Early Childhood Training In Music Improves Focus

Friday, January 22, 2016 No Comments
Early childhood training in instrumental music improves the ability to pay attention–visual focus, active listening, and staying on task.
~ Neville, H., et al. (2008). Effects of Music Training on Brain and Cognitive Development in Under-privileged 3- to 5-year-old Children: Preliminary Results. In C. Asbury & B. Rich (Eds.), Learning, Arts, and the Brain: The Dana Consortium Report on Arts and Cognition (pp. 105-116). New York, NY: Dana Press.

Musically Trained Children Score Better On Tests

Thursday, January 21, 2016 No Comments
Musically trained children performed better in a memory test that is correlated with general intelligence skills such as literacy, verbal memory, visuospatial processing, mathematics, and IQ.
~ Dr. Laurel Trainor, Prof. of Psychology, Neuroscience, and Behavior at McMaster University, 2006

Cold Weather Tips For Your Instrument

Tuesday, January 19, 2016 No Comments

snow-marching-band

Brr! If you are reading this from anywhere in the Midwest, I sure hope you are somewhere warm as the outside temperature continues to drop. In saying that, I thought this would be a pertinent time to talk about how to care for your instrument during the cold months. By following just a few simple rules of thumb, you can avoid any winter-related issues with your band (or orchestra) instrument.

“If you’re uncomfortable, your instrument is uncomfortable.” I have heard my colleagues in our Encore Orchestral Strings shop say this many times, and it definitely holds true for band players as well. Just as hot or wet weather can wreak havoc on wood and metal instruments, the same is true for cold weather. As the temperature drops, the tubes of metal instruments contract, then expand when it is warmed up again. This process happening repeatedly can cause alignment and adjustment issues, as well as cause any pads to begin to shrink and leak. Wooden instruments during the winter months are extremely susceptible to cracking. If the instrument is cold and you immediately start to play without warming it slowly, the inside of the instrument will heat faster than the outside causing it to expand and crack. Indoor environments can also be very dry while the heat is running during the winter months. This is especially concerning, again, for wooden instruments. Make sure that you have some sort of humidifier or are at least checking the instrument every few days to be certain that it does not dry out.

So what happens if you do need to play and you are stuck with a cold instrument? First, never leave an instrument in the cold car for long periods of time. Also, if able, put the instrument (in its case) inside your coat to and from the car. Once inside, you can remove the instrument from the case and hold it close to your body giving it gradual body heat to slowly warm to room temperature. Finally, take some extra time blowing long notes in your normal range and dynamic to continue to warm the inside of the instrument slowly.

If your instrument is having problems during the cold winter months, don’t hesitate to bring it in to Paige’s Music, where our full-service repair shop can take a look at it and bring it back to perfect playing condition!

Playing An Instrument As A Kid Leads To A Sharper Mind In Old Age

Tuesday, January 19, 2016 No Comments
Playing an instrument as a kid leads to a sharper mind in old age, according to a new study conducted by Brenda Hanna-Pladdy, a clinical neuropsychologist in Emory’s Department of neurology, and her colleagues. The researchers gave 70 people between the ages of 60 and 83 a battery of tests to measure memory and other cognitive abilities. The researchers found that those who had played an instrument for a decade or longer scored significantly higher on the tests than those with no musical background.
~ Quoted in Diane Cole, “Your Aging Brain Will Be in Better Shape If You’ve Taken Music Lessons,” National Geographic, January 3, 2014.

Students Who Participate In High-Quality Programs Score Higher On Tests

Monday, January 18, 2016 No Comments
Regardless of socioeconomic status or school district, students (3rd graders) who participate in high-quality music programs score higher on reading and spelling tests.
~ Hille, Katrin, et al. “Associations between music education, intelligence, and spelling ability in elementary school.” Adv Cogn Psychol 7 (2011): 1–6. Web. Accessed February 24, 2015.

Basic Tuning Tips – Brass

Tuesday, January 12, 2016 2 Comments

main-tuning-slide

All brass instruments come with slides that move. The largest one is the “main tuning slide”. The others are used to tune individual notes. Some may need to be pulled out to make the instrument flatter, others are pushed in to make the instrument sharper. In the case of trombones, not only is there a “main tuning slide” but each note can be tuned by using the hand slide.

To start with, brass instruments are designed to play sharp. This can be corrected by moving the “main tuning slide” out about ¾ of an inch. When you play using a tuner you should see the instrument playing in tune with the “main tuning slide” pulled out about that far. This isn’t a rule, but a suggestion. You may find that your instrument plays in tune somewhere near to this measurement depending on the player, the brand of instrument and the condition of the instrument.trumpet-ringtrumpet-hook
Some instruments can be adjusted while playing. Trumpets, trombones and horns are found in this category. With the help of rings, hooks, saddles and well-lubricated slides notes can be adjusted while playing.

 

This brings me to the most important part of tuning. None of this matters if you don’t listen. Your ears are the most important “tuner” available. Listen with your ears and try to play in tune with those around you. Adjust your tuning slides and listen while you play. Watch your tuner and listen to your sound. Make an effort to play in tune. Just because the electronic tuner says that one note is in tune, doesn’t mean that all the notes you play are in tune. Listen and adjust.

Other things that can impact playing in tune are the condition of the mouthpiece and instrument. Are they clean and in good condition? Are their large dents in the mouthpiece, lead pipe and bell? Do the valves work easily? Are the bumpers in the pistons the correct size? Do the water keys leak?

This is only the beginning. As you progress in your musical career you’ll discover more ways to play in tune. It all starts with your ears, and an instrument in good shape. Practice playing in tune and listen, listen, listen.

Music Expresses That Which Cannot Be Put Into Words

Friday, January 8, 2016 No Comments
“Music expresses that which cannot be put into words and that which cannot remain silent.”
~ Victor Hugo

Older Adults Without Musical Experience Showed Improved Memory With Piano Lessons

Thursday, January 7, 2016 No Comments
Adults age 60 to 85 without previous musical experience exhibited improved processing speed and memory after just three months of weekly 30-minute piano lessons and three hours a week of practice, whereas the control group showed no changes in these abilities.
~ Nina Kraus, Samira Anderson, “Music Training: An Antidote for Aging?” Hearing Journal, Vol. 66, No. 3, March 2013.