Curiosity is at the heart of any musical endeavor. Composers, players, and instrument makers are always searching for a new sound, and sometimes the results are unusual, to say the least. Read on to learn about five uncommon musical instruments. Vibraslap The vibraslap is a relatively recent creation. First manufactured by Latin Percussion in 1967, […]
Being a staple of modern music education, the recorder is one of the few instruments that nearly everyone has played. But did you know that they were once one of the most popular instruments for professionals and amateurs? In fact, the recorder and its ancestors are among the oldest instruments still in use today. The […]
Thompson Tutoring is pleased to announce that sign ups are open for our Spring 2022 Recital! All students that are currently enrolled are eligible. This recital will be fully in-person. A sign up link has been sent to all families. As always, this recital is optional, but strongly encouraged. The deadline to enroll is Friday, […]
The conductor’s baton is among the most iconic pieces of musical equipment that isn’t an actual instrument. Batons are critical to the proper functioning of an orchestra. With a baton, conductors can influence the speed, volume, and pacing of the musicians, enabling a profound level of coordination. Though many conductors opt to work with hand […]
Image credit: Subdivision by zero, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Imagine any marching band – what are the first instruments that come to mind? Following the ranks of brass horns are the percussionists, playing snares, toms, bass drums, and of course, the cymbals. Now a staple of many genres, the cymbal has roots […]
Nothing evokes the sound of winter more than than ringing bells. There are countless songs and carols about silver bells, church bells, hand bells, and so on. In the United States, there is no better way to draw a listener in to a winter scene than to add some chiming bells. But what exactly is […]
The deadline for submissions to the Thompson Tutoring 2021 Holiday Recital is fast approaching! Here are some guidelines for performance recordings. Please read these instructions carefully before submitting. 1. The deadline for submissions is Friday, December 10th. Please submit all recordings no later than 12/10 to allow time for editing. 2. Practice practice practice! Students […]
Thompson Tutoring’s annual holiday recital debut is fast approaching! Performance is a skill like any other in music and requires practice before it begins to feel natural. Below is a list of three helpful tips for making the most of your performance. 1. Practice like you perform The most important thing to remember when preparing […]
Imagine a musician’s practice space – what are the first objects that come to mind? Maybe you picture an instrument, a chair, a music stand and… a metronome. The metronome is a standard piece of equipment for any musician, and is usually the third item a player acquires after their instrument and a book full […]
Virtuoso pianist Art Tatum was born on October 13th, 1909. Tatum was one of the foremost musicians of his era, and is considered one of the most technically gifted pianists on record. Take a listen to this recording of Harold Arlen’s “Over the Rainbow” below. This performance speaks for itself. Born in Toledo, Ohio on […]
Steve Reich, born October 3rd, 1976, is a central figure in 20th century music. His compositions are groundbreaking in many ways, and is cited today by musicians across genres as an inspiration. Have a listen to his most famous piece, Music for 18 Musicians: During his formative years, Steve Reich studied with several luminaries in […]
Domenico Scarlatti (1685-1757) was a renowned composer from Italy who spent most of his career working for the royal courts of Spain and Portugal. He was quite prolific, and much of his work is considered standard repertoire for any musician concerned with Baroque music. However, Scarlatti did receive some help from his cat Pulcinella, who […]
Good Morning To You, Good Morning To You, Good Morning, dear children, Good Morning To All! Did you know that “Happy Birthday to You” was originally titled “Good Morning to You?” It’s one of the best known songs in history, but its origins are relatively recent. In fact, “Happy Birthday” only entered the public domain, […]
An orchestra is seated on stage, almost ready to begin the concert. The lead oboist plays a single note, followed by her section, then the remainder of the orchestra, who matches that note or plays one of a handful of others. The musicians then tune their instruments based on the oboe’s note, and when they […]
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is one of the most renowned musicians of all time. Just about everyone can hum a snippet of his music, and countless musicians amateur and professional have studied his compositions. Here are a few interesting facts about Mozart’s remarkable life. Mozart began composing at age 5 Leopold, Wolfgang’s father, was his first […]
The piano is a staple of modern music practice, and can be found virtually anywhere that music is played, from living rooms to orchestra halls around the world, in many genres. But what is the origin of the piano? Phil Edwards, writing for Vox on the topic, says “When you do think about someone actually […]
Music notation is a crucial tool used by musicians today, and is taught in classroom across the globe. The modern system of notation is robust and nuanced, enabling highly specific instructions to be communicated with ease. But where does music notation come from, and how did it become a standard part of musical practice? Guido […]
The benefits of musical training have long been acknowledged by parents, educators, and more recently, researchers focused on learning and development. In Laura Lewis Brown’s article “The Benefits of Music Education” (https://www.pbs.org/parents/thrive/the-benefits-of-music-education), a number of experts weigh in on the effects of studying music. Musical education is linked with increased test scores, motor skills, memory, […]
Have you ever wondered what is happening in the brain when you hear music? How do virtuoso musicians learn to play works of great complexity with ease? Why are certain songs catchier than others? In This Is Your Brain on Music: The Science of a Human Obsession (Dutton Penguin, 2006), neuroscientist Daniel J. Levitin summarizes […]
Has that younger child been waiting for the day that they would be “old enough” to start lessons like their older brother or sister? Did you know that August is one of the best months to start a sibling on an instrument? Starting in August, gives them a chance to get their feet wet, learn […]
Summer Lessons – Openings Available! Summer Lessons! Have you wanted to learn to fingerpick on the guitar? Online and In-Home Lessons are available. Here is one of our students playing a song from Pirates of the Caribbean! Call or Text: (269) 329-0730. Watch him play on our video post on Facebook.
Countdown to Spring Lessons! Spring is just around the corner! Time for a new season, growth and starting new things. Do you know of someone that might benefit from starting a new instrument? Send them our way! Our amazing instructors are eager to help them reach their musical goals. Learn More About Lessons Complete Interest […]
Optimize Your Time! “Sorry, 30 minutes is up” Have you ever got to the end of your lesson and not made it through everything? Would you like to go more in depth? Add on time! We offer add on time in 15-minute increments so you can easily expand your time. Check with your instructor to see if extra […]
Now Offering Telehealth Music Therapy We have added Telehealth Music Therapy! Edge Water Music Therapy now offers both in-home music therapy, as well as telehealth therapy using video platforms such as Zoom, Google Meet, Skype and Microsoft Teams among others. Fill out our Music Therapy Interest Form below to learn more today! Sign Up Here
Telehealth Services – A Success Story! Learn More Edge Water MT truly values the flexibility of our clients and therapists! Before the covid-19 outbreak began, this client received music therapy services in her home to work on goals such as reciprocal communication and social skills. Services then moved smoothly to telehealth when the outbreak began […]
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