Espie's Music Education Blog May 2008 Archive

The clavichord is believed to be the descendant of the monochord. The word "clavichord" comes from the Latin word clavis meaning "key" and chorde which means "string". During the latter ... Read More

Not much is known about the harpsichord's early history. This wing-shaped instrument is believed to have emerged from the psaltery - a hand-held instrument that is plucked by a plectrum. ... Read More

With so many piano brands available today, picking one to purchase can be a daunting experience. To guide you on your decision, here are several profiles of popular piano brands. ... Read More

The piano is a versatile instrument that is very popular and a mainstay in any ensemble. The piano can blend well with other musical instruments and is also an ideal ... Read More

The piano has been classified as a percussion or a string instrument. A more recent classification is that it belongs to the keyboard family of musical instruments. However, a ... Read More

The lute is a musical instrument popularly used during the Medieval Period and still very much enjoyed to this day. The lute is quite a beautiful instrument, both aesthetically and ... Read More

The mandolin is a plucked string instrument believed to have evolved from the lute and emerged during the 18th century. It has a pear-shaped body and 4 pairs of strings. ... Read More

A banjo is a stringed instrument that is played using different techniques such as the Scruggs-style or the "clawhammer". It also comes in different types and some manufacturers even experimented ... Read More

Memorial Day is celebrated in the United States on the last Monday of the month of May. This year it falls on May 26; it is a day to honor ... Read More

The musical box is believed to have originated in Switzerland during the late 1700's. In 1796, a watchmaker by the name of Antoine Favre invented a comb-like device that incorporated ... Read More

Generally, metallophones differ from xylophones because the tuned bars which are struck with a mallet are made of metal, hence the name metallophones. There are many different kinds of metallophones; ... Read More

The timpani is also known as orchestral kettledrums and belongs to the percussion family. It's quite fascinating to watch timpanists perform, especially when they do those fast rolls. Here's an ... Read More

If you want your flute to perform well and be with you for a long time, you must take good care of it. Here are some practical tips on caring ... Read More

After you use your flute and before you store it, you must always remember to clean or dry it. This is because when you blow into the flute, moisture forms ... Read More

Unlike other musical instruments which you can pick up and start playing immediately, the flute needs to be assembled before you use it and disassembled when not in use. Most ... Read More

Music can be very powerful; it makes any occasion unforgettable. Think about it, when you hear a particular song chances are it will remind you of a special moment in ... Read More

The constantly changing world of musical instrument making makes it difficult to keep up with the latest models. With flutes for example, there are a number of companies that specializes ... Read More

With the vast array of flute brands and models in the market today, finding one that will best suit the needs of a beginner flutist can be a daunting task. ... Read More

The flute belongs to the wind family of musical instruments. It is of ancient origin and was first made of wood. Now, however, the flute is made of silver and ... Read More

Putumayo Kids has done it again, this time adding a fourth album under their well-received "Dreamland" series. "African Dreamland" features 11 songs that calms and soothes the mind.Music Education in ... Read More

Also referred to as "The Queen of the Blues," Dinah Washington was a well-known vocalist of the mid-20th century. Her versatile vocal ability enabled her to record songs in various ... Read More

The road to success didn't come easy for Connie Francis. At the beginning of her career, she recorded and released several singles that went unnoticed. It was her 1958 hit ... Read More

Vivian Fine was a piano prodigy who entered Chicago Musical College when she was merely 5 years old. Considered one of the most celebrated women composers of her time, she ... Read More

Elisabeth-Claude Jacquet de la Guerre was one of the most notable women composers during the Baroque period. She was known as a gifted harpsichordist, improviser and composer. She had a ... Read More

Like Fanny Mendelssohn, Amy Beach had to overcome social barriers that existed during their time. Her musical prowess and persistence paid of; she became known as the first major American ... Read More

Alma Schindler was an Austrian author and composer who mainly wrote songs based on poems written by poets like Heine and Rilke. She married composer Gustav Mahler on March 9, ... Read More

Fanny Mendelssohn lived at a time when opportunities for women were strictly limited. Although a brilliant composer and pianist, Fanny's father discouraged her from pursuing a career in music. Her ... Read More

Many songs for and about mothers have been written over the years. Some are upbeat songs, some are melancholy, but most express the positive influence and importance of a mother's ... Read More

Robert Schumann was a German composer who served as the voice of other Romantic composers. His piano and organ teacher was Johann Gottfried Kuntzsch, When he was 18, Friedrich Wieck, ... Read More

Piano duets, also known as "piano four hands", is a musical composition for two people to play at one keyboard. Aside from being fun to play, piano duets also help ... Read More

From Berlioz to Shostakovich, let's learn more about these composers who wrote beautfiul symphonies and have influenced countless composers through the years.Music Education in the News: Alfredo R. Valenzuela, a ... Read More