By Nathan Straub
Below, you will find five songs that have dramatically changed me as a singer, teacher, and person. Each of them resemble an important moment in my development as a person and musician. I hope you enjoy them as much as I have.
The Globetrotting Musician
By Kate MacKenzie
You never know what doors will open for you as a musician. I’ve been lucky enough to have the opportunity to travel worldwide with my bassoon as early as middle school. It is amazing how music can cross all language and cultural divides; it allows us to share a fundamental human experience with all sorts of people. This has been such a special perk of being a musician that I did not expect as a child when I first began music lessons.
Brass Lessons
By William Muñoz
Whether a student is interested in becoming a professional musician, private lessons are a great way for students to improve and develop their musical skills.
Because my main area of teaching is Brass (trumpet, trombone, horn, tuba) I will focus this blog on the newcomer band student. As a trumpet player I understand the challenges that one can encounter with brass instruments. It is my goal to help, guide, and mentor students in this wonderful journey of music.
The Importance of Musical Improvisation
The Importance of Exploring
y Alexis Rastovich
Since the day they start walking, it is always a struggle to keep children away from out-in-the-open pianos or making unnecessary noises from their little voice boxes. My question is, why do we restrain them from these instruments? In fact, why do we keep ourselves away from unknown instruments? Yes, it sometimes is inconvenient to listen to the sounds of imperfect harmony, but the active learning that occurs when exploring is vital to our ability to grow as a musician, and perhaps more importantly, to grow as a person.
Maximizing Your Lessons
By Jason Jackowich
With drum lessons ranging from only 30 to 60 minutes a week, it’s very important to be looking at ways to maximize that time. What do we actually retain? What were those breakout chops we learned?
I remember sitting down to my kit the day after a breakthrough lesson, picking up my sticks, and then ended up just staring at them for a bit. There was no way I could duplicate what I had learned. Sure the particular beat or chop was written down for me, but when I began practicing it, I wasn't able to conjure the same energy that I had in lesson. Why is this the case?
Teaching The Adult Beginner
By Esther Joh
There is a population explosion of older people, many of whom are eager to study the piano. Therefore greater attention than ever before is currently focused on instructional techniques and materials for the person who begins piano study later. Claims are made that within the past few years more adults have begun piano instruction than children. A relatively large number of books have appeared since 1960 whose titles indicate that they are written for the adult beginner. Articles in professional magazines offer advice on what must be borne in mind when merits of offering instruction for the adult beginner. Since the title “adult beginner” is elusive, the authors of “The Well-Tempered Keyboard Teacher” classified six categories of adult students:
Careers In Music
By Nathan Straub
Growing up, my dad always told me to do what I love, and the money will come. Years later, I'm standing at the end of my education wondering what comes next? What can you do with a music degree? Surprisingly, there are many different paths that musicians can take their gifts along. Of course, there are the well-known routes of rock star, opera diva, and concert pianist. But did you know that there are administrative jobs in universities, orchestras, opera houses, and many businesses that provide excellent compensation and hire music majors? Following is a list of careers for musicians who want to keep music as a part of their lives!
Picking Your Recital Tunes
By Andrew White
Well, can you believe it? It’s almost time for the Spring Recitals 2017! Sign ups are well into full swing with some recitals already full. If you haven’t had a chance to sign up yet, now is your time to do so. Visit www.awsom.info/recitals and fill in the quick form to ensure you are ready to roll for what promises to be one of the best recitals you’ve ever been to! We are excited to be gathering in the Mercer Music Hall, a brand new venue in Bellevue, next door to our previous facility at Northwest Pianos.
Developing Sight-Reading Skills
By John Hart
Sight-reading, also called a prima vista (Italian meaning "at first sight"), is the reading and performing of a piece of music or song in music notation that the performer has not seen before. (Once a student has played through a piece several times, it can no longer be counted as sight-reading practice.)