Did you know that March marks the International Women’s Month, not only in this country, but also all over the world?

There are numerous reasons to honor women past and present, because they have made significant contributions to arts, humanities, sciences, politics, as well as many other areas. And not just the famous ones, mind you, but also the so-called “unsung heroines” who, through their efforts and dedication, have made a meaningful impact on our lives.

We at Hey Joe Guitar would like to celebrate the women of the world by honoring female composers. Yes, you heard it right – FEMALE COMPOSERS. If you think that composition is strictly a man’s domain, prepare to be surprised!

Out of the shadows

We know that there are many women songwriters, but, throughout the centuries, there had also been women composers of classical music. They are not as well known as their male counterparts (historically, women always had to struggle for recognition),
but their contributions to music have been remarkable.

Obviously, we can’t list all of them here, but we are pleased to introduce you to several who had composed beautiful pieces of music that remain largely unknown. We think this is a great opportunity to present some of these gifted women who have lived in the shadow of male composers far too long.

Lack of recognition

The names Mendelsshon and Schumann are familiar to music lovers, but we are not talking about Felix and Robert, respectively. Rather, we are referring to Felix’s sister Fanny and Robert’s wife Clara.

Let’s start with Fanny (1805-1847). Although she showed musical aptitude from an early age, she did not get as much encouragement and support as her brother did. In fact, in an 1820 letter to her, Fanny’s father wrote: “Music will perhaps become his [i.e. Felix’s] profession, while for you it can and must be only an ornament.”

In her short life (she died at 42 from a stroke), Fanny composed 460 pieces of music, many of which were published under Felix’s name. To those who had an opportunity to hear her work , there’s no doubt that Fanny was a talented composer in her own right.

What about Clara Schumann (1819 – 1896)? A child prodigy who performed recitals around Europe from an early age, Clara’s deftness at the piano won her an admiration of composers like Frederic Chopin and Niccolo Paganini, among others. Her most fervent admirer, however, was a man who would become her husband, Robert Schumann.

While Clara was a successful pianist, she was not widely recognized as a composer, even though she composed a number of piano concertos and other pieces of music . As she once explained, “Composing gives me great pleasure… there is nothing that surpasses the joy of creation, if only because through it one wins hours of self-forgetfulness, when one lives in a world of sound.”

However, since Clara never received any popular acclaim for her works (even though her husband was supportive), she eventually gave up composing. “I once believed that I possessed creative talent, but I have given up this idea,” she said. “A woman must not desire to compose—there has never yet been one able to do it. Should I expect to be the one?”

Sadly, Clara’s music, like that of so many other women composers of her time, had never been taken seriously.

Prolific composers of yore

Of course there had been many other women composers throughout history, and most of them had no family ties to male musicians. Marianne Martinez and Louise Farrenc were among them.

Marianne (1744 – 1812) frequently performed with Mozart (they were both Austrian) and worked in the shadows of famous male composers of that era. However, she went down in history as the creator of the only symphony written by a woman during the Classical period.

Louise (1804- 1875) was a French composer who wrote music not only for the piano, but for chamber ensembles and orchestras as well.

To know them is to love them

At our NYC music school we are happy to honor women composers, songwriters, and musicians in general – past and present. In fact, we are open to all kinds of music, even to the works that have been little known by general public.

Our excellent teachers will be happy to come to your Manhattan, Brooklyn, or Riverdale home or office and give you or your child music lessons on an instrument of your choice – whatever gender (or age) you are.

Photo by unknown, available under Creative Commons License

The post Women’s Movement: Manhattan Music School Honors Female Composers appeared first on Hey Joe Guitar.

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

Ralph Waldo Emerson

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

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

Let the music begin (and continue!)

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

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

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

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

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

Busting some myths

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

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

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

A musical interlude in your busy week

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

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

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

Photo by Music Master

The post With NYC Music School, You’ll Never Be Out of Practice appeared first on Hey Joe Guitar.

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

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

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

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

The science behind it all

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

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

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

Rein in your wandering thoughts

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

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

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

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

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

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

The bottom line…

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

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

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

Photo by Vikingmaid

The post Don’t Be Out of Focus – Let NYC Music School Help Out appeared first on Hey Joe Guitar.

Music is good for human beings –it makes us calmer, smarter, more emotionally balanced, and happier. We are not exactly reinventing the wheel here because the beneficial effects of music are well known.

But wait – let’s take this one step farther. Did you also know that non-humans enjoy playing music as well? This news comes from an unlikely (at least in this context) institution – Smithsonian’s National ZOO in Washington D.C, which has its animals playing various musical instruments.

Now, this may sound like monkey business, but the zoo’s management explained in a statement that musical activities “allow animals to demonstrate their species-typical behavior, to allow them to exercise control or choice over their environment, and to enhance their well-being.” The zoo concedes that while animals wouldn’t necessarily encounter a keyboard or the harmonica in the wild, “the activity engages their sight, touch and hearing senses.”

What this means is that ALL creatures large and small, and not just humans, draw benefit from music.

The zoo is alive with the sound of music

In all fairness, the zoo doesn’t claim that its animals are virtuoso musicians. As these videos demonstrate, at very best they could be categorized as beginners, but they should certainly get applauded for being curious and enthusiastic – the very same qualities that human musicians should have.

Having said that, otters could very well be an exception. The zoo gave them a keyboard and reports that the mammals have mastered the music of “Chopsticks” (also known as – even more appropriately – “The Flea Waltz”) and advanced “to something bolder, more expressive and individualistic”.

Here are more “awww” moments: an orangutan playing the xylophone and a bear blowing into the harmonica . We are not quite sure what melody the bear cub is playing but we’d like to think it is, fittingly enough,  “The Lion Sleeps Tonight.”

Not a dog and pony show

At Hey Joe Guitar, we are animal lovers. However, we will not give music lessons to your pets – whether you own a dog, cat, zebra, or an orangutan. Our teachers are well trained and highly qualified, but their experience is limited to humans (we are not saying animals can’t be taught to play, but we are not the ones to teach them!)  Just like a leopard can’t change his spots, we can’t make a horse play the guitar either!

But if you, your child, or another (two-legged) family member would like to learn an instrument, we’ll come to your Manhattan, Brooklyn or Riverdale (Bronx) home or office to give you lessons. We won’t even mind if your animal sits in on the lesson – talk about the proverbial elephant in the room!

Photo by Christina Quinn

The post A NYC Music School That’s Not For the Birds appeared first on Hey Joe Guitar.

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

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

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

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

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

Musical miracles

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

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

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

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

To your health!

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

Photo be Helder Silva

The post Start Therapy – At NYC Music School appeared first on Hey Joe Guitar.

If you think that Christmas is over, you are right… but also wrong! While the Catholic and Protestant celebrations are indeed behind us, Eastern Orthodox churches are yet to commemorate this holy event on January 7.

Actually, Eastern Orthodox congregations don’t dispute December 25 as the time of Christ’s birth, but they follow a different calendar – one that lags behind by nearly two weeks.

The Orthodox churches adhere to an old, Julian calendar, named after its creator Julius Caesar, who introduced it in 46 BC as a reform of the ancient Roman timetable. In 1582, however, Pope Gregory XIII modified the Julian calendar in order to correct its inaccuracies and miscalculations, such as 11 extra minutes each year, which was not compatible with the timing of the solar year.

The Gregorian calendar made up for the 11-minute discrepancy and has been widely used throughout the world. But the liturgical calendar of the Eastern Orthodox Church continues to follow the Julian system. So now you know: Christmas is celebrated on January 7 and New Year on the 14th.

Different dates, same faith

Despite the discrepancy in the timing of their observances, members of the Orthodox Church celebrate the same sacraments as other Christians. In fact, in the early days of Christianity, Roman Catholics and Orthodox congregants worshipped together. The split between the two denominations occurred in 1054 as a result of a dispute over the Papal authority.

Quite a few countries follow the Orthodox teachings, including Greece, Russia, Ukraine, Moldova, Belarus, Bulgaria, Serbia, Macedonia, and Romania. The immigrants from these countries established their churches in the United States, and in NYC as well.

Just as Western Christians observe the four weeks of Advent, their Eastern Orthodox counterparts practice the 40-day Nativity Fast, which is a traditional time of prayer, abstinence and penance.

On January 7, churches may light a fire of blessed palms and burn frankincense to commemorate the gifts the three wise men brought to baby Jesus.

There is one common thread that the Western and Eastern Christians share in their celebration of Christmas. Do you know what it is? You guessed it: music!

Multi-lingual Christmas

We love the songs that resound throughout the Orthodox churches at Christmas, and we especially enjoy hearing them in languages of each country. Here’s a sampling:

Bulgaria
Greece:
Ukraine:
Serbia:

These are just a few examples, but they give you a sense of how beautifully solemn Eastern Orthodox Christmas is.

It’s not all Greek to us!

At Hey Joe Guitar, we find religious music, regardless of its denomination, truly inspirational. But it’s no news to you that we love ALL styles of music, whether put into song or played on any instrument (after all, we are a music school!).

Our excellent teachers (many of whom are multi-lingual too) come to your Manhattan, Brooklyn or Riverdale (Bronx) home or office to give you lessons adapted to your (or your child’s) level.

Whether you celebrate New Year’s on January 1 or the 14th, 2014 is a great year to start guitar lessons, begin the piano, or learn any other musical instrument!

Photo by pjarrettphoto

The post The Tale Of Two Christmas Calendars: NYC Music School Brings You Up To Date! appeared first on Hey Joe Guitar.

Chances are that wherever you go these days, you hear traditional Christmas carols. Yes, they are beautiful and, for many of us, bring memories of Christmases past. “Silent Night,” “O Holy Night,” “The Little Drummer Boy,” and “Do You Hear What I Hear,” are among the carols that usually carry the Yuletide season into the New Year.

We at Hey Joe Guitar love those songs too, but, let’s be honest, sometimes we would like to hear something new – or, at least, something that is not as widely played as the traditional carols.

Do such songs exist? Yes they do! There are plenty of lesser-known tunes that beautifully express the true spirit of Christmas. We hope that, among the ones listed below, you will find some that will… strike a chord with you and your family.

Put on your listening ears

These are among our favorite not-so-well-known Christmas songs. Do you agree that they are worth listening to?

There is a Star that Shines Tonight – Sheryl Crow

Christmas Celebration – B.B. King

New Star Shining – Ricky Skaggs

Dear Santa Tim McGraw

Please Come Home for Christmas – The Eagles

Notice how this selection includes different genres, from jazz and blues to pop and country. So whatever kind of music you are partial to, chances are you will find exactly what you like!

Sounds from near and far

Speaking of lesser-known Christmas songs, have you ever wondered what traditional tunes are most popular in other countries? Of course, we all know the one from our south of the border neighbors, but how about these tunes from around the globe:

Yes, we know, the world is a vast place and the wealth of Christmas musical traditions is huge. Unfortunately, we can’t include all of them here, but at least you have an opportunity to hear some of them.

All you want for Christmas: New York City Music School

Say your interest is piqued and you want to pursue music – Christmas and other. Nothing could be easier and more enjoyable than getting involved with our NYC music school

Whatever instrument you want to play – guitar, piano, drums, or anything else – (or whatever songs you would like to sing), our excellent teachers will come to your Manhattan, Brooklyn or Riverdale home or office to give you personalized music lessons.

Photo by rein

The post Beyond JINGLE BELLS – New York City Music School Reveals Lesser-known Christmas Songs appeared first on Hey Joe Guitar.

‘Tis the season of “fa la la la la, la la la,” and chances are you too are belting out, or at least humming to, some Christmas tunes. Whether it’s about rocking around the Christmas tree, decking the halls with boughs of holly, riding through the woods in a one-horse open sleigh, or poor grandma getting run over by a reindeer, these traditional songs are an integral part of the holidays.

But wait: have you ever wondered what interesting and maybe even wacky tales are behind the most popular Christmas carols? No? Well then, read on…

Holly Jolly Christmas

Sure you know all the seasonal standards, but – do you REALLY? Here’s a list of some curious facts about Christmas music you may have missed along the way:

Christmas is a Christian holiday, but many of the most popular tunes are the creation of Jewish songwriters and composers. For example, the music and lyrics of “White Christmas,” the most recorded Christmas song in history, were written by Irving Berlin.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJSUT8Inl14&w=500&rel=0

Johnny Marks was the prolific songwriter of “Rudolf The Red-Nosed Reindeer”, “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree” and “Run Rudolph Run”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6xNuUEnh2g&w=500&rel=0

“I’ll be Home For Christmas”, was composed by Walter Kent; “Winter Wonderland” is the creation of Felix Bernard; and “The Christmas Song”, was composed by Mel Torme.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JE8D52xD4uw&w=500&rel=0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SOszvL9lgSs&w=500&rel=0

And don’t think that Jewish composers are behind only the 20th century’s crop of songs – the music to “Hark the Herald Angels Sing”, was composed in 1840 by Felix Mendelssohn. In fact, there is something very interesting about this particular piece of music. Read on to find out!

Stories behind the songs

“Hark the Herald Angels Sing” has been a traditional Christmas carol for more than 170 years, but Mendelssohn actually composed this cantata – to the lyrics written in the previous century by a Methodist cleric Charles Wesley – to commemorate Johann Guttenberg’s invention of the printing press. Why a prominent composer would mark an invention that had occurred 400 years earlier with a religious song, we do not know. But whatever the reason is, we are happy that he gave the world this wonderful carol, which is still a part of Christmas repertoire all these years later.

Hang on – there are more fascinating facts out there. For instance, “Jingle Bells”, one of the most popular holiday songs, is not about Christmas at all; it was originally written for the Thanksgiving celebrations.

Another typical song is “Do You Hear What I Hear?” You’d THINK it’s a Christmas tune, but in reality, it is a peace song, inspired by the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ad7KU9bCTAM&w=500&rel=0

And there is a sweet “awwww” moment associated with the above-mentioned “I’ll be Home For Christmas:” Gemini 7 astronauts Frank Borman and Jim Lovell asked to have this song played for them while they were in space. Their wish did come true: they returned to Earth on December 18, 1965, after two weeks spent in orbit.

Comfort and joy – in your home

We are happy to share with you all these fascinating tidbits and hope they have inspired you to further explore the world of music – Christmas and otherwise. Do you want to be a little drummer boy (or girl)? Or perhaps you’d like to start guitar or piano lessons or, for that matter, learn to play any other instrument in the convenience of your own home or office?

Contact us and one of our wonderful NYC music teachers will appear at your doorstep, whether you live in Manhattan, Brooklyn, or Riverdale. With music in your life, you’ll never have a “Blue Christmas!”

Photo by The Dolly Mama

The post Christmas Songs Demystified – New York City Music School Tells All! appeared first on Hey Joe Guitar.

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

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

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

Yes, mother knows best!

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

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

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

Fit as a fiddle

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

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

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

Whip yourself into shape

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

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

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

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

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

Photo by Enrique Pellejer

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

What color is your favorite piece of music? We are serious – different types of music evoke different hues, and many of us make emotional music-color connections based on how the various melodies make us feel.

There is actually a body of research from the University of California, Berkeley, proving this phenomenon. We find it fascinating because this means that music involves not just our sense of hearing, but also fires up our feelings and imagination.

So what colors do various melodies convey? The above-mentioned study suggests, for instance, that Mozart’s energetic Flute Concerto No. 1 in G major is most often associated with bright yellow and orange, while his heavier Requiem in D minor is seen as grey.

A burst of color

Of course, the way we respond to music – and art in general – is a matter of individual preferences and interpretation, so while someone else may see a certain piece of music as red, you might perceive it as blue or purple.

The researchers say that, generally speaking, we tend to associate faster-paced music in a major key with lighter, more vivid colors, while slower-paced music in a minor key is more likely to be paired up with darker and grayer hues.

And what about pieces that comprise different tempos, going from light and jaunty to heavy and solemn? We can only guess that they will evoke a burst of psychedelic colors.

Beyond black and white

We thought it would be fun to listen to different genres of music and pair them with matching colors. We hasten to add that this is a totally unscientific experiment and its findings are highly subjective (which is why we said before that interpretation of music is an individual matter):

• The mellow and soothing sounds of Chopin Nocturne Op. 9 No. 2 make us think of pale hues like cream, light blue or yellow.
• The rousing tunes of Ravel’s Bolero conjure images of an earthy color like moss green with shades of mauve.
• The fast-paced, rhythmic sounds of Dave Brubeck’s Take Five bring to mind vibrant colors like red and dark blue – with little specks of glitter thrown in.
• Last but certainly not least, Led Zeppelin’s high-vibe Whole Lotta Love evokes “metallic” shades of steel gray.

What do you think of this decidedly personal interpretation?

Color your world with music

We are not going to claim that our teachers are experts in color – or, for that matter, that they will always show up at your doorstep in a color-coordinated outfit.

But we can promise you that our in-home Manhattan music lessons (as well as those we offer in parts of Brooklyn and Riverdale in the Bronx) will provide you with excellent instruction that will leave you…in the pink!

Photo Credit: the sky is kelsey’s

The post See Music Through Rose-Tinted Glasses – With New York City Music Lessons appeared first on Hey Joe Guitar.

“Mom, Dad, I am BORED!” Ahhh, the sounds of summer, when school’s out and kids are footloose (and underfoot as well). How can you keep your young’uns productively busy?

Good news is that New York City offers a wide variety of exciting summertime activities for youngsters of all ages http://mommypoppins.com/newyorkcityfamily/new-york-city-kids-summer-activities-guide, so no child should be bored and whining.

Summer holidays also provide a wonderful opportunity to introduce your kids to music. They will have lots of free time to take lessons and practice, and Hey Joe Guitar with its Manhattan music lessons will be pleased to help them along the way.

Don’t forget the music!

Now, we don’t mean to say that playing an instrument and improving your child’s musical skills should be all-consuming. Children need a variety of fun activities in their spare time – visits to the zoo, swimming, monkeying around on a playground, and learning all sorts of cool stuff.

But summer days are long, and, with a little creative thinking and advance planning, music lessons will fit snugly into your child’s (and your) schedule.

In case you are wondering why it is important to initiate your son or daughter to music, we can give you numerous compelling reasons. There is a wide body of scientific evidence showing that starting music training early in life has multiple benefits on the children’s character and development – academic, intellectual, social, and emotional. Music education also helps youngsters develop concentration, discipline, and become better team players (no pun intended) – all the skills and abilities that will serve them well throughout their lives. Remember: a journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step and that first exposure to an instrument will hopefully launch a lifetime passion for music!

Hey Joe Guitar at your service!

Your children are off for the summer, but our NYC music lessons never take a break. Here are some of the advantages our school can offer during the summer and at any other time of the year, for that matter:

• We have excellent, well-trained, personable and patient teachers, all of whom are graduates of top music schools and conservatories, and the majority hold master’s degrees in music and/or teaching.  They are carefully screened to ensure they will teach your children proper techniques, adapted to their age and level.

• We teach guitar, piano, drums, trumpet, trombone, brass, reeds, saxophone, clarinet flute, violin, viola, cello, strings, accordion, ukulele, banjo, recorder, and mandolin. And, we also give voice lessons.

• We come to you! As New Yorkers ourselves, we know just how hot and humid our city is in the summer and we would never ask our students to venture outside with their sometimes-sizeable instruments. That’s why our teachers will “deliver” the lessons to your air-conditioned Manhattan or Brooklyn home or office – they don’t mind breaking a sweat so your kids don’t have to!

If you want to get a head start on summertime music training for a child (or a young-at-heart adult), or if you need further information about our in-house Brooklyn and Manhattan music lessons, please contact us.

Music – this is what’s HOT this summer!

***

Photo credit:  Don O’Brien

The post No Need to Cut Class this Summer – with Manhattan Music Lessons appeared first on Hey Joe Guitar.

It’s summer! If you are a New Yorker, you are used to sweltering temperatures. Fortunately, our city has lots of green spaces, where trees and other lush vegetation provide shade and respite from heat and humidity.

So take a blanket, picnic basket and plenty of fluids, and stretch out on the grass. Whether you are sitting / lying under a clear blue sky or a dark, starry one, summertime in the city can be a blast, especially if music is your constant companion.

If you are looking for songs to enjoy throughout the summer, you came to the right place because we have lots of suggestions for you. Go ahead, prep your iPod and get ready to rock, roll, swing, or just chill out with these all-time favorite summertime tunes.

Here comes the sun

“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.”

These lyrics from Kelly Rowland’s “Summer Dreaming” are sure to put you in the “summery” mood. But there are many, many more songs that are great choices for those long summer days and nights. For example, how about these classic mellow sounds, “Summertime and the Livin’ is Easy” by two legendary performers, Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald.

And, for more vibe, “Summer Loving” from the movie “Grease” might be just the ticket.

Whatever genre of music you prefer for your summer playlist, these all-time classics are terrific for any mood and occasion.

Happy campers

What if you spend at least part of your summer camping in the woods, by the lake or river, rather than picnicking in a park? No problem – there are plenty of songs for the rugged, outdoor adventures, as well as quiet evenings sitting around the fire and eating smores.  Just grab your guitar and start strumming!

How about classics like “Row Your Boat.” – a perfect tune for all ages.  Then there’s a very fitting camping-and-fireside song called “There Ain’t No Bugs on Me.”

Another quirky and fun tune is titled “A Song That Gets on Everybody’s Nerve.” (Make sure you only sing it once, otherwise it may turn out to be a self-fulfilling prophecy). Good news is that there are so many different camping songs, you don’t need to sing the same one over and over again!

By the seashore

Of course, New York has some wonderful beaches and if you spend part of your summer by the ocean, your playlist should focus, appropriately enough, on the sea, sand, and surf. Here too, various songs abound.

Some “oldies but goodies” that we especially like are “The Beach Blanket Bingo”, “Surfin’ USA”, “Stranger on the Shore” and, for a more energetic, upbeat sound, “King of the Beach”.

What if you are not the park / camping / beach person, but would rather run for the hills? If mountain hiking trails are calling your name this summer, a newer version of the old Roy Rogers / Dale Evans classic, “Happy Trails”, might inspire you. Then there is also that old classic, “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough”, “Rocky Mountain High” and, for a some offbeat fun, “These Boots Are Made for Walking”.

What’s hot this summer? Music lessons!

Wherever you are spending those lazy, hazy days of summer, we hope music will be your constant companion. And so will our teachers, who will stay in NYC this summer and will be happy to start (or continue) your Manhattan music lessons in the comfort of your home or office (and if you live in Brooklyn or Riverdale, they will come to you as well).

In the meantime, wherever your adventures take you this summer, here’s one tune that will surely put you into a mellow mood all summer long.

***

Photo Credit: Jelle van Lindenhuizen

The post The Sounds of Summer, with Manhattan Music Lessons appeared first on Hey Joe Guitar.

“Where words fail, music speaks.” 
– Hans Christian Andersen

The Danish author might have had a somewhat idyllic view of the world (after all, he became famous by writing fairy tales), but he was right on this one: music does speak louder and more eloquently than words.

In fact, music is an excellent, though much underused, diplomatic tool, certainly more effective in taming hostilities and bringing people together than harsh words, threats, or use of force.

Yes, music has the power to create peaceful and friendly dialogue among people of various – and sometimes widely divergent – cultures, beliefs, or political systems.

Joy to the world

How is music used to promote tolerance and goodwill – let’s call it “cultural diplomacy?” A recent article in the Washington Post talks about Maya Azucena, a singer from Brooklyn, who is performing in several parts of Russia, a country where anti-U.S. feelings are on the rise.

Azucena, who tours on behalf of the U.S. State Department, reports that audiences from Moscow to the deepest reaches of Siberia were moved by her renditions of rhythm, blues, soul, reggae, and hip, “all quintessentially American with a deeply American message.”

“It’s apparently still okay to encourage justice and love, freedom and self-expression in Russia, as long as you do it with a song in your heart,” the article states.

This is one of many examples of how music can break down the barriers and make a positive difference in uniting people.

Melodies of love

Earlier this year, Peyton Tochterman, a folk singer from the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, was asked by the State Department to travel to Afghanistan to show how “diplomacy can be shaped by the musical arts.”

As he relates in his blog, armed with only two hand-made Rockbridge guitars, he and his fellow musicians toured the war-torn country, singing in “most difficult, dangerous and inhospitable places on our planet.”

His take on this musical diplomacy? “We are all connected through music and we must continue to celebrate this connection, this language that is so important not just to our own culture, but also to cultures around this fascinating world of ours.”

Four years before he performed in Afghanistan and Azucena sang in Russia, the famed New York Philharmonic performed a historical concert in Pyongyang, the capital of isolated North Korea, which has been closed to the outside world since the end of the Korean War in the 1950s.

This event marked the first such visit from the United States to North Korea. The groundbreaking performance aired on Korea’s state television and was watched live by an audience of thousands in the concert hall. Millions of people who had been indoctrinated to hate the United States listened with bated breaths as American musicians performed works by Wagner, Dvorak, and even Gershwin.  As Song Sok-hwan, the country’s culture minister said at the time, “We hope this will be a big step toward increased bilateral cultural exchange between our two countries.”

Reach out and touch someone

Have all these musical performances brought about a significant improvement in relations between the U.S. and other countries? You could argue that all these efforts were in vain: after all, Russia is still blaming America for many of its internal problems, and North Korea remains as hostile toward the United States as it has always been.

That may well be, but keep in mind that lasting and sustainable change doesn’t always (if ever) occur overnight and it doesn’t always come from the government. There have been many examples in recent years (one of them is the Arab Spring) of change starting at the grassroots level and spreading to the top.

By making an emotional connection with people across the world, music sows the seeds of tolerance and understanding, heals wounds, and inspires change. As singer Bono said, “Music can change the world because it can change people.”

Playing for change

Now that you know the powerful impact music can have on people and nations, you might like to learn to play an instrument too.

You are in luck: our Manhattan music lessons will take place in your home or office – we’ll teach you any kind of instrument you’d like to learn.

Remember Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s words: “Music is the universal language of mankind.” And that is one message that will never be lost in translation!

***

The post Manhattan Music Lessons | Diplomacy, or How to Make Friends and Influence People appeared first on Hey Joe Guitar.