Category: Articles

The Voice Finalist & Yamaha Artist Chris Mann Talks About Giving the Gift of Music

The Voice Finalist & Yamaha Artist Chris Mann Talks About Giving the Gift of Music

You might recognize Yamaha Artist Chris Mann from NBC’s The Voice or from his most recent principle role as The Phantom in Andrew Llyod Webber’s Phantom of the Opera. But the ‘Mann’ behind the music is much more than meets the ear. Chris Mann rose to fame as Christina Aguilera’s finalist on NBC’s The Voice. […]

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Violin Bow

Six Ways to Get the Most Out of Your Violin Bow

As a violin student advances from a beginner to an intermediate level, they may require a higher quality bow. The superior craftsmanship of a decent bow will provide them with the tools they need to improve their playing technique and tone. However, the cost of more professional bows can seem unusually expensive, especially to first-time […]

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Tips for Choosing the Right Piano Bench

Piano Teaching Tips from Martha Mier

I have always loved the cool sounds of jazz or blues music. My Jazz, Rags & Blues series has been very popular with today’s young piano students. Many piano teachers have told me that these books have prevented “drop-outs” in their studios. Their students would be losing interest, but when given a jazz book, their […]

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Beginner’s Luck: Easy Play-Along Method Books

Teaching is an art form that positively touches the lives of our students.  I’ve seen many changes and improvements of this art in my 50+ years of public school and studio teaching.  One big change is technology.  Digital media is changing the way students learn. Music educators today have access to a wide variety of […]

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Tips & Advice for New Trombonists

Tips & Advice for New Trombonists

Learning how to play the tuba is a fun and exciting time in your child’s life, filled with memories that they’ll cherish for years to come. While music comes to naturally to some, you can’t expect your child to become a master overnight- learning how to play the trombone beyond a beginner level takes years […]

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Six Ways to Avoid the Brass Repair Shop

As a parent, the small things can quickly add up: replacing a lost retainer, unexpected field trip fees, visits to the doctor, the list goes on. If you want to prevent unexpected visits to the brass repair shop from being added to that list, there are a few preventative measures you can take. From avoiding […]

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How to Get Your Child Excited to Play an Instrument

How to Get Your Child Excited to Play an Instrument

Mastering an instrument takes time, dedication, and discipline, and sometimes getting your child excited to play that instrument in the first place is no different. According to the Public Attitudes Towards Music study, 85 percent of those who don’t play an instrument say they wished they had learned to play. If you’re worried about your […]

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Tips for Releasing an Album While Teaching

Hello fellow Teaching Artists! My name is Mike Casey. I’m a saxophonist, songwriter, and teaching artist currently living in Hartford, CT. I am also the saxophone, flute, and clarinet instructor at the Avon, CT Music & Arts location. My debut album The Sound of Surprise: Live at The Side Door comes out in February and […]

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The Anatomy of a Trombone Mouthpiece

The Anatomy of a Trombone Mouthpiece

Every trombonist should have a fundamental understanding of their instrument’s mouthpiece and how it works. Whether it’s through experimentation, independent research, or time spent with an instructor disassembling and reassembling your instrument, the key to finding the perfect mouthpiece for your trombone is in understanding the different parts and what they do. From the rim […]

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Brand Spotlight: Jet-Tone

Designed with superior tone, playing ease, and outstanding performance characteristics in mind, Jet-Tone mouthpieces are the perfect choice for amateur and professional trumpet players alike. Regarded as a legendary mouthpiece manufacturer throughout the 60s and 70s, the Jet-Tone brand was on the verge of obscurity until it was recently reintroduced to the market. Since new […]

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