Why Every Musician Should Learn a Little Piano Did you know that most professional musicians end up learning at least some basic piano? This is especially true for anyone who pursues music at the collegiate or university level. In fact, most music degree programs require two to three semesters of piano study as part of […]
Piano Lessons
Daytime Piano Lessons
🎹 Now Offering Daytime Piano Lessons at Grosse Pointe Music Academy Looking for a way to learn piano that fits your daytime schedule? Grosse Pointe Music Academy is now offering private piano lessons during the late morning and early afternoon — perfect for homeschool families, retirees, shift workers, or anyone with flexible daytime availability. Available […]
Why Take Piano Lessons
Why Take Piano Lessons? Piano lessons are often seen as a gateway into the broader world of music education — and for good reason. Whether you’re brand new to music or an experienced player of another instrument, learning piano can deepen your understanding of rhythm, harmony, and music theory while developing coordination and creative confidence. […]
Piano Tuning in Metro Detroit
Keep Your Piano in Peak Condition with Professional TuningRegular piano tuning is essential for preserving sound quality and ensuring your instrument stays in optimal playing condition. Seasonal changes in temperature and humidity cause piano strings to shift tension, which gradually throws the instrument out of tune. If ignored, this can lead to long-term damage and […]
More adults taking music lessons
Why It’s Never Too Late to Learn MusicCommentary by Grosse Pointe Music AcademyInspired by an article by Melissa Balmain, originally published in the Democrat and Chronicle, December 8, 2013 In a heartwarming and beautifully written article, Democrat and Chronicle contributor Melissa Balmain shares the inspiring story of Joe Mancini — an 84-year-old voice student who […]
Playground Sessions
Quincy Jones Champions Music Education with Playground SessionsCommentary by Grosse Pointe Music Academy Staff | Source: Brittney M. Walker, EURweb At 80 years old, legendary music producer Quincy Jones is proving once again that his influence goes far beyond the recording studio. In a recent article by Brittney M. Walker for EURweb, Jones shares his […]
Music Lessons in Canton
Start the New Year with Music Lessons at Grosse Pointe Music Academy – Canton! If you have the desire to learn music, why not make it your New Year’s resolution?Grosse Pointe Music Academy in Canton, MI offers private music lessons with highly qualified instructors, each with university-level training. Private lessons are ideal for both children […]
Where can I get Piano Lessons?
Looking for Piano Lessons? Grosse Pointe Music Academy offers private piano instruction for students of all ages and skill levels at our Grosse Pointe Woods and Canton locations. Lessons are available six days a week, and students can choose from a variety of lesson lengths and scheduling options to fit their needs. 10 Helpful Practice […]
Is it too late for me to take music lessons?
Many people have preconceived ideas about the “right” age to begin learning an instrument—whether it’s guitar, piano, voice, or something else. While minimum age guidelines exist based on general developmental readiness (and should usually be followed), there is no maximum age for learning music. If you have the interest and a bit of time to […]
Playing by ear
Many musicians like to define themselves in specific ways, often proudly claiming that they “play by ear.” While this phrase is commonly used, I’ve noticed it can sometimes be a defensive way of saying, “I don’t read music.” But it’s important to recognize that all musicians—whether they read music or not—must use their ears. Music […]
Musical Intervals and their names
Musical intervals can be thought of like basic measurements we learn early in life—such as inches, feet, or yards. In music, intervals refer to the space or distance between two notes. Just as we measure physical distance, musicians measure pitch distance with intervals. In the most fundamental sense, an interval is the distance between two […]
Spelling your scales
A scale is a series of notes used as the foundation for melodies, harmonies, and chords. When musicians begin learning scales, there are several angles to approach the concept: recognizing notes on the staff, playing scales on an instrument, identifying them by ear, and spelling them out note by note. Spelling a scale means naming […]
Do I need to bother learning modes?
Understanding Modes in Music Theory If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Do I need to bother learning modes?”—you’re not alone. Many musicians, especially beginners, feel overwhelmed by the concept. But understanding modes doesn’t have to be confusing, and yes, learning them can be worth your time—especially once you have a solid grasp of your major and […]
Tertian Chord Harmony
By Henry Bahrou – Guitarist, Music Theorist, Music Academy Director At first glance, the term tertian chords might sound like something out of science fiction—perhaps music from a distant planet. In reality, tertian harmony is one of the most fundamental and widely used systems in Western music. It’s so common that many musicians don’t even […]
How many guitar chords are there?
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 […]
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 […]
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. […]
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. […]
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, […]
Group Piano Classes for Young Children
At Grosse Pointe Music Academy, we offer group piano classes specially designed for young children ages 4–6 who are just beginning in music.Our goal is to introduce children to the fundamentals of music and piano in a fun, exploratory, and age-appropriate environment. Children at this age learn best through play, movement, creativity, and hands-on discovery, […]