Knowing a wide variety of chords and scales is an essential part of any musician’s growth—but understanding how those elements function together is what empowers creativity. When you play a note over a chord, that note will generally fall into one of three categories: a chord tone, a diatonic scale tone, or a chromatic tone. […]
St. Clair Shores
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 […]
MUSIC TOGETHER – FAQ’s and FREE DEMOS
As a Music Together teacher I am frequently asked these questions about our early childhood mixed-age music classes: Are the same songs used every semester? Why should my child be in a mixed-age class? I’m not musical, Can I really help my child develop musical intelligence? And, my favorite: Do infants really benefit? You’re […]
History of the Ukulele
Everybody thinks that the ukulele came from Hawaii. Well, while it’s true that the word ukulele is a Hawaiian word (it means, “Jumping flea”), the uke actually has Portuguese origin, taking its characteristics from the cavaquinho and the rajao. It is said that Portuguese immigrants brought the ukulele to the islands in the late 1800’s […]
The Power of Music Babble
August 9, 2011 The power of Music Babble One of the most powerful things I’ve learned my education as early childhood music specialist is that music IS a language. This is more than a catchy or cliché saying –its actually researched based and proven true. Based on the research of Gordon and the Music Learning […]
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 […]
Five Ways Piano Lessons Benefit Children
Why Piano Lessons Are a Great Investment for Your Child Commentary by Grosse Pointe Music Academy Staff At Grosse Pointe Music Academy, we often meet parents who wonder: Are piano lessons worth it for young children?The answer is a resounding yes — and not just for musical reasons! Piano study provides children with lifelong skills […]
Grosse Pointe Symphony Orchestra Summer Concert August 7th
🎶 Sharing Local Music Events with Our Community 🎶 Summer Concert📅 August 7, 2011 | 🕒 3:00 p.m. | 📍 St. John Hospital Cafeteria🎟️ Free Admission Guest Soloists: Program Highlights: Upcoming Grosse Pointe Symphony Orchestra Events: 📅 April 29, 2012 – Spring ConcertOur Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church 📅 October 5 – Inner […]
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 […]
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 […]