When you first hear the ghostly, resonant tones of a nyckelharpa, it’s like a portal opens to another time. The sound is at once medieval and timeless, like echoes from a snow-dusted Nordic forest or the lingering breath of a forgotten folk tune. But what exactly is a nyckelharpa — and why is it capturing the attention of […]
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 […]
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 […]
Happy New Year from all of us at Thompson Tutoring! As we are all reflecting on times past, and looking forward to days ahead, we’re presented with the opportunity to discuss the history of the most popular New Year’s tune in the English speaking world, “Auld Lang Syne”. Read on to learn about the origins […]
Charles Schulz’s Peanuts is an essential part of American cartoon history, especially A Charlie Brown Christmas. A blues-inflected look at the holidays, A Charlie Brown Christmas is unique in its ability to evoke both the joy and melancholy of the holidays, and no element has been more important to its success than the brilliant musical […]
The small yet might ukulele has been experiencing something a renaissance in recent years. Everyone remembers Israel Kamakawiwo’ole’s marvelous mash up of (Somewhere) Over the Rainbow and What a Wonderful World, which has accumulated more than one billion view on YouTube. It may have even caused you to pick up the ukulele. Read on to […]
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 […]
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 […]
The title “Greensleeves” is is probably familiar to anyone that has thumbed through a beginner’s music book, or to fans of holiday music. It has had numerous titles throughout the years, and to residents of the United States it is best known as “What Child is This”. Read on to learn about the origin of […]
There is no more iconic instrument in American music than the electric guitar. In the latter half of the 20th century, no instrument was more ubiquitous in popular music. The electric guitar is inexpensive to build and maintain, musically versatile, relatively easy to learn, and accommodating to a wide range of techniques and skill levels. […]
Wynton Marsalis, born October 18th, 1961 in New Orleans, Louisiana, is a trumpet player, composer, band leader, and educator. He has served as the artistic director for Jazz at Lincoln Center since 1991. Marsalis’ father Ellis Marsalis Jr., a pianist and teacher himself, began Wynton’s musical education at age 6, after virtuoso Al Hirt gifted […]
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 […]
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 […]