We found it heartwarming to see that the capacity to respond to music is not a uniquely human phenomenon, but that animals have it too. In fact, there is a whole field of study called “zoomusicology,” which, as its name suggests, focuses on the so-called “animal music” – a fascinating subject in and of itself.

Scientists tell us that even though animals like different sounds than humans, their auditory range and ability to understand and pick up on human emotion is similar. The main difference lies in how animals interpret these sounds. We do know, for instance, that our four-legged friends appear to be more relaxed when listening to classical music and more agitated when heavy metal is playing. (However, this finding doesn’t exclude that at least some animals may be more partial to Metallica than to Mozart!)

All eyes and ears

Let’s go back to the above-mentioned footage of animals listening to live music. Cows, it seems, like jazz , as well as classical music . Elephants appreciate Beethoven , blues , and sounds of the violin , as do these horses . And it’s not just large animals that are sensitive to music – just look at these otters reacting to the guitar. But our favorite is this golden retriever who clearly appreciates his master’s strumming and is unhappy when the music stops . He clearly has the sense of rhythm! Now, this particular footage is obviously an ad and not natural or spontaneous like the other examples. However, it is nevertheless beautiful, especially since sea creatures are known to like music and emit tunes of their own.

Don’t play like an animal!

Some time ago, we wrote about a project at the Smithsonian’s National ZOO in Washington D.C, which had its animals playing various musical instruments. Whether it was an orangutan playing a xylophone or a bear blowing into a harmonica, these were “unschooled” and spontaneous forays into music. But that’s not how we work. Our teachers come to your Manhattan, Brooklyn, or Riverdale home or office to give you lessons, so that you can learn to play your instrument the human way. Together, we’ll have a whale of a time!

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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!

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Welcome to the month of March, which heralds the coming of Spring, signaling the renewal of nature and new beginnings in general. But there is also another reason we love March – it is the Music Education Month in the United States, the annual celebration that engages music educators, students, and communities in promoting the benefits of high quality music education programs in schools.

You may be thinking that music education in our country’s public schools has been underfunded and widely neglected. Sadly, this is correct, but now there may be a more promising outlook. That’s because last December, President Obama signed into law the “Every Student Succeeds Act,” which lists music – and arts in general – as an important part of a well-rounded education. It is the first time in our nation’s history that arts and music figure among the traditional core subjects like reading, math, and science. That’s the good news. On the other hand, the new legislation gives states more power to decide how to enact the law. This means that implementation or expansion of music programs may not necessarily happen across the board.

Far-reaching benefits

The question of why music education is so very important to children and teenagers has been answered – and documented with scientific evidence – over and over again. The fact is that music lessons have a multitude of benefits, including scholastic, psychological, social, and physical ones. For instance, music training helps youngsters develop focus, concentration, and alert mind, all of which translates into academic achievement and other successes. But that’s not all: music has also been shown to ease both emotional and physical pain in kids and adults alike. These are just some of the advantages of music education, but there are many, many more.

Start learning!

If we take into account each and every benefit listed above, you may start wondering why the other 11 months of the year are not dedicated to celebrating music education. We are happy to tell you that at Hey Joe Guitar, we pay tribute to music every single day. That’s because we know first-hand what a positive impact our lessons have on our students – not just children and teenagers, but also adults, who have noticed both physical and mental improvements. The best way to start your own (or your child’s) music education – whether by learning to play an instrument or taking voice lessons – is to invite one of our music teachers into your Manhattan, Brooklyn, or Riverdale home or office. Just contact us and… get educated!

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Even the most patriotic citizens may not know that today, March 3, is the National Anthem Day. This is a good time to ask: how well do you know “The Star-Spangled Banner”- not just the lyrics, but also the history behind this song? Chances are that you either don’t know or don’t remember. In that case, today is as good a time as any for a little tutorial about the song that is the enduring symbol of our national identity and pride.

By the dawn’s early light…

The anthem was inspired by the events at the Battle of Baltimore, which occurred during the War of 1812. When a Washington lawyer and amateur poet Francis Scott Key saw the American flag flying above Fort McHenry as it was attacked by cannon fire, he was inspired to write the poem he entitled “Defence of Fort McHenry.” Within a week, the words were printed in Baltimore newspapers; soon it was set to music and re-titled as “The Star-Spangled Banner.” However, at that time the “Banner” was just another patriotic song, along with “Hail Columbia ” and “Yankee Doodle Dandy .” During the Civil War, however, it became an anthem for Union troops, increasing in popularity over time. In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson signed an executive order designating it as “the national anthem of the United States,” to be performed at all military ceremonies. In 100 years since then, the anthem has been played not only at military ceremonies, but also at ball games, Independence Day observances, and other special occasions.

Through pressure and accident…

“The Star-Spangled Banner” was born out of a genuine patriotic feeling and a desire to immortalize an event in our nation’s history. But not all anthems came into existence this way. For instance, the anthem of our south-of-the-border neighbor, Mexico, has an interesting history of its own: in 1853, the country held a contest for the most inspiring patriotic lyrics. The girlfriend of the poet Francisco González Bocanegra tried to convince him to participate, but he didn’t want to. So she locked in him in a room filled with pictures of scenes from Mexican history; Francisco had no choice but to pen a poem that became the foundation of that nation’s anthem . And some anthems were purely accidental, created in a moment of panic. This is how it happened: When the Sultan of the Malaysian province of Perak arrived in London at the invitation of Queen Victoria in 1888, his aide was asked for the music to the anthem to be played during the welcome ceremony. At that time Malaysia had no anthem but the aide was not about to admit it, so he hummed a popular love song from the Seychelles Islands, called “Moonlight.” That tune, albeit with new lyrics, is still the country’s national anthem . (Interestingly enough, the original “Moonlight” lyrics are now banned in Malaysia).

Any type of music

Whether you would like to play (or hum) the national anthem of any country, or any other tune, we can help! Just contact us and we’ll send one of our amazing music teachers right to your Manhattan, Brooklyn, or Riverdale home or office. In the meantime, have a happy National Anthem Day!

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As New Yorkers, we are always sad to see when a historic part of our city disappears. Last month, we were heartbroken when the last store on the famed Music Row had closed its doors. As New York Times reported, “in December, the last holdout, Alex Carozza, packed up his accordion store and 50 years of memories and moved off the block.”

In fact, music shops on the Row have been slowly dying for the past several years, closing their doors one by one, victims of raising rent prices and the competition from mega-stores that have been driving privately owned retailers away. “Now, all that is left of Music Row are the signs and awnings that beckoned to virtuosos and neophytes alike,” the article noted. “The block is haunted by empty buildings and the occasional tourist straining for some echo of its harmonious past.” And the past had, indeed, been “harmonious” – both literally and figuratively.

Gone, baby, gone!

Since the 1930s, the once thriving block of 48th Street between Sixth and Seventh avenues used to serve as a one-stop music stop – a veritable mecca for musicians and music lovers from New York and beyond. Rock legends like Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, The Beatles and the Rolling Stones, to name just a few, shopped there for instruments, sheet music, amps, and other tools of the trade. Before it closed, Manny’s, where many artists bought their first guitar, displayed personal notes of thanks from Bob Marley and Bob Dylan. There was also Rudy’s Music Stop guitar and repair shop, which opened in 1978 and closed last August; others, like We Buy Guitars, 48th Street Music, Colony Music Center, New York Woodwinds and Brass, also closed. “The Music Row’s demise,” the article points out, was “brought on by the soaring value of real estate and the conveniences offered by the Internet — those modern forces that have reshaped so much of New York City’s commercial landscape.” This once vibrant section of the West Side is now a ghost town of sorts. Where once there were music shops, “now there are demolition crews, ‘for rent’ notices and a construction office for the glass tower going up around the corner,” the New York Times writes. How can we not be sad at this turn of events?

We are here for you!

Some changes are obviously positive – we are all in favor of our city growing and developing for the benefit of all its residents. But we can’t help feeling sorry to see such an important and integral part of NYC’s music history gone forever. However, we are happy that Hey Joe Guitar remains a viable part of New York’s music scene. We are especially proud of our amazing teachers, who are always on the go – to give lessons in their students’ Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Riverdale homes and offices. May we serve you for many years to come!

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The quintessential American inventor, Thomas Edison, once famously said that “genius is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration.” That may very well be true, though some people may disagree about the percentage of inspiration that goes into the process of creating. Speaking of which – have you ever paused to wonder from where musicians draw inspiration to get their creative juices flowing? And, what do they hope to achieve with each piece of music they write?

After all, beautiful music doesn’t just “write” itself, nor does it magically fall from the sky. It needs that “flash of brilliance,” which could be described as a combination of ideas, imagination, ingenuity, as well as a wide range of emotions. Obviously, inspiration is not tangible, so it defies definition. Plus, it is not generic but specific to each artist. Happily, some of them have given us a glimpse into the thoughts and feelings that were the driving force behind their creations.

The keys to success

Let’s begin with some famous composers of yore. Their quotes are self-explanatory, but we are highlighting the words that are the key to their creative process: Johannes Brahms : “Without craftsmanship, inspiration is a mere reed shaken in the wind.” Frederic Chopin : “Simplicity is the final achievement. After one has played a vast quantity of notes and more notes, it is simplicity that emerges as the crowning reward of art.” J.S. Bach : “I was obliged to be industrious. Whoever is equally industrious will succeed equally well.” Robert Schumann : “To send light into the darkness of men’s hearts – such is the duty of the artist.” W.A. Mozart : “Neither a lofty degree of intelligence nor imagination nor both together go to the making of genius. Love, love, love, that is the soul of genius.” Giacomo Puccini : “Inspiration is an awakening, a quickening of all man’s faculties, and it is manifested in all high artistic achievements.”

That is how it’s done!

What about the more recent musicians? Let’s listen: Yo-Yo Ma : “Passion is one great force that unleashes creativity, because if you’re passionate about something, then you’re more willing to take risks.” Luciano Pavarotti : “People think I am disciplined. It is not discipline, it is devotion. There is a great difference.” Billy Joel : “Musicians know what it is like to be outside the norm – walking the high wire without a safety net.” Paul McCartney : “There’s nothing wrong with melancholy. It’s an important color in writing.” Andrea Bocelli : “Destiny has a lot to do with it, but so do you. You have to persevere, you have to insist.”

We’ll inspire you!

When we look at all the character traits that each of the above musicians mentioned, we realize that our Hey Joe Guitar teachers possess the very same “inspirational” skills: craftsmanship, passion, hard work, perseverance, and many other qualities. Foremost among them are extensive teaching experience, patience, and an excellent way of “connecting” with their students. Please invite us into your Manhattan, Brooklyn, or Riverdale home or office, and let us give you inspiration to develop your musical skills.

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Asked what special skills were needed to compose music, Johann Sebastian Bach replied: “There’s nothing remarkable about it. All one has to do is hit the right keys at the right time and the instrument plays itself.” Of course, Bach knew a thing or two about music writing, having composed well over 1,000 pieces. However, he may have underestimated the effort involved in creating music – it takes MUCH more than just hitting the right keys!

Still, quite a few people – distinguished in their own right – believed that composing is as easy as do-re-mi, and tried their hand at it. Not surprisingly, they didn’t go down in history as brilliant musicians, but they certainly deserve a round of applause for their effort. Who where they and what musical wonders did they create? Let’s have a look.

Jacks of all trades

We know King Henry the VIII as a brutal wife killer, so it is difficult to imagine him as being sensitive enough to write music. But he did compose some songs and instrumental works, including a merry-tuned one he named Pastyme with good companye and Tandernaken . Russian writer Leo Tolstoy is best known for his literary masterpieces like War and Peace and Anna Karenina. Not many people know, however, that in his youth he composed a short (lasting about a minute) waltz . Also in the 19th century, German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche, took a quill pen to a lined paper and created a composition called Manfred Meditation . Upon receiving the score, the famous conductor Hans von Bülow wrote to Nietzsche: “Have you no better way to kill time?” And how about this: we don’t usually think of scientists as musically-minded, so it may come as a surprise that the 18th century astronomer William Herschel, who discovered Uranus in 1781, took enough time away from his telescope to compose a total of 24 symphonies ! Poet Ezra Pound is perhaps less of a surprise as a composer, because there is more congruence between poetry and music than astronomy and music. Be it as it may, Pound wrote two operas, The Testament of François Villon and Cavalcanti. There have been more famous people from various walks of life who composed as a hobby. It only goes to prove that creativity has no limits!

Musical talent

At Hey Joe Guitar, we like people who open their minds to all kinds of interests and activities– especially the musical ones. We are proud that our teachers are not only gifted musicians in their own right, but also pursue many other interests. Would you like one of out multi-talented teachers to come to your Manhattan, Brooklyn, or Riverdale home or office and give you or a family member a lesson? Contact us and we’ll send over a teacher who will compose a personalized lesson plan just for you!

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When we think of the lives of famous composers we imagine them spending entire days and possibly even nights writing music. After all, they wouldn’t have been as prolific if their minds were distracted by non-musical activities. For instance, we know from his letters that Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart spent most of his days either composing or giving concerts. Ditto for Ludwig van Beethoven, who spent hours each day fine-tuning (no pun intended) his work.

And yet, despite their busy schedules many composers found time to pursue hobbies and interests that were not related to music. This proves that even geniuses need to take time off from work and just chill.

Diverse interests

Admittedly, it is difficult to imagine Mozart, dressed in a powdered wig, a brocade waistcoat, and breeches, doing anything other than sitting at his harpsichord. If that is your image of the great composer, prepare to be surprised! Historical records indicate that Mozart loved to play game of all sorts; he was quite handy at card tricks, billiards, charades, and fencing. He even rode horses. Mozart was also an animal lover who kept dogs, cats, and birds. Reportedly, he even owned a starling that could “sing” the main tune from the last movement of his Piano Concerto No. 17 . Another distinguished composer who found time for non-musical pursuits was Johann Sebastian Bach. He loved walking so much that he reportedly covered of tens of miles on foot just to hear a concert. Here’s a quick look at how other famous composers spent their free time:

• Giuseppe Verdi was active in local politics: he served as a member of the Chamber of Deputies and as a Senator in the Italian Congress.
• Richard Strauss loved playing skat, a card game that was all the rage in the 19th century Europe.
• Antonin Dvorak raised pigeons.
• Sergei Prokofiev enjoyed playing chess; he also wrote short stories.
• Dimitri Shostakovich liked playing cards and watching soccer games.
• Gustav Mahler was a sports enthusiast: he loved athletics, particularly hiking and swimming.

On their own time

At Hey Joe Guitar, music education is our number one priority. But that doesn’t mean we believe in it to the exclusion of everything else. Our teachers are busy giving lessons or performing, but they still have time to enjoy their hobbies. These are just some of the leisure activities they are involved in: travel, badminton, dressage, card games, fencing, chess, rowing, ski jumping, lacrosse, organic farming, and even wreck driving and bushwhacking. But be assured that no hobby will ever keep a teacher of ours from coming to your Manhattan, Brooklyn or Riverdale home or office on time for a lesson. After all, even someone who is into bushwhacking owns a watch!

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Last month, we wrote about feuds between famous musicians. Now, we would like to share with you a somewhat similar story, just because we think it is both interesting and funky At he heart of the tale is a musical “duel” that took place in Vienna between two distinguished 19th century composers: Daniel Steibelt, one of Europe’s most renowned piano virtuosos of that era, and Ludwig van Beethoven, who, of course, needs no introduction. It was Steilbelt who challenged Beethoven to the play-off.

The background for this anecdote is this: one of the most popular forms of musical entertainment among Vienna’s aristocracy in the beginning of the 19th century was an improvisation contest. One nobleman would offer support to one pianist, while another would back the opponent. The two pianists would compete with each other, each setting the other a tune to improvise on. The musicians would go back and forth, until a winner was declared. The contest between Steibelt and Beethoven occurred in the summer of 1800 in the opulent palace of Prince Lobkowitz, who was backing Beethoven. Another aristocrat, Prince Lichnowsky, was rooting for Steilbelt. And, by the way, don’t think these were just childish pranks. At the time, Steibelt was 35 years old, and Beethoven 30.

The triumph and agony

This is how one article described the stand-off between the two composers: “As the challenger, Steibelt was to play first. He walked to the piano, tossing a piece of his own music on the side, and played. Steibelt was renowned for conjuring up a ‘storm’ on the piano, and this he did to great effect, the ‘thunder’ growling in the bass.” It was then Beethoven’s turn to perform. In a display of true showmanship, “he picked up the piece of music Steibelt had tossed on the side, looked at it, showed it the audience ….. and turned it upside down!” He then sat at the piano and played the four notes in the opening bar of Steibelt’s music. “He began to vary them, embellish them ….. improvise on them. He played on, imitated a Steibelt ‘storm,’ unpicked Steibelt’s playing and put it together again, parodied it and mocked it.” Humiliated, Steibelt quickly realized that Beethoven would be declared the winner, and he walked out of the room in a huff. He had said he would never again set foot in Vienna as long as Beethoven was there. Beethoven continued to live in Vienna for the rest of his life, and Steibelt never returned. There is an interesting postscript to this tale: the four notes of Steibelt’s music that Beethoven had played during the contest, later incited him to compose the “Eroica Symphony .”

Play nice!

Now, just because we find this historical tidbit interesting (and hope you do too), doesn’t mean we approve of or encourage unfair competition. After all, music is all about spreading joy, not showing off to the detriment of another player. That’s why when a teacher of ours comes to your Manhattan, Brooklyn of Riverdale home or office to give you a music lesson, he or she will make sure harmony prevails – literally and figuratively!

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Have you ever listened to Felix Mendelssohn’s Cello Concerto? Don’t rack your brain trying to remember – we can tell you right now, with no degree of uncertainty, that you have NOT heard this piece. How can we be so sure? Because, in a truly bizarre twist of fate, the only existing copy of the composer’s cello concerto suffered a freaky accident: it fell off the side of a horse-drawn coach as it was being delivered to Alfredo Piatti, the cellist for whom the concerto was written. The notes have never been found.

This unfortunate incident made us think of other works by famous composers that had been lost but, in contrast to Mendelssohn’s concerto, had been found again – or discovered for the first time – centuries later.

Surprising finds

Let’s start with Johann Sebastian Bach. The Baroque composer was certainly prolific, having written well over 1000 pieces of music. But in 2005, a music scholar found a previously unknown score at a German library, which houses a major collection of literature and historical documents. There, stashed in a box of birthday cards, was a two-page handwritten aria dated October 1713, when Bach was 28 years old. There had been no previous records of this piece, which the Bach Archive in Leipzig has since verified as authentic. Bach’s score is not the only piece of music that was unearthed in Germany. In the 1970s, a German music scholar found detailed sketches of Beethoven’s String Quartet in G, Opus 18 Number 2, made by the composer himself. It was composed in 1799 but discarded shortly afterwards and thought to be lost. In 2007, a music professor at the University of Manchester put the original sketches together and the piece was heard for the first time since Beethoven’s day. Another amazing discovery, in 2014, was Mozart’s Piano Sonata no. 11 in A Major , the long-lost original score scribbled by the composer himself around 1783. While copies of this piece exist, most of the original manuscript was believed to be lost, with only one surviving page preserved in Mozart’s native Salzburg. The missing score was found, quite by accident, by the head of the music collection at Budapest’s National Szechenyi Library. Exactly how the manuscript made its way to Budapest is somewhat of a mystery, since Mozart is not known to have ever visited that city. But that’s not all: last year, one of Igor Stravinsky’s earliest works, which was believed to be lost after the 1917 Revolution, was found amid masses of papers at the St. Petersburg Conservatory. Written in 1908, when Stravinsky was 26, the “Funeral Song,” was composed to commemorate the death of his teacher, Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov. It had disappeared after its only known performance, on January 17, 1909. These are just a few examples of lost-and-found musical compositions. We are guessing there may be many more out there, just waiting to be (re)discovered!

We’ll find your home!

Of course, most of the pieces written by composers and musicians, both past and contemporary, haven’t been lost. And that’s lucky because it means that you can choose from, literally, scores of compositions of different periods and genres. Our teachers are well versed in all kinds of music and will be happy to teach you any piece you like, in the comfort of your Manhattan, Brooklyn, or Riverdale home or office. Not only that, but we will send over a teacher who is “fluent” in the guitar, piano, cello, or any other instrument you’d like to play. Let’s put it this way: with Hey Joe Guitar music lessons, you have nothing to lose – and everything to gain!

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This coming Sunday will be an important day for football fans – the SUPER BOWL! It is not just America’s largest sports event, but also a cultural phenomenon of sorts. The hype and frenzy start even before the Super Bowl Sunday and grow in intensity in the weeks leading up to the big game. In fact, people get so excited and caught up in the game, they sometimes tend to forget that, no matter who wins and who loses, the world will go on unperturbed by this event.

You may be wondering by now why we are bringing up this topic in the music blog. The reason is simple: NFL football and music go hand in hand, even if, on the surface, they don’t strike you as a natural match. But just think of all the Super Bowl halftime shows. They are huge! Performers like Tony Bennett, Patti LaBelle, Stevie Wonder, Phil Collins, and many other famous singers had starred in the musical productions over the years. In that way, the Super Bowl is not merely a sports event, but also a musical extravaganza!

Musical interlude

The first Super Bowl game took place on January 15, 1967, so it is just one year short of its 50th anniversary. In the first decades, halftime entertainment featured mostly college marching bands, but that trend changed in the 1990s. In 1991, New Kids of the Block headlined the show , ushering in the era of big-name acts. Michael Jackson, Gloria Estefan, Diana Ross, Smokey Robinson, and the Rolling Stones were among many famous halftime performers. The first Super Bowl of the 21st century featured a terrific show by Tina Turner . Other A-listers followed throughout the decade: U2 in 2002 , Paul McCartney in 2005, and Bruce Springsteen in 2009. These were just some of the many featured performers in the past years. What about this Sunday? You can look forward to Coldplay’s performance. Why is it that so many well-known musicians are eager to play at the Super Bowl? Our guess is that it is not only the exposure to tens of millions of TV viewers, but also the frenzied excitement of the spectators, the kind of fervor that is fuelled by good football and good music!

A totally different ball game

What if you are not a football fan, but do like music? That is totally fine. We certainly prefer a student like you, than someone who is a total opposite – loves football but hates music! Our teachers can’t promise you fancy footwork, but when they give you a lesson in your Manhattan, Brooklyn or Riverdale home or office, they will be right on the ball. With the teacher’s expert guidance, you will not know the agony of defeat – just the thrill of victory!

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Three weeks ago, David Bowie’s fans were shocked and saddened by their idol’s death. From his first hit, the 1969 “Space Oddity ”, to his last album, “Blackstar ” – released two days before his passing – the pop icon influenced and changed the face of music. This made us think of all the other British-born musicians who found fame and fortune on this side of the Big Pond. Bowie, of course was one of them: born in London, he moved to the United States in the 1970s and had lived right here in New York for many years.

In fact, he once said, “I realized the other day that I’ve lived in New York longer than I’ve lived anywhere else. It’s amazing: I am a New Yorker.”

The British are coming!

Lest you start running for the hills let us assure you that this particular “invasion” has been of a strictly artistic – and therefore peaceful – nature. A good place to start is with The Beatles. The four lads from Liverpool made their first appearance on our shores in February 1964, arriving in New York to hordes of screaming teenage fans waiting for them at the airport . Eventually, all four band members settled in the United States, with two of them in New York: the late John Lennon in the famous Dakota Building and Paul McCartney on Fifth Avenue. Four months after The Beatles conquered America, another British band “rolled” into our country – The Rolling Stones. And even though the group started out as an English rock band, over the years it has become an integral part of the American music scene.

Jolly good lads

There are also many individual UK-bred musicians who made it big in our country. Sting, for instance. He was born in England but, having found fame in America (first as The Police frontman and later solo), he settled in New York and now lives in Central Park West. We can only assume that his 1987 hit, “Englishman in New York ” was very personal and perhaps even autobiographical. Let’s move to another quintessential English chap who became a big hit in the United States – Rod Stewart. His signature raspy voice won him scores of U.S. fans, prompting him to move here in 1975. A year later, he reached the top of the U.S. charts with his hit, “Tonight's the Night .” And we can’t talk about British-born musicians without mentioning the great Elton John, who “conquered” America in 1970. He opened his first U.S. concert, in West Hollywood, with his breakthrough single, “Your Song ,” becoming more famous (and flamboyant!) soon after. Of course, there have been many more talented British exports – including Davy Jones of “The Monkees,” Eric Clapton, Phil Collins, Freddy Mercury, Andy Gibb, and many others, too numerous to mention here. We salute them all, along with the unforgettable David Bowie.

From far and near

We can’t tell you that ALL of our awesome teachers come from Great Britain, but some of them do! In fact, Hey Joe Guitar is as much of a “melting pot” as our great city – our teachers come from many countries, including, of course, the United States. But no matter where they were born, they have two things in common: one, they are all New Yorkers and two, they are all graduates of top music schools and have lots of experience teaching a variety of instruments to students of all ages and levels of proficiency. This way you can be sure that when one of our teachers comes to your Manhattan, Brooklyn, or Riverdale home or office, you’ll get only the best “exports.”

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Can music change the world? We certainly hope that it can, but if this were totally true then there would be no wars or conflicts of any kind, and we’d all live in peace and harmony. But even if music can’t eradicate all evil, it can inspire political and social actions – the ones that raise our consciousness and awareness about various issues. In that way, music can (and does) bring about meaningful change in the lives of many people.

That’s because by appealing to our emotions, music has the ability to “drive home” even the most complex issues and motivate us to find solutions to whatever ails our world – violence, poverty, famine, injustice, and other problems. Let’s have a look at some of the many songs that have, at various points in the recent history and different countries, inspired and empowered us to action.

Fighting spirit

In the midst of the Civil Rights movement, Bob Dylan’s 1964 song, “Times They Are A-Changin' ” incited the entire generation to fight against segregation and oppression. Also in the 1960s, the Vietnam War sparked a lot of protests, the spirit of which was reflected in Pete Seeger’s beautiful ballad, “Where Have All the Flowers Gone . And there was also John Lennon’s unforgettable call for peace . In the next decade, other hot-button issues were the topics of many songs. For instance, Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On ” addressed not only the war, but also poverty and drug abuse. And Joni Mitchell’s 1970 hit “Big Yellow Taxi ” highlighted environmental concerns, which are still very much relevant today. Throughout the 1980s, 90s, and into the 21st century, many musicians continued to raise our awareness about a variety of problems in our society, urging us to take action both globally and in our own communities. Just as an example, in 1985 Steven Van Zandt formed the group “Artists United Against Apartheid” to protest apartheid in South Africa. The same year, Bob Gedolf organized a benefit concert that raised $245 million for famine relief in Ethiopia. And of course U2’s Bono has written and performed a number of songs of both social and political nature.

Life-altering music

As you can see, music has the power to do a lot of good in this world of ours. And what is your role in the larger scheme? Only you can answer this question, but here’s a fact: even if your music doesn’t unilaterally bring about world peace, it will very likely lift the spirits of those around you AND make you a more aware global citizen as well. How do we know this? There is actually evidence out there showing that musicians are sensitive people, finely tuned to the emotions of those around them. And people who are sensitive and compassionate are the ones who care about making a positive impact on the world around them. That is one more reason (in addition to so many others) why you or your child can benefit from music lessons. Contact us and we’ll send one of our excellent teachers right to your Manhattan, Brooklyn, or Riverdale home or office. The impact of music is global, but it starts in your home!

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First things first: no, you can’t do downhill skiing in Brooklyn’s Park Slope. As most of NYC’s urban neighborhoods, Park Slope is predominantly flat. Its name derives from its location on the western slope of Prospect Park, a 585-acre oasis of greenery in the midst of New York’s most populous borough.

Now that we’ve cleared this up and you have put away your skis, let’s explore Park Slope’s nooks and crannies, and discover what this neighborhood has to offer. The answer is: a lot! That is why quite a few accolades have been bestowed on this area. For example, in 2006, Natural Home magazine named Park Slope one of America’s ten best neighborhoods based on criteria including parks, green spaces, farmer’s markets and community gardens. The following year, the American Planning Association praised Park Slope for “its architectural and historical features and its diverse mix of residents and businesses, all of which are supported and preserved by its active and involved citizenry.” But that’s not all: in 2010, the neighborhood was ranked number one in NYC by New York Magazine for its quality public schools, dining, nightlife, shopping, access to public transit, green space, quality housing, safety, and creative capital. So it’s unanimous: Park Slope is one great neighborhood!

It’s history

Bounded by 15th Street to Flatbush Avenue and Prospect Park West to Fourth Avenue, Park Slope is a family-friendly neighborhood with many tree-lined streets, historic brownstones, as well as numerous bars and restaurants. You may not think of Park Slope as exceptional in any way –despite all the aforementioned accolades – but the fact is that in 1974 it was designated as one of New York’s largest landmarked districts. However, it wasn’t always this way. In the first half of the 20th century, Park Slope suffered the same fate as many other inner-city neighborhoods: decay, disrepair, and subsequent decline. However, in the 1960s, some visionary residents who moved into this area spearheaded an effort to preserve Park Slope’s historic charm, and to turn it into a welcoming and livable neighborhood. Today, this area boasts about 1600 architecturally interesting buildings, including the Montauk Club at 25 Eighth Avenue, which was designed in Gothic style popular in the 15th century Venice. There are also a number of Romanesque Revival and neo-Classical row houses, as well as some stately Victorian brick and brownstone mansions that were built at the end of the 19th century. This is how architectural historian and Columbia University professor Andrew Dolkart described Park Slope: “No neighborhood in America has a finer and more intact collection of late 19th-century row houses. Block after block is virtually unaltered, with houses ranging from grand townhouses designed by Brooklyn’s leading architects, to long rows of vernacular speculator-built housing designed by the obscure architects who provided character to so many urban neighborhoods.”

A tree grows in Brooklyn

We can’t talk about Park Slope without mentioning its vast green spaces. First thing that jumps to mind is the Prospect Park, second in size only to Manhattan’s Central Park. Because it is home to the last remaining natural forest in Brooklyn, the park has 30,000 trees, both landscaped and wild. Streams, waterfalls, and a 60-acre lake add to the park’s beauty. And let’s not forget a Farmer’s Market, free concerts, and other events that take place in this vast oasis. And speaking of greenery, Park Slope is also the location of the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, which, like Prospect Park, is a wonderful place of rest, relaxation, as well as various nature-related activities that the whole family can enjoy.

Brooklyn roads

Yes, this is the title of Neil Diamond’s autobiographical song about the borough he was born in. No Park Slope roads are off limits to us, which is why our Brooklyn music lessons teachers will be happy to come to your Park Slope home or office and teach you to play any instrument. No skis required!

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We at Hey Joe Guitar love the Upper East Side and are happy to offer a variety of music lessons to its residents. Whatever instrument you want to learn – guitar, piano, drums, trumpet, trombone, brass, reeds, saxophone, clarinet flute, violin, viola, cello, strings, accordion, ukulele, banjo, recorder, or mandolin – we’ll be happy to teach you. We also offer – in the privacy of your Upper East Side home or office – composition, songwriting, and voice lessons; as a matter of fact, we can give you any type of music lesson you can think of.

A charm of its own

It may not have the same vibe as the Upper West Side, and lack the diversity of Lower Manhattan and the quaintness of Greenwich Village, but the eastside has a quiet and laid-back charm of its own. This area nestled between 59th and 96th Streets, and bounded by the East River and Fifth Avenue, is a haven of relative calm in the midst of one of the world’s busiest cities. In fact, the difference in the energy and decibel levels between the Upper West and East sides is quite perceptible. If you walk from Broadway toward the East River, you will notice how the hectic ambience slowly morphs into a more tranquil environment. By the time you reach First and York Avenues, you will have left much of the hustle and bustle behind. But this is not to say that this calmer part of Manhattan doesn’t have anything exciting to offer. When it comes to art, culture, interesting architecture, and fascinating people, the Upper East Side boasts a proud history of its own. That may be one of the reasons why many famous people chose to live in this pleasant neighborhood. The long list of the area’s distinguished residents includes the quintessential New Yorker Woody Allen, singer Mariah Carey, directors Spike Lee and Martin Scorsese, and even NYC’s mayor Michael Bloomberg.

Walk a Mile

Very few cities can boast as many cultural institutions as the Upper East Side. The stretch of Fifth Avenue from 82nd to 105th Streets is named the “Museum Mile” for a very good reason: some of the world’s finest museums live here. With its richness and artistic diversity, the vast Metropolitan Museum of Art (1000 Fifth Avenue at 82nd Street) is arguably one of the world’s finest institutions. It trails only behind the Louvre as the most frequented museum, with a staggering 6 million visits in 2011. Just a few blocks farther uptown, at Fifth Avenue and 88th Street, is another cultural landmark. Guggenheim Museum’s claim to fame lies not only in its impressive exhibits of Impressionist, Modern and Contemporary art, but also in its bold architecture. The cylindrical structure designed by the legendary architect Frank Lloyd Wright adds a distinctly modern touch to this neighborhood filled with many traditional buildings and mansions, which once housed industrialists like Andrew Carnegie and John D. Rockefeller. The Metropolitan and Guggenheim are only two of 10 museums and cultural centers that make the Museum Mile a “go-to” destination for art lovers from all over the world.

Let there be music!

If you thought that this laid-back neighborhood was not hip enough to have great live music haunts, think again. Here are our Five Music Secrets of the Upper East Side:

• Feinstein’s at Loews Regency, 540 Park Avenue, between 61st and 62 Streets, is a legendary nightclub where you can catch live performances of jazz, classical music, and cabaret.
• Two nights a week you can listen to a classical quartet at Great Hall Balcony Bar at Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1000 Fifth Avenue
near 82nd Street.
• Session 73, a bar at 1359 First Avenue and 73rd Street has good food and live bands on weekends.
• Aza bar, a cozy venue that features live music seven nights a week. 1668 Third Avenue between 93rd and 94th Streets.
• Thursday, Friday and Saturday are jazz nights at Brasserie Julien, a French bistro at 1422 Third Avenue and 81st Street.

Would you like to play and / or sing like the performers at these venues? We can’t promise you that, but we will give you the best music lessons on the Upper East Side!

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Two days from now, classical music lovers will celebrate a momentous event. January 27 will mark the 260th anniversary of the birth in 1756 of Wolfgang Mozart, one of the greatest composers of all time. Born in Salzburg, Austria, Mozart was a child prodigy, who started to write music at the age of four, and composed his first minuet a year later.

By the time he passed away in 1791, he had composed 600 works – about 17 pieces a year. They include numerous symphonies, piano and violin concertos, and operas, such as “The Magic Flute ,” ”The Marriage of Figaro,” and “Don Giovanni.” Let’s have a look at some interesting facts about this musical genius.

An eventful life

• He was born as Johann Chrysostom Wolfgang Amadeus but his baptism name was a tongue twister: Johannes Chrysostomus Wolfgangus Theophilus Mozart, which means “beloved by God.” If they had had playgrounds in the mid-18th century, we are guessing he’d be teased a lot. As an adult, he shortened his name to Wolfgang Amadeus, and has been known as such for two and a half centuries.
• History doesn’t tell us whether young Mozart played with any conventional toys, but we do know that he started to play the harpsichord (the predecessor of the piano) at the age of three. He played the piano for the first time at 22. He also mastered the violin, as well as the organ and the clarinet.
• We don’t know whether Mozart had a foreboding of his untimely death, but in 1791 he worked feverishly on what would be his last work, “Requiem ”. He passed away before he could complete it and it was finished by his pupil, Franz Süssmayr.
• Mozart died at 35, which was young even in those days. In the centuries since, there has been a lot of speculation about the cause of his passing. The theories range from an undercooked pork chop and kidney failure, to murder by his rival Antonio Salieri.

All music genres

These are just a few facts about the great composer. We can’t shed any more light on his life or death, but what we CAN do is send one of our amazing teachers to your Manhattan, Brooklyn, or Riverdale home or office for a lesson. Of course Mozart – and classical music in general – is not the only genre we teach. We also offer lessons in other styles of music, like jazz, rock, blues, and many others. So contact us and we’ll get you set up!

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We tend to think of classical composers and their orchestras as serious and dignified. There is no doubt that many of them were, or at least that’s how they went down in history. But that wasn’t always the case. Weird and wacky things happen to all humans, no matter how brilliant, talented, or famous!

In the centuries past, there was no CNN or twitter, no one recorded embarrassing moments with a cell phone and posted the footage on Facebook, and news didn’t go global in the matter of seconds. The very notion of “celebrity gossip” was not as developed back then, and scandals were discussed in whispers rather than shouted from the rooftops. But all this doesn’t mean awkward and weird incidents didn’t happen back then – even in classical music. Let’s look at some of them.

Cringeworthy moments

Let’s start with the Baroque composer Jean-Baptiste Lully. Actually, his story falls under the category of tragicomedy – it started out funny but had an unhappy end. He had a habit of whacking the floor with a long wooden stick to keep the beat. Once, during the performance of his “Te Deum ” to celebrate the recovery of King Louis XIV’s from surgery, he hit his foot with the stick. He contracted gangrene from the wound but refused to have his leg amputated so he could still dance. Unfortunately, he didn’t dance for very long – the gangrene spread and killed him. A century later, Ludwig van Beethoven had his own mishap while in Vienna. As he was becoming more absorbed in his music, he started to care less about his grooming and appearance. One day, while taking a walk, the disheveled composer was mistaken for a bum and arrested for loitering. Fortunately, he was soon released and lived long enough to compose his final, and possibly most famous, Ninth Symphony . And then there was Johannes Brahms. He was known for the unusual shape of his pants, often cutting them so they would reach his ankles exactly. Once, before conducting a performance of his own violin concerto , he forgot to attach his suspenders. By the end of the final movement, the pants descended way below his hips. Not exactly an AC Hammer moment, but embarrassing nevertheless!

Pure and simple

The above anecdotes go to prove that nobody is perfect – in fact, there are a lot of examples showing that geniuses are often a bit wacky. But, as you can see, a bit of eccentricity had not stopped these famous composers (with the exception of Lully, perhaps) from continuing their work. And maybe, just maybe, this “crazy streak” made the artists even more creative and productive. Now, we certainly don’t want you to associate the word “crazy” with “music education.” We hasten to assure you that there is nothing even slightly odd about our lessons. When one of our (totally normal) teachers comes to your Manhattan, Brooklyn, or Riverdale home or office, there will be no weird pants, no whacking of sticks, and (hopefully) no arrests for vagrancy! What you WILL get is a great, personalized music lesson – no drama!

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Last month, a major cinematic event took place, creating a galactic-size explosion right here on Earth: the premiere of the 12th movie in the epic “Star Wars” series, titled “The Force Awakens .” This statement probably elicits two reactions: the rolling of the eyes by some, and the unbridled excitement by others. Whether you are part of the first or the second group, the fact remains that the “Star Wars” franchise is a…force to be reckoned with, and not only for the sci-fi fans.

We will not weigh in on the artistic or other merits of the films, and even less so on the plausibility of the plots (we certainly don’t want the Empire to Strike Back at us!) What we do feel comfortable doing is exploring the soundtracks from these movies.

Space music made on Earth

Here is the background information you may or may not have known: the music of all 12 “Star Wars” films (which were released between 1977 and this year) was written by American composer John Williams and performed by London Symphony Orchestra. Williams said he created the music to “represent the ideas of heroism and adventure” – themes that feature prominently in all the episodes. To achieve that effect, he used a variety of musical styles, culled from, among other sources, 20th century composers like Richard Strauss, Gustav Holst, and Igor Stravinsky. Six of the 12 movies feature the same opening score, “Luke’s Theme ” additional, separate pieces were created specifically for each film. For instance, “The Arrival at Naboo ” is a theme song from “The Phantom Menace;” “Attack on the Clones” featured “Ambush on Coruscant ” and “The Ice Planet Hoth was a score from “The Empire Strikes Back.” What about the most recent movie? Watch Williams himself conduct the opening track . Obviously, we covered only a small fraction of the music featured in all the “Star Wars” movies. Would you like to hear more? Here is a nice compilation .

No Yoda or Jedi – just people!

The “Star Wars” films are set in a far-away galaxy populated by alien creatures, robotic droids, and other characters, both good and evil. Many of our teachers are huge “Star Wars” fans, but their feet are firmly grounded right here, on Earth – New York City, to be more precise. And that is very convenient, because they don’t have to travel through space to land in your Manhattan, Brooklyn, or Riverdale home or office. And, they won’t be carrying light sabers either (that would be too weird!) – just their guitars, violins, or whatever other instrument you are learning to play. Instead of delving into the mysteries of the Force, they will help you discover the wonders of music!

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It’s the middle of January – how are you doing with your New Year resolutions? We hope you are sticking to them, especially if you or your child have decided to take up music lessons in 2016. There is no doubt that music education has numerous benefits for people of all ages. It not only improves our physical health, but also the mental and emotional wellbeing.

Having been in the music education business for many years, we are often asked by prospective students how to select a truly great school. Our advice is always the same: choose the school that has the best trained, most experienced, nicest, and kindest teachers. That’s just for starters. There is much more that a top-notch school should be able to offer its students.

One-on-one training

While any form of music training is beneficial, we believe – based on our experience, as well as that of numerous students – that private lessons offer the most advantages. For instance:

• In a group setting, the instructor cannot pay attention to each student’s needs or learning pace. A private music teacher, on the other hand, gives the one-on-one instruction, adapted specifically to the student. It’s not general or generic, but specific and personalized.
• Because the lesson is tailored specifically to each student’s needs, level, and particular interests, the teacher will choose the exercises and repertoire that will help develop skills and technique.
• During a private session, the “hands on” instruction is exactly that: the teacher will demonstrate the proper way to hold, handle, and use the instrument, and also pay attention to the student’s posture.
• During a private lesson, a teacher will give an instant feedback to the student, assessing progress or suggesting corrections.
• Because the teacher is “invested” (in the manner of speaking) in the student’s musical development, he or she will offer constant support and encouragement – both of which are very important, especially when a student loses focus or motivation.

Go private

As you can see, private lessons offer numerous advantages. Of course, the most important component of this experience is the instructor – the student’s progress will depend on how well educated and experienced the teacher is. At Hey Joe Guitar, we realize the role our teachers play – no pun intended – in a student’s musical journey. That’s why we screen our teachers carefully to make sure that they meet our (and your) high standards. That means they are graduates of the top U.S and international music schools, have extensive teaching experience to ensure they have developed the necessary skills to make music education inspiring, interesting, and fun. And, as though all these criteria were not enough, we also select the teachers who are patient, affable, and well equipped with “people skills.” But that’s not all: our teachers are not only amazing but also mobile! This means they will come to your Manhattan, Brooklyn, or Riverdale home or office. Now, that’s a private lesson that lives up to its name!

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We often say – and will continue to do so – that music is beneficial to us humans on so many levels: as a health booster, stress reducer, key to success, memory enhancer, and in many other ways. All of that is true. However, we thought it would be fun to explore the other side of the coin, so to speak: the feuds between famous musicians. Of course, these spats have nothing to do with music per se, but, rather, with the sometimes conflicting personalities of composers and performers.

After all, no matter how talented these folks are, they are merely human and, as such, not exactly infallible.

Scandalous behavior

Rock musicians are the notorious “bad boys” of the music world, so you might be surprised to learn that even the classical composers sometimes quarreled with each other. Perhaps one of the best known conflicts in the history of music was the “War of the Romantics” – a conservatively minded group of composers led by Johannes Brahms, against a more progressive thinkers represented by Franz Liszt and Richard Wagner. Thankfully, their grievances were not petty or trivial, and had nothing to do with egos or fame. Rather, they were of artistic nature – the two groups butted heads over the traditional versus new forms of music. The former group favored music for music’s sake – that is, as entertainment. The second group, on the other hand, called for compositions that would include social, moral and cultural components. We are happy to report that the conflict, which put these distinguished composers at odds did not culminate in blows. It was limited to written manifestos and hissing at concerts.

No bridge over troubled water

The civility of the 19th century had not totally spilled over to the current times. For instance, Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel’s feud has been well documented. The once successful pair broke up in 1970, when, after a furious row, Simon quit. To this day, Garfunkel blames the split on his band mate, calling him a “monster” and an “idiot.” Then there was the fight between one-time friends, Elton John and Madonna. The hostility was sparked in 2002 when John described Madonna’s theme song for “Die Another Day ” as “the worst Bond tune ever.” More recent spats include the one between Katy Perry and Lily Allen, whom Perry called “fat,” as well as Courtney Love’s jab at former Nirvana drummer and current Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl, whom she accused of being “sexually obsessed” with her late husband, Curt Cobain. These are just a few examples of conflicts, past and present, among musicians. There are many more!

We’ll never do battle!

Needless to say, most musicians don’t get into rowdy rows, and we can guarantee that our teachers never do, either. No matter what instrument they teach, they and their students play well together! So when you invite our teacher into your Manhattan, Brooklyn, or Riverdale home or office, you’ll get no quarrel from us!

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If you are like most people, you probably have specific tastes in music –a special affinity for a particular genre above all others. If that’s the case, have you ever wondered what sparked this preference? Why, for instance, are you partial to classical music, jazz, rock, or whatever other style is your favorite?

Very few people ever question their tastes (and, by the same token, their peeves) in music or other areas of their lives. They like what they like, and that’s it. If you ARE interested in this subject, you might want to know that, generally speaking, our musical preferences are not biologically preset (that is, genetic) but, rather, they are determined by our experiences and personality – so it’s a case of “nurture vs. nature.”

A matter of taste

Quite a few studies have been trying to discover how our musical preferences develop and evolve over the years. Researchers believe that these interests start to take root around the age of 10 or so. From then on, two different scenarios are likely to occur. If at that point children are exposed to, say, classical music , chances are they will carry the love of that genre into adulthood. It is possible that, as time goes by, they will start liking other styles of music as well, but the association in their minds of happy childhood memories with classical music will solidify that preference for the rest of their lives. A second scenario that could happen is that by the time they reach adolescence, the kids’ choice of music will align with that of their friends – after all, teenagers are prone to peer pressure. In this case, their love of heavy metal (just as an example), will supplant their former interest in the classics. Fortunately, that is likely just a phase. As we grow, explore, experiment, and develop our own personality, our tastes shift. The music we like is the kind that expresses and reflects the experiences and challenges we face at different stages of our lives. No matter what kind of music we develop a passion for, a common thread is that it is emotionally positive – in other words, it makes us feel good.

Character traits

Other research suggested that favorite music genres are closely linked to personality. In that study, 36,000 people in more than 60 countries were asked to rate a wide range of musical styles in order of preference. Then, different personality types were matched with music genres. The research showed, for instance, that blues fans are “creative, outgoing, and gentle;” jazz aficionados “have high self-esteem;” those who love classical music are “introverted;” while rock and heavy metal fans tend to have low self-esteem and not be “gentle.” Now, we hasten to add that these are just GENERAL descriptions and don’t include all the different nuances. So please take it with a grain of salt.

Perfect musical taste

At Hey Joe Guitar, our tastes include all kinds of music and a wide variety of instruments. We’ll be happy to prove it to you by sending one of our talented teachers right to your Manhattan, Brooklyn, or Riverdale home or office. The lessons will blend in perfectly with your musical tastes!

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Happy New Year and welcome to January. In 2016, as in previous years, we remain dedicated to covering all the important topics related to music – no matter how weird or wacky they might be. Let’s start with tomorrow: January 5th is National Bird Day, the intention of which is to raise public awareness about all kinds of issues related to these feathered creatures.

Our own interest, not surprisingly, lies mostly in the vocalizations of avian sounds, commonly known as bird songs. In case you are wondering, this is not our first foray into the realm of non-human music. As animal and nature lovers, we are as happy as a lark to think out of the box!

Call of the wild

Let us start by saying that, in a literal sense, there is no such thing as a swan song. It sounds poetic, but it’s a myth. Having said that, there are plenty of birds that do sing: nightingales, thrushes, warblers, and many others. Whether they “perform” in the morning (the so-called “dawn chorus ”) or at night , the chirping is sweet and soothing. And if you want to add some rhythm to the bird chorus background, there is nothing better that a cuckoo ! But as innocent as all that chirping sounds, bird scientists –who are called “ornithologists”- have found that these creatures do it for a specific reason, which proves that birds are not so “bird-brained” after all: they sing to attract and impress potential mates, or to mark and defend their territories. We have no idea whether the birds ever sing just for pleasure (though we certainly hope they do), but we do know they don’t have the same organizational rules as human-made music.

Chirping up the right tree

Here are some more fascinating facts about bird songs:

• Birds’ vocal skills come from the unusual structure of their sound-producing organ called the syrinx, which is somewhat equivalent of the human sound box. The muscles of the syrinx control the song production; birds with more elaborate systems of vocal muscles produce more complex songs.
• Birds give the impression of singing in long bursts without ever catching their breath. But that’s just an illusion – they actually take a series of shallow breaths, which are synchronized with each syllable they sing.
• Birds are quite prolific in their vocal talents: the nightingale, for example, holds up to 300 different love songs in his repertoire; the cowbird uses 40 different notes; and the chaffinch may sing his song half a million times in a season.

It’s worth crowing about!

Hey Joe Guitar is an excellent music school, but we do have certain limitations: our lessons are not…for the birds, or, for that matter, for any other winged, beaked, tailed, or four-legged creatures. Sorry! But if you are a human being, you’ll be glad to know that our teachers have “people” skills. They will come to your Manhattan, Brooklyn or Riverdale home on the fly, and teach you to sing or play any musical instrument. The birds can’t play the guitar or piano, but our teachers sure can. And that’s a feather in our cap!

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Today is the last day of 2015 – congratulations, we made it! We are now looking forward to tomorrow – and the other 364 days of the new year, which we hope will be peaceful in our city and around the world .

But before 2015 becomes the “old” year, let’s look at some of the musical anniversaries that came up during the past 12 months. We are guessing you were not aware of many (or any, for that matter) of these milestones, but it’s never too late.

Has it really been that long?

Yes, it has! Time sure flies, and before you know it, two-digit anniversaries sneak up upon us. Let’s go down a list of musical anniversaries of 2015, starting with the 60th: on July 9, 1955 the song Rock Around the Clock , a hit for Bill Haley and His Comets (and the theme from the film Blackboard Jungle), became the first rock ’n’ roll song to reach No. 1. And can you believe it has been half a century since Bob Dylan recorded (on June 15, 1965) Like a Rolling Stone . Four days later, the actual Rolling Stones released (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction . Interestingly, Rolling Stone Magazine recently placed both hits as No. 1 and 2, respectively, on its list of the greatest songs of all time. The summer of 1965 continued to be prolific for music: on August 15, the Beatles performed at Shea Stadium in New York during their first U.S. your. July 26 marked the 40th anniversary of Van McCoy’s The Hustle , which was a huge disco hit in those days. We don’t know about you, but to us 1985, the era of big hair and shoulder pads, seems like only 30 years ago… October 26 of this year marked three decades since Whitney Houston had her first No. 1 song with Saving All My Love for You . Moving on: August 4 of this year marked the 25th anniversary of the day Mariah Carey had her first chart topper with Vision of Love . Twenty years ago, two sad events occurred in the music world: On March 31, 1995, the most popular Tejano singer, Selena, was shot to death in Corpus Christi, Texas. And on August 9, Jerry Garcia, leader of the Grateful Dead, died of a heart attack. . These are just some of the milestones that happened in 2015. Aren’t you glad we told you?

We are a class act!

Now, you may not know this, but 2015 also marked the 8th anniversary of the founding of Hey Joe Guitar. All these years, our teachers have tirelessly traveled all over New York City to give music lessons to students in their Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Riverdale homes and offices. We can promise you that 2016 will be no different: you can always count on our school to provide the best private lessons and teachers in the city. This will be our New Year’s resolution for many years to come!

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It has been just over a month since the holiday season officially started: it began with the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade, went on to Hanukkah and culminated with Christmas. Look back and think about how much food you consumed in the past weeks – the turkeys, the trimmings, the pies, the hams, the cookies, the eggnogs, and all the other high-calorie treats. In fact, there are statistics showing that the average person gains several pounds between Thanksgiving and New Year’s.

Now, you may say that you are far from “average.” That may well be – perhaps you have a very high IQ or are a Nobel Prize laureate. Wonderful, but even the most brilliant, above-average people eat and put on weight during the holidays. Now the question is: how do you lose the “holiday” pounds? Of course, the most logical answer is exercise. But if you are like so many other people (both average and above-average), you probably don’t want to venture outside to start jogging in New York’s notorious winter weather. Luckily, there are some calorie-burning activities you can do indoors.

It’s your loss!

We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again: playing an instrument not only burns calories, but also gives your muscles a good workout. Which instrument is best for whipping you into shape? It’s the one that is most physically demanding – the drums! When you play them, you use nearly all of the body’s muscle groups, developing power, speed, endurance, and coordination. In one hour of playing, you can burn – a drum roll here – 290 calories! Next is the guitar; if you play it standing up, you’ll burn 217 calories in one hour, but if you sit, it will be less: 145 calories (which is certainly better than none at all!) Moving on: you will drop 180 calories in one hour playing the piano, organ, trumpet, or violin, while the horn, cello, harp, and flute will “lighten” you up by between 122 and 145 calories. But that’s not all: singing also uses plenty of muscles and zaps 136 calories an hour. And here’s a surprising tidbit: even the itsy-bitsy harmonica has huge powers: all the inhaling and exhaling burns lots of calories in the process!

Keep us in good shape

The message we are trying to convey is this: no matter which instrument you play, if you apply yourself to the process and do it wholeheartedly, you will keep yourself in shape. And there is an added bonus for our teachers: by trekking to your Manhattan, Brooklyn, or Riverdale home or office, they too will burn lots of calories. So you see, when it comes to playing music, everyone is a … loser!

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It’s Christmas Eve and, to paraphrase the famous poem by Clement Clarke Moore, “all through the house
not a creature is stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings are hung by the chimney with care,
in hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there.” Of course, this is an idealized image of Christmas Eve, one that all too often doesn’t match the reality of our hectic lives. If you are like most New Yorkers, chances are that responsibilities of jobs and families have not left you enough time for comfort or joy this holiday season.

But the good news is that it is not too late to “soak up” some holiday spirit and enjoy the hours ahead. How? We are not talking about the frantic, last-minute shopping, but rather about a quiet immersion in Christmas concerts that take place in almost every corner of our city.

Off the tourist track

Sure, there are famous venues like Radio City Music Hall with its Christmas Spectacular or the performance of the Nutcracker at Lincoln Center. Both are superb, of course, but what we have in mind are less touristy and more intimate venues. For instance, today there is holiday caroling at Washington Square Park, Gramercy Park, and East Village (by the statue in the West Stuyvesant Square Park),.They will certainly be fun community events. Whether you are a churchgoer or not, as a music lover you will enjoy Christmas concerts in various churches around the city. Tonight at 10:30 pm and tomorrow at 1 am, there will be plenty of music at the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine at 1047 Amsterdam Avenue and 112th Street. Following traditional carols sung by the Cathedral Choristers, a concert featuring Mozart’s Adagio and Rondo, K. 617, Coronation Mass, K. 317, and more, will be performed by he combined Cathedral Choirs. On December 26, you can hear Handel’s “Messiah” at Trinity Church on Wall Street and Broadway. These are just some of the many Christmas Eve/ Day events that will brighten up your holidays.

Post-holidays lessons

In a couple of days, Christmas will be over, though the holiday season will continue until New Year’s Eve. We’ll understand if you want to spend this special time with family and friends rather than with your music teacher! However, once all the festivities are over, please contact us and ask us to send one of our excellent music teachers for a private lesson at your Manhattan, Brooklyn, or Riverdale home or office. For this occasion, we’d like to re-write Moore’s poem this way: “T’was after the holidays and all creatures were in good mood cleaning the violin and waxing the flute. The guitar was dusted and piano polished with care In the hopes the music teacher soon would be there.” Okay, so we are not great poets (nor have we ever pretended to be), but we sure know music!

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“It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas; Soon the bells will start, And the thing that will make them ring Is the carol that you sing Right within your heart.” Can you imagine the Christmas season without the carols? We are guessing not (unless you have a Scrooge-like disposition), because these songs are an integral part of the holidays. But before we go any further on this topic, this may be a good time for a little historical reality check: did you know that in 1659, Puritans who settled in America actually banned caroling for about 20 years because they associated it with singing, dancing and drinking – all the practices they found reprehensible. In fact, before 1800, celebration of Christmas by singing was regarded as a rowdy and potentially violent activity.

All this to say that caroling did not always enjoy the wholesome image depicted in Victorian art or Normal Rockwell’s paintings. Having said that, most people today enjoy listening to (or singing) Christmas songs, because they reflect the spirit of the holidays. But as much as we love traditional renditions, we are also fond of less conventional, but nevertheless beautiful, versions. Let’s explore some of them.

They did it their way

Many people associate one of the most popular holiday songs, “White Christmas,” with Bing Cosby. However, we also like this more modern version of the old classic, performed here by an Australian group, Human Nature. Then there is this gripping a capella rendition of “Little Drummer Boy,” by five vocalists who form an American group Pentatonix. We also like the way the duo of Sugar & the Hi-Lows bring a retro swag to “Jingle Bells .” And how about the smoky -voiced Nora Jones putting her own touch on “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear ?” Last but certainly not least, we find these two mall flash mobs really great, because they bring an element of surprise to on-lookers: “Home for the Holidays and “Hallelujah Chorus .”

Spreading the cheer (all year round)

Christmas comes but once a year, but we don’t have to tell you that music lessons know no seasons. That’s why our teachers will come to your Manhattan, Brooklyn, or Riverdale home or office regardless of what time of the year it is. And when they arrive, you don’t have to deck the halls with boughs of holly. The only thing you need is your guitar, violin, or whatever other instrument you play. That and a festive mood!

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Christmas is less than two weeks away and the stores around New York City are full of shoppers looking for just the right gifts for family and friends. We love the traditional exchange of presents around the Christmas tree, or the unwrapping of packages left by Santa. We realize that most people these days (both adults and children) prefer big-ticket items that cost an arm and a leg – figuratively speaking, of course.

However, having said that, we are partial to gifts that are personal and symbolic – ones that have special meaning to you and the person who receives it. Such a present, no matter how small or inexpensive, is a wonderful gesture because it comes from the heart. It says to your loved one: “I chose this particular present because I knew you would enjoy it,” instead of, “I had to idea what to buy you, so here’s this tie. It doesn’t matter to me whether you’ll wear or or re-gift it; at least I didn’t come empty-handed.” Does this sound familiar?

A partridge in a pear tree…or two front teeth?

Actually, we are betting that nobody (okay, to be on the safe side, let’s say very few people) want to receive either a partridge or a set of front teeth for Christmas – no matter what the songs say. So how do you choose a gift that is personal and specific rather than generic? It’s easy: most people love to receive something that is useful to them. If they have a hobby or an interest, it makes it even easier to choose an appropriate gift. We don’t mean to sound self-serving, but let’s say your friend or family member is a music fan or musician. There are literally dozens of things you could offer them, ranging from tickets to one or more concerts that are scheduled to take place in New York in 2016, to some unique objects like a bracelet made from a recycled guitar string, vintage band posters, or any other of these cool items. It’s the thought that counts!

Play it right!

Of course, among the best gifts for music lovers are music lessons. It doesn’t matter whether the person is already playing an instrument or wants to start. In either case, we can help. First of all, you can’t go wrong with our gift certificate. Whether you buy a 3 or 5-pack of lessons, or a monthly membership; a 30-minute, 45-minute, or hourly sessions, the gift card is a perfect present for any music aficionado. Secondly, once the music lesson is set up, we will send one of our amazing teachers to the student’s Manhattan, Brooklyn or Riverdale residence. (He or she will ring the bell, not come down the chimney). Think about it: isn’t a gift of music better than another tie, sweater, or scarf?

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Many people, including some music lovers, may not realize that mid-December marks the 245th anniversary of the birth of Ludwig van Beethoven. His exact day of birth in 1770 remains elusive, but we do know that he was baptized on December 17, which means he was born just days prior (in the 18th century, it was a common practice to baptize newborns within a week of their birth).

Beethoven, of course, grew up to be one of the most gifted composers of all time, with nine symphonies, 32 piano sonatas, one opera, five piano concertos, and many chamber works to his name. A remarkable thing about Beethoven’s music is that he began to lose his hearing at the age of 26, and became completely deaf within the next 20 years. However, this disability did not stop him from composing – in fact, he wrote one of his best known pieces, the Ninth Symphony , with little hearing ability. Beethoven had not given up his passion because of deafness, providing inspiration in resilience and perseverance to future generations. Here’s a look at some famous musicians of our time, who had to overcome various disabilities to achieve greatness.

Their own “Ode to Joy”

Let’s start with Itzak Perlman, widely considered to be the greatest violinist of the 20th century. He contracted polio at the age of four and his legs were paralyzed. But he managed to walk with crutches and learned to play the violin while seated . Then there is the “wonder-ful” singer and multi-instrumentalist Stevie Wonder, who has been blind since birth. Yet, despite his disability, Wonder has released more than 30 No. 1 hits and is among the most decorated artists in history. And speaking of blindness, let’s not forget to mention the great Ray Charles. He lost his sight to glaucoma by the age of seven, but still managed to learn to play the piano, organ, saxophone, clarinet, and trumpet, becoming one of the most successful singers in the R&B, jazz, soul, pop, and country music. Let’s also remember the Def Leppard drummer Rick Allen who lost his arm in a car accident on New Year’s Eve 1984. He worked long and hard to learn how to play drums with extra foot petals to replace his missing arm. He was back and drumming with the band for their 1987 hit album, “Hysteria ,” which sold more than 20 million copies.

Keep on playing!

If there is a teachable moment in the above-mentioned stories, it is this: adversity happens, but with strength, courage, and determination, we can overcome the obstacles on our way. It’s not just disabilities or health issues in general that can cause us to lose faith. Sometimes stress, tiredness, or other issues lessen our motivation to keep going – whether with music lessons or any other task. Do you (or your child) need encouragement to keep up with the music lessons? Our teachers are known around here as “great motivators!” So invite them into your Manhattan, Brooklyn or Riverdale home or office, and keep on playing!

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We bet you don’t know what today is. Yes, it is Thursday, December 10, but this day also marks a little-known and not much celebrated occasion: the Nobel Prize Day. Why December 10th? Because Alfred Nobel, who created this prize, passed away on this day in 1896. A year prior, Nobel, a Swedish chemist who invented the dynamite, wrote his last will, leaving much of his vast wealth to the establishment of the Prize that would honor men and women for outstanding achievements in physics, chemistry, physiology or medicine, literature, and for work in peace.

The first Nobel was awarded in 1901 to Henri Dunant, the Swiss doctor who founded the International Committee of the Red Cross. Since then, some 900 people and organizations received this honor.

Geniuses at play

What we found very interesting is that many of the Nobel Prize winners, especially in the physics category, were music aficionados and even accomplished musicians themselves. It only goes to disprove the common perception that music and science don’t mix or, if you prefer to re-phrase it, that people with “scientific” minds have no interest in or “feel” for music. Clearly, this isn’t so. Let’s see which geniuses were music fans.

• Albert Einstein, who won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1921, loved his violin, although he could also play the piano. And according to a biography of the great scientist, one of the pieces he had been working hard to master as a student was the G-major violin sonata by Brahms.
• The recipient of the 1952 Nobel Peace Prize, theologian Albert Schweitzer, loved to play the organ.
• Donald Glasser, a physicist who was awarded the Nobel in 1960, played the violin.
• Richard Feynman, who co-won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1965, was good at playing the bongo drums.
• Saul Perlmutter, who was awarded the Nobel in Physics in 2011, is not only a violinist, but he also teaches a course at UC Berkeley titled “Physics and Music.”
• Thomas Südhof, who won the 2013 Nobel Prize for Medicine/Physiology, plays the bassoon. In fact, in an interview with the editor of a bassoon magazine, he stressed the value of the discipline he had acquired from immersion in music.

Obviously, we can’t mention here hundreds of other distinguished Nobel musicians, but the six listed above prove that music and brilliant minds go hand in hand!

Prized teachers

We are not going to tell you that when a teacher of ours comes to your Manhattan, Brooklyn, or Riverdale home or office, you will have a genius on your doorstep. We believe in full disclosure so we are letting you know that none of our teachers ever won (or was even nominated for) the Nobel Prize. But that’s okay, because we know beyond a shadow of the doubt that we have the best-trained teachers in New York City. Their dedication, experience, and teaching techniques take the prize!

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Starting yesterday and for the next eight days, Jewish people around the world celebrate Hanukkah. Like every year, there is no lack of cool Hanukkah events and celebrations being held in New York City, for adults and kids alike. This holiday commemorates the victory in 165 B.C.E. of the Maccabees over the Greek army that occupied the Holy Land, and the subsequent liberation and “rededication” of the Temple in Jerusalem. Because this holiday is traditionally celebrated with the lighting of the menorah, it is called the Festival of Lights.

In fact, Hanukkah arouse from what could probably be called the world’s oldest oil shortage crisis: when the Maccabees liberated the Temple, they found only a small cruse of oil – enough to light the Menorah for one day. It would take eight days to produce new oil, but, miraculously, that one cruse lasted eight days and nights.

חנוכה שמחה

There is not as much Hanukkah related music as there is about Christmas, but we really like these flash mobs and other street scenes that could be enjoyed during the holidays:

• In Hebrew, Hashem Melech means “The Lord is King” and this lively melody , even though it’s not a “typical” Hanukkah song, is likely to put people of many religions in a celebratory mood.
• New York’s “StandFour,” which is made up of four former members of Yeshiva University’s all-male a capella group, recorded this cheerful song .
• Very appropriately, this flash mob took place on a street in Jerusalem, the city where Hanukkah traditions originally started.
• And how about these two different but upbeat renditions of Hanukkah mash-ups: one by the aptly named group “The Maccabees ,” and the other performed by a Chicago troupe.

The classics

Now, you may be wondering if there are any classical pieces that would fall under the category of Hanukkah music, the way that, for instance, the “Hallelujah Chorus from Handel’s “Messiah ” symbolizes Christmas? Not really, but there are some beautiful classical compositions of Jewish themes, such as Leonard Bernstein’s 3rd Symphony (“the Kaddish”) , Sergei Prokofiev’s “Overture on Hebrew Themes ,” and quite a few others. Here is the bottom line: no matter what kind of Hanukkah (or other holiday songs) you enjoy the most, one of our music teachers will give you a lesson in the privacy of your Manhattan, Brooklyn, or Riverdale home or office. With that, we wish you a very happy holiday season!

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Christmas is soon here and you know what that means: Santa Claus is coming to town . But wait. Before the jolly old Kris Kringle makes his annual appearance, he will be pre-empted by another traditional holiday visitor: St. Nicholas. In fact, long before the white-bearded, red robe-clad Santa became popular towards the end of the 19th century, it was St. Nick who –according to the traditional lore – distributed gifts to good children in many parts of the world.

But while Santa is “on the job” on Christmas Eve, transported hinter, thither and yon by his flying reindeer, Nicholas works the world on December 6, traveling by foot, on horseback, donkey, or other modes of transportation. Who exactly is this mysterious figure? Unlike Santa, who, in his modern form, was created by the Coca-Cola Company in the 1920s, St. Nick was a real Greek bishop, who lived in the 3rd and 4th centuries; by the early 13th century, he became known as a patron of children and a magical gift bearer.

Overshadowed by Santa

December 6 is still largely celebrated as St. Nicholas Day across Europe. The gifts he brings usually consist of treats like cookies and chocolate, unlike big ticket-items Santa is known for. Also, if a child has been particularly naughty during the year, St. Nick will give him ribbon-tied birch twigs, which are comparable to lumps of coal in the more modern Santa version. What about the United States? The tradition of St. Nick is not as common here, even though early European immigrants brought some of their customs to America. To this day, some Greek and Russian Orthodox churches, as well as those with the strong Dutch or German heritage, still celebrate December 6 as St. Nicholas Day. But at least at one point in history, St. Nicholas made news in our city. On December 7, 1773, the New York Gazette reported: “Last Monday, the anniversary of St. Nicholas, otherwise called Santa Claus, was celebrated at Protestant Hall, at Mr. Waldron’s; where a great number of sons of the ancient saint [the Sons of Saint Nicholas] celebrated the day with great joy and festivity.” Another such notice appeared in 1774: “Monday next, being the anniversary of Saint Nicholas, will be celebrated by the descends of the ancient Dutch Families.”

Celebrate with music

You don’t want St. Nicholas to bring you birch twigs, or, even worse, get lumps of coal from Santa? Well then, don’t skip your lessons (the same goes for your kids) and continue to practice regularly. No matter what holidays you celebrate, our teachers will always be available to come to your Manhattan, Brooklyn, or Riverdale home or office, bearing the gift…of music!

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A few more hours and the month of November will be over. Tomorrow December begins and, with it, all the excitement surrounding the holidays. While celebrations of Hanukkah (December 6 until the 14th), Christmas (December 25), and Kwanzaa (December 26 – January 1) dominate this month’s agenda, other special occasions are not getting as much attention. But the fact is that December is full of (mostly wacky) holidays that most people don’t even know exist. We thought it would be fun to match some of these crazy events with appropriate songs. So let’s get to it!

A bit of craziness…

OMG – texting is no longer a new technology; as a matter of fact, December 3 will mark the 23rd anniversary of the very first text message, which was sent out in 1992. What did it say? Very appropriately, the message read “Merry Christmas.” We think a good song to mark this occasion is this upbeat tune . Let’s move on to December 9, which is the “Weary Willie Day.” In case you are not an expert on clownery, you may not know of a professional clown Emmett Kelly, who was born on this day in 1898. He went down in the clowndom history by creating one of the more memorable clown characters of the 20th century, known as “Weary Willie.” What’s the best song to commemorate this day? It’s a no brainer ! Now, if you are an animal lover, this next holiday will be right up your alley. December 14 is Monkey Day, an “annual celebration of all things simian, a festival of primates, and a chance to scream like a monkey” – if that’s your thing. And the next day, December 15, marks another animal-related event, National Cat Herder’s Day. What exactly is it? It celebrates humans whose lives or jobs feel as if they are constantly herding around cats. Songs? How about these , two? These are just a few of the bizarre December celebrations, but there are many more. Aren’t you glad we told you?

Keep playing!

Whether you commemorate one of the above-mentioned wacky events or celebrate more conventional December holidays, one thing is certain – no matter how busy you are during the festive season, there should always be time for music. What we mean is this: New York has no shortage of concerts during the month of December, so whatever kind of music you like, it is right there in your neighborhood. But also don’t forget music lessons. Our teachers are not so busy celebrating National Cat Herder’s Day that they would not find time to come to your Manhattan, Brooklyn, or Riverdale home or office!

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To most of us Thanksgiving means stuffed turkey with all the delicious trimmings, pecan and pumpkin pies for dessert, and afterwards a football game. That’s the traditional take on Thanksgiving. But there is no law, rule, or regulation that says it’s the only way to celebrate this holiday. Is there a reason you shouldn’t have pizza instead of turkey? No, there isn’t.

In fact, some folks are eschewing the customary way of celebrating Thanksgiving and creating some wacky traditions of their own. And that is okay – after all, change is good. So this blog is dedicated – in the words of Apple founder Steve Jobs – “to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers. The round pegs in the square holes. The ones who see things differently.”

Re-writing tradition

A couple of years ago, USA TODAY asked its readers on Twitter about the unusual family traditions that people look forward to the most on Thanksgiving. Among some funky answers was a longstanding tradition of ordering Chinese food on Thanksgiving and eating it in the den. Another reader reported that much of the day is spent “hiding in the garage, sipping apple pie rum.” On another site, people report having Thanksgiving paintball tournaments, and roasting a turkey on a stick over a sage fire. And if you believe David Letterman, New York has a funky Thanksgiving tradition of its own, which has nothing to do with the Macy’s annual parade. “In New York City there are lots of engaging Thanksgiving traditions,” he said.  “For example, a lot of New Yorkers don’t buy the frozen Thanksgiving turkey. They prefer to buy the bird live and then push it in front of a subway train.” (Lest animal lovers take this seriously, let us assure you that Letterman was joking – at least we hope so!) And speaking of odd Thanksgivings, many of us tend to think that the modern version of this holiday is similar to the way Pilgrims celebrated it. If you subscribe to this view, you might be surprised by these archives from the Library of Congress. They show that 100 years ago, Thanksgiving was celebrated very much like the present-day Halloween is. It seems that back then “children and adults alike would dress up and go on ‘crawls’ in big cities like New York and Chicago… fantastically garbed youngsters and their elders were on every corner of the city.” Instead of turkeys, they would get “pennies and nickels, apples, or pieces of candy.” See? You learn something new every day!

Don’t forget the music!

If you are a traditionalist rather than an out-of-the-box thinker, you will probably want to celebrate Thanksgiving in the customary way. If so, have you thought about what background music will be playing while you feast? There are some very nice compilations that will make your meal even more special. And speaking of music, we’d like to remind you that our teachers are happy to follow tradition – the one that involves private music lessons in your Manhattan, Brooklyn, or Riverdale home or office.

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Here’s a thought that probably never crossed your mind: if classical composers were alive today and good at using social messaging tools, what kind of tweets or Facebook posts would they be putting out about their BFFs? We are only guessing, of course, but perhaps Mozart would post something along the lines of: “Hanging out and jamming with Haydn.”

Smiley Face!

Sounds far-fetched? Maybe it is, but the fact remains that even though we think of great composers as geniuses (and rightly so), they too were human and enjoyed friendships with other accomplished musicians of their time.

The Mozart effect

One of the best-documented relationships of the Classical period was the friendship between Mozart and Joseph Haydn. Based on historical evidence, the two Austrians got along, um, famously, even though they had different temperaments: Haydn was, by all accounts, calm and reserved, while his younger counterpart was more vivacious and mercurial (which only goes to prove that opposites really do attract). Their orchestras were structured slightly differently as well: Haydn preferred the English horn over the clarinet, whereas Mozart favored the latter instrument. As Mozart said, referring to Haydn, “He alone has the secret of making me smile and touching me to the bottom of my soul.” In fact, between 1782 and 1785 Mozart dedicated a group of six string quartets one , two , three , four , five and six to Haydn

A talented pupil

Now, what about the relationship between Mozart and Beethoven? It was not so much a friendship as a mentor – student relationship. As a young man, Beethoven admired Mozart, who was 14 years his senior, and hoped to take music lessons from the great composer. Finally, in 1786, young Beethoven traveled from Bonn to Vienna to meet his idol. According to historical accounts, Mozart was reportedly in a foul mood and when the young prodigy showed up at his house, he demanded: “Play something!” Beethoven performed the opening of Mozart's C minor Piano Concerto . “Not that,” Mozart said gruffly. “Anybody can play that. Play something of your own.” Beethoven did and when he finished, Mozart told his wife, Constanze, “Watch out for that boy. One day he will give the world something to talk about.” He agreed to take Beethoven on as a student, but Beethoven’s mother became ill and he had no choice but to return to Bonn. By the time he came to Vienna again in November 1792, Mozart was dead. Beethoven remained an admirer of Mozart’s even as his own fame grew. In 1798 he published his variations for cello and piano on the aria “Ein Mädchen oder Weibchen” from Mozart’s The Magic Flute, followed four years later by his variations on another Magic Flute aria, Papageno’s “Bei Männern, welche Liebe fühlen.”

Let’s be friends!

We find the above stories of friendship / mentorship very inspiring – and there are more examples! We hope that they will inspire you to start playing any of the instruments mentioned above – the piano, cello, or other instruments. Contact us, and one of our fantastic teachers will come to your Manhattan, Brooklyn, or Riverdale home or office for a truly inspiring lesson!

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If asked what is your favorite time of year, chances are you won’t say it’s mid-November, unless you live in the southern hemisphere, where it is spring right now. But in New York, November is often grey and chilly, which may be the reason why so many people exercise much less that they do during the spring and summer months. (There’s actually a Gallop poll showing that Americans are less physically active as weather gets cold). Are you one of them?

We get it: when it is dark and cold outside, you don’t feel like going out for a jog or even a walk. It is so much easier and more pleasant to stay inside. But if this is your mindset, we hope you reconsider, especially since there is a good way to make even the most strenuous workout more enjoyable. We are referring to music, of course!

Breaking sweat with music

You might think we are giving you a song-and-dance routine here since we have a vested interest in teaching you to play an instrument. Actually, this statement is not totally self-serving: Studies suggest that listening to music while you exercise makes your workout more effective. There are several reasons why that is. For instance, a good beat not only makes you want to move, but it also helps you keep your pace. Also, listening to music creates a surge of energy that keeps you going, and it diverts your focus from physical discomfort – like soreness and tiredness – that a more strenuous workout might cause. In other words, music “tricks” your mind into concentrating on the sounds generated by your iPod rather than on your exertion level or the repetitive movements of your exercise routine. If you are wondering what is the best “exercise music,” here are some general suggestions:

• As you warm up, you’d want to listen to tracks that give you a burst of energy.
• Whether you prefer high, medium or low intensity exercise, choose something upbeat to keep your juices flowing during the main phase of your exercise.
• A slower and more mellow sound will help you cool down afterwards.

Feel the (calorie) burn

As long we are on the subject of music and exercise, did you know that the mere action of playing an instrument provides a terrific workout as well? While it may not improve your athletic performance per se (unless you are a member of a fast-moving marching band), it can help you burn calories. Just as an example, playing drums for an hour will burn 270 calories; a guitar will “eat up” 204 calories; and a trombone 238. In fact, practically any instrument will use up at least 100 calories in one hour of playing. Also, since playing certain instruments is physically demanding, you can get a good workout while you are at it. Drum players, for instance, use practically all the body’s muscle groups for strength, speed, endurance, and coordination. In fact, all the instruments, as well as signing, exercise some muscle groups.

Let there be music!

No, we can’t promise that you will lose loads of weight while playing an instrument (though you might) or that we will help improve the quality of your workout. What we can promise is that whatever instrument you’d like to play, we will be happy to come to your Manhattan, Brooklyn, or Riverdale home or office and give you lessons. Whether you use your new musical skills to drop a few pounds and get in shape is up to you. But as you can see from all the research above, music can help you be …as fit as a fiddle!

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Let’s talk about motivation, especially as it pertains to music lessons. There are many reasons why a student may sometimes feel that he or she just doesn’t have what it takes to become proficient in playing an instrument. We have heard students say things like “I am not good enough” or “I keep making mistakes.” Making mistakes, as you know, is natural when you are learning a new skill and it is certainly not a good reason to get discouraged. In fact, we’ll let you in on a secret (well, it’s not exactly a secret, but a lot of people may not realize it): even the most famous musicians occasionally hit a wrong note. Why? It is certainly not because of lack of practice, but it could be due to nerves (yes, even the most experienced musicians sometimes suffer from stage fright), a wrong move of the fingers on the instrument, or a number of other factors. After all, even the most acclaimed virtuosos are only human!

Slip of a finger

Of course when experienced musicians are performing, an untrained ear of a spectator in the audience may not catch a wrong note. Do you think your ear is fine-tuned enough to hear it? Listen to these pieces and try to catch the slips. There is a very interesting compilation of the world’s most accomplished pianists hitting wrong notes. In the video, the great Arthur Rubinstein explains how, during a concert early in his career, he faked an entire Chopin etude and even deliberately played wrong notes— and still won rave reviews from the critics! (Obviously, we don’t recommend that you do the same thing – unless you have Rubinstein’s spectacular talent and can get away with it!) Then there is the Chinese concert pianist Lang Lang, who had a mishap in a section of Gershwin’s “Rhapsody In Blue.” Can you hear it? And while performing Beethoven’s “Moonlight Sonata” , the late German pianist Wilhelm Kempff slipped at 0:40, 1:25, 2:06, 2:38, 3:59, 5:08 to 5:11, and 6:42 minutes. As matter of fact, Beethoven was a challenge to another virtuoso pianist as well. Argentinian “Daniel Barenboim made a mistake at 2:41. You may be wondering whether geniuses like Mozart, Beethoven or Chopin ever make mistakes? We have no way to prove it, of course, but keep in mind that before they became skilled musicians, they had to master the craft from scratch. And we bet they hit plenty of wrong notes while they learned! Imagine how different the world would be if these composers had given up because of the mishaps.

Helping your progress

If there’s a moral here it is that making errors is not a reason to give up – if anything, it’s a reason to try harder the next time. Our teachers understand that mistakes are a normal part of a learning process, and when they come for a lesson in your Manhattan, Brooklyn, or Riverdale home or office, they will patiently teach you the right technique. This means they will not only instruct you on how to read notation and play, but also on how to hold and handle your instrument, breathe correctly, feel confident and comfortable, and generally get the most out of your lesson. So make no mistake about it: keep playing!

The post With Manhattan Piano School You’ll Never Be Out of Tune appeared first on Hey Joe Guitar.

When you think about summer, do images of sandy beaches jump to mind? But what if you are spending the summer in the city – do you have to give up the thoughts of warm ocean breezes? Not at all! As New Yorkers, we are lucky to have some great beaches very close within our reach. In fact, NYC has a total of 14 miles of beaches, all of which are open from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. Even though one moment you are caught up in the urban hustle and bustle, an hour or so later you could be lying on the sand and soaking up the sun.

As if by careful design – by actually by mere coincidence – these patches of sandy paradise can be found in most NYC boroughs, and even if you live in one that doesn’t boast its own beach (like Manhattan), the commute to one is – no pun intended – a breeze!

Summer in the city

Brooklyn offers lots of options, starting with the iconic Coney Island. It offers three miles of sandy beaches, not to mention the amusement park and boardwalk. It is such a famous part of our city’s landscape that Lou Reed actually sang about it. Then there is Manhattan Beach, which is actually located in Brooklyn’s southern tip, and is part of the larger area known as Brighton Beach. Now populated by Russian and Ukrainian immigrants, this sandy strip is called “Little Odessa.” Moving on to Queens, the Rockaway Beach is not only very large, but it is also the only one in New York City that has two separate stretches reserved just for surfing. And it was made famous by The Ramones’ 1977 hit song : “Chewin’ at a rhythm on my bubble gum The sun is out, I want some It’s not hard, not far to reach We can hitch a ride to Rockaway Beach.” The Orchard Beach in the Bronx offers 1.1- mile of sandy shoreline. When it was first created in the 1930s, it was named “The Riviera of New York!” If you live on Staten Island, you have plenty of choices: the South Beach, Midland Beach, or Wolfe’ Pond Beach. If you want to venture a bit further from the city, there’s Long Island’s Jones Beach. With a 6.5- mile stretch of sand and two swimming pools, it is one of New York state’s largest facilities of this kind.

Keep up the music!

We hope you will take advantage of the beaches that our city has to offer. After all, as the famous song says, in the summertime, the livin’ is (or at least should be) easy. Still, don’t forget to keep up your music training during the summer months – don’t let your guitar, piano, or other instruments get idle! Our teachers continue to give lessons regardless of the season. They will come to your Manhattan, Brooklyn or Riverdale home or office, even if you don’t live by the beach!

Photo by unknown, available under Creative Commons License

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Quite a few times, we shared with you the latest research about the benefit of music training.

By now we may sound like a broken record, but any time there is something new to add to this fascinating topic, we’ll jump right on it!

Maybe because the positive effects of music education are so widely known, very often parents ask us questions like: “My son is very hyper and can’t concentrate. Will playing an instrument help?” Or, “my daughter is very shy. How can music lessons help her come out of her shell?”

This is just as relevant for adults too. People of any age can benefit from music lessons because the triggers in our brain are the same.

Music can make a positive difference for all age groups. We have witnessed this phenomenon countless times and would like to share our experiences here.

Music “Therapy”

If you are the kind of person who is often distracted, music lessons can help boost your focus, self-control, as well as attention span. That’s because to play an instrument you need an alert mind, patience, and full concentration.

Also, music training requires a certain structure and discipline –for the lessons and for practice sessions in between. Your mind is focused not only on music itself, but also on the proper technique, breathing, coordination, as well as body posture.

True, if you are just starting your music training, you may not possess any of these skills, but with regular lessons you will develop each one, channeling your unbridled energy into a worthwhile and enjoyable pursuit.

Numerous Benefits

What if you are very timid? Very often, the reason behind excessive shyness is a poor self-image, as well as feelings of inferiority and insecurity.

If you fall into this category, you’ll be happy to know that music is a terrific “healer” of shyness and social ineptness. How does this work? Being able to play an instrument is a terrific self-esteem booster; it’ll give you a sense of accomplishment, something to be proud of, and maybe even brag about! What better cure for shyness can there be?

All this is very positive, but there are even more compelling reasons to start music lessons:

• This very scien-cy article talks about a “feel-good” chemical called dopamine. Music is one of the triggers of dopamine, so it improves the mood and lifts the spirits. In other words, it makes us happy.

• Because certain genres – including classical and jazz -have shown to lower heart rate and blood pressure, music promotes relaxation and reduces stress.

Excellent Teachers at Your Service!

As you can see, music training has multiple benefits for the whole family. However, there is one “but” – a lot depends on the kind of lessons and teachers you hire. (This is as true of music, as of any other learning experience).

An excellent music instructor is not only well educated and experienced in working with people of all ages, but he or she is also patient, kind, and enthusiastic – about music and teaching.

Our Hey Joe Guitar teachers fit all these criteria – and then some. They are graduates of the top music schools and accomplished musicians in their own right. Before we send them out to your Manhattan or Brooklyn home, we make sure they are carefully vetted and able to teach the right techniques to their students, whether on the guitar, piano, flute, or any other instrument.

Contact us to setup a first lesson and see what a positive difference music lessons make in your life.

To see the positive difference music lessons have made in the lives of underprivileged children in New York City, check out our charity MusiCan.

The post Benefits of Music: Hey Joe Guitar NYC Guitar School Tells (Almost) All! appeared first on Hey Joe Guitar.

“I believe we have the noblest roaring blasts here I have ever known on land; they sing their hoarse song through the big tree-tops with a splendid energy that thrills me and stirs me and uplifts me and makes me want to live always.”

Those words, written at the beginning of the 20^th century by a quintessential American writer, Mark Twain, described the views of the Hudson, as seen from a chestnut tree on the grounds of his Riverdale, NY home.

From 1901 to 1903 Twain leased Wave Hill, an 1843 estate, which, at that time, was already a desirable piece of real estate, since the young Theodore Roosevelt had lived there previously, during the summers of 1870 and 1871.

Today, Twain’s chestnut tree is gone, but Wave Hill is still there in all its splendor: a 28-acre public botanical garden and cultural center, scenically located along the Hudson River in the Bronx’s Riverdale section.

A Bronx tale

A residential neighborhood in the Bronx, Riverdale doesn’t fit the picture long associated with New York City’s northernmost borough – that of widespread urban decay. (Heads-up to everyone who still believes this stereotype: today’s Bronx is rising from the rubble, with many areas boasting neat suburban-style houses and lush greenery).

Riverdale is the perfect example of the best the Bronx – and, for that matter, New York City – has to offer. Maybe because it borders the suburban Westchester County, Riverdale has the “laid-back” feel of a bedroom community rather than a hectic urban jungle. It is quiet, green, hilly, and generally softer around the edges than the city to the south.

And even though it is a relatively small section of the Bronx, Riverdale contains many small and pretty neighborhoods and estates – Fieldston, Bronx, Spuyten Duyvil , as well as South and North Riverdale.

Making their home in Riverdale

Mark Twain and Teddy Roosevelt were not the only famous Riverdale residents. The neighborhood also boasts other notables, both past and present:

• As a child, John F. Kennedy lived with his family at 5040 Independence Avenue and attended Riverdale Country School from 5th through 7th grade.
• Hungarian composer and pianist Bela Bartok lived at 3242 Cambridge Avenue between 1941 and 1943.
• The Yankees’ baseball star Lou Gehrig lived and died at 5204 Delafield Avenue.
• Fiorello LaGuardia, NYC’s mayor in the 1930s and 40s, called 5020 Goodridge Avenue “home.”
• Baseball great Willie Mays still lives at The Whitehall, 3333 Henry Hudson Pkwy.
• Eliot Spitzer, former Governor and Attorney General of New York, was born in Riverdale and graduated from the Horace Mann School

These are just some of many prominent Riverdale residents; more are listed here

Riverdale music lessons at your service

Do you live in Riverdale but don’t feel like coming to Manhattan for a music lesson? No problem, we understand! Hey Joe Guitar’s excellent teachers, who are “fluent” in all kinds instruments and singing styles will come to your home or office.

Contact us and we’ll be at your Riverdale doorstep very soon!

The post On the Waterfront: Riverdale’s Scenic Location appeared first on Hey Joe Guitar.

With a wide variety of music lessons we offer in Greenwich Village, Hey Joe Guitar fits right into this artsy and upbeat neighborhood.

The sounds of all the instruments we teach – guitar, piano, drums, trumpet, trombone, brass, reeds, saxophone, clarinet flute, violin, viola, cello, strings, accordion, ukulele, banjo, recorder, or mandolin (in addition to voice lessons) –blend in perfectly with the spirit of this lively and hip part of Lower Manhattan, which was once home to music legends like Bob Dylan, Jimmy Hendrix, Simon and Garfunkel, Joan Baez, and James Taylor.

Let’s take a walk along the streets that were once the stomping ground of Henry James, Edith Wharton, Edgar Allan Poe, Mark Twain, Walt Whitman, Eugene O’Neill, Norman Rockwell, Jackson Pollock, Mark Rothko, and scores of other famous (and infamous) artists.

“Out-of-the-box” neighborhood

If you were asked which part of NYC is most bohemian and funky – from its shops, coffee houses, bars and music haunts to its people – chances are you wouldn’t say “Wall Street!” That’s because this title goes to Greenwich Village, a small area below 14th and north of Houston Street, which has long been an undisputed hub for rebellious musicians, artists, writers, and other creative types. During the 1950s, this neighborhood (made up of East and West Village) had become a haven for members of a sub-culture movement known as the “Beat Generation” – a phrase coined by writer Jack Kerouac to describe young people who eschewed tradition and practiced unconventional lifestyle such as communal living and psychedelic drugs. Sometime Greenwich Village resident himself, Kerouac pioneered not only the Beat Generation, but also the Hippie movement of the 1960s.

Perhaps it is not coincidental that the hippies, at least those who chose the East Coast over Berkeley, California, flocked to the Village, attracted by its free-spirited, non-conformist ambiance.

Kerouac conveniently lived just around the corner from the White Horse Tavern at Hudson and 11th Streets, a bohemian hangout also frequented by fellow writers Norman Mailer and Dylan Thomas.  The bar, first opened in 1880, is still a favorite haunt for local residents and tourists alike.

While it still retains much of its bohemian feel, over the years rental prices in this once inexpensive neighborhood have risen dramatically.

As Norman Mailer (founder of the Village Voice newspaper) put it: “I got to the Village in 1955. One of the ironies of today is that unless you’re pretty high up in the bourgeois world, you can’t afford to live in Greenwich Village.”

(Needless to say, this could be said about almost any area of New York City).

Bring on the music

Maybe because so many artists used to live or perform here (think Pete Seeger, Joan Baez, Dave Brubeck, Sarah Vaughn, Lionel Hampton, and Dizzy Gillespie, among others), Greenwich Village has always had a vibrant and eclectic music scene, with excellent folk, blues, jazz and rock venues easy to find.

Here are some of Hey Joe Guitar’s favorite music haunts:

• The Bitter End rock club, at 147 Bleecker Street, where Stan Getz, Etta James, Carly Simon, Joni Mitchell and thousands of other musicians and comedians used to perform, is still a lively music venue.

• When he first arrived in NYC in 1961, Bob Dylan performed Woody Guthrie songs at Cafe Wha (yes, it’s the right spelling!), 115 MacDougal Street, which still rocks with live music seven days a week.

• Scores of artists recorded their albums in the basement of Village Vanguard Jazz Club (178 Seventh Avenue South), including Sonny Rollins’s “A Night at he Village Vanguard” in 1957. Vanguard’s own jazz orchestra plays there every Monday night, and other performers make guest appearances throughout the week.

• Sara Vaughn, Lionel Hampton and Tito Puente are just some of the well-known performers who played at the Blue Note. This jazz club and restaurant at 131 West Third Street still has excellent live music every evening.

Finding good music is (literally) a walk in the park

Are you in the mood for live music but want to stay outdoors? Stroll along one of Greenwich Village’s open-air spaces, the Washington Square Park.

Known for an arch and New York university campus buildings surrounding it, the park has long been a gathering spot for students, chess players, street musicians, and other performers. Both Joan Baez and Bob Dylan used to sing here.

In the summer, there is a free festival featuring classical and chamber music, opera and jazz.

Clearly, wherever you go in this neighborhood, there is a wide variety of music to be found in clubs, bars, and on the streets.  All those wonderful sounds might inspire you to learn to play an instrument too. All you have to do is call us and we’ll come to your Greenwich Village home or office to teach you.

Sometimes, it really does take a Village!

***

Photo Credit : quapan

The post It Take a (Greenwich) Village: NYC’s Artsy Enclave appeared first on Hey Joe Guitar.

Journalist and commentator Alistair Cooke once said that “New York is the biggest collection of villages in the world.”

He wasn’t wrong. Two of those “villages” are Tribeca and Soho in Lower Manhattan, which have a distinct ambiance of their own.

They are also prime examples of once-shoddy Manhattan neighborhoods that underwent a truly spectacular revival in the past 40 years, becoming two of NYC’s most upscale areas.

Tribeca (acronym for “Triangle below Canal Street”) stretches from Canal Street south to Vesey Street, and from Broadway west to the Hudson River.

Soho (for “South of Houston”) lies nearby, bounded by Houston Street on the north, Lafayette and Centre Streets on the east, Canal Street on the south, and West Broadway on the west.

The two neighborhoods share not only the location and a similar history, but also an impressive shabby-to-chic transformation: gritty industrial facilities that once dominated the local landscape have morphed into expensive real estate that ranks as the city’s priciest.

The fabric of NYC’s life

In the 18th century, residential homes were built in this area, but they were later demolished to make place for factories and warehouses.

That’s because in the 19th and first half of the 20th centuries, this area became a bustling center of textile industry. However, when these manufacturers and traders began to leave, the neighborhood had turned into a wasteland. Its main food market at that time was described by the New York Times as a “dirty, degraded little rat hole” – not exactly a magnet for well-heeled New Yorkers.

However, in the 1960s, that barren area started to experience a renaissance of sorts. Artists and musicians looking for cheap digs began to notice the potential of the large, empty spaces in the former warehouses. What also attracted their attention was the cast-iron architecture on many of the abandoned buildings. Due to its low cost, this material was used on the exterior facades primarily during the Industrial Revolution (1750 to 1850), before being replaced by steel as a construction material of choice. To this day, Soho has the most cast-iron buildings in the world, which makes this neighborhood a historic landmark.

A lofty idea

The rents in the unkempt neighborhood were low  – after all, who in their right mind would want to live in a “dirty, degraded little rat hole?” Only poor or alternative artists who didn’t care much about material comforts didn’t mind making their homes here.

And that’s what happened: the bohemians started to move into abandoned lofts, transforming the bleakly industrial factories and warehouses into beautiful living and work spaces.

The neighborhood started to boom. The prices of Tribeca and Soho lofts – and real estate in general – skyrocketed to the point that Forbes Magazine listed these two neighborhoods among the “most expensive zip codes” in the United States.

Aren’t you sorry you didn’t buy a Tribeca or Soho property when these areas were still affordable “diamonds in the rough?”

Living it up in lower Manhattan

You may not be able to afford a multi-million-dollar price tag for Tribeca or Soho digs, and you may never become a neighbor of Robert DeNiro, Beyoncé or Jay-Z (all of whom live in that area), but that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t explore these neighborhoods’ lively arts and music scene.

As befitting a neighborhood that was once (and still remains) a heaven for all sorts of artists and other creative types, it is brimming with art galleries, trendy restaurants, bars, and shops.

And what about “hot” music venues?”

There is certainly no shortage of those. For example:

• At SOBs (Sounds of Brazil) located at 204 Varick Street you can listen to all genres of music, not just Brazilian.

• Mercury Lounge at 217 East Houston Street and Bowery Ballroom, 6 Delancey Street, host a variety of live concerts.

• Canal Room at 285 West Broadway also rocks with live music, as does Mudd Club at 77 White Street.

We at Hey Joe Guitar love Tribeca and Soho’s artistic vibe, which is why we are happy to come to your home or office – or a loft! -anywhere in those neighborhoods (as well as other parts of Manhattan) and teach you to play an instrument of your choice.

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Photo Credit: jglsongs

The post TriBeCa and SoHo: So Hip and Trendy appeared first on Hey Joe Guitar.

Just because Tudor City is a small NYC neighborhood – just three blocks from north to south and one block east to west – doesn’t mean you can’t find important services there – like music lessons.

Yes, you can! In fact, we at Hey Joe Guitar offer a variety of music lessons in your Tudor City home or office, just as we do in many other Manhattan neighborhoods – big or small.

Why a residential area consisting of Neo-Gothic skyscrapers was named after England’s Tudor dynasty (which had a distinct architectural style of its own) is somewhat of a mystery.

Be it as it may, this East Side residential area, tucked between First and Second Avenues, and 40th and 43rd Streets, has an interesting history.

From beavers to high-rises

When one of the most prominent members of the Tudor dynasty, King Henry VIII was executing his wives over in England in the 1500’s, Manhattan was still a primitive island overran by beavers and other furry creatures.

It may be difficult to believe today, but when explorer Henry Hudson arrived in what is now Manhattan in 1607, he reportedly saw, according to one historic account, “a pleasant shore bordering a strait opening into an illusory ocean beyond…and the presence of fur-bearing animals, whose skins could be bought with trinkets and stuffs of the coarsest kinds.”

Fast forward to the 19th century. By mid-1800s, the farmland that covered much of the East Side, including the present location of Tudor City, had given way to a high-crime neighborhood of shoddy tenements where many poor Irish immigrants lived.

It took a real estate developer named Fred F. French to turn this decrepit area into what he imagined to be an “urban Utopia.” By the early 1930s, his dream was realized with the construction of nine high-rise apartment buildings, as well as a hotel (the current-day Hilton, at 304 E 42nd Street) that accommodated 4,500 residents.

A rich music history

Before we tell you where you can find great music haunts in the vicinity of Tudor City, here is a brief overview of the musical history of the Tudor era, which spans the period between 1485 and 1603.

While it is impossible to sum up nearly 120 years in just a few words, music, song and dance scene thrived during that time in England. In the cities, many musicians were sponsored and supported by the Church and the Royal Court. In the rural areas, where mostly poor farmers lived, folk ballads were performed in the villages and even in the fields.

Quite a few instruments were refined and perfected, including early forms of the violin called the viol, as well as the oboe called the hautboy. Keyboard musical instruments, such as the spinet, harpsichord and the virginal, were also popular.

Henry VIII might not have liked his wives very much, but he was reportedly a music aficionado who not only wrote music to the English folk song  “Greensleeves,” but also owned 10 trombones, 14 trumpets, five bagpipes, 76 recordes, and 78 flutes.  (It’s a good thing his palace walls were thick and, anyway, who would dare complain about the noise, considering his fondness for beheadings).

Party like the Tudors!

Ok, so you may not be able to find many venues nowadays where you can listen to the sounds of the viol, hautboy, spinet, harpsichord and the virginal (though we at Hey Joe Guitar can teach you to play modern-day versions of these instruments).

Still, there are quite a few places just blocks away from Tudor City where you can listen to live music.

For example:

• Live jazz, funk and R & B can be heard seven days a week at SOMETHIN’ Jazz Club, 212 E. 52nd Street, between Second and 3rd Avenue.

• Tuesday and Thursday evenings are jazz nights at McAnn’s,

• 948 First Avenue and 52nd Street.

• Lunchtime is a jazz-at-noon time at Saint Bart’s, 109 50th Street and Park Avenue.

• Something a bit different: Jazz sessions every Wednesday at 1 PM at St. Peter’s Church, 619 Lexington Avenue and 54th Street.

As you can see, Tudor City might be small, but music venues, as well as music lessons, abound.

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Photo Credit: ahisgett

The post Royals Don’t Live in Tudor City, but it is Fit for a King! appeared first on Hey Joe Guitar.

As neighborhoods go, the Lower East Side (also known as LES) is a bustling, high-energy area that truly symbolizes the “melting pot” concept of people from different countries, cultures, and ethnic backgrounds living together. This kind of diversity defines not only the ambiance of the Lower East Side, but many other NYC neighborhoods as well.

Stretching east from the Bowery to the East River Park, bounded on the north by Houston Street and on the south by Canal Street and East Broadway, this once shabby part of Manhattan has morphed over the years into a trendy enclave.

But it wasn’t always like this.

Give me your tired, your poor…

“Everybody ought to have a Lower East Side in their life,” said famed composer Irving Berlin, who certainly knew what he was talking about because, upon their arrival in America in 1893, his family had lived in a cold-water-only basement apartment on Cherry Street. In fact, lower Manhattan is just a hop skip and jump away from the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, where millions of immigrants were processed between 1892 and 1954. A lot of these people settled, like Berlin, on the LES, in what was then a gritty, crime-ridden slum. There is no better place to get a sense of how the “huddled masses yearning to breathe free” used to live here than the Lower East Side Tenement Museum at 103 Orchard Street. In addition to being the epicenter of LES’s history, the eight blocks along Orchard Street provide great “retail therapy” – a wide variety of goods that can be bought at rock-bottom prices.

From rags to riches

In a way, the LES’s history is the quintessential story of the “American dream.”

From a poor neighborhood populated by immigrants trying to make a better life for themselves, the Lower East Side has gradually become a vibrant “in” place of entertainment, dining, and art galleries.

This part of Manhattan is also considered to be more relaxed than neighborhoods to the north. Its easy and casual vibe prompted Lady Gaga to leave her family’s Upper West Side apartment and move to the LES. Her digs at 176 Stanton Street were considerably less posh than her former home, but living in a slightly run-down house had allowed the budding artist to, as she put it, “understand a whole different side of the pavement.”

Another advantage of the Lower East Side, especially for the artsy, creative types, is its vicinity to the East Village.

The (relatively) new kid on the block

Geographically the East Village, bounded by Houston Street to 14th Street and East River to Fourth Avenue, is part of the Lower East Side.

However, geography aside, the East Village has forged an identity of its own. The beatniks, musicians, artists and hippies who flocked to Greenwich Village in the 1950s and 60s were also setting up camp in the eastern part of the neighborhood, which, fittingly enough, got the name of East Village. As a 1964 New York Times guide pointed out, “artists, poets and promoters of coffeehouses from Greenwich Village are trying to remelt the neighborhood under the high-sounding name of ‘East Village.’”

Funky and hip

East Village has many claims to fame, one of which is that it boasts the highest concentration of bars in NYC.

It was also a starting point for careers of numerous musicians like Patti Smith.  Bands such as The Grateful Dead, Led Zeppelin, Sly and the Family Stone, and the Allman Brothers also performed in the neighborhood.

What about today’s music scene?

It is just as alive. Here are just some of the places on the Lower East Side and East Village where you can listen to live performances:

• It may be called Arlene’s Grocery (and it used to be), but nowadays this venue at 95 Stanton Street (not far from where Lady Gaga used to live) features up-and-coming bands.

• Every night, Joe’s Pub at 425 Lafayette Street has live performances of various music styles.

• Are you a fan of experimental and avant-garde music? You can hear some every night between 8 and 10 PM at the Stone, located on the corner of Avenue C and Second Street.

Call us, maybe

Okay, so we are making a reference here to Carly Rae Jepsen’s hit song, but, kidding aside, if you live or work on the Lower East Side or in the East Village (or any other part of Manhattan for that matter), we’ll be happy to come to you and give you music lessons.

We teach a variety of instruments, whatever your age and level may be.

So do call us –no ifs, buts, ands, or…maybes!

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Photo Credit: Paul Lowry

The post High Times in Low Manhattan (It Includes East Village Too)! appeared first on Hey Joe Guitar.

One of the coolest things about New York City is how neighborhoods with very different vibes blend smoothly into each other – a seamless fusion that you’d expect to experience in this “melting pot” of a city.

Take the Financial District and South Street Seaport, for example. The former is a hub of the country’s economic powerhouses such as the New York Stock Exchange and the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. On any given day of the week, over quarter of a million people descend upon this part of Lower Manhattan to work in banks and other financial institutions. The latter is a relaxed and laid-back area that looks and feels more like a harbor town than a busy city. And yet both these neighborhoods co-habit side by side on the southern tip of Manhattan, each with a distinct ambiance of its own.

A neighborhood of contrasts The Financial District, also called the FiDi, is located in the southernmost section of Manhattan, between the East River and West Street. With a bird’s eye view, the FiDi looks like a sea of modern mega-skyscrapers. But if you look at the neighborhood from the ground level, you might be surprised to see many old two- and three-story brick buildings. They may be dwarfed by the surrounding high-rises, but they are the important vestiges of New York’s (and America’s) history. The Federal Hall on Wall Street, for example, was the location of George Washington’s inauguration as America’s first president, on April 30, 1789. That was the time when settlers from Europe started to build wooden homes here, giving this part of Manhattan (or New Amsterdam, in those days) the look of a small but growing town, which would eventually morph into the financial nerve center of the United States. History on every corner Just a stone’s throw away from the Financial Center lies a neighborhood that projects a totally different feel – that of an old seafaring town. It is not by accident that this part of the city, wedged into the intersection of Fulton Street and the East River, is called South Street Seaport – it is located in the southern-most section of Manhattan and it does have an atmosphere of a seaport, even though it sits on a river. A fleet of old ships moored by the harbor is a constant reminder that this site was once the busiest port in America and historic (though now renovated) buildings once stood along the cobblestone streets. After the Brooklyn Bridge was built in 1870, however, local merchants and residents moved away and the neighborhood fell into disrepair. It was only in the second half of the 20th century that a group of citizens started to turn this community into an open-air museum. The original Fulton Street fish market is no longer there, but a weekend specialty market occupies the former fish stalls along South Street. Eat, drink (in moderation) and be merry! Yes, the South Street Seaport is a beehive of activity, with music festivals, live performances (including at the historic Pier 17), art exhibits, and plenty of shopping and dining options. What about the FiDi? Once the hustle and bustle of a workday is over, the majority of people leave the business district. However, for over 50,000 people this neighborhood is home sweet home. Fortunately, the Financial District is not just all work and no fun! For instance:

• George Washington might not have slept at Fraunces Tavern on 54 Pearl Street, but he did use the premises of New York City’s oldest building (dating back to 1762) to give a farewell speech to his troops in 1783.

• For live concerts featuring various bands, head to Canal Room at 285 West Broadway.

• John Street Bar and Grill at 17 John Street is a great after-work bar dive, and even the most serious financiers need to relax and let their hair down once in a while!

Let’s play together!

If you live or work in the Financial District or South Street Seaport neighborhoods, you can make your own beautiful music!

How? Hey Joe Guitar will teach you! Our music school is mobile, so we will be happy to come to your home or office and give you music lessons on any instrument that strikes your fancy.

Just call or email us and…make a playdate!

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 Photo Credit: vincent desjardins

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When people talk about the “Manhattan vibe,” they envision a high-energy, hyperactive place that bursts at the seams with people, noise, and chaos. (Don’t get us wrong -we LOVE Manhattan!)

Maybe they’ve never visited Battery Park City, an urban oasis that is  “un-Manhattan-like” in many ways:  on a cold winter day the only noise you will likely hear is the whistling of the wind. In warmer weather, its tree-lined streets, lush greenery, and a 1.2-mile pedestrian esplanade along the Hudson provide a welcome respite from the hustle and bustle of midtown and uptown areas – not to mention stunning views of Jersey City’s downtown district on the other side.

Yes, Battery Park City is a great neighborhood, tranquil enough to relax in and…recharge your batteries!

The river runs through it

Well, to be accurate, the Hudson actually runs by the edge of this neighborhood, providing the western boundary to the area bordered to the east by 12th Avenue / West Side Highway.

Long before this area on the tip of Lower Manhattan became a neighborhood it is today, it was just a rocky ledge. When Native Americans and Dutch settlers arrived here in the early 17th century, they built a “battery” of cannons around the rugged shore. That’s how this part of Manhattan later got its name.

In the 19th century, as more and more immigrants sailed to America, the site was used as a welcoming and processing center before Ellis Island opened in 1892. Today, Historic Battery Park marks the location of immigrants’ arrival in New York.

Battery Park City as it is today was built over filled-in land of soil, sand and rocks excavated from other construction sites – including that of the World Trade Center towers. This planned community originally started out as an innovative experiment in urban living: to create an inner-city neighborhood with a small-town / suburban feel.

Mission accomplished!

Rooms with the view

Okay, so it depends on where in this area you happen to live. If you are lucky, you’ll get a glimpse of the Statue of Liberty, the glass-and-steel towers of the World Financial Center, the New York Harbor or, as mentioned above, Jersey City’s skyline.

If your apartment doesn’t provide rooms with the view, head to Wagner Park where you can admire not only beautifully landscaped scenery, but also sweeping vistas from the roof deck of the Park Pavilions. And just strolling along the waterfront esplanade gives you some great views as well.

Wagner Park is a very scenic location, but it is not the only haven of serenity and greenery in this neighborhood. Other public spaces, such as South Cove, West Thames Park, and Rector Park, all have a quiet charm of their own.

And let’s not forget Battery Park itself, scenically located on the neighborhood’s southern shore. Its beautiful waterfront and flower gardens are certainly worth repeated visits.

A Sunday In Battery Park

Though this is the title of a song written by ABBA’s Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus, Sunday – or any day for that matter – is indeed a good time for a leisurely stroll or a more energetic jog through the park’s pathways.

What else is there to do in the neighborhood besides walking running, admiring the views, as well as free summer concerts in the parks? Since Battery Park City is predominantly a residential area, it doesn’t have as many entertainment venues as other parts of Manhattan.

But no need to worry – just a quick jaunt to the nearby Tribeca will give you a vast array of trendy dining, clubbing, and other entertainment options. And there is no shortage of legendary haunts where you can listen to a wide variety of music styles – Mercury Lounge, Canal Room and SOBs, just to mention a few.

What if you don’t feel like leaving the neighborhood but would still like to hear some good music?

We can help you, by bringing “music” right to your doorstep!

At Hey Joe Guitar, we can come to your Battery Park City home or office and teach you to play any instrument or give you voice lessons – any age and any level.

See, it’s as easy as a… walk in the Park!

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Photo Credit: Anthony Quintan

The post Battery Park City: A Quiet Nook in Manhattan appeared first on Hey Joe Guitar.

Say what you will about Harlem’s reputation as dangerous and squalid, but this neighborhood is no longer the symbol of urban decay. If it were, would a former president of the United States open his offices there?

In 2001, when Bill Clinton headquartered his Foundation at 55 West 125th Street, this is how he explained his choice of the location: “Harlem always struck me as a place that was human and alive, where there was a rhythm to life and a song in the heart, where no matter how bad it was, people held up their heads and went on, and where, when things got good, people were grateful and cared about their neighbors.”

That’s the kind of Harlem its residents are proud of: one of the most important historic centers of African American culture and arts. It is home to 12 colleges – including the prestigious Columbia University – 14 museums, and numerous music venues.

To say that Harlem has a very distinct vibe of its own would be an understatement: from a once downtrodden area, it has morphed into one of NYC’s most vibrant neighborhoods.

Harlem globetrotters

In the mid-17th century, Dutch settlers named this part of upper Manhattan, located between 110th and 135th Streets, Nieuw Harlem, after the city of Harlem in the Netherlands.

In those early days, this area was a farming community, which had become, by the beginning of the 18th century, an upper-middle-class suburb of NYC. Eventually, however, the land became barren and the residents started to abandon their properties. Irish immigrants began to squat in the neighborhood, turning the desolate area into a shantytown.

However, like the mythical phoenix bird rising from the ashes, Harlem experienced a remarkable revival, sparked by scores of talented and creative people who settled here at the dawn of the 20th century.

Great expectations

Modern Harlem’s history of transformation from a slum to a vibrant multicultural area it is today began in the early 1900s, with the influx of African Americans from the southern states. Freed from slavery only decades earlier, they started to move north, with many of them settling in Harlem. People of African – Caribbean descent also flocked to this part of Manhattan. Together, these new arrivals laid foundation for a phenomenon that became known as the “Harlem Renaissance.”

During this period in the 1920s and 30s, Harlem saw a veritable explosion of music and other artistic expressions.  Jazz, blues, swing, big band, and spirituals had their heyday, launching the careers of singers and musicians who would become world famous, among them Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, and Sarah Vaughan, Louis Armstrong, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Billie Holiday, and countless others.

Their careers were often launched at venues that have survived to this day and are now considered to be a legendary part of Harlem’s history.

Harlem nights

It’s impossible to talk about the neighborhood’s music scene, past and present, without mentioning the Apollo Theater at 253 West 125th Street, one of the most famous music halls not only in NYC, but also in the whole of the United States.

In addition to the above-mentioned performers, this landmark launched the careers of other vocalists and musicians as well: Diana Ross & The Supremes, Gladys Knight & the Pips, Jackson 5, Marvin Gaye, Patti LaBelle, Stevie Wonder, Luther Vandross, and many others. In 1964, Jimi Hendrix won the first place prize in an Amateur Night, an Apollo tradition that is still thriving today.

And let’s not forget the Cotton Club, another legendary Harlem music venue at 656 West 125th Street. Actually, its early years in the 1920s were not exactly boastful, at least by today’s standards. Reflecting the mores and practices of that era, the club was segregated – only white patrons could come to the establishment, where they were entertained by black artists.

But despite this shameful past, the Cotton Club has become a true Harlem tradition. Through performances by – among other renowned entertainers of the day – Duke Ellington, Cab Calloway, Count Basie, Billie Holiday, Nat King Cole, Ella Fitzgerald, and Josephine Baker, the club has been an important part of our country’s jazz history.

Today, the Cotton Club is still a great live music haunt open to all, where you can listen to jazz, blues, swing and gospel.

Let’s play together!

We at Hey Joe Guitar agree with President Clinton: Harlem definitely has “a rhythm to life and a song in the heart.” That is why we are happy to offer music lessons in this NYC neighborhood, which vibrates with so many different sounds.

Whatever instrument you’d like to learn, we will come to your Harlem home or office – or any other Manhattan neighborhood, for that matter – and teach you.

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 Photo Credit: Simon Whitaker

The post Harlem: NYC Neighborhood That has its Own Rhythm appeared first on Hey Joe Guitar.

Among all of NYC neighborhoods, the section known as Midtown West is one of the busiest and liveliest. Every day (and much of the night as well), it is a beehive of frantic activity and nervous energy – always on the move, never at rest. That may be why New York is known as a city that never sleeps. In a span of just a few minutes, hundreds of taxis whizz by, cars honk, street vendors sell hot dogs and other fare, and throngs of pedestrians elbow their way through the sidewalk. This cacophony of sounds, sights and smells is a quintessential Midtown West, the part of Manhattan that famous architect Le Corbursier referred to as “the vertical city with unimaginable diamonds.”

Bright lights, big city Take our word for it: no one who lives, works, or just visits this lively neighborhood — which stretches from 30th to 59th Street on the west side of Fifth Avenue — will ever be bored. Whether you look straight ahead, behind you, left, right, or even skyward, there is something interesting to see. Some of the most famous NYC landmarks are right there in Midtown West, starting with the ultimate high-rise (and not just for King Kong) — the Empire State Building, located at 350 Fifth Avenue. The junction of Broadway and Seventh Avenue, between 42nd and 47th Streets, is the home of Times Square, possibly the most dazzling sight in the whole of New York. And let’s not forget the Rockefeller Center at Fifth Avenue and 49th Street, not exactly small potatoes if you consider that millions of people from all over the world visit this spot each year, especially during the holidays, when a spectacular Christmas tree illuminates the site with thousands of lights. The vicinity of Rockefeller Center is also famous, because that’s where Radio City music Hall is located at 1260 Sixth Avenue. The legendary home of the Rockettes is the largest indoor theater in the world, and certainly among the major music venues in the city, along with Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center, both of which “live” in the Midtown West as well. And let’s not forget this neighborhood’s history as a textile-manufacturing hub, with numerous designers’ offices, wholesale and retail shops still in existence along Seventh Avenue, between 34th Street and Times Square – the area known as the Garment or the Fashion District. And, of course, there is no shortage of dining options in this neighborhood – restaurants, diners, and coffee shops abound at practically every turn. A hell of a neighborhood Despite its name, Hell’s Kitchen is not actually a restaurant (if it were, we are guessing that not many people would want to eat there). It is an area located within Midtown West, between 34th and 52nd Streets, and Eight Avenue to the Hudson River. Though nobody knows for sure how the rather unusual name originated, fact is that from the 19th century until the 1980s, this used to be one tough and dangerous neighborhood, where numerous gang wars played out on almost daily basis. In the past 30 years, however, the area has been cleaned up, “reformed,” and given a new identity: Clinton. Today, Hell’s Kitchen / Clinton is a “respectable” area full of theaters and restaurants – a long way from its gritty beginnings. Given this transformation, New Yorkers now venture into the formerly hellish neighborhood with a new “devil-may-care” attitude! Give our regards to Broadway! We can’t talk about Midtown West (or even New York City, for that matter), without giving its due to Broadway. Not just the street, mind you, but everything it represents: the artistic and musical center of our great city. Whether you call it the Theater District or the Great White Way, for more than a century this stretch of Manhattan, as well as the neighboring streets and avenues, have housed dozens of theaters big and small. Broadway musicals are legendary; no wonder so many of us can play, sing (or at least hum or whistle) some of the more famous tunes. We at Hey Joe Guitar love all the music that’s rocking Broadway – and Midtown West as a whole. If you live or work in this neighborhood and would like to learn to play an instrument, call us. We’ll come to your residence or place of business and teach you. Even in Hell’s Kitchen, we’ll make heavenly music together!

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Photo Credit: Paul Lowry

The post Midtown West: It’s not Just the Lullaby of Broadway appeared first on Hey Joe Guitar.

If we had to describe the Midtown East section of Manhattan succinctly, we’d say it’s a quieter version of the adjacent neighborhood lying to the west. There is less of a hectic activity going on here, on the eastern side of Fifth Avenue, than the high energy emanating from Midtown West. And that’s a great thing about NYC – neighboring areas generate a totally different buzz and yet they are all part of the same city. Talk about diversity! The house Cornelius built (and other landmarks) Midtown East stretches from 42nd to 59th Street, and from Fifth Avenue to the East River. While it is a section of its own, it also comprises several smaller, mostly residential “sub-neighborhoods” like Tudor City, Sutton Place, Murray Hill, Kips Bay, and Turtle Bay. By the sound of their names, you’d imagine quiet, laid-back towns rather than a bustling city that surrounds them.

As we mentioned before, Midtown East in no match for its west-side neighbor in terms of the vibe, but it is home to some of NYC’s best-known architectural landmarks. Along 42nd Street and Park Avenue is one of the most opulent railroad stations in the United States. The Grand Central Terminal is worth mentioning not only because 750,000 people pass through this site every day, but also because of its history. It was built at the end of the 19th century for Cornelius Vanderbilt’s expanding railroad network. Reflecting the fashion of the day, it was constructed in the Beaux Arts style. Exquisite features such as the four-sided brass clock, and the circular marble and brass pagoda make this building an interesting architectural landmark. In the 1960s, there was talk of razing the station but, after much debate and controversy, concerned New Yorkers, including Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, saved the building from the wrecking ball. Another notable Midtown East landmark is the Chrysler building, at 405 Lexington Avenue. This 77-story skyscraper, constructed in 1930, was for a short time the tallest building in New York, until Empire State Building stole the thunder a year later with its 102 floors. Still, with the Art Deco style and stainless steel exterior, the Chrysler Building remains to this day a prominent part of the NYC’s skyline. And let’s not forget St. Patrick’s Cathedral, located at 460 Madison Avenue. The church opened in 1879 and is still a well-known New York landmark, visited by more than 5.5 million people each year. It is interesting to see how the neo-Gothic church is flanked on both sides by tall, modern buildings – the eclectic blend of the old and new styles that cohabit harmoniously on the same sidewalk. It’s in the pocket! When people think of New York, they conjure up images of gigantic buildings and huge, open spaces, like Central Park. But the Midtown East district is just the opposite. In line with the idea that “less is more,” several parks in this part of Manhattan were created on small pieces of land – the minuscule (by urban standards) size that justifies their name, “vest pocket parks.” Greenacre Park at 53rd Street and Lexington Avenue measures only 60 by 120 feet, but with its well-designed multi-level sitting, a waterfall, shady areas, and an outdoor café, this space provides respite and relaxation. Another green oasis in this neighborhood is the Paley Park, the 4,200 square feet space located nearby, at 3 East 53rd Street. Like Greenacre, it also has a waterfall and seating under the trees. Both these “vest pocket parks” prove that a quiet and relaxing oasis can be found even in the urban jungle! We’ll come to you We at Hey Joe Guitar love all kinds of New York neighborhoods: east, west, uptown or downtown – we feel at home wherever we go. And we do get around! Our music school is mobile, so we go wherever in Manhattan our customers work or live. Is your home or office in Midtown East? That’s not a problem: we will come to you and teach you to play an instrument of your choice.

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Photo Credit: S. Diddy

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“Woke up, it was a Chelsea morning, and the first thing that I heard Was a song outside my window, and the traffic wrote the words. It came a-reeling up like Christmas bells, and rapping up like pipes and drums.”

What better description of a NYC’s neighborhood is there than the words of Joni Mitchell’s 1969 song, “Chelsea Morning.” (Yes, the singer actually did live in Chelsea when she wrote this tune).

The song inspired Bill and Hillary Clinton to name their daughter Chelsea. And Collins performed this song at President Clinton’s 1993 Inaugural ball.

Is this the only example of a song about a Manhattan neighborhood inspiring a person’s name? We are not sure, but let’s just say that there are no people (to our knowledge) named Hell’s Kitchen!

London calling!

Actually, the name of this west side neighborhood, stretching from 14th to 29th Street and from Broadway to Hudson River, is not totally original.

In the mid-18th century, a retired British Major Thomas
Clarke bought 94 acres of land in this part of Manhattan and named it Chelsea, after an English military hospital. His own mansion was built on what is now West 23rd Street, the site of the present-day London Terrace building. (And yes, there is a neighborhood called Chelsea in London as well.)

Over the centuries, Chelsea’s history mirrored that of other NYC neighborhoods – from the influx of immigrants settling in the area, to a gritty district full of lumberyards, breweries, and tenements for low-income people.

Prior to World War I, before Hollywood became the motion picture capital of America, Chelsea was the center of the (silent) film industry; in fact, several of Mary Pickford’s movies were made on the top floor of an armory building at 221 West 26th Street.

“Market” value

In recent decades Chelsea has blossomed into a combination of an artsy, commercial, and residential enclave, which – like other NYC neighborhoods – has maintained its ethnic and social diversity. Some local historic landmarks also remain, including 19th century buildings and sites.

One of them is the Chelsea Market, located in the lower part of his neighborhood, between 15th and 16th Street, and Ninth and Tenth Avenue. Before it became an indoor shopping and food mall, the building housed the National Biscuit Company, maker of the Oreo cookies.

The company eventually left New York City, but the ground floor of the building, was later redesigned into an arcade brimming with food stores and restaurants.

And, if you are looking for live entertainment in the neighborhood, you can have your pick of several high-vibe haunts:

You don’t have to have a defiant streak to enjoy Rebel, Chelsea’s dance, lounge, and live music venue at 251 West 30th Street.

Even if you don’t remember (or had no chance to experience) hot sounds of Havana in the 1950s, you can relive them at Son Cubano at 44 West 27th Street –so “real,” you’d never know you were in Chelsea!

For a multi-disciplinary feel of the artistic input from the media, literature, and performing arts, head to The Kitchen at 12 West 19th Street. No cooking required, just a curious mind!

Let’s strum, drum, blow, or hit the keys together!

As you can see, Chelsea has a lot to offer! If you are looking for Manhattan music lessons, we are here for you!

Hey Joe Guitar teaches all kinds of instruments to people of all levels and ages in this neighborhood, and we’ll be happy to come to your Chelsea home or office as well.

Call us – whether you need us during the Chelsea morning, afternoon or evening – as long as your neighbors won’t mind!

The post Chelsea: A Gem of a Neighborhood on the West Side appeared first on Hey Joe Guitar.

Her website mentions how, as a child, she used to go to fancy restaurants in the neighborhood and dance around, using her breadsticks as batons. Later, she waitressed at an Upper West Side diner and bought herself a Gucci handbag with the money she made at that job. However, the multi-platinum and Grammy Award-winning artist is not the only famous musician who lived on Upper West Side or sought Manhattan music lessons. Scores (no pun intended) of music greats also flocked to the neighborhood at one time or another: Duke Ellington, Miles Davis, Judy Collins, Billy Joel, Carly Simon, Sting, James Taylor, and Madonna are just some of the celebrated performers who made their home in this part of Manhattan, nestled between Central Park and the Hudson River, and West 59^th and 110^th Streets. As a matter of fact, some neighborhood landmarks had become indelibly linked with the music industry legends who lived or worked here over the years. For example, the iconic Dakota building on West 72nd Street has become known as the home of John Lennon, Leonard Bernstein, and Judy Garland; Igor Stravinsky, Sergei Rachmaninoff, and Gustav Mahler composed at the storied Ansonia at 2109 Broadway, also the stomping ground of Enrico Caruso and Arturo Toscanini. There may be a reason why the Ansonia, originally a hotel, was a favorite haunt for performers. According to a New York Times article, the building’s architect, William Earl Dodge Stokes, “built it for musicians, and that’s why the doors to each apartment were double-width, so grand pianos could easily be moved in and out. It’s also been claimed that the temperature-control system, a great benefit for sinuses, lured singers.” Alive with the sound of music A diverse and vibrant part of NYC, the Upper West Side is a veritable treasure trove of arts and culture. The famous Julliard School of Music, Lincoln Center, the Avery Fisher Hall — home of the New York Philharmonic — as well as Metropolitan Opera are also located here. But classical music is not the only kind that resounds through the neighborhood. Various local venues offer excellent live jazz, blues, rock, and other beats to satisfy all tastes. And since Upper West Side is part of the city that never sleeps, most of these clubs are jamming it up into the wee hours of the morning. For example, The Smoke Club at 2751 Broadway, Cleopatra’s Needle, 2485 Broadway, or Dizzy’s Club Coca Cola (33 W 60th St), are just three the of many great places where you can listen to hot live jazz or jazz and blues. Have instrument will travel Given such a rich and eclectic musical tradition, is it any wonder that we at Hey Joe Guitar music school absolutely LOVE the Upper West Side? We are happy to be a part of this neighborhood and nurture its residents’ love and appreciation of music by teaching them to play a variety of instruments in the comfort and convenience of their Upper West Side home or office. And don’t be misled by our name – we are not just a guitar school and don’t only offer guitar lessons. Like the neighborhood we live in, we are much more versatile than that. With Hey Joe Guitar, you can learn to play practically any instrument: guitar, piano, voice, drums, trumpet, trombone, brass, reeds, saxophone, clarinet flute, violin, viola, cello, strings, accordion, ukulele, banjo, recorder, and mandolin. We also offer composition, songwriting, and voice lessons; in fact, we can give you any type of music lesson you can think of. With such broad and diverse offerings, we are a good fit with Upper West Side, a bustling neighborhood that Lady Gaga and many other prominent artists call “home.”

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“My 9 year old son started taking lessons from Hey Joe Guitar in early Feb. 2011 and let me tell you he LOVES it — LOVES his instructor! Even invited our HJG instructor . . .” “My Daughter Loves Her Guitar Lessons with Joe! I could not have asked for a more compassionate and patient guitar teacher for my eight year old daughter . . .” Update: Read our review from MommyPoppins!

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