This is more of an intermediate or advanced practice tip, but it's one that beginners can get an early start on too, and one that can really make your playing sound sophisticated. Some people practice this already; if so, good for you! If not...
Read more
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...
Read more
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...
Read more
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...
Read more
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...
Read more
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...
Read more 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...
Read more
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...
Read more
“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...
Read more
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...
Read more
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...
Read more
“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...
Read more