We've covered how to improvise on a piano before, but there's always more to explore! Learn about four more piano improvisation exercises to try in this guest post by Long Beach, CA piano teacher Lynda A...   Improvisation is the technique of making up music on the spot. Most music students think piano improvisation is only for advanced students and professional players, but everyone has the ability to create music spontaneously. I’ve seen many beginner piano students come alive with

Like many girls her age, five-year-old Addy loves sparkles, pink and purple, and Katy Perry. Unlike most other girls her age, last year Addy was diagnosed with stage IV cancer. After long hospital visits, Addy was able to beat her cancer. The Make-A-Wish Foundation asked her what she would like to do to celebrate, and Addy's wish was to star in her own video for Katy Perry's "Roar". She chose the song because it inspired her to fight her cancer and get better. Congratulations Addy on y

The violin is one of the most widely recognized musical instruments among children and adults of all ages. It’s a beautiful instrument, both to look at and to listen to. If you’re thinking about taking violin lessons, be prepared to find benefits in several surprising ways! The benefits of playing violin go far beyond just gaining the ability to play beautiful music on a new instrument. Take a look at what else the violin can do for you: Physical Benefits Increased arm strength: Yo

It doesn't matter if you're a guitar player who wants to sing along with your music, or a singer looking for accompaniment - it can be tricky for all of us to learn how to coordinate playing the guitar and singing at the same time! Luckily, there are several ways to master how to sing and play guitar, and with a good amount of practice, you can learn how to master the skill. Before you begin, however, it's smart to have a strong foundation in both playing the guitar and singing separately. Ma

The glissando is another handy piano technique to have in your musical toolbox. Read on to find out how to incorporate it into your playing! Look at any piece of sheet music, and chances are you’ll see Italian musical terms such as largo, allegro, or acapella. Even the piano itself is named after the Italian term for “soft-loud,” pianoforte. Among these terms is one you may be unfamiliar with: the glissando. What is a Glissando? Glissando means simply to glide or slide. Musically, i

Looking for some of the best quotes from musicians? Musicians have done much more than just give us great songs to enjoy. They have also provided some very wise and inspirational quotes to keep us going through life, work, and relationships. Here are 50 quotes by musicians such as Beethoven, Madonna, and Ed Sheeran. From every era and genre, these musicians know just how to relate to us, in ways that few others can. What Are Some Music Quotes? If you’re looking for some famous quote

When you're learning how to write a song, looking at how other songs are structured can be a great place to start. Like looking at a map before you go on a roadtrip, checking out the basic elements of songs you love gives you a sense of how they were written and what you need to do to write a song of your own. If analyzing all your favorite songs sounds like a daunting task (it is), you're in luck. The Billboard Experiment wanted to know if there was a formula that could determine which songs

There is one thing that unites all singers, regardless of age, ability, genre, or professional status: the feeling of impending doom that descends as auditions approach.  Even if your ambitions are fairly modest, and don’t extend far beyond finding a fun choir to join, there's a good chance you will have to at learn how to prepare for a singing audition at some point. However, you can do a great deal to improve your chances simply by preparing yourself adequately. Think of a “successful”

One of the best parts about living in the Big Apple is having options - options for eating out, options for shopping, and for fans of live music, tons of options when you're looking for New York bands for hire. NYC's music scene is so rich and varied, thanks to superstar bands like the Beastie Boys, Blondie, Simon & Garfunkel, and the Talking Heads - just to name a few bands from New York. Luckily, many of the new bands coming up the pipeline are just as talented, yet much more affordable for yo

Thinking of using your skills to teach piano to others? There are so many online tools to help you along the way! Here are some of the best piano teacher resources, as recommended by New Paltz, NY teacher Cheryl E...   Whether you’re in your first year teaching piano students or your 50th year, here are seven great tools and resources that every piano teacher needs to keep new students rolling in and sticking around for the long haul! 1. This worksheet bundle. Have your students