Music Knowledge & Mastery

Is It Hard to Make a Living as a Musician?  From playing the bagpipes on the street to being a lead vocalist in an orchestra to a pop singer known on the radio, the variation in the amount of money made can vary tremendously.  Earning a living as a musician takes a lot of time, […]

Does Age Affect the Difficulty of Learning Piano? There are many preconceived ideas that it is much more difficult to learn piano at an older age, meaning any age above 12. Kids learn languages much quicker than adults so why not musical instruments? While the brain may have more plasticity at a younger age allowing

Choosing a Musical Instrument to Learn Selecting the right musical instrument for you can be a daunting task with the numerous options available and elements to consider. Woodwinds, strings, brass, percussion, keyboard, and plucked instruments each have their own pros and cons. There are unique considerations for each instrument family that can range from size,

Can You Learn Singing At Any Age? Learning how to control your voice for singing requires using correct breathing, pitch, rhythm, and range. It can take years to hone your vocal skills. However singing doesn’t discriminate.  You can learn singing at any age. It doesn’t matter how old you are. Basically the only difference of

Can I Learn Music Theory On My Own? Music theory is the overall language in western music that explains the hows and whys behind why music sounds a certain way. It connects harmony, melody, and rhythm and explains the relation. You can learn music theory on your own. However, it is more difficult than with

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

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

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

Authored by Marci Ricklick & Richard J. Chandler, BA, MA Bartolomeo Cristofori (1655-1731) of Italy invented the piano over three centuries ago to improve upon the clavichord and the harpsichord. Pianos are used for informal musical gatherings, recitals, and concerts, accompany singers and instrumentalists, and for educational purposes.  The piano’s many uses, coupled with the