Clef Notes

Learning a Song by Ear – The Challenge  I’m learning a new song for which there is no sheet music available. I can and will

Go Big or Go Home I’d like to share my experience preparing for, and getting through, a recent performance (my fifth playing in public) after

I’m 68 years old and have been taking piano lessons now for a little more than three years. When I began lessons, I told my

If you recently started wearing hearing aids and play piano, you may find this note useful. If you don’t and never have worn hearing aids,

Blue Notes Are “Wrong” Notes Some people would consider blue notes to be “wrong notes.” But they’re not just any wrong notes. They’re particular wrong

Whether you are an adult starting from scratch or a parent helping your child, here are a few things that are helpful to know in

For any type of relaxation or meditation, I recommend that you be comfortable, either lying down or sitting with your back supported or straight. Start

What Is a Pickup? In music, a pickup is an unstressed lead-in note or group of notes that take place before the first accented note

Why are your feet important? Why is this post on a music site? Some musical instruments actually use the feet of course.  Many musicians stand

If you are a performer of any kind, I urge you to pay attention to your hands. Scratch that — I want everyone to pay

Musicians use all kinds of ways to communicate with each other about what notes to play from scribbles on a napkin to full-fledged orchestral scores,

I asked John to write a chart for Eowyn O’Hara who wanted to sing this song in a higher key than Nina Simone’s, and here

YouTube and the internet could be considered the golden age for guitar and music instruction –– so much content for no cost-but where do you

Sitting: My Preference Many keyboard players choose to play from a seated position. I am one of those players and this post will help explain

Monitor vs. Monitor Mix Monitors (stage wedges) are the speakers that the band uses to hear itself on stage. The size, shape, and format of

Start With a Major or Minor Third In my last post, we looked at “Brown Eyed Girl,” a song where intervals of major or minor

Preparing for the Big Gig OK – We have learned to disinfect our microphones, how to get paid for gigs, how to perform on boats,

If you are a singer working with a band, you can be helpful during rehearsals if you know how to begin and are prepared to

The tricky thing about tempo is that even though it can be measured in an objective way (60 beats per minute is 60 beats per

BUSKING: “The activity of playing music in the street or another public place for voluntary donations” Great Practice & Exposure to New Crowd Sometimes, musicians

Pre-COVID times, I used to run open mics. Lots of them. Every week in several different venues. Keeping everything running smoothly and keeping all the

Lots of students learn scales and can get them running up and down in short order. Arpeggios are key notes from scales that are used

Let’s take a break from all that chord chemistry and talk about something practical (and musical) when playing with another guitarist or keyboard player. I’ve

Sooner or later, most musicians find themselves booked to perform on a boat. I remember playing on several local vessels including the Lady Catherine, Becky

Expectation | LET IT GO Expectation is where everything starts to go wrong. Expectation is the death of acceptance. When we were tiny, our brains

Where are the thirds of the chords that you know? A way to learn more chords is to know fret/string location of the thirds of

In my last post, “How Using Solfege Helps You Sing Better,” I discussed the idea that in order to get the best intonation possible, the

The Issue I probably don’t have to tell you that lately, life’s been tough for the live-performing musician. Because of Covid-19, performances big and small

The First Type of Gig: Public Public gigs are where you and your band are hired to provide music and/or entertainment to the patrons of

Establish a Regular Routine of Working Out The first piece of advice I give anyone wanting to improve their singing voice is to establish a

Congratulations – you’ve gotten yourself a gig! Now is the time to access what you will need in the way of a PA system so

You’ve practiced, rehearsed and honed your craft and are ready to put your talent on display for the world. Now it’s time to learn a