All posts by AbsolutelyInTuned

YouTube: Drum cover of Payphone (Maroon 5) by Rani Ramadhani

Anyone can learn how to drum like this!

YouTube: Guitar cover of Shape of You by Eddie Van Der Meer

Fantastic guitar strumming.

Caring for Your Classical Guitar – Humidification

When you have something as delicate and valuable as a classical guitar, you need to take good care of it. If you are just taking beginner classical guitar lessons, then one of the basic things you need to learn right from the beginning is how to take care of your guitar. It is good to form these good habits right from the beginning so there is no hardship involved later in keeping your instrument safe and working long. If you are interested in knowing more about the classical guitar as an instrument, you can read up at: http://guitarlessonssingapore.com/classical-guitar-lessons-getting-know-classical-guitar/.

One of the most important things to discuss when taking basic guitar lessons is how the climate affects your classical guitar. It is important for the guitar to be exposed to  a decent humidity level. Humidification is a significant factor in keeping your guitar in good condition. Without the proper humidity level, the guitar can really get damaged badly.

Dry weather can shrink your guitar. Once the wood shrinks, every part of the guitar feels the pressure. This ultimately leads to cracking, which destroys the guitar. On the other hand, there is also the fact that very high moisture content in the air can make the guitar sound bad since the tone would lack volume and projection. The wood in the guitar expands due to the moisture, which leads to bloating. Once again, this can put pressure on the guitar, damaging it.

So we see how important it is to keep the classical guitar within the acceptable humidity limits. This is around 40 – 55%. Anything higher or lower than this can damage the guitar, especially if it is kept under such conditions for a long period of time. There are ways to ensure that your guitar is kept in good humid condition to ensure its longevity.

  • The first step is to ensure that you have a decent guitar case. Always store your guitar in its case to protect it from the elements. Whenever you are not actually playing your guitar, it should be in its case. It is very easy for musical instruments to get damaged if they are left standing by as a decoration as people are apt to do. So forget the décor and go with the case.
  • Keep a humidifier in your guitar case. This will ensure that there is the desired level of moisture in the air, without resorting to major changes. The humidifier will keep the guitar at the optimum level of moisture.
  • Another option is to keep a hygrometer in your guitar case. This helps in measuring the moisture content of the air, which in turn, helps you make decisions on how far to go with the humidifying.
  • Keep an eye out for any change in the way your guitar sounds. Chances are that these may be caused by weather conditions. A simple storage period in its case will ensure that the guitar goes back to normal.

While humidifying, one thing you need to avoid is to actually humidify the guitar itself. Some people prefer to put a humidifying device or wet sponge inside the guitar, but this can lead to overexposure to moisture. The moisture needs to be evenly distributed, so the best way is to humidify the guitar case and ensure that the guitar is in its case most of the time.

With just a bit of effort, you can ensure that your guitar doesn’t get affected by extreme weather conditions.

To learn more about caring for your guitar, please refer to www.guitarlessonssingapore.com.

Purchasing Bass Guitars on a Budget

Bass guitarists are often in demand in bands and are sought after because fewer people opt for learning this instrument. It is a wonderful instrument that allows the player to play deep notes and be the power force in the band. The bass guitarist has a great job and the few new beginners who understand this are at a great advantage. But bass guitars don’t always come cheap. Here are a few tips to ensure that you know how to obtain a good quality bass guitar at a reasonable price.

It doesn’t need to be the best

One thing you really need to remember is that purchasing a beginner’s guitar means you can afford to skimp on quality. While you have to make sure that your guitar is of a certain decent quality, it doesn’t have to be top-notch with everything you require. A beginner taking bass guitar lessons will invariably never be able to get the full use of a high end bass guitar anyway. So the best idea is to ensure that you choose a quality that provides good service but at the same time, need not be excellent.

Buy used

One easy way to obtain a good bass guitar at a reasonable rate is to buy a used instrument. There are people willing to let go of their great instruments, usually because they have upgraded, at a nominal rate, if they are convinced you would take good care of their baby. There are also some great deals to be made on used instrument stores and websites. Many of these instruments are in good shape. But you have to be careful because there are some duds in the market as well. Play and get acquainted with the used instrument before you buy.

Try out unbranded guitars

You don’t always have to buy the best branded guitars. If you can afford to do so, great! But there is no need to worry if you can’t. There are some excellent unbranded bass guitars in the market. You have to keep in mind that there is no guarantee for these guitars. But if you hear from anyone that a specific shop sells good guitars that don’t fall under a renowned brand name, you can try it out. Always keep in mind that these are only a temporary measure, unless, of course, your unbranded version offers you excellent value.

Check out off-brand guitars

Another option when choosing cheap bass guitars is to opt for a model that is actually from a good brand but never became popular. These models eventually come down in price and are a good choice for any budding guitarist. Of course, there are reasons why these models didn’t attain popularity in the first place, but these might not always be connected to actual quality issues. So test out such guitars and make a purchase if you feel the instrument is good enough.

Choose faded or worn guitars

Faded or worn guitars are models that are brought out in order to bring down the cost of the guitar. These models often don’t have a perfect finish, but the quality is still pretty good. So basically, they might not always look great, but they will still sound great! Similarly, you can also bring down the price of the purchase of your bass guitar by choosing guitars with small imperfections such as minor scratches or dents.

Once you have purchased your guitar, you can check out this article for tips on maintaining it properly: http://guitarlessonssingapore.com/bass-guitar-maintenance/. For further information on basic bass guitar lessons, please refer to: www.guitarlessonssingapore.com.

Teaching Keyboard Lessons: Setting Up Keyboard Classes

Are you a professional keyboard player and want to pass on your knowledge to the new generation? As a teacher, knowledge and skills are the two most important factors before you start your own classes. As you might know, not all great keyboard players can be great teachers as well. One should be able to build a rapport with students and understand their concerns to be a good teacher. If you are intent on starting your own classes, take a look at some of the factors that you will need to consider. Most of them are basic and you will need to consider them before you are ready.

Space and Infrastructure

Think about how many students you would be able to accommodate at one point of time. Are you more comfortable giving private lessons or group lessons? If you are giving private lessons to students, you might be able to teach at the student’s place of residence. But if you have a group of students, you might have to arrange for a suitable place for them to learn. If you are just starting out and cannot finance renting a room for your classes, you need to do the next best thing. Ask your friends or colleagues if they have an empty garage or shed that you can use, or you can put your home into use. But make sure your neighbors, family, and friends will not be disturbed.

Lessons

You need to prepare a structured lesson plan for beginners and advanced students separately. You need to put in a lot of efforts to prepare your keyboard lessons. Lessons that are done on the spur of the moment are messy and confusing. They will not adhere to a pattern and leave the student confused. Keep in mind that beginners will need a different sort of approach while advanced students require a different approach. Make sure you plan for both and are ready for this before your class starts.

Fees

Ask around in your neighborhood and location to know what the approximate cost is for keyboard lessons. If you are starting out new, you can offer low rates for a while. But once you establish yourself as a good and qualified teacher, charge the standard rates. Do not over-charge as it may lead to unpopularity. As your experience increases in teaching, you can start charging more as students would also be willing to pay more for a more experienced and skilled teacher.

Networking

Try to attend local music workshops, connect with schools and colleges in your locality to increase your visibility. You can also teach at schools and other institutions where you would get the proper infrastructure to teach as well. You will be able to meet students and parents and make a name for yourself. Later, if you want to start classes outside, you will have a crowd of students already.

As mentioned above, to truly excel at the keyboard, or any instrument, you need to take care of it so that it can have a longer life. If you are a beginner and do not own a keyboard yet and are looking for tips on how to buy a keyboard, check out this link: http://keyboardlessonssingapore.com/how-to-buy-a-musical-keyboard/.  For more on musical keyboards, you can refer to www.keyboardlessonssingapore.com/.

 

 

YouTube: Saxophone cover of Uptown Funk by Mark Ronson

Just listening to the way the saxophone is played here, doesn’t it make you want to learn and buy one?

YouTube: Shawn Mendes – Stitches (HD Piano Cover) by Francesco Parrino

Superb arrangement and excellent rendition of the song. Look at how beautifully the fingers dance over the piano keys!

Questions To Ask Your Cello Teacher

When you enroll your child for Cello lessons, you would expect results. But there are many teachers who are satisfied with teaching your child a few basic notes and a song. You need to steer clear of these teachers or academies that do not support your child and encourage them to grow. If you do not think that your child is progressing, then you need to talk to the teacher and find a solution for this. If the teacher is not very helpful over this, then it is a clear indication that you need to change classes. Below are a few things you should ask a cello teacher before hiring them.

Professional experience

You will find many teachers who have impressive degrees but their skills are not quite up to the mark. So, more than degrees and educational qualifications, try to concentrate on their professional experience and see how they do. Try to figure out if they can bring out the hidden talent in your child. People who have professional experience would have made mistakes in their past while learning and they would stop their students from making the same mistakes. They also will have a lot of practical knowledge and be able to pass on non-musical values as well.

Teaching experience

Not all great cello players are great teachers. Teaching requires certain patience and the ability to bond with the student. Not everyone is able to achieve this. Those who do achieve this become really good teachers. So, asking about their teaching experience can reveal a lot for you. Also, ask if you can view a demo class or observe them during their teaching hours.

Style of teaching

This is something that you need to observe and learn first-hand rather than just asking about. Find out if he/she is fun-going, appreciates the hard work put in by the student, correct mistakes properly, etc. Students would be always more comfortable with a teacher who is fun and makes the cello lessons enjoyable. They would be able to communicate better, learn more and thus, progress faster.

Goals and plan structure

Have a proper pre-planned lesson structure which you can show the parents of children or the prospective students who visit you. This is one of the main questions you will be asked. So, it is always better that you are prepared, in which case you can answer with confidence which will also help in impressing the students and their parents. Along with the lesson plan structure, also create short and long term goals for your students. Keep in mind that beginners might need different goals and more advanced students will need to go by different goals. Remember that speed of progress differs from person to person so you need to give time for that as well.

Make sure you exude confidence and try to build a rapport with the student at their first meeting with you. This can stabilize the student-teacher relationship and help you both move forward smoothly.

Now that you know some of the main factors that you need to consider before hiring a cello teacher for your kid’s cello lessons, get started immediately. To know how to improve you cello skill, check out this link: http://cellolessonssingapore.com/how-to-improve-your-cello-skills/. For more on cello, you can refer to www.cellolessonssingapore.com/.

YouTube: Shawn Mendes – Treat You Better – Guitar Cover | Mattias Krantz

Check out this nice guitar cover of Shawn Mendes’ “Treat You Better” on YouTube:

Benefits for Children Learning the Flute

Benefits for Children Learning the Flute

 

There are many reasons children or adults want to learn a musical instrument, and many reasons why they might want to learn the flute. The most common reason is that they either know someone who plays it or have developed an interest in flute music, usually introduced through someone who is already into it. However, while the flute is a great instrument for all ages, there are also reasons why it can be beneficial for children to pick up the flute much earlier in life. For more reasons to take flute learning lessons, please check out:http://flutelessonssingapore.com/take-flute-lessons/.

Have fun

No child will stick with something that is simply no fun to them. If flute lessons are made fun, then the children will be learning something useful while at the same time, enjoying themselves. It is a great use of their free time and gives them a direction and purpose in life at a much younger age. For children who are hyperactive, the music can even help them calm down a little, especially once they pass the beginning hurdles. Overall, sending your child off to learn the flute can contribute something joyful and fun to their lives.

Learn to time

For children who take flute lessons early in life, learning how to time their playing can become an invaluable asset. It helps them do better in other fields of life such as studies, sports, and develops their life skills. Children who learn to play the flute find that their emotional and physical health develop and improve over time. The side effect is that this will give them a lifelong appreciation for rhythm, punctuality, and organization.

Improve coordination

Children who start learning the flute show a marked and obvious improvement in body coordination as well as hand and eye coordination. Playing the flute is a multitasking skill since the child has to learn how to play while concentrating on their breathing, while looking at the notes and finger patterns as well. This improves their motor skills, which in turn leads to better coordination, which shows up in all aspects of the child’s life, making them a better all-around in the long run.

Boost  confidence

Playing the flute requires a lot of commitment because it involves a lot of regular practice, and the child needs to know how to take care of their flute properly. This teaches children responsibility and self-discipline. They realize that things are not handed to them on a platter and that they need to work for it. At the same time, the thrill of mastering a tune can lead to an immense sense of achievement for having their hard work rewarded.

Socializing

When a child starts learning the flute, they are only concerned with the fun aspect of it or they might have great dreams of becoming a master player. Both of these are of course achievable, but there are some other advantages as well. One of the inadvertent advantages of sending your children to flute classes is that they develop a social circle with other children who might end up sharing a lifelong passion. This can be a very important aspect for your child’s social growth.

For more information on flute lessons in general, please refer to the site: http://flutelessonssingapore.com/.

 

Buying an Electric Guitar – Part I

Buying an Electric Guitar – Part I

 

When you set out to learn something new, you need to ensure that you have all the materials required. The same goes for electric guitar. If you are planning to take electric guitar lessons, you need a reliable instrument to practice on. Without a decent instrument, you might not be able to pick up as fast as you might otherwise. There are two main things you require for this: a good teacher and a good instrument. For tips on selecting an electric guitar teacher, check out this article:http://guitarlessonssingapore.com/selecting-an-electric-guitar-teacher/. For more on selecting a good instrument, continue reading.

Learn about guitars

The first step before buying an electric guitar is to actually know what you are doing. You would not just go out and buy a pet without knowing the first thing about it. Well, a guitar is the same, and an electric guitar, more so! So it is a good idea to learn some things about the guitar. Understand the components that go into the making of a guitar. Learn about how each component functions and how they are useful to the player. Once you learn what goes where, you will know whether the guitar you are inspecting is exactly what you require or not. Without this basic understanding of the instrument, you might never be able to make the right choice.

So the first step before starting your basic electric guitar lessons is to learn about guitars. You can check out online tutorials or sites, or you might even ask your guitar teacher to help you with the basics. Once this is done, you are ready to go guitar shopping.

Decide on a body style

The body style of a guitar plays a huge role in its functioning. When it comes to comfort, the body style of the guitar is the most important factor for players. Without having a basic understanding of the different body styles and how each of them can impact your playing, you will be unable to make a good choice.

Solid body guitars: These are guitars that are made up of a single piece of wood. It is always the better choice because you don’t have to worry about whether the different wood parts are attached properly together. The fewer the parts, the better the construction. Solid body guitars weigh more and are sturdy. However, these guitars require amplifiers because of the lack of resonance chambers within the instrument.

Hollow body guitars: These guitars have a hollow interior and use different types of pick-ups than the solid body guitars.

Semi-hollow body guitars: These guitars are hybrid models. They usually are shaped with a cut-out design and have a small hollow portion in the body. These guitars have a bright tone very suitable for certain musical genres.

Electric – acoustic guitars: These are electric guitars shaped to look like acoustic guitars. The one advantage of these guitars is that they can be played without amplifiers.

By making the right choice here, you will be able to enhance your playing the way you want. Picking the correct body style for you will go a long way in making you a good guitar player.

We shall be continuing further with tips on what to keep in mind while purchasing an electric guitar. Meanwhile, if you are interested in more information about electric guitars, please refer to: www.guitarlessonssingapore.com.

 

Acoustic Guitar Lessons: Online Learning vs. Regular Classes

Acoustic Guitar Lessons: Online Learning vs. Regular Classes

 

The guitar is an extremely popular instrument that is why more people are choosing to learn to play the guitar than any other instrument. Since it is so popular, there are many acoustic guitar classes held. You can choose to attend the type of class that you would be comfortable with and learn to play the guitar. There are many ways for you to do this.

Personal experienced guitarist teacher

If you are a beginner, hiring a personal guitarist is one of the best ways you can learn. There will not be any distractions since you will be the only student. The teacher would also be able to give you his undivided attention. You can move at your pace and learn more. There are many professional guitarists who give lessons to people wanting to learn. You can also approach a friend who has knowledge about guitars to help you out with tips.

Group guitar classes

Once you pass the beginners’ stage, it is always better that you join such classes. It will expose you to more musicians, you can learn from others’ mistakes, their style, and their knowledge. You would get a chance to evaluate yourself with respect to your peers who are in the same class as you. These classes are a better option than online learning as there would be a teacher present on hand to correct you immediately or answer any queries that you might have.

Online acoustic guitar lessons

The internet houses a large collection of documents on the subject of acoustic guitar including theory. There are thousands of videos showing every information possible from which you can mimic and learn. You can also visit websites which act as a virtual platform for you to practice. Along with all these necessary information on how to play, you will also find tips on how to maintain your guitar, how to practice, how to carry on your routine so that it benefits you in all ways and more.

Take a decision based on your level

If you are enrolling your child, or you are a beginner, then the ideal route for you would be to take personal classes or group classes according to your preference. If you are past the beginner stage, you can also learn with the help of the internet. Beginners can use the internet as a support tool for learning more but relying on it primarily might not get you the desired results. Beginners need someone to teach them basics such as the right way to hold a guitar, the correct body posture and so on.

Dedication is the key!

It doesn’t matter if you are taking personal classes, group classes, or online acoustic guitar lessons, dedication is still the key. Practice as much as possible. In most cases, people who are learning on their own tend to lose concentration over time. Be aware of this and make sure you are putting in your best efforts every day. There might be times when you might seem stuck and that you are not moving forward. It is what you need to consider before you are ready to take acoustic guitar lessons and move ahead. To know more on how to maintain your guitar, check out: http://guitarlessonssingapore.com/acoustic-guitar-lessons-caring-acoustic-guitar/. For more on acoustic guitars, you can refer to www.guitarlessonssingapore.com.