With the heat of this Summer in the Detroit area, it is important to be aware of how one can protect their instrument. The worst thing that an instrument owner can do is leave their guitar out in a car on a hot day. You wouldn’t leave your child or family pet out in a […]
Blog
Register Now For Fall Music Lessons 2011
Private and Group Music Lessons – Fall Registration Now Open! Secure the best lesson times for September! Families can save time by scheduling multiple students at once. Private Lessons Available Group Classes 🎶 Private lessons offered in 30, 45, or 60 minute formats.🎶 Group classes structured by age and skill level. 📍 Serving Grosse Pointe, […]
Why is it called “rock n’ roll?” What does the “roll” mean? Why is it sometimes “and” yet sometimes “n’?”
(Adapted from Dictionary.com) Is “Rocket ‘88” by Jackie Brenston and his Delta Cats the very first rock and roll record? Musicologists have debated this for years.Another equally hot topic: where does the term “rock and roll” actually come from? By the 1920s, “rocking and rolling” became a popular double entendre for either dancing or sex. […]
Rhythm Society Orchestra August 4th Music on the Plaza
Music on the Plaza in the Grosse Pointe Village proudly presents the Rhythm Society Orchestra. Music on the Plaza — Grosse Pointe Bring a chair and enjoy an evening of swingin’ big band sounds!Free concert. Band plays from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM. The Rhythm Society Orchestra is a 15-piece dance band specializing in authentic […]
Art and Lutherie Ami Guitar
Never judge a book by its cover!The A&L Ami guitars may look small — modeled after the dimensions of early 1900s parlor guitars — but they deliver a tone that punches well above their size. Despite their compact stature, Ami guitars are surprisingly powerful where it counts most: tone and projection. The Ami’s sound is […]
THE JAZZ THEORY BOOK
by Mark Levine Commentary by Henry Bahrou – Guitarist, Music Theorist, Music Academy Director Anyone studying Jazz should read The Jazz Theory Book by Mark Levine.Mark delivers a brilliant and comprehensive guide covering Theory and Scales, Improvisation, Reharmonization, Playing Tunes, and much more. With over 500 pages of text and more than 750 musical examples, […]
Julian Pavone: Guinness World Record Holder at Just 5 Years Old
By Heidi Bitsoli, Special to The Macomb Daily (original article here) At an age when most children are still learning their ABCs, Macomb Township’s Julian Pavone was already securing his place in history. Officially recognized by Guinness World Records at just 5 years, 10 months, and 3 days old, Julian earned the title of Youngest […]
Macomb boy drums way to a Guinness record
Macomb’s Drumming Prodigy Sets a Guinness World Record At just 7 years old, Macomb Township’s Julian Pavone has already made a huge mark in the world of music. After appearing on over 150 television programs—including “Good Morning America,” “Inside Edition,” and even “The Oprah Winfrey Show” twice—Julian recently achieved official recognition as the youngest professional […]
One-on-One Guitar Coaching in Grosse Pointe Park
There’s something energizing about being surrounded by natural beauty and vibrant community spaces. In Grosse Pointe Park, this energy flows into everything—from lakeside walks to outdoor concerts, and yes, even music education. If you’re looking to elevate your playing with personalized instruction, one-on-one guitar coaching in Grosse Pointe Park offers the perfect mix of individualized […]
Free Intro Guitar Class at the Harper Woods Library
Starting August 8th, the Grosse Pointe Music Academy will be sponsoring the non-profit organization Detroit Music Initiative in their efforts to bring music to those for whom it’s out of reach. The DMI will be providing four weekly hour-long classes that are open for enrollment to the public. The classes, which will be held every […]
Piano Lesson Myths: A Fresh Look at Common Misconceptions
Piano students of all ages often find themselves battling long-held myths about learning the instrument. These ideas, while deeply ingrained in popular culture, can actually slow progress and discourage learners if left unchallenged. Howard Richman, a respected pianist and educator, offers insight into many of these common misconceptions, encouraging students to rethink how they approach […]
Playing the songs you’ve heard over and over
Why Simple Songs Matter for Music Studentsby Henry Bahrou – Guitarist, Music Theorist, Music Academy Director You might not be thrilled at the idea of learning “Jingle Bells,” “Mary Had a Little Lamb,” or “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star,” but like it or not, these tunes will echo in your mind the moment they’re mentioned. Don’t […]
Finding the Kinesthetic Feeling of Rhythm
Helping Adult Piano Students Find Their Natural Sense of RhythmCommentary inspired by Matthew Harre’s writing at MusicFossils.com Many adult piano students struggle with maintaining a natural rhythmic pulse when learning to play. According to educator Matthew Harre, this difficulty often stems from an overemphasis on correct notes and a disconnection from the body’s innate sense […]
Paul McCartney brings a lifetime of hits to Comerica Park
Commentary inspired by Susan Whitall’s coverage in The Detroit News Even at age 69, Paul McCartney continues to be one of music’s most tireless figures, showing little interest in retirement. With a career spanning more than five decades, McCartney remains deeply engaged—touring, recording, and planning new projects with the same energy that made him a […]
Music Together Blog. Jackson, The Music Maker
Commentary based on insights by Lyn Ransom, D.M.A. How Everyday Music Making Shapes Early Childhood Music can be one of the most powerful and natural parts of a young child’s life. In her reflections, Lyn Ransom, D.M.A., describes how simple, everyday moments — singing about dinner, playing piano with a toddler, or letting young children […]
Don’t let summer stop your groove
With summer in full swing, many students take breaks from their music lessons to enjoy seasonal activities. While that’s understandable, what many students don’t realize is the importance of continuing to practice throughout their break — a point I always stress with my students. As practice time diminishes, so do the critical physical and mental […]
Fingerstyle guitar classes in Harper Woods
Don’t Toss That Guitar—Try Fingerstyle Guitar Classes in Harper Woods Instead! Let’s set the record straight: just because a guitar is missing a string doesn’t mean it’s trash. In fact, if you recently found yourself holding a dusty six-string with a snapped low E, congratulations—you may have just scored yourself a solid practice instrument. It’s […]
Get your child a full size guitar so they can grow into it…
Wait! The title idea for this post is completely wrong. Buying a full-size guitar for a beginning student so they can “grow into it” is one of the absolute worst things you could do for their musical future. If you subscribe to this philosophy, you may as well start buying clothes four sizes too big […]
Practice, Practice, Practice
Grosse Pointe Music Academy Consistent practice is essential for learning any musical instrument. It helps build muscle memory, improves technique, and deepens your understanding of music. Even short daily sessions can lead to noticeable progress and greater confidence in your playing.
Upgrading your guitar to a bone nut and saddle.
Often times I am asked by customers what upgrades they can make to their guitars to improve the sound of their instrument. Most of the time, I advise them to replace their nut and saddle with one made from a bone material. This is a fairly low cost repair that is always an improvement. Most […]