Showing titles in Instruction & Technique

In my forty-plus years as a private music instructor, the question I'm asked the most by parents is: "How can I get my child to practice?" And, in this crazy-busy time, it gets asked even more! In this discussion, I will give you answers to this question, as well as a heap of advice on helping your young musician/singer/dancer become the very best s/he can be! Put these strategies to use and you will be helping your child maintain an endeavor that will last a lifetime and provide joy, satisfaction, and a sense of accomplishment along the way!

A literary welcome mat to the beautiful world of classical music, this memoir is accessible and engaging for all. It brings listeners into rehearsals and concert halls, revealing the choices musicians must consider, and what conductors, players, and composers really do. A heartwarming story about passion, determination, and survival, I Knew a Man Who Knew Brahms explores music at its core. You will never listen to music the same way again, after hearing Nancy Shear's story.

In this guitar by ear lesson, you will learn “Nonesuch” completely “by ear”. This level one lesson includes a full demonstration of the 17th century classical guitar piece followed by a detailed lesson teaching every phrase, with correct fingering, for the entire song. Learn a great classical piece without music, tab, or video! Also, check out our other level one classical guitar pieces.

The television series Hill Street Blues was a first in many areas but none as impacting as this unforgettable theme song by Mike Post. This lesson starts with a full demonstration of the song followed by a detailed “by ear” lesson demonstrating and explaining every phrase and note of the song. This is a fast way to learn this landmark piano piece and memorize it at the same time.

In this lesson, you will learn Tchaikovsky’s "October", also known as Autumn Song, completely “by ear”. The lesson begins with a full demonstration and is then followed by a detailed “note-by-note” lesson, including a detailed description of the fingering, of the entire song in two to four measure sections.

This hit song from the movie of the same name will always be tied to the scenes of Gene Kelly dancing up and down the street with his umbrella. This arrangement is easy to learn and fun to play. With the lesson you get a full demonstration of the song and backing tracks to play along with once you have perfected your performance of the song.

In this level two lesson, you will learn all of the rhythm and lead guitar parts from the studio version of “Purple Haze” by Jimi Hendrix. The lesson starts with a full demonstration of the guitar parts with backing tracks and then teaches every chord, lick, and rhythm of the song completely “by ear”. At the end of the lesson, there are backing tracks without the guitar part on them for you to practice and perform with.

This lesson teaches every lick from Walter Trout’s version of the song completely “by ear”, describing every fret and finger used. This level 2.5 lesson starts with a full demonstration recording and then works you through every verse and guitar solo measure by measure. Trout uses not only the standard blues licks you would expect, but a new batch that are sure to become standards in your arsenal of great solo phrases. Backing tracks are included for you to play along with once you have learned the song.

Do you remember where you were the first time you heard this song? Now you can learn both the 12 string and six string guitar parts to this iconic Rod Stewart hit without using music, tab, or video. Plus, this lesson comes not only with a full demonstration of the song with all the parts, but also includes three versions of the backing tracks so you can work on each guitar part separately and perform the song with another guitar player if you so choose. That is a lot or rock n’ roll goodness for less than the price of a single guitar lesson. Level one difficulty.

How to Keep Your Dukes Up in the Music Business is the guide every musician needs to navigate the music bizz. This book includes eight essential contracts that all musicians need, and with over 20 years of experience in the entertainment business and a music attorney today, Miss Krystle Shares some of the best kept industry secrets you need to know. Having the advantage means managing all the business aspects of your career, and it is an investment of time that will pay off in a big way.

Hi, fellow music lover! Congratulations on starting your music-making journey. I won't waste your time with a long introduction, but let me say a few words just to get us off on the right foot. Ear training is one of the most rewarding skills you can develop, and it’s one that you can work on every day. Which makes total sense: Music is an aural experience, after all. Ear training helps you turn the music you hear into music you make on your guitar. This works for your own musical ideas, too.

The Drifters’ version of this song stayed number one for three weeks when it was first released on Atlantic Records. In this level one song lesson, you will learn both the rhythm and electric guitar parts to this epic hit completely “by ear". The song is demonstrated in its entirety and then taught in small detailed sections without the use of music, tab, or video.

Learn both the rhythm and lead guitar parts to this classic rock hit without using any music, tab, or video. The entire lesson is taught “by ear”, and demo and backing tracks are included!

This is a lesson on a late intermediate level arrangement of the piece. This arrangement is in the key of C and contains all of the main themes from the original but is much easier to play. The piece is played through completely and then taught in two- to four-measure sections “by ear” making it both easy to learn and to memorize. This is also a great piece to use at weddings.

In this Piano by Ear lesson you will learn a late beginner level solo of this famous standard completely “by ear.” At the beginning of the lesson you are given a demonstration recording to listen to and practice along with followed by a detailed lesson of the arrangement in two- to four-measure sections. At the end of the lesson you are given the backing tracks without any piano on them to perform the song with.

From Old England to Charlie Brown, there is a little bit of everything in this Piano by Ear Christmas box set. This set includes hours of professional piano instruction teaching late beginner to intermediate level solos of some of the most-performed Christmas carols of our time. There are also three Vince Guaraldi arrangements in this box set to add a little jazz to your holiday playing!

This inspiring song from the movie Machine Gun Preacher is easy to learn in this Guitar by Ear lesson. The lesson starts off with a complete demonstration with backing tracks followed by a detailed lesson of the arrangement using no print, tab, or video. At the conclusion of the lesson, there are backing tracks with no guitar on them to use for your own performance.

This iconic progressive rock standard is fast and easy to learn with this “by ear” lesson. The lesson starts with a full demonstration of the song with backing tracks, and then each section of the song is broken down in two- to four-measure segments taught using no music, tab, print, or video. The lesson wraps up with backing tracks for the student to use for their own live performance of the song.

Show your colors with this patriotic standard! In this all-audio lesson, you will learn a level one solo of the National Anthem using no print, tab, or video! Learning by ear will help you to memorize as you go to make this song fast and easy to learn. This is a level one lesson.

Rocking in the Free World explains how Americans came to believe they had learned the truth about rock 'n' roll, a truth shaped by the Cold War anxieties of the fifties, the countercultural revolutions (and counter-revolutions) of the sixties and seventies, and the end-of-history triumphalism of the eighties.