Category :Blog

Music is essential for being human. Scientists are learning a lot about how music effects the brain, how it changes our cognition (see blog posts Better Brains and Brain Imaging). But

Practice leads to harmony. This picture hangs beside the door to my music studio. No one can leave without seeing it, including me. The text reads “Never Forget the Pleasure of

“Woodshedding” is musician-speak for practicing, especially when working on difficult passages. Woodshedding is the process of isolating a hard section of the music and practicing it until the technical issues

As brain imaging technology improves, so does our understanding of music’s effects on the brain. Listening to music makes the whole brain light up. Playing music causes the neurons to

Practice Better, Enjoy Life More: Quality is more important than quantity in practice. Feeling stressed-out and under-accomplished? Perhaps you need to reconsider how you’re doing the work that needs to be

Every lesson I teach is an adventure. I never know exactly what to expect when a student walks through the door. Flexibility and creativity are my best friends on lesson

A Flute in My Refrigerator: Celebrating a Life in Music by Helen Spielman; book review Frustrated with teachers who complain about “students who don’t inspire them,” Helen Spielman dares to suggest that

Finding artistic renewal on spring break. It might seem odd to describe a trip to New York City as being restful and relaxing, but I love visiting big cities. The

I can’t wait to get my hands on a copy of Anthony Mazzocchi’s book The Music Parents’ Guide: A Survival Kit for the New Music Parent. It’s available on Kindle on

5 Ways You Can Help Your Child Practice and 4 Tricks To Try At Home Neither of my parents were musicians. The only thing my dad ever said when I was