Richard J. Chandler, BA, MA Bachelor of Arts-Music & Master of Arts-Psychology

Man playing guitar in a studio

Learn an Instrument Without a Teacher

How to Learn an Instrument Without a Teacher (& Do It Well!) Have you been considering learning an instrument but don’t have the money to spend on a teacher right now, want to be frugal, or just prefer learning on your own? Learning without a teacher is a great way to start. There are plenty

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Young boy playing guitar with young man playing piano

Is It Easier to Learn A Second Instrument?

Is It Easier to Learn A Second Instrument? As a musician, having the ability to play a second instrument opens up opportunities in the music world. Ensembles love players who can double, triple, or even quadruple on instruments.  If you are considering learning a second instrument, do it.   Assuming you have already learned your first

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Photograph of Camille Saint Saëns playing piano while others watch

Camille Saint-Saëns, Composer

Early Life of Camille Saint-Saëns: A Young Prodigy  I was born in Paris on October 9, 1835. From a very young age, I displayed inordinate musical talent, debuting at only ten years old at the Salle Pleyel in Paris.   My father died of consumption [tuberculosis] when I was very young, and I was sent away

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Musician Frank Zappa with fellow band members

Frank Zappa Quotations

Frank Zappa Quotations Frank Vincent Zappa, wanted to be known, first and foremost, as an American composer, for which he excelled in both pop and classical music mediums, producing over 60 albums by his band, ‘The Mothers of Invention’. He was also a vocalist, guitarist, conductor, film director, bandleader and a stellar example of entrepreneurial success. The

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photograph of Claude Debussy playing piano while others watch on

Claude Debussy, Composer

Claude Debussy, Composer Claude Debussy is perhaps the most influential French composer in western music. His influence was prominently felt for composers who were contemporaries and in the decades to follow. Debussy’s music continues to be influential in our time for 21st century composers. Musicians and audiences alike are swept away by the beauty, color

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close up shot of a person playing the ukulele

How Long Does It Take to Master an Instrument?

How Long Does It Take to Master An Instrument? Authored by Marci Ricklick & Richard J. Chandler, BA, MA We define music mastery as possessing expert skills on their musical instrument. Musicians who play at a professional or semi-professional quality level will qualify as master-level musicians.   Although there is no precise agreed-upon time frame, music

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