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The 46th Annual CMA Awards
The 46th Annual CMA Awards!
Will Taylor Swift take home the big win for Entertainer Of The Year once again? As the ONLY female artist nominated she’s up against a HEAVY male line up!
Entertainer Of The Year Nominees:
Taylor Swift
Kenny Chesney
Brad Paisley
Jason Aldean
Blake Shelton
Check Out Who’s Performing & Presenting Awards
Don’t Miss The Show!
LIVE Thursday Nov 1st – 8/7 Central on ABC
3 Great Reasons Your Child Should Take Piano Lessons
Learning to play an instrument is a beautiful investment that is extremely rewarding in aspects that stretch beyond just music. Essentially, playing an instrument is like speaking another language!
The piano is most definitely an instrument that takes time, effort and patience. It requires combining many elements in order to continuously advance and the value of such dedication is undoubtedly gratifying. The piano is noted for being one of the most difficult instruments to learn, however, it also serves as a very strong foundation to all other instruments. In addition, learning the piano helps exercise many strengths of the human mind, especially in young children.
1. Piano Lessons Help Children Improve Academically: Countless studies have concluded that children who play the piano and take piano lessons score higher on standard aptitude and development tests alike. Math is the leading subject to reflect higher performance rates among children who progressively play the piano.
2. Piano Lessons Increase Coordination: Playing piano progresses eye-hand coordination, ambidexterity, fine motor skills, balance, and the simultaneous distribution of movement and independence of the hands. This is especially true when two hands are moving at the same time but doing different movements. This skill, developed through taking piano lessons and practicing, also enhances other activities such as sports as well as playing other musical instruments.
3. Piano Lessons Help Children Concentrate: When a child learns a piece of music it requires a great amount of focus and diligence. When a child has to interpret a note and a rhythm and then translate it into hand movements on a keyboard it demands much concentration. This in turn enhances their ability to think both critically and creatively which is a skill that they will be able to apply to many aspects in their overall life.
While taking piano lessons, your child will be learning an excellent skill no matter whether it becomes a lifelong passion and career path or simply an extra-curricular activity for your child to relish in and enjoy sharing at family gatherings. Practicing piano and learning new songs can offer a great sense of pride and confidence to your child, not to mention fill your home with the sounds of beautiful music. That alone is another great reason to encourage your child to take piano lessons!
Announcing: Music Star Studios’ Violin Teacher Sarah Wilfong CD Release Concert October 25!
Music Star Studios’ Teacher Sarah Wilfong CD Release Concert October 25!
CELTIC, SWING, AND OLD-TIME MUSIC COME TOGETHER ON LOCAL FIDDLER’S NEW ALBUM
CD release concert to celebrate Sarah Wilfong’s new album, ‘Facets’, at The Fiddle House October 25, 7:30 pm
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – On Thursday, October 25, Nashville-based fiddler, Sarah Wilfong, will be performing selections from her new album, ‘Facets’, at a CD launch at The Fiddle House in East Nashville. Tickets are $10 at the door.
‘Facets’ features a wonderful variety of excellent fiddle music. Sarah composed the majority of the album, and describes the sounds on ‘Facets’ as a combination of “Irish, old-time, swing, and French café, with a nod to classical.” Sarah is particularly excited about the “fiddle mob” of professional and student violinists on the final track, Angeline the Baker.
The Fiddle House concert will feature many notable guest artists from the album, such as local fiddlers Brittany Hass and Kristin Weber. Other special guests include young session musicians Frances Cunningham, Joe Giotta, Chris Miller, and Rachel Solomon. Sarah notes, “I’m so thankful that these musicians are willing to not only give their time and talent to the recording process, but to the live performance as well. We are going to have a blast!”
Sarah Wilfong will be launching her album ‘Facets’ at The Fiddle House, 1009 Clearview Ave, Nashville, TN, on Oct. 25 at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $10 at the door.
For more information, call 615.730.8402 or visit www.thefiddlehouse.com and www.sarahwilfong.com
3 Things to Look for When Purchasing a Violin and What to Expect Cost-Wise
3 Things to Look for and What to Expect Cost-Wise When Purchasing a Violin
When you’re looking to buy a violin for yourself or your child, it can seem a little overwhelming. The cost of a violin can range from a hundred dollars to thousands or millions of dollars depending on the quality. But what should you expect to spend and what makes a particular violin a quality instrument?
If you genuinely want to see success for yourself or for your child as a violinist, you will probably need plan to invest some money in a good instrument. Nice-sounding violins can sometimes be pricey, but the sound they are able to produce is well worth the cost! When you buy a high-quailty violin, it is a good investment. Most violins actually improve with age, so if you take care of it and play it regularly, its value will increase!
The good news is that you don’t have to spend thousands of dollars to get a nice violin.
For a beginner, a violin should cost around the $500 range.
When the student has graduated to the intermediate level, the violin should be upgraded – this second violin will most likely be in the $1000 range.
Once a student is playing advanced repertoire, an investment should be made in a higher quality violin. This third violin will most likely cost anywhere from $4,000-$5,000.
For professional violinists, the sky is the limit when considering cost.
If you are looking for a violin yourself, here are a 3 things that you should check out before purchasing:
If you don’t feel comfortable trying to select a violin on your own, seek the help of a professional. Your teacher can be a great source of help. Not only does he or she know what a quality violin should look and sound like, but your teacher also probably knows where you can buy a good instrument locally. If you don’t currently have a violin teacher, find a reputable music store that specializes in string instruments. If you are a parent of a young beginner, you need to know that children must be “fitted” to find the correct size of violin. You may want to consider renting this first instrument since your child will probably need one of these smaller sizes, such as 1/16, 1/2 or 1/4 size violin.
If you prefer purchasing to renting this first violin, then know that there are stores which will allow you to trade the instrument in for a larger one as the student grows.
If you think you have found a ‘diamond in the rough’ in someone’s attic or at a garage sale, have it evaluated by your teacher or other professional before making your child learn to play it. This can save you and your child lots of frustration since it may be a poor quality instrument.
It can be tempting to see a pretty, shiny violin in a catalog, on ebay, or at a yard sale and assume that because it looks good it must be a good instrument. However, the quality of a violin is rarely based on its looks. Instead, a violin needs be chosen based on how it plays and sounds. There are thousands of cheaply made instruments being sold, some for less than a hundred dollars, that are making it difficult for students to learn to play successfully. Many of these instruments possess pegs that won’t stay in place, bridges that are mis-formed or mis-placed, or they simply produce an unpleasant sound no matter how well you play them. For a student, it can be very discouraging to practice long hours and not be able to hear a nice sound coming their violin due to the quality of the instrument itself. This sort of situation sets a student up for failure. By choosing the right instrument from the beginning, the student then has the opportunity to achieve their full potential!
Recommended sources in Nashville, TN for purchasing a violin:
Bartolomeo Cristofori – The Inventor of the Piano
Have you ever wondered who the inventor of the piano was? The piano is such a popular instrument now, but have you ever stopped to think about who had the idea of creating it?
Believe it or not, at one time if you wanted to play a keyboard instrument your choices were the organ, the harpsichord or the clavichord (we won’t discuss clavichord in this post). While these instruments are great, they also have some drawbacks. The main one is this – no matter how hard or soft you press the keys, they don’t play any louder or softer.
An organ works by emitting air through pipes in order to create sound. You can choose how many and which pipes you want the air to flow from, but beyond that your fingers themselves can’t really control the volume.
Three Keyboard Organ - The Volume is Controlled by Pulling Out or Pushing In the Stops (Those Knobs on the Left)
The harpsichord works by a quill plucking the string when your fingers press down the key. On some harpsichords you can choose to have two strings plucked instead of one, but beyond that there is no dynamic control. As a harpsichordist your choice of dynamic has to be either loud or soft.
The Harpsichord - Great Fun to Play!
However, a man by the name of Barolomeo Cristofori di Francesco created something that changed all of that. Born in 1655 in Padua, Italy, he started out as a harpsichord maker but quickly began experimenting with how you could get dynamic changes based on with how much force you touch the key. Around 1700 he began work on a new instrument.
Instead of quills plucking the strings from above when the key was pressed as with a harpsichord, this new instrument used a hammer coming from below to strike the string. Using his new invention called the escapement mechanism, he created an instrument he titled the “harpsichord gravicembalo per suonare col forte e col piano”- which basically translates to “harpsichord that can play loud and soft.” Over the years this instrument’s name has been shortened, first to “fortepiano”, and finally to what we call it today the “piano.”
Incidentally, most musical terms for the piano are in Italian due to Cristofori. For example, “Forte” means loud. “Piano” means soft. So technically the first piano, the “Fortepiano” literally translated into the “Loud-Soft”. Our modern day piano is technically known as the “Pianoforte”, or the Soft-Loud”. But as a television is called a tv, the pianoforte is called the piano. So if you have played piano for awhile, then go visit Italy – you’ll be surprised at how much you can say in Italian! But back to Cristofori…
You’re probably thinking, ‘Wow! Cristofori invented the piano!?! He must have been famous!’ But sadly, no, he was not famous, at least not for his pianos. His new invention never really caught on during his lifetime.
The pianos he made weren’t as loud as the harpsichord so many people were reluctant to use it for that reason. Even J.S. Bach didn’t like the new instrument, saying that the higher notes were simply too soft to allow a full dynamic range. It wasn’t until the late 1700s, after Cristofori had already died, that the piano began to catch on.
I Think Cristofori Would Be Blown Away by What His Invention Has Become - The Grand Piano!
Even though Cristofori invented what is perhaps now the most popular instrument in the world, he never got to see that popularity. I don’t know how he was feeling about his invention when he died in 1731, but I’d like to think he knew he had invented something special!
Abstract Art - An Unusual Way to Mimic the Image of a Piano Keyboard
Unusual Pianos and Piano Playing Experiences
I have had the privilege of playing on many pianos during my life. And it is true that every piano plays differently. It takes a little time to get adjusted to each one. And it is no secret to those who know me that I prefer the Steinway piano to any other.
But outside the traditional piano there are many other varieties. The ones I’d like to discuss in this blog post are those pianos which fall into the “unusual” category. There is already a blog post out there on unusual LOOKING pianos and it’s true: I have seen some very unusual looking pianos.
When I think of the most unusual piano, though, I don’t think about looks. I think about the experience of playing it. Hands down, I think the Bosendorfer Model 290 Imperial Piano truly gives the most unusual playing experience.
The reason this piano provides such an unusual playing experience is because there are extra keys which extend the normal 88-key keyboard into a 97-key keyboard. Why do they do this? The extra strings’ main purpose is to create a more full sound. And, from my experience, think of a “more full sound” on this Model 290 Imperial piano as something similar to the sound of a blue whale underwater. Even though there are only a few pieces of music actually composed using these extra low notes, they give a greater resonance to the other, higher strings when they are played. For example, if you played a C in the middle of the piano, the extra low C-string at the bottom would also pick up those vibrations and vibrate some itself, known as sympathetic vibration (this also occurs on a regular piano as well).
When playing on this piano, I was thrown off by the extra keys in the bass. A pianist is used to seeing a certain amount of keys while playing. You feel ”off-balance”, which makes it very difficult to play. Because these extra keys have the potential to interfere with your piano playing if you’re not accustomed to seeing them, the Bosendorfer company has taken some steps to differentiate them from the other 88 keys. Some of these pianos have a small lid that covers the extra keys while others reverse the color scheme of these keys, making what would typically be the white keys black. I personally prefer the small lid which covers them to the reverse color scheme.
Now for a bit more of the unusual…
There are pianos turned into cars, pianos made of glass or chrome, and piano tables. They can come any color or design imaginable. The famous pianist Liberace, who was known for who was known for his flamboyance, even played a piano that was completely covered in rhinestones!
There is also what is called a “silent piano,” which puts a barrier between the strings and the hammers of an acoustic piano and instead converts what the pianist is playing into an audio signal to be listened to through headphones. The company Schoenhut has begun making what they call “toy pianos” that have only 44 keys. They are genuine acoustic pianos, just in miniature form. Yet another invention is the “transposing piano,” which uses either a lever under the keyboard or an extra pedal to shift the keyboard to play other strings. This could be really helpful if you have a piece written in the key of C# but it would be a lot easier to play it in C!
I’m sure these examples only scratch the surface of what sorts of unusual pianos have been made to suit individual people’s desires, but hopefully it gives you a small sampling of what is out there! And, if you get the chance, definitely try out the Bosendorfer Model 290 Imperial Piano which will give any pianist quite an unusual experience!
Welcome to Nashville’s Premier Event for Piano Students in the Middle Tennessee Area:
PIANORAMA 2011!
The Nashville Area Music Teachers Association (NAMTA) is proud to present this Fundraiser to the greater Nashville community. Pianorama is an opportunity for area piano students to perform duets in group settings. That’s the “technical” description of it. The reality is that it’s really wild to watch 30 students on 15 pianos do their best to stay perfectly in time while being conducted, all the while hoping to give the spectators a memorable musical experience. It is really something to watch!
This event is a NAMTA fundraiser for the Young Artist Achievement Awards. These monetary awards are given annually to the winners of this competition. It’s equally amazing to watch these hard-working young musicians perform!
Pianorama 2011 takes place on Sunday, November 20, 2011 at Collins Auditorium on the Lipscomb University Campus. Here are directions to the campus.
Tickets are $5/each, with no family paying more than $15 to attend. Infants through pre-school aged children are free.
If you have a child who is taking piano lessons and you think they might enjoy this event, bring them by! Pianorama will be back in 2013!
If you would like more information on this event, please call Emily Lowe (me) at 615.509.1753.
Happy Pre-Schoolers and Piano Lessons
I get a lot of questions from parents regarding private piano lessons for pre-schoolers. They always wonder if it’s too early to get started with the lessons, and ask if a pre-schooler can really learn anything valuable or actually play a song at that age.
When I was fresh out of college, I knew that I would like to teach pre-schoolers how to play piano, but also had the same questions. I asked my primary piano teacher from high school about it. He confirmed what I already thought to be true: most pre-schoolers can benefit from taking private piano lessons at this young age. He told me about a particular piano book just for pre-schoolers.
This book, along with Michiko Yurko’s brilliant series “Music Mind Games”, has enabled me to teach loads of pre-schoolers how to play piano! After having used this method for over a decade, I have found that the children who began their lessons as pre-schoolers are invariably more creative, expressive and are able to improvise easily on the piano.
I think the key to teaching the pre-schooler is to make sure that they have a LOT of fun both during the piano lesson and when they practice. Of course there has to be structure to the fun (i.e. the child actually has to sit on the bench in front of the piano, and also has to be willing to try to play each piece) but the underlying tone of the lessons and practice sessions should be one of enjoyment.
Can it be frustrating to teach a pre-schooler piano? Absolutely. Does it take parental involvement during the practice sessions? Yes. Over the years I have learned way more than I ever wanted to know about current Disney movies, activities of the family dog, best friends from school, etc. The attention span of a pre-schooler is very short and keeping them on track is a moment-by-moment process!
Now. About the pair of three:
One of the first things I show a pre-schooler on the piano is how there are groups of TWO black notes together and also groups of THREE black notes together. It’s important for these little ones to be able to distinguish the difference between these two groups so they are able to identify which notes are C, D, E, etc. (Hey, Diddle, diddle, D’s in the middle!)
A few weeks ago a four-year-old girl came to her second piano lesson and was able to remember which black notes were the “twins” (groups of two black notes) and which were the “triplets” (groups of three black notes). At one point, though, she almost said that the triplets were the twins. She caught herself at the last second, looked up at me and said “They (meaning the notes) almost tricked me! This is a pair of three!”
Herein lies some of the joy that I receive in return.
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If you are currently seeking lessons in piano, guitar, banjo, voice, violin, flute, clarinet, cello, viola, bass, saxophone, trombone or trumpet, then call Music Star Studios at 615.509.1753! Based in Nashville, Brentwood, Franklin and Spring Hill, TN and now also in Atlanta, Georgia, (404.965.4058)our knowledgeable teachers provide music lessons both in-home and online by Skype webcam! We select our teachers carefully and want all of our students to shine!
Music Star Studios also sells instruments, so if you have a need, we may be able to help with it!
3 Steps to Preparing Your Child for a Recital
Prepare Your Child for their Recital
Some of the greatest moments in a child’s life are when they are performing in front of others. The sense of accomplishment and achievement, all while overcoming performance anxiety and adrenaline, is rarely duplicated in their daily activities.
Enter the drama of a RECITAL. If your child plays a musical instrument, it is likely that he or she will be performing in a recital. The preparation for the recital is usually a time of stress and anxiety in a child’s life. What can you, as the parent, do to help your youngster perform to the highest level? Here are 3 suggested steps to help your child prepare for the recital:
So there you have it. 3 steps that will help your child be prepared for their upcoming recital.
And, by the way, our big recitals are coming up on April 10 and April 17 (we are having four separate recitals on these two days), so I wish all students of ours that are performing to “break a leg!”
Our 2011 Franklin Summer Music Camps
We are happy to offer Franklin summer music camps for 2011! While all of the details are not completely finalized, we do know which summer music camps we will be offering!
First off, our popular Tunes for Tots will be back and better than ever!
TUNES FOR TOTS *3-5 years* 1 hour per day class $125 ($25 Non-Refundable Deposit):
Based on the Lynn Kleiner series “Kids Make Music”, this important foundational class helps your youngster interact musically with you, the parent! Each child will further their developmental communication skills through this musical interaction. Campers will also be able to experience real music instruments in a structured environment; they will also try to match pitch through games and songs. Structured and unstructured movement activities allow the children to express themselves in a positive and musical way! A perfect class for giving a head start to the child who will be taking individual music lessons in the future!
If you would like an individual instrument kit/DVD to take home and use, there is an additional $45 charge
Secondly, our Musical Minds Summer Music Camp is Back as well!
MUSICAL MINDS* 6-9 years * 3 hour per day class $250 ($50 Non-Refundable Deposit):
Take your child’s music ability to the next level! This two hour class based on the Internationally Renowned “Music Mind Games” series by Michiko Yurko teaches music theory in a “game-oriented” way. Without even realizing it, your child is learning how music is “put together”; that is, they are learning the theoretical foundation behind music. I have been using these games for over 10 years and children are constantly asking to play more! The great thing about this approach is that the games start on the beginning level and then become more advanced as the child’s learning advances. Music Star Studios teachers use these games to help children know what’s going on “behind the scenes” in music!
SUMMER MUSIC STARS*10-18 years old*5.5 hours each day $475 ($75 Non-Refundable Deposit):
Last but certainly not least, Music Star Studios is excited to present its first summer camp for children ages 10-18. Under the supervision of Music Star Studios teachers, campers will spend two weeks having fun with musical games, playing in ensembles and improving proficiency on their instrument of choice. Campers will take lessons on their instrument of choice and will also take classes in choral singing, music theory, and an additional musical subject of their choice. Campers will have the opportunity to show off what they have learned at the end of a camp with a concert for friends and family.
Daily Music Camp Schedule:
Day 9
CHOIR CLASS
At Summer Music Stars camp, campers will begin their day with a choir class. Campers will learn a few standard choral pieces over the course of the camp to learn vocal technique, sight singing, pitch matching, and part singing skills. These skills will be shared at the end of the camp in the recital.
MUSIC THEORY
Students will next go to a music theory class. Campers will be separated into two different levels based on prior knowledge. In theory classes, campers will learn the mechanics of how music works and why it sounds the way it does. Topics will include rhythms, scales, chords, and time and key signatures.
After the Camper’s Choice classes, campers will break into groups according to their instrument of choice for group instruction and Master Class. This will include technique work, repertoire, and master class-style workshops.
So if you’re looking for a 2011 summer music camp in Franklin, you have just found the right spot! Please call Emily Lowe at 615.509.1753 for more information and to get your child signed up!
