“The same song on a different day 

was a different song.”

~ Bob Weir

Do you have songs that you play over and over?  Do you have a special playlist on repeat while driving or working? 

David Huron, a distinguished professor of music at Ohio State University, estimates that 90% of the time you spend listening to music, you hear passages you have listened to before.  iTunes and Spotify are also great at revealing how frequently we listen to our favorite songs; and why some songs get stuck in our heads and loop repeatedly. 

The conclusion: Repetition is a startlingly and dominant feature of music.

"Music Is… A higher revelation than all wisdom and philosophy."

~Ludwig Van Beethoven

What if you could learn to play a song today? Learning to play a piece of music can seem complicated, but in the following five easy steps, you will be able to play today!

These five steps, along with the sheet music and you can learn to play the song "Best Day of My Life" today! 

Whether you play the piano, the guitar, or another instrument, this song has only two chords and is a great way to begin to learn the five essential tools that are the foundation of music. 

Valentine’s Day and Love Song Facts

Music and Love have always been "best friends." If we feel clumsy at expressing how much we love and care for that special person in our life, fortunately, there are plenty of love songs that will say it perfectly. 

In 1965, the song "Stop in the Name of Love" was sung by Diana Ross of the Supremes. It was written by the famous Motown team (Holland/Dozier/Holland). Dozier got the idea for the song after an argument with his girlfriend (she caught him cheating). 

In the heat of battle, he said, "Baby, please stop. In the name of Love - before you break my heart." He was trying to diffuse the situation, but it didn't help - she was still going to break up with him. So, he asked her to "think it over."

“Music acts like a magic key, 

to which the most tightly closed heart - opens.”

~Maria von Trapp

Most sporting events open with the National Anthem. Many Concerts sell out within a day, cars have radios and cd players, and when Apple released iTunes in 2003, digital music became more available and changed the world.

What is this phenomenon with music? Why are we so drawn to certain types of music? What exactly is music?

The dictionary describes music “as an art form and a cultural activity whose medium is sound.” And other general definitions of music include “the recognition of elements such as pitch, rhythm, dynamics and the sonic qualities of timbre and texture, and different styles or types of music may emphasize, de-emphasize or omit some of these elements.”

"Music is sunshine.  

Like sunshine, music is a powerful force 

that can instantly and almost chemically 

change your entire mood!"

~Michael Franti

Are you looking for the perfect gift to give this Holiday Season?  

Sometimes it is the presents that don't require wrapping that become the most life-changing and meaningful.

Music Lessons are Enjoyable and Fun!

Music lessons are an enjoyable and constructive way for an individual of any age to spend their time. With its variety of instruments, range of sounds, and compelling elements, it's virtually impossible for someone not to like Music or want to learn how to play. 

Music Builds Character and Originality

As the Holidays approach and our schedules become busy, we start to look for that perfect, as well as a unique and different gift that will be beneficial for years to come.  

“Truly successful decision-making relies on a balance between

Deliberate and instinctive thinking.”

~Malcom Gladwell~

One of the most exciting challenges about starting music lessons is deciding whether to rent or buy an instrument for you or your child.  What should I do?

If you or your child have never played an instrument, your music teacher will be the best person to ask. The goal will be to find the best instrument for either you or your child. Because there are so many different sizes, models, and skill level to understand with any instrument, it will be essential to hear what your teacher suggests for you. It may also be beneficial to wait until after your first lesson.

While a child can learn to start playing the Piano and the Violin effectively as early as four years old, we suggest that drum lessons begin at seven years old, and guitar at eight years old.

And, if you love an instrument and feel that you will be playing, go online, or to your nearest music store and buy it. But what about your child? And what if you are NOT sure?

“You are Never Too Old to Set Another Goal,

Or to Dream A New Dream.”

~C.S. Lewis~

Playing a musical instrument or taking music lessons has traditionally been something you do as a child.  Music lessons are seen as something only accomplished when you are young, and the information embedded only during your formative years. Otherwise, you will be hopelessly behind or will have just missed out.  

But this is not true.  

Adults have been taking music lessons for a long time, and recently more adults are making music a priority in their lives. ‘Bucket list” is a trendy term, but that is what they are saying - “Playing an instrument has been on my bucket list, and it’s time to take lessons!”

Why Adults are signing up for Music Lessons

"From what we get, we can make a living; 

what we give, however, makes a life."

-- Arthur Ashe

The power of giving is one of the most transformative things you can do to change a person's life, as well as change your own. There are plenty of people in the world with dreams, ideas, passions, and creativity that are unrealized, because they may not be able to do something they love.  

"Helping and giving them the opportunity to do the thing they love will change that forever.

What does it feel like to give music? When you share music, it connects all of us and brings us all together.  You are giving something that will last a lifetime and help them feel connected to themselves and others. When you give music… it actually feels …. fantastic. 

This summer, we had a business owner at our music school, award five music scholarships to five different children.

"One of the most beautiful things we can give our children

Is music education."

~ Gloria Estefan

Everyone loves and enjoys music. Whether listening, playing, or singing, we understand the gift that music brings personally and globally.

Despite this incredible universal love of music, many schools are eliminating, or have eliminated their music programs. Parents and teachers agree this is a mistake, but that has not instigated these important programs back into schools.  Schools and families are losing not only an enjoyable subject but also something that enriches a student's life and enhances their educational process.

Consider adding music education to your schedule by finding a local music school and enrolling in a group or private music education. Here are a few benefits that are considered some of the top reasons to add music to your schedule this Fall.

1. Start learning Music Early. Early musical training will develop the areas of the brain related to language and reasoning. The left side of the brain develops with music, and songs help imprint information on young minds.

“Being brave isn’t the absence of Fear

Being brave is having that fear

But finding a way through it.”

~ Carole King

No one is born or lives their life without feeling fear. Fortunately, most fears can be conquered with daily practice. Learning a few techniques, and applying self-discipline can help you get to the other side of your fear.

Both children and adults have brains that are good at conquering fears as well as learning new things. The thought that only children are capable of learning how to play instruments is a huge misconception.  

Yes, of course, there is a certain amount of plasticity that growing children's brains benefit from, but the Brain does not quit after turning 18. We learn new skills our entire lives, and a musical instrument is an intellectual endeavor as much as it is one of muscle memory. Practice and discipline are what make great musicians; those two elements that are available to just about anyone.

“If you ever think about giving up,

Remember why you held on for so long.”

~Hayley Williams

This past month with the onset of the Coronavirus, we transitioned from teaching music lessons at our music school in Encinitas to teaching “Online Zoom Lessons” for over 450 students.  We jumped in and rallied. Within a week, our teachers were online and ready to go!

Gosh…. we have learned a lot!  Mostly we have learned that it is vital, for many reasons, to continue to receive music lessons every week. 

The feedback about online lessons has been phenomenal.  We received an overwhelming amount of appreciation from our clients about the value of weekly music lessons. The need for music as a form of essential healing has become quite apparent.

As we “zoomed” in (yes, pun intended) with this new form of music education, we learned that regardless of how the lessons are taught, in-person or online, music is of vital importance in everyone’s lives.

Music brings us pleasure

And releases our suffering.

It can calm us down and pump us up.

It helps us manage pain, sleep better

And be more productive.

~Alex Doman

 With the onset of the Corona Virus, and the recent order from the Governor for all Californians to self- quarantine, we immediately decided to start teaching music lessons online. We have over 450 students enrolled weekly at our school, so we knew that it would be very important to keep their music lessons going.

How did we do it? 

 We chose the online application “Zoom” to use, and it has been absolutely fabulous. We set up IPads, practiced with each other, and read everything we could on how to create a successful music class. Then we began our new journey. 

If you do not go after what you want, you will never get it.

If you do not ask, the answer will always be no.

If you do not step forward, you will always be in the same place

~Nora Roberts

For a musician, an audition can be one of the most valuable and exciting experiences in their music studies. They can also be challenging and nerve-wracking moments, but in the end, an audition experience can bring many life benefits. It is a known fact that many experienced virtuosos can also get stage fright, fumble, or experience extreme nervousness. No artist is immune to the possibility of this happening, and sometimes no amount of preparation can keep it from happening.  

That does not mean that you should avoid them. In fact, auditions help artists to grow in their performances as well as strengthen and deepen their love of music and their artistic expression. The most important result of an audition is that it can reveal to the musician both their innate strengths as well as their weaknesses.  It can also be incredibly liberating and life-changing. 

“I can not imagine my life 

if I didn't have a music program in my school.”

~Beyonce

Over the past several years, Music education programs have deteriorated in the public school systems.  

With the "No Child Left Behind" (NCLB) program initiated in 2001, this law became the primary standard for K–12 general education in the United States. It held public schools accountable for how children learned and achieved in the classroom. It was extremely controversial partly because it penalized schools that did not show academic improvement.

The "Every Student Succeeds Act" (ESSA) replaced the NCLB in 2015. It kept some parts of NCLB and repealed others. It modified but did not eliminate provisions relating to the standardized tests given to students. 

How Could This Happen, and what has been the Loss?

We didn't buy Flowers, 

We bought Music Lessons!

Valentine’s Day and Love Song Facts
Music and Love have always been "best friends." If we feel clumsy at expressing how much we love and care for that special person in our life, fortunately, there are plenty of love songs that will say it perfectly. 
In 1965 the song "Stop in the Name of Love" was sung by Diana Ross of the Supremes. It was written by the famous Motown team (Holland/Dozier/Holland). Dozier got the idea for the song after an argument with his girlfriend (she caught him cheating). 

In the heat of battle, he said, "Baby, please stop. In the name of Love - before you break my heart."He was trying to diffuse the situation, but it didn't help - she was still going to break up with him. So, he asked her to "think it over."

“Music boosts dopamine, lowers cortisone

And makes you feel great.
Your brain is better on music.”

~Alex Doman

Music has the ability to move us, shake us, change our moods, help bring us up, or gently put us to sleep. We all know music affects us, but what about the deeper significance, the science of it, and the health aspects? 

Scientists are researching what happens when we listen to music and how if produces such an enormous effect on our brains. 

Daniel Levitin, a prominent psychologist who studies  “the neuroscience of music” says. “We’re using music to better understand brain function in general.”