In an ancient Eastern Country, a fearsome warrior was having a drink at a tavern with some fellow combatants. A peasant walked in and accidentally stepped on the warrior’s foot. This was considered a grave offense by the martial code so the...
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Piggybacking off of what was said last month, I do believe it is important to seek out other musicians to play with. Unfortunately, this can be a bit challenging as a guitarist or pianist. Many schools don’t offer many opportunities for these...
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When I began my musical journey at age 10, I was fortunate to be surrounded by friends who were doing the same thing I was. Being a musician can be an extremely isolating lifestyle with little reference to how you are actually growing. Some of...
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In life we often approach a new challenge with two mindsets: the fixed mindset and the growth mindset. The fixed mindset believes that your qualities are carved in stone. For example: “I’m not a math person, so it doesn’t matter what I do, I...
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SAMA Student, Rhylie W., recently sat down with SAMA admin Elizabeth Lopez for an interview about her experience attending a summer music camp at Berklee College of Music. Elizabeth: Was the process of getting admitted difficult? What were...
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With fall already upon us, many students are already feeling the fatigue of a new school year. It’s definitely a difficult task to juggle music with homework, friends, and other extracurricular activities, so how can we make music an important yet...
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Learning a new piece of music can be a daunting and sometimes even a tedious task. After a while a routine develops, and we can approach each new piece the same. However, music is not a uniform expression of thoughts and emotions; each piece is...
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“Why can’t I just play my instrument?” is a question that you probably have asked yourself during a particularly frustrating lesson. It’s understandable that frequently learning your instrument can feel like it takes over you life. However...
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Students and parents often ask “what should I (or my child) go over during practice sessions at home?” Usually, instructors will remind their students to always review the material covered recently in lessons. This material normally consists of...
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As a piano teacher, I am often asked by students and parents whether memorizing the music is required for the recital? And the answer is "it depends". If you are an advanced student or a college music major, you are often required to memorize your...
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“Knowledge is power.” It’s that quintessential phrase that we all know and is often used as a reason to further our education and skills. But when does this phrase become harmful to both teachers and students in the learning process? Students...
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Happy May! For this month’s instructor column, I have included a musical brain teaser for all of you to try and solve. There is a hidden message embedded exactly twice in this short passage of music. In the spirit of capitalism, I will award a $5...
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