By Henry Bahrou, Grosse Pointe Music Academy Staff Chords are simply groups of notes played together to create either consonant or dissonant harmonies. One of the most common questions I hear from beginning guitar students is: How many guitar chords are there?The answer isn’t infinity, but it’s still far too many to count — and […]
Music Lessons
Can I start my lessons on a keyboard rather than a piano?
Grosse Pointe Music Academy Staff Modern technology has made it remarkably affordable to own a full 88-key digital piano. Many of today’s models feature hammer-action keys that closely simulate the feel of an acoustic piano. For anyone who has compared non-weighted keyboards to traditional pianos, the difference in touch and responsiveness is significant. Even between […]
Don’t you cry I’ll be back again someday
By Grosse Pointe Music Academy Staff After waving farewell to the children, Frosty the Snowman famously promises that he will “be back again someday.” But did Frosty ever return? Some have found the original phrasing too vague and have altered the lyrics to “I’ll be back again on Christmas Day,” offering a more definitive timeline […]
The Impact and Importance of Christmas Music
Music is one of the few truly universal languages, present in every culture and corner of the world. From the earliest days of striking objects together to create rhythm, humans have turned to music for connection and expression. Among all musical traditions, few have had the global reach and cultural impact quite like Christmas music. […]
A song you can learn on any instrument with no training!
“Four Minutes and Thirty-Three Seconds” is a three-movement composition by American composer John Cage. This work consists entirely of 4 minutes and 33 seconds of silence — yes, pure silence. John Cage (1912–1992), often labeled an experimental composer, challenged the conventional understanding of music with this piece, written in 1952. While it is commonly perceived […]
Play Chopsticks while eating sushi
Chopsticks is the most popular piano song of all time. Some would make the argument for Heart and Soul or Beethoven’s Fur Elise. They’d be wrong. It’s Chopsticks. More people play Chopsticks than any other song when they come across an open piano. Why? Because it can actually be played with a pair of chopsticks. […]
Take your guitar playing to new heights!
Grosse Pointe Music Academy is proud to offer a Guitar Ensemble program for guitarists of all ages and skill levels! This exciting opportunity allows students to perform as part of a group, participate in recitals, and potentially record and perform at special events, concerts, and community showcases. Ensemble classes provide guitarists with a valuable experience […]
Musical Boxing – Success vs. Excellence
by Grosse Pointe Music Academy Staff Recently, I was reflecting on a memory from my childhood—my dream to become a professional boxer. My father had a heavyweight prizefighter as a friend, and after watching him perform live, I was completely hooked. I begged my parents to help me get into boxing, but they always gave […]
Why Guitarists Should Learn to Read Music
During my first year studying guitar in college, I remember seeing a comic pinned to my instructor’s wall. It showed a frazzled conductor, baton in hand, standing amid flames, surrounded by a disorganized group of guitarists and banjo players. The caption read: “Conductor’s Hell.” It was funny—but also revealing. The joke lands because there’s a […]
Violin-t Behavior
History books will tell you that the violin is actually an Eastern European descendant of the Japanese Kyoto. They’ll say something about Marco Polo bringing the idea of the violin back to Eastern Europe after his highly publicized jaunt to the Far West in the 1200’s where he enjoyed a Kyoto concert with Kubla Khan. […]
Electric Guitar Classes Near Grosse Pointe Woods
Looking for a fun and engaging way to keep your child creatively active this summer? Electric guitar classes near Grosse Pointe Woods are a perfect choice—especially for young musicians eager to explore rock, blues, and pop styles in an exciting, group-based environment. One standout option is the Rock Band Jam Camp, hosted by Grosse Pointe […]
Passing Down the Joy of Music: A Message from Grosse Pointe Music Academy Staff
There’s something magical about a child’s first recital.When a young student steps onto the stage, takes a deep breath, and strums their first guitar solo or plays their first piano piece for an audience, it’s a moment parents will treasure forever. But it’s not just parents beaming with pride—teachers feel it too. As music educators, […]
Join the Guitar Ensemble at Grosse Pointe Music Academy
Metro Detroit guitarists now have the opportunity to play in a group with other six-stringers!Just like middle and high school band or orchestra students benefit from group experiences, guitar players can now enjoy the same advantages through our Guitar Ensemble class. The Guitar Ensemble is designed to supplement — not replace — private instruction. It […]
Social Network for written music
Discover Noteflight – An Essential Tool for Musicians of All LevelsEndorsed by Grosse Pointe Music Academy Staff If you’re looking for an easy and powerful way to write, share, and collaborate on music online, we highly recommend checking out Noteflight. Noteflight is a versatile, web-based music notation software that empowers musicians, composers, and educators to […]
Drummers: The Unsung Heroes of the Band
By Grosse Pointe Music Academy Staff Did you know that late-night talk show host Craig Ferguson is a drummer? So are actor Billy Bob Thornton and illusionist Criss Angel. While Angel may be known for his sleight-of-hand and elaborate stunts, keeping time on a drum kit is no trick—it’s an art form that takes skill, […]
Sing Like You Mean it
Singing karaoke can be a fun way to step into the world of music. There’s something about grabbing a microphone, queuing up your favorite song, and having the energy of a live crowd (or a living room full of friends) that brings out everyone’s inner performer. It’s easy to feel like a rock star when […]
Why Music Together Stands Apart in Early Childhood Music Education
At Music Together of Grosse Pointe, we believe deeply in the power of early childhood music education. Having researched many early childhood music programs, I can confidently share why Music Together® remains a truly exceptional and research-driven approach to developing lifelong musical abilities. Grounded in the Latest Music Learning Research Music Together is based on […]
Master Guitar Chord Inversions on Three Strings
Whether you’re a beginner picking up the guitar for the first time or an experienced player looking to expand your skills, learning to play chord inversions on just three strings can open up a whole new world of sound and understanding. In most beginner guitar lessons, students first learn chords using four, five, or six […]
Build Your Music Vocabulary through Piano Lessons
At Grosse Pointe Music Academy, we believe that helping students truly understand music—not just decode it—is key to lasting success in piano lessons. After over a decade of teaching experience in the Detroit area, we have learned important lessons about how students best develop musical fluency, and we are excited to share these insights with […]
Experience Success in Piano Lessons
At Grosse Pointe Music Academy, we believe success in music lessons starts with a clear vision and goals. Whether you’re a beginning or returning student, bringing focus and intention to your piano lessons—or any instrument study—is key to making real progress. As passionate music educators with over 10 years of teaching experience in the Detroit […]