Virtually everyone in America as well as many others around the world know “The Star-Spangled Banner”, but few know that it was written by a captive on a British warship. On September 13, 1814, as British warships pounded away at … Continue reading →
“When Johnny Comes Marching Home” is a song from the Civil War era that expresses the yearning by loved ones for their solders — their sons and husbands — to come marching home safely. It has endured now for over 150 years, and shows no signs of disappearing any time soon.
Continue reading →Will listening to music make you smarter? Will learning to play a musical instrument make your brain grow larger than normal? Questions like these ones have been popping up all over the place in the past few years, and not … Continue reading →
Most people who play an instrument of any kind have trouble with rhythm. It’s the number one problem people mention when they talk about learning music. But I know a secret: It’s NOT their fault! I know, because I had … Continue reading →
The mambo is one of several Latin-American rhythms that has developed into a style of dance. Although not as popular as it once was, it still is a contagious rhythm that makes feet dance The mambo is a Cuban genre … Continue reading →
The William Tell Overture Mention the song title “William Tell Overture,” and a lot of people might scratch their heads in confusion. But hum a few bars, and there are few people who don’t recognize this classic tune. It’s so … Continue reading →
Watch this short video on the difference between playing music from a written score as opposed to playing from a lead sheet in a fake book: How To PLAY More Notes Without READING More Notes
Continue reading →For those who have been playing piano for several years, learning to play from a fake book can be a useful skill. In order to play from one, you need to have an understanding of chord theory. You should also … Continue reading →
I was in Vienna last week, the home of many of the great classical composers and musicians. I visited Mozart’s apartment where he lived for a couple years, and also visited Hungary where Franz Liszt was born. Liszt was born … Continue reading →
Between 1817 and 1823, Ludwig van Beethoven composed Symphony No.9 in D Minor, Opus 125 “Choral.” Nestled in the fourth movement of this classical masterpiece is ‘Ode to Joy.’ It’s a composition of exquisite beauty, which to this day continues … Continue reading →
