Grosse Pointe Music Academy Spring recital dates:
Friday June 14th
Shores Church
24905 Manhattan St
St Clair Shores, MI 48080
6:30 PM and 8:00PM
Thursday June 20th
Plymouth Community Arts Council
774 N. Sheldon Rd.
Plymouth, MI 48170
6:30 PM
Summer Music Programs
May 4, 2013 Leave a Comment
Need something to fun to do this summer?
Sign up Now for one of our summer music programs!
Summer is almost here and while it’s good to get a break from academic studies, it is very important for beginner and serious students alike to continue their music lessons. For many people, summer music programs allow students to make huge strides in their playing or singing abilities. Keeping yourself or your children involved in music programs during the summer will make a big difference in the individuals awareness of what it takes to play a musical instrument. It’s not that if you take a break you are going to lose everything that you know. The key is to stay as consistent as possible and cutting out of lessons just because it’s summer is not a good reason. We understand that people are busy during the summer so we have created flexible summer music programs to ensure that you can stay focused without changing anyones vacation plans!
Summer Music Programs
at Grosse Pointe Music Academy:
Private Lessons for Ages 5 to Adult:
Grosse Pointe Music Academy offers private lessons for Electric and Acoustic Guitar, Piano and Keyboard, Drums, Bass, Voice and singing, Violin, Viola, Cello, Saxophone, Clarinet, Trumpet, and Ukulele. Yes that is correct, you can take lessons on the Ukulele! Private lessons are offered for 30, 45, 60, and 90 minutes.
Ages 9-16:
Summer Music Camps are great for all students. Camp is such a fun and inspiring atmosphere where kids can really deepen their understanding of what it takes to be a disciplined musician. Individual and group activities and practice are the core features of camp. The understanding of how bands work together to compose music and perform music is featured each day. Summer music camps will immerse the individual in a life of musicianship that cannot be duplicated in private lessons.
Ages birth-5 years:
Music for newborns? Yes that is correct! We offer the internationally recognized Music Together program for infants and toddlers. Music Together is an amazing program for musical development! Don’t take my word for it though, you can try the class for free! Free Demos are offered in the community prior to each new semester. Our summer Music Together Program is in July and August.
For details on any of our upcoming summer music programs please call us at 313-458-7723.
Or stop by and see us from 9am-8pm Monday-Friday and 10am-4pm on Saturday.
We are located at:
19443 Mack Ave.
Grosse Pointe Woods, MI 48236
Local Links:
Local Grosse Pointe Patch Online Newspaper
How do you play guitar? 10 awesome guitar videos to show you!
February 22, 2013 Leave a Comment
How do you play guitar? First, you need to own one and then you need to start listening to as much guitar music as possible. Those are the basics, but that question is best answered through many lessons, workshops, and practice sessions. The guitar is an instrument capable of unlimited expression. In the following videos, you’ll see various types of guitars and styles being played.
Joe Robinson is an Australian born guitarist and vocalist who plays a fast fingerstyle song called Chatterbox.
Jan Laurenz plays on a very unique 12-string Beartrax guitar.
Ewan Dobson is an award-winning classical guitarist who has since made major contributions to the world of video game music. Watch him play with incredible chops his song, Time 2, on guitar in this video.
Baby Plays Guitar! Is this baby for real? Watch till the end when the baby gives a rock-and-roll hand gesture. Crazy stuff!
Guthrie Govan gives a demonstration of a fretless guitar with a metal fingerboard from Vigier Guitars. This thing looks like a lot of fun!
One String Willy answers the “How do you play guitar” question. He says do it with one string. Watch his performance of a song he calls One String.
John Butler Trio, led by guitarist and vocalist John Butler, plays his song Ocean on 12-string guitar.
Ben Lapps is 15-years-old in this video and is playing either during the set break or while the band is setting up. This performance is certainly awesome enough to be the lead act!
Guy Sings like an electric guitar sounds! This lead singer isn’t going to show you how to play guitar, but he sure does sound like one. People can do some pretty amazing things with their voices. Check out this electric guitar solo done with the human voice.
Last but not least, Bob Brozman plays masterfully on his steel body acoustic guitar.
How do you play guitar? It takes a lot of practice but it’s never too late to start learning. Let us know which videos you liked best in the comments.
Videos compiled and posted by Henry B.
School Director of Grosse Pointe Music Academy
Grosse Pointe Music Academy
5880 N. Canton Center Rd. Ste. 425
Canton, MI 48187
734.418.0640
Summer Music Camps
February 21, 2013 Leave a Comment
Summer Music Camps
Grosse Pointe Music Academy will host weeklong summer music camps for beginning to intermediate students age 9–17. Besides having fun, Grosse Pointe Music Academy summer music camps are designed to keep students actively involved in playing their instruments throughout the summer months.
Many students will put their instruments away from the summer, and that is a big mistake. Musicians practice year ’round because it’s necessary—and fun! Beginners will benefit strongly from being in a camp environment with students of mixed abilities, and class activities will be differentiated in order to provide a fun and challenging environment for all skill levels.
Each week of camp will start at 10 a.m. and go through 3 p.m., Monday–Friday. Students will need to bring their own lunch, plus shoes and clothing appropriate for outdoor play. Available summer music camp weeks in Grosse Pointe include:
July 15–19
July 22–26
July 29–August 2
August 5–9
Canton Location:
July 29–August 2
August 5–9
Each Friday at 2 p.m., students will showcase their skills with a musical performance at a local venue.
Online registration will be available starting Monday, March 11th. Sign up for our email newsletter to stay informed on everything about our summer music camps at Grosse Pointe Music Academy.
The goals and objectives for summer music camps will be to:
1. Learn the fundamentals or advance your skill on your principal instrument
2. Play music and learn skills of playing in a band with other instrumentalists and vocal students
3. Develop practice habits that can be continued well beyond the duration of camp
4. Learn about music theory and ear training
5. Record music
6. Perform!
7. Have fun—lots of fun! (And all campers will receive a free camp T-shirt!)
Students will choose a principal instrument from the following list:
Electric guitar
Acoustic guitar
Bass guitar
Piano/Keyboards
Ukulele
Saxophone
Clarinet
Trumpet
Violin
Viola
Cello
Vocals
Rates for 2013 summer music camps at Grosse Pointe Music Academy:
$295 for one week, 10am-3pm Monday-Friday.
Discounts are available for multiple week enrollment and sibling enrollments. Registration is now open. Sign up online or call us today!
50 dollars off each additional week
25 dollars off for sibling enrollments
(offers cannot be combined)
Grosse Pointe Camps:
Canton Camps:
Grosse Pointe Music Academy
19443 Mack Ave.
Grosse Pointe Woods, MI 48236
313-458-7723
info@grossepointemusicacademy.com
GP Music Academy in Canton
5880 N. Canton Center Rd. Ste. 425
Canton, MI 48187
Music Camp
December 17, 2012 Leave a Comment
Click Here for 2013 Summer Camps
Winter Music Camp at Grosse Pointe Music Academy starts January 2nd, 2013.
Music camp was so much fun this summer that we had students asking us to host our music camps over winter break. Music Camp is a highly effective method for building strong practice habits. Beginner students and those who are currently studying a musical instruments will benefit greatly from this camp. Students in music camp will learn how to play with other musicians in harmony and in time. Music camp is a place where students can immerse themselves in many different music subjects.
Learn about playing songs, writing songs, music theory, jamming, chords, ear training, composition, rhythm, melody and harmony. Students will also learn about different styles of music including rock, blues, jazz, and more.
Join us for this fun, effective, and affordable camp December 26th-28th and January 2nd-4th from 9am-2pm each day. Each week is 150 dollars or 275 for both weeks. Each week will contain different content.
Want to keep the kids away from the TV and the video games during winter break? Wouldn’t you rather they focus on something perhaps a little more meaningful? Musical study provides discipline for students that helps to shape and sharpen the human mind in so many ways.
Students studying guitar, piano, bass, drums, flute, saxophone, trumpet, clarinet, violin, viola, cello, ukulele, or voice are encouraged to join the class. Beginner students and students currently studying music are welcome to take the camp. Differing instruction will be provided to satisfy the different skill levels of students entering the camp.
Students must have their own instrument if they are playing anything other than drums or piano/keyboard. Electric Guitar players and Bass Guitar Players may bring their own amplifiers.
Students will need to bring their own lunch.
Sign up online now!
Learn Bass Guitar
November 14, 2012 8 Comments
If you want to learn bass guitar, it may be wise to familiarize yourself with some of the humor that surrounds bass players and the playing of bass in general. Much of this humor is derived from the relative simplicity of the bass lines played by rock musicians. I believe that all instruments have technical aspects that are difficult to master including bass guitar. Many people who do learn bass guitar after trying guitar or piano will admit that it is easier in the primary stages of learning. Here are some funny bass guitar player jokes I found while surfing the web:
Bass Guitar Player Jokes
Q: Why can’t many bass players get through the door?
A:They either can’t find the key or don’t know when to come in.
Q: How do you know when the stage is level?
A: When the bass player is drooling out of both sides of his mouth.
Q: What did the bassist do when he was told to turn on his amp?
A: He caressed it softly and told it that he loved it.
Q: What do you call someone who hangs around with musicians?
A: A Bass Player.
Son: ”Daddy, I want to grow up and be a bass player.”
Father: ”Son, you can’t have it both ways. ”
Q: What did the bass player get on his IQ test?
A: Drool.
Q: What’s the difference between a bass player and a mutual fund?
A: One matures.
As you can tell these jokes depict someone who is not that smart and has little role in the overall musical function of a band. With all kidding aside, the bass player is an absolute vital function of virtually any contemporary style of music. Before we continue on with the positives though, check out this short video:
Why learn bass guitar:
If you are looking to play music in a group then bass guitar is a good option. Guitar players out number bass players by a very wide margin. Often times guitar players are converted into bass players because everyone in the group played guitar. That was even the case with The Beatles! The bass guitar player plays a very important role in tying together rhythm and harmony of the band. They carry the low notes and provide groove to the music. Despite all the jokes, if you choose to learn bass guitar you will no doubt serve a valuable function in a musical band. Assuming you actually practice hard that is!
Want to learn bass guitar to be a soloist? Check this guy out:
Free Guitar Sweepstakes
October 16, 2012 Leave a Comment
AXL Guitars is bringing jobs to America and to prove the quality of their work, they are giving away one of their USA hand assembled guitars! Read below for information on how to enter the free guitar sweepstakes.
FREE GUITAR SWEEPSTAKES!
Hayward, CA — AXL Guitars launches a new sweepstakes featuring the AXL USA 1216 Classic guitar in Antique Brown.
The sweepstakes runs from October 16, 2012 – November 16, 2012. Prizes include an AXL USA 1216 Classic guitar in Antique Brown, guitar accessory kit and vintage hardshell case. The winner will be chosen at random and announced on November 20, 2012.
The AXL USA 1216 Classic is hand-assembled in California with pro components, and packs a lot of punch into a great-sounding, playable package. The 1216 Classic has a solid mahogany body, solid mahogany set neck and rosewood fretboard with Jescar Medium Jumbo frets. Top-shelf components include Nashville-style Tune-O-Matic bridge, 2 AXL Alnico Humbuckers, Grover Rotomatic tuners, CTS pots, Graphtec Tusq XL nut, Orange Drop Capacitors and D’Addario EXL strings. With all assembly and set-up done in our workshop in Hayward, CA, the USA 1216 Classic is gig-ready right out of the box.
The prize package also includes the AXL Guitar Accessory Kit and a vintage-style hardshell case. The Accessory kit comes with guitar stand, digital guitar tuner, cable, strap, polishing cloth and 6 medium gauge picks. The vintage hardshell case comes with ultra strong archtop 7-ply cross-grained wood construction, black tolex exterior, emerald crushed velvet interior, leather handle, 16mm high-density padding, 6 latches with 1 lock, and an accessory compartment.
Persons residing in the United States who are at least 18 years of age are eligible to enter to win. Enter to win on the Free Guitar Sweepstakes on the AXL Facebook page: click here.
Grosse Pointe Music Academy offers Guitar Lessons for Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar and Bass Guitar in our Grosse Pointe Woods and Canton, Michigan locations.
Grosse Pointe Music Academy is not affiliated with AXL guitars and is not involved in the free guitar sweepstakes.
Who says cello players don’t rock?
October 15, 2012 Leave a Comment
I’ve always thought it was cool seeing orchestral instruments play rock and pop songs. Check out this cello player performing Rock You Like a Hurricane by The Scorpions.
From an article on August 6 2009:
The 15 Greatest Cello Performances in Popular Music
The Cello is the second largest and deepest string instrument on the scale after the double-bass. While it is mainly used in classical orchestras and solo pieces, the Cello as also been used in many popular rock and pop songs. Here are my picks for the best Cello songs:
15. Atom Heart Mother
This 23 minute epic instrumental song is one of PF’s best in my opinion. What makes this song a really master piece is its use of classical instruments; horns, flutes, and of coarse some nicely done cello work.
14. 
Enter Sandman (Instrumental Version)
I could have picked any song by this band (they are a Cello Metal band after all). But this song really stood out to me because: 1) Its a cover of a very popular Metallica song and 2) Its performed with only string instruments. Too awesome.
13. Fuego!
This unique indie band employs cellos in most of their songs. This songs cello music falls right into place overlapping the guitar, bass, and vocals perfectly.
12. Bookworm
This tracks mellow guitar and piano melody, haunting vocals, and underlining violin and cello rhythm makes this track one which you’ll want to play over and over.
11. Aerials
While a cello is played throughout this entire track, it is most noticeable in the short intro, setting the perfect mood for this great song.
10. Record Function
This Michigan indie band actually uses two cellos in most of their songs. To me, with out the cellos carrying the sound of the song the track would be quite bland. However with the inclusion of the cello the track is a great gem.
9. Bang Bang
The thick cello “rift” that plays throughout this power-ballad from the beloved artist Cher turns this into one of the few good Cher songs. Nuff said.
8. Apoligize
The beautiful cello playing mixed with the wonderful vocals in the first verse of this song are truly magical, but when the synth and drums come in…… it kinda ruins it. still worth a listen.
7. Disarm
The quick and soft cello bursts that place throughout the song real set the angry/soft tone of this classic SP song.
6. The Flag
This song is quite the change of pace for this usually upbeat and bouncy band. However you can’t argue with the masterfully placed cello that mixes perfectly with both the guitar and vocals.
5. Art Is Hard
This very alternative sounding band isn’t really where you’d expect to find a cello player. However the cellist in this band is one of the best out there. Their songs, more than any others I’ve heard really seem to be built around the instrument.
4. Transylvanian Comcubine
This track really shows off what the cello and violin can do in a rock song. Rasputina is actually the founder of the ‘cello rock’ genre, so they really know how to play!
3. Dumb
This song actually inspired me to write this journal! I don’t know what it is but there is just something magical about those four cello notes before the chorus.
2. Eleanor Rigby
When you think string instruments in music this is certainly one of the first tracks that come to mind for most people. The ensemble of all the different strings added with the harmonizing vocals make this a fantastic track.
1. Wonderwall
Thats right. I’m sure you saw this coming. No surprises here. Oasis’s biggest hit plus one of the best songs of the 90′s in my opinion. The cello turns this song from good to masterpiece.
Cello Lessons are now offered at both GPMA locations in Grosse Pointe Woods and Canton.
Thanks for checking out this post. Leave us a comment and come back to visit us again soon!
Posted by Henry Bahrou
School Director
Grosse Pointe Music Academy
Music Camp August 6th-10th 2012
August 2, 2012 Leave a Comment
It’s not too late to sign up for next week’s music camp at Grosse Pointe Music Academy. This will be the second of two individual camps offered this summer by the Music Academy. We are are currently seeking instrumentalists and vocalists that are interested in learning more about music to sign up! We will ensure that you learn lots of new things and have a great time playing music with others. Our first camp had drummers, singers, guitar players, piano players, a saxophone player, a baritone player and a violin player. You are welcome to join with any instrument and any playing level.
Campers will spend time working on songs as a group as well as improve their own playing with practice tips from highly qualified music instructors. Each day the camp will go from 10am-3pm from Monday August 6th- Friday August 10th. The final day we will offer a chance for friends and family to come see a musical performance put on by the campers! The City of Grosse Pointe Woods will pick up the campers from Grosse Pointe Music Academy at 12:30 PM on Friday the 10th and take them and the teachers to the Grosse Pointe Unitarian Church. Parents will be welcome to come at 2:15 for the show. Maps to the Grosse Pointe Music Academy and the Grosse Pointe Unitarian Church are below.
Campers will need to bring their own lunch and clothing suitable for outdoor play. Early drop off time will be at 9am each day of the camp. Campers will get a free Grosse Pointe Music Academy T-Shirt! Camp is 275 for the week. Receive 25 dollars off when you sign up two children.
To sign up for Music Camp just give us a call at 313.458.7723 or just fill out the online registration form below.
Students will be exposed to many different musical subjects in camp including Music Theory, Improvisation, Music Appreciation, Ear Training, Performance skills and most importantly the power of a dedicated practice routine. Our teachers are people that are personally dedicated to musicianship for themselves. The Grosse Pointe Music Academy Music Camp is an opportunity for children ages 8-16 to experience life as a professional musician for the week. Many students leave camp with a renewed dedication to practicing their instrument or voice.
GROSSE POINTE UNITARIAN CHURCH:
17150 MAUMEE, GROSSE POINTE, MI
48230
View Larger Map
GROSSE POINTE MUSIC ACADEMY
19443 MACK AVE.
GROSSE POINTE WOODS, MI
48236
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West Park Farmers Market and Music on the Plaza
June 17, 2012 Leave a Comment
All summer long Grosse Pointe Music Academy will have a tent set up at the Village Associations Music on the Plaza events and also the West Park Farmers Market in Grosse Pointe Park. During each event we will have games, prizes, and other chances to win. Stop by to get information on our programs or just to hang out and say hi!
West Park Farmers Market Location:
Schedule for West Park Farmers Market Click Here
Most of the time the market runs from 9am-1pm on Saturdays. There are a few variations in the schedule so be sure to click the above link to view the complete schedule.
Music on the Plaza
Music on the Plaza will happen every Thursday in Grosse Pointe from now until August 2nd. Be sure to get out and hear some great tunes and visit all of the local sponsors.
The season schedule is as follows:
June 7– Grosse Pointe North and South jazz bands
June 14– Scott Gwinnell Dectet
June 21– Alvin Waddles Jazz Quartet
June 28–The MillionAires
July 5– Johnnie Bassett
July 12– The Sun Messengers
July 19–Ron Kischuk’s Masters of Music with guest vocalist Shahida Nurrulah
Aug. 2– The Detroit Jazz All Stars featuring Jim Wyse and Johnny Trudell
*There is no concert July 26.
In the event of inclement weather, the concerts are moved to Maire Elementary School. For more information, visit the Village Association’s website or call 313-886-7474.
Summer Programs for Ages 8-16 years old in Grosse Pointe.
Grosse Pointe Music Academy will be offering 2 weeks of music camps this summer. July 23rd-27th and August 6th-10th. Students taking the Camp will have the opportunity to expand their abilities, musical knowledge, and creativity in this comprehensive day camp. Each day will go from 10am-3pm. Camp is 275 per week with discounts available if you sign up for both weeks. Sibling discount is also available. Register Online.
