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. […]
Music Tips
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 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 […]
The Suzuki “Mother Tongue” Concept
Learning Music the Suzuki Way: A Natural Approach At Grosse Pointe Music Academy, we embrace the philosophy of Dr. Shinichi Suzuki, who believed that music education should mirror the natural way children learn to speak their native language. Known as the Mother-Tongue Method, Suzuki’s approach views musical ability not as a rare talent, but as […]
What are frets, and when should I have them replaced?
Frets are metal strips (usually nickel alloy) embedded along the fretboard (also called fingerboard) and located at exact points that divide the scale length in accordance with a specific mathematical formula. When a player presses a string against a fret it shortens the vibrating length of the string, thus changing the pitch or note that […]
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 […]
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 […]
Why Early Childhood Music Education Matters
Introducing your child to music education early in life offers incredible benefits that reach far beyond simply learning to sing or play an instrument. Research increasingly shows that music training strengthens critical areas of brain development and helps shape lifelong skills. Here are just a few key advantages of early music education: 1. Language and […]
How Music Education Sharpens Kids’ Communication Skills
Music Education Helps Kids’ Brains With Sound Stimuli Many of us remember music class as a place where teachers constantly battled the noise of chatty students. Ironically, new research shows that music education may actually improve kids’ ability to communicate — even in noisy environments! A study highlighted in Science Daily found that children who […]
Taking Music Lessons with your son or daughter
Many people ask us if they can take music lessons alongside their son or daughter. Most often, these requests come for guitar or piano lessons, though sometimes for other instruments as well. Taking lessons together can be an excellent bonding experience, especially for beginners. Children are often deeply inspired by watching their parents play music. […]
Brain Research and Music Instruction in the Curriculum
Why Arts Education Matters — Insights from Brain Research For years, schools across the U.S. cut back on arts programs to focus heavily on boosting reading and math scores. But emerging brain research suggests that arts education might actually help students excel across all subjects — not just creatively, but cognitively. According to a report […]
Group Lessons or Private Lessons???
Group Music ClassesGroup music instruction is an excellent option for beginners who want to build a strong foundation on their instrument before committing to private lessons. While private lessons naturally offer more individualized attention, group classes are a fun, affordable, and highly effective way for newcomers to get started. Currently, Grosse Pointe Music Academy offers […]
Meet the Makers Behind the Music: Raggin’ Jazzin’ Rockin’
If you’ve ever marveled at a Zildjian cymbal or played a Ludwig drum kit, you might wonder about the stories behind these iconic names. Author Susan VanHecke explores the innovators behind some of America’s most legendary musical instruments in her book, Raggin’ Jazzin’ Rockin’: A History of American Musical Instrument Makers (Boyds Mills Press), an […]
Tips for making the most of your piano practice times
Piano Practice Guidelines
Why Every Child Deserves a Music Education
National Association for Music Education (NAfME) – Advocacy Resources According to leading national education organizations, every student should have access to a strong education in the arts. Music, in particular, plays a crucial role in student success — not only academically, but socially and emotionally. Studies show that students involved in music programs perform better […]