It wasn’t so long ago that New York City was in the throes of cold, wintry weather and we wrote about how to keep warm and healthy. At that time we predicted – accurately, as it turns out – that the gray and bleak winter would not last forever. We were right! Three days from now, on June 21, summer will officially be here and if past years are anything to go by, pretty soon the temperatures will rise, the humidity level will be high, and we will probably remember those cool and crisp winter days with bittersweet nostalgia!

Seriously though, summer in the city – especially if you are a music lover – can be a barrel of fun. There are many concerts and other musical performances taking place over the next two months, and it goes to prove that this city not only never sleeps, but it doesn’t take a vacation either!

The streets are alive…

Here are some not-to-be –missed events music lovers will enjoy: New music July 4 – Sept. 5, 2015 Warm Up is experimental live music, DJs and dancing in the outdoor courtyard of MoMA PS1 in Queens. Free concerts at MoMA July 5 – 26, 2015 (Sundays) Attend four weekly jazz and classical music concerts at Summergarden in the sculpture garden of the Museum of Modern Art. Lincoln Center Festival July 6 – Aug. 2, 2015 Enjoy extraordinary opera, music, dance, and theater that showcases contemporary artistic viewpoints at Lincoln Center Festival in and near Lincoln Center. Indie music festival July 9 & 23, 2015 (also Aug. 6) River Rocks is a music concert on three Thursdays along the water at Hudson River Park. Seaport music festival July 11, 2015 4.2 miles south Rock out with two stages of performers at the 4Knots Music Festival in historical South Street Seaport. Tony-winning musical July 11 – Aug. 29, 2015 (Saturdays) 4.5 miles north The cast of In the Heights sings and dances around you to vibrant hip-hop, pop, and Latin music as they tell the story of tight-knit Dominican-Americans at Harlem Repertory Theatre. Jazz festival July 21 – 30, 2015 Hear dozen of world-class jazz artists (including soulful singers, piano partners and dueling drummers) at 92nd Street Y Jazz in July Festival. Classical music festival July 22 – Aug. 22, 2015 Attend concerts, operas, late-night recitals, and world premieres at Mostly Mozart Festival, performed by the festival orchestra and special guests at Lincoln Center. Outdoor concerts August 1 – 9, 2015 (begins July 22) Out of Doors is three jam-packed weeks of world-class music, dance, and spoken word in the plazas of Lincoln Center if dry. These are just some of the concerts that take place in out city in July and August. There are many more, so start marking your agendas!

Summer school

If you love music, you will surely find what you are looking for among the above-mentioned performances (if you can’t find it in New York City, where can you find it?) And just because it’s summer doesn’t mean there are no music lessons. Our school’s never “out,” and our teachers are always on call – whether you want to continue your lessons or start new ones. We will come to your Manhattan, Brooklyn or Riverdale home or office to teach you cool music for the hot days!

The post New York When it Sizzles: Manhattan Guitar School is Ready for Summer! appeared first on Hey Joe Guitar.

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

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

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

And that, dear friends, is no joke!

Health benefits

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

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

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

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

A barrel of laughs

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

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

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

Never a comedy of errors!

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

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

Photo by unknown, available under Creative Commons License

The post Laugh and Be Merry – At Brooklyn Guitar School appeared first on Hey Joe Guitar.

Recently we came across a fascinating article, which shows how truly smart whales are.

As the article states, they have learned to target the boats of black cod fishermen and swipe their catch off their lines. The whales are alerted to the fact that fishing is taking place from several miles away by the sound of boat engines shifting gear. There is actually footage showing how one sneaky creature’s long jaw creates tension on the line, which, in turn, snaps fish off the hooks.

What sparked our interest in this article is not just the sheer spunkiness and undeniable intelligence of these mammals, but also the fact that they, along with many other aquatic creatures, know how to sing!

A rousing chorus

Okay, let us clarify: we don’t mean “sing” in human terms. But the fact is that deep under the ocean’s surface, there is an aquatic orchestra of different sounds.

The underwater environment is very noisy: heavy rain, volcanic activity, toadfish calls, burbles, grunts, croaks, buzzes, clicks,
and other sounds emanating from the sea can be so loud as to be audible to a human ear. According to a New York Times article, the sea reverberates with “fish barks, chatter, groans, drones, and cries.”

Do these disparate sounds fall under the category of “music?” Certainly not the kind we are used to hearing on dry land. But one definition we found describes music as “a way as to produce beauty of form, harmony, and expression of emotion.”

Perhaps we humans are not able to relate to this cacophony of noises, but who is to say that these sounds are not beautiful, harmonious, or emotional to the creatures that emit them?

The seas are alive with the sound of music

Let’s start with the aforementioned whale songs. Interestingly, a song helps a humpback male explore the seas around him and adjust to the new neighborhood: when he moves to a new place, he literally changes his tune to fit in with other nearby whales.

Then there are mating calls – songs to attract female whales. Either way, we find these haunting sounds really beautiful.

Now, let’s talk about dolphins. These friendly creatures can also belt out a tune .
They do this with their mouths open, and songs express their mood – happiness, sadness or anger (though it’s difficult to imagine a dolphin angry, they always seem to be cheerful and good natured).

What about the manatees? These creatures also communicate their feelings through squeaks, chirps, or grunts: however you want to call these sounds , it’s music to their ears!

Neither fish nor fowl

Needless to say, when our voice teachers come to your Manhattan, Brooklyn, or Riverdale home or office, they won’t teach you to squeak, chirp, grunt, or groan. While they are nature lovers and appreciate a good whale or dolphin song, you can rest assured that they will train you in HUMAN voice only.

The same goes for learning to play any instrument – the teachers will put all their “people” skills into the lessons!

Photo by unknown, available under Creative Commons License

The post A Different Kind of Tune: Manhattan Guitar School “Dives” Into Underwater Sounds appeared first on Hey Joe Guitar.

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

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

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

Mistakes to avoid

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

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

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

We’ll teach you right from wrong!

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

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

Photo by unknown, available under Creative Commons License

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