One of the most important elements of creating a beautiful sound at the piano is learning how to balance the melody and the accompaniment. Rather than playing all notes with the same weight, effective pianists know how to prioritize different voices within the music — bringing the melody forward while keeping the accompaniment supportive and […]
News
Can Playing Guitar Help You Keep Your Hair?
Can Playing Guitar Help You Keep Your Hair? According to an article from the Times of India, pop icon Prince once claimed that a lifetime of playing electric guitar helped him avoid going bald. Prince, who was known for his musical genius across 27 different instruments, believed that the constant flow of electricity through his […]
A Common Mistake That’ll Grow Hair on Any Guitarist’s Palms
Why Sticking to Your Comfort Zone on Guitar Holds You Back At Grosse Pointe Music Academy, we often remind students that real growth on an instrument doesn’t come from playing what you already know — it comes from stepping outside of your comfort zone. We recently came across a great article by Nicholas Tozier at […]
If birds can learn to sing, you can too!
The Joy of Singing and the Value of Voice LessonsI’ve always found it fascinating to watch birds imitate the sounds and songs of other animals—especially human voices. Anyone who has spent time around birds can see that they are deeply interested in sound and music. While many animals have sharper hearing than humans, birds seem […]
This is Your Brain on Music
Music and the Brain: A Look into Neuromusic with Daniel LevitinDaniel Levitin, a prominent researcher and author in the fields of psychology and neuroscience, has made major contributions to our understanding of how the brain processes music. As a professor at McGill University, his research has explored topics such as perfect pitch, musical memory, and […]
That’s what she said: Quotes from Famous Female Songwriters
Inspiration from Great Female Songwriters and Performers Collected by Henry Bahrou, Grosse Pointe Music Academy Staff Throughout history, female artists have shaped the world of music with bold creativity and honest expression. Their words not only reflect their craft but serve as a source of motivation and wisdom for anyone on a musical path. Here’s […]
Health: Music and the Mind
Music and Healing: The Powerful ConnectionGrosse Pointe Music Academy Staff More and more every day, it seems we hear how music helps promote healing and emotional well-being. While it’s unlikely that musicians or music therapists will ever rival pharmaceutical companies in wealth, it’s surprising that the healing power of music hasn’t become more mainstream in […]
Exploring Classical Indian Music
Introduction to Indian Classical MusicGrosse Pointe Music Academy invites you to join us for a special workshop exploring the foundations of Indian classical music. This event will take place at our Canton location: Monday, February 27th, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM Indian classical music is a deeply rich and ancient tradition, featuring two primary approaches: […]
Seaquence.org
Explore Musical Creativity with Seaquence.orgIn celebration of our upcoming songwriting workshops at Grosse Pointe Music Academy, we want to introduce you to a fun and innovative online tool: Seaquence.org. Seaquence is an interactive experiment in musical composition, where users create and combine musical “organisms” to build unique, living soundscapes. Each musical lifeform you design is […]
Balduck Mountain Ramblers
Balduck Mountain Ramblers – Follow Them Online!The Balduck Mountain Ramblers, a well-loved local band known for their energetic mix of bluegrass, folk, country, and classic tunes, continue to perform throughout the metro Detroit area. Fans of live, roots-driven music should be sure to follow them for updates on upcoming shows, special events, and new performances. […]
What makes instruments sound different from one another?
Why Instruments Sound Different: A Look at HarmonicsBy Henry Bahrou – Guitarist, Music Theorist, Music Academy Director When you listen to a song, it’s common to hear multiple instruments playing together, either during certain sections or throughout the entire piece. Sometimes, two different instruments — like a piano and a guitar — might even play […]
Temperament: Information for real musical nerds
Understanding Piano Tuning SystemsBy Henry Bahrou – Guitarist, Music Theorist, Music Academy Director When it comes to tuning a piano, you might think that the perfect approach would be to tune every consonant interval — like fifths and thirds — so that no “beating” or wavering in the sound can be heard. While this might […]
Band in a Box
Band-in-a-Box: A Great Tool for MusiciansBy Henry Bahrou – Guitarist, Music Theorist, Music Academy Director Yesterday, I mentioned the mid-90s Roland PMA-5, a pioneering device that allowed musicians to compose music on the go. Today, a comparable — and much more powerful — option for musicians is Band-in-a-Box by PG Music. Band-in-a-Box is a popular […]
Songwriting Workshop
Songwriting Classes at Grosse Pointe Music AcademyAt some point in every musician’s development, the desire to create original music — to write songs — becomes a natural next step. Thanks to modern technology, songwriting has never been more accessible. Today, people can compose full songs with just the tools available on their smartphones. Compared to […]
The Importance of Music and Art in Education
The Importance of Music and Art in Education It seems like every few days I hear about another school in Michigan cutting funding for its music and art programs. I understand that tough decisions have to be made, and many people assume that music and art aren’t essential subjects. As someone who has studied music […]
Guitar Theft – Protect yourself.
Musicians often feel a deep and personal connection to their instruments, which is why having one stolen can be especially devastating. While any theft is upsetting, losing a guitar or other cherished instrument can feel like losing a piece of yourself. Unfortunately, instrument theft is all too common. Guitars are often taken at gigs, rehearsals, […]
Young Guitar Players and the Power of Practice
It’s always impressive to see young children excel at playing instruments like electric guitar, acoustic guitar, piano, or others with high levels of skill and control. Witnessing the discipline and focus it takes to perform challenging music at fast tempos reminds us that musical ability is a combination of natural inclination and dedicated hard work. […]
Can I convert my guitar to left handed?
In most cases a right handed instrument can be easily converted to a left handed instrument. In fact, on a classical guitar, the conversion may be as simple as restringing it. The saddles on classical guitars typically have no compensation angle, and the nylon strings are close enough in diameter that the nut slots are often […]
About the Violin
About the ViolinPresented by Grosse Pointe Music Academy Staff The violin is one of the most iconic and expressive instruments in the world, known for its beautiful tone and versatility across musical styles. From classical symphonies to folk tunes, jazz improvisations to pop and rock embellishments, the violin has played a central role in shaping […]
GP Music Academy in Canton
Grosse Pointe Music Academy – Canton Township LocationServing Plymouth, Canton, and Western Wayne County Grosse Pointe Music Academy in Canton Township has quickly become a leading destination for music education in the western Wayne County area. Following the success of our original Grosse Pointe location, we proudly expanded to Canton to offer a second, vibrant […]