Music Lessons in Burbank CA | Los Angeles Music Teachers

The Advantage and Disadvantages between Learning on an Electric and Acoustic Guitar
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When it was first launched, all acoustic guitars could project sound acoustically. No amplification was necessary from outside. In fact, they were not designed to take outside amplifications. However, modern acoustic guitars are designed otherwise. They can take amplifications from outside.

Advantages of learning with an acoustic guitar
•    Acoustic guitars generally have calm, nice and pleasant tones so no matter how bad you are, the tone projected from your guitar will not be so bad.

•    It is more difficult to play an acoustic guitar than an electric guitar so if you learn with the former, playing the latter will be a breeze. This can be likened to learning how to drive. Acoustic guitars are like cars with manual transmission while electric guitars can be likened to cars with automatic transmission. Since manual cars are harder to drive, if you learn with them, driving an automatic car will just be as easy as ABC.

•    Acoustic guitars do not require amplifiers and additional cables so it saves you some cost.

Disadvantages of learning with an acoustic guitar
•    One of the things that make acoustic guitars more difficult to play is its higher gauge strings which makes it harder for users to hold barre chords. Electric guitars offer better gauge strings.

•    The higher gauge strings on acoustic guitars are more likely to produce buzzing sound so they require better skills.

•    Acoustic guitars usually have wider fretboards and these are more difficult for beginners to handle. Besides, they are more fragile than electric guitars.

•    Beginners usually find it difficult to play the heavy strings of acoustic guitars.

Electric Guitar
Unlike acoustic guitars, electric guitars make use of electric amplification to produce sounds. They pick up string vibrations and convert them to electric signals which are sent to the amplifier.

Advantages of learning on an electric guitar
•    They have headphone input for you to practice without disturbing people around with noise.

•    It is easier to hold barre chords on electric guitars because they have softer strings.

•    Since the pickups and amplifier project all the sound, the strings are easier to learn.

•    Electric guitars have lighter gauges, thinner necks, and smaller bodies, so they are not only easier to carry around but they are also easier to play than their acoustic counterparts.

Disadvantages of learning on an electric guitar
•    Being able to play an electric guitar does not mean you can automatically play an acoustic guitar.

•    Being able to find a good tone is more difficult on an electric guitar.

•    An electric guitar requires an amplifier and that is an additional cost.

Conclusively, whether you learn with an acoustic guitar or an electric one, you will need several years of practice and dedication to be a master of the game. Even the best guitarists around the world still continue to learn. Lastly, it is also necessary to bear in mind that newer guitars will still be produced and they will have better features than older and existing ones so you need to be abreast of the new guitars that are coming into the market.

If you're interested in taking Guitar lessons on Zoom or In Person in Burbank, Glendale or North Hollywood, we have some of the  best guitar lessons in Los Angeles. Our guitar instructors are picked by interviewing hundreds of guitar instructors and we have really high standards on both their teaching ability as well as their personality. If you'd like to talk to one of our instructors or set up a first lesson we have a guarantee that if you don't absolutely love your first lesson you don't have to pay for it. Please contact us at (818)902-1233 or on our website at https://www.losangelesmusicteachers.com/online-guitar-lessons-in-burbank-ca.html​

Guidelines for not making rookie mistakes when you  start cello instruction near Burbank in Los Angeles

First of all let me congratulate you on deciding to learn the cello! It’s a beautifully versatile instrument and you will not regret choosing it. Similar to the vocal range, it has been a favorite for centuries. In order to be successful, you need to know the pitfalls to avoid. If you follow these guidelines, you will be motivated to keep pushing through.​

It’s easy to be disappointed when you're taking beginner cello classes near Burbank. This is why it’s crucial for you to use this blog as a model. This way, you won’t waste precious time and energy into the wrong resources. Following is a list of things you should definitely do in order to be the best novice cello student close to Burbank:

*Choose an instrument that is the right size. Cellos come in various sizes, and it is imperative that they are proportionate to the pupil. It’s much more crucial for the cello to be the right size than to get an expensive one. For optimal guidance, ask your instructor or your local instrument shop.

*Learn how to properly tune the cello. Don’t underestimate how important it is to learn this right away! You will probably need to tune it every day because of changes in temperature and humidity, and beginner instruments need more frequent tuning anyway. There are a number of free tuning apps you can install on your phone that make pitch checking a quick and easy start to your practice. If you don’t tune the cello every day when you are starting out, you won’t get used to the correct pitches and your intonation will greatly suffer. Remember, it is much harder to break bad habits than it is to form good ones. Make sure your tuner is set to 440 frequency and always go from the A to the C strings.

*Learn the correct way to rosin your bow. If it is not applied evenly, you will have gaps in your sound. The right amount is also very important because the bow will slide off the string if there is too little rosin and will have way too much grip if you put too much on. You will soon learn the right amount that helps your bowing be effortless.

*Have your cello set up by a professional luthier for optimal sound.

*Be patient during practice. You definitely don’t want to get an injury or learn bad habits. Have your teacher help you develop practice methods that focus both your physical and mental energies. This way, you will progress in a consistent way and will stay motivated.

If you're interested in taking Cello lessons on Zoom or In Person in Burbank, Glendale or North Hollywood, we have some of the  best Cello lessons in Los Angeles. Our Cello instructors are picked by interviewing hundreds of Cello instructors and we have really high standards on both their teaching ability as well as their personality. If you'd like to talk to one of our instructors or set up a first lesson we have a guarantee that if you don't absolutely love your first lesson you don't have to pay for it. Please contact us at (818)902-1233 or on our website at https://www.losangelesmusicteachers.com/online-cello-lessons-in-burbank-ca.html​

I began playing trumpet in the fifth grade. I remember enjoying the challenge of using my breath to create lots of loud sounds with just three valves! My first goal was to play in marching band and later, when I heard Maynard Ferguson’s high-note trumpet music, I wanted to play as loud and as high as I could possibly manage.


That’s the thing about trumpet. It’s cool! It’s loud! And it’s the lead instrument in many types of bands. You can play trumpet in Pop music, marching band and orchestra, in Jazz bands, Latin bands, Ska, Funk, or R&B bands, and horn-driven rock bands. You can even play EDM or House music, if that’s what you’re into.


My first year of middle school, I won an award for most practice hours. “Practice, practice, practice” was my trumpet teacher’s mantra—not that I always practiced exactly what he wanted me to, lol! Playing scales over and over might have been boring, but I knew I had to stick with it to get to the sounds I wanted to play. It’s true, the more you practice playing trumpet, the more you learn how to control your breath and play what you want without thinking about the mechanics. That’s when you really start to enjoy making music.


If you want an instrument that lets you stand out in a group, trumpet’s a great choice! Trumpet players set the style and tone for the rest of the band, along with piano, guitar, and drums. As a trumpet player, you learn the teamwork skills needed to play well with other people. Playing trumpet has taught me leadership skills, given me confidence in myself, and allowed me to thrive in social situations where I might otherwise have been uncomfortable.


As an instrument you play with your breath, trumpet has lots of health and fitness benefits. It improves cardiovascular fitness, strengthens your core, requires good posture, and develops your motor skills, strength, coordination, and dexterity. Playing trumpet teaches the discipline to practice, show up on time, and keep your instrument clean. These are benefits that sneak up on you.


I’m a life-long student of trumpet and find there’s always more to learn. I teach from my own experience and believe that playing music should be fun! As someone who grew up with a learning disability, I have a unique perspective on how to teach. My youngest student so far started at nine years old in beginner band, and at the end of her first couple of months studying with me, she was moved up to regular band class (which is normally for second- and third-year students).


Does trumpet sound like an instrument you’d like to try? Or if you already play, improve? With the intent to work at it and a seasoned trumpet teacher who’s well connected in the LA music scene, you’ll be able to advance quickly, step by step, and soon have fun while enjoying trumpet’s many benefits!


If you're interested in taking trumpet or general music lessons on Zoom or In Person in Burbank, Glendale or North Hollywood, we have some of the best trumpet lessons in Los Angeles. Our trumpet teachers are picked by interviewing hundreds of music instructors and we have really high standards on both their teaching ability as well as their personality. If you'd like to talk to one of our instructors or set up a first lesson, we have a guarantee that if you don't absolutely love your first lesson you don't have to pay for it. Please contact us at (818) 902-1233 or on our website at https://www.losangelesmusicteachers.com/online-drum-lessons-in-burbank-ca.html.

In this piano lesson, we are going to discuss one of the most basic concepts in music. What is an octave and what does it mean, and what does it look like on a piano?

Over the several hundreds of years the piano has taken to develop, the number of keys has changed dramatically, from as little as 32 keys when the piano was first developed, to up to 96 keys on a modern Bosendorfer Imperial. But why is this important to you when buying a piano today? Is it important to know how many octaves your piano has? Acoustic pianos usually all have the same amount, but when you're buying your first beginner piano for your kid you may only want a 61 key Keyboard instead of the full 88 key electric piano. There is no need for 88 keys until you or your child is more advanced. Those last 12 or so upper keys and 12 lower keys are rarely used except in classical music.

Generally, a piano has 7 and 1/4 octaves.

A standard modern upright, grand or digital piano has seven and a quarter octaves; seven full octaves, and three extra treble notes; B-flat, B and C. That's a total of 88 keys. There are variations, mainly in digital instruments, which we'll discuss in this article.

What is an octave?

​An octave is defined as a series of eight; the term is derived from the Latin word "octo," meaning "eight." The same reason an octopus is called as such; because it has eight legs. See the image above to see how it looks on the piano keyboard.

You can easily identify the 7 octaves on any piano by looking for the pattern of 2 black keys followed by 3 black keys. That is where every octave starts and ends. The note C is to the left of the first group of 2 black keys and then it ends on the next C. That is a full octave. Every beginning piano lesson starts with that discovery.

The word "octave" can refer to two different things in music; an interval and a scale. An octave scale is a series of notes, iterating through the seven notes of any particular scale until you arrive on the note you started on, but one octave higher.


G, A, B, C, D, E, F#, G.


You'll notice that we start on G, we iterate through all the notes of the G Major scale, and we finish on G. However, it's not the same G that we started on; it's the next G up on the piano. 

We refer to this as being an octave higher; essentially it's the next occurrence of the note you start on. This also ties into the octave as an interval; in the same way that a fifth is five notes apart, and a fourth is four notes apart, an octave is eight notes apart.

​On a modern piano, the very bottom note is A. There are seven more As on the piano, making for a total of 7 A octaves. Older pianos finished here and just had seven octaves; modern pianos have an extra three notes; a B-flat, a B and a C, to make seven octaves plus three notes.

Lesson on How To Create Melodies For Your Song Writing based on Your Chords

Melodies are easy to create once you have created a good chord progression. First you need to learn all of your chords in Major and Minor Keys. Here is a list below in the key of C Major. Then a list of all of the secondary dominant chords that are possible. Just those two things will give you lots of possibilities, but outside of that you can then "borrow" chords from the parallel minor. That will give you almost anything that has ever been done in pop and rock music.

​Here's lesson below with a list below of all of the Major Chords, Parallel Minor Chords, and secondary dominants (every chord can be approached by it's dominant chord). 

I     ii     iii    IV    V    vi     vii dim
C    Dm    Em    F       G    am     B dim
       A7      B7    C7    D7  E7      (Secondary dominants) for interest
Cm   Ddim Eb  Fm     Gm    Ab     Bb   (Parallel Minor Chords) 

Here's some common chord progressions that use some of the "borrowed" chords.
I     IV      bVII     I
     Vm     IV       I 
I      IIImaj       IV      IVm     I   Creep by Radio Head
Using Parallel Minor Chords 
Eb C Eb C Eb C Bb Ab F Ab F 
Bb - C (bVII - I)
Ab - C (bVI - I)
C - Db - Eb - Fm
C - Gm - F - C
C - Ab  - F  - C
Cm - Ab - Eb - Bb- Cm

Here's a complete list of all the chords available from all of the scales above.
C, Cm, Dm, Ddim, Eb, Em, E, F, Fm, G, Gm, Ab, Am, Bb, Bdim (all of them)

You can also take chords from any of parallel MODES.

No matter your level of proficiency, you can create great melodies along with your chord progression using any of the two approaches outlined below.

First Approach
It is a good idea experiment with different chord inversions while playing your chord progression. You can try each of the inversions one at a time as you move on with your progression. You may seek the guidance and supervision of an experienced keyboardist or guitarist on this.

The melodies will be obvious as you make connections with the chords. Bear in mind that you may not actually hear the whole of the melody at once, but you should be able to filter out the skeleton of the melody from what you hear. As you continue to practice, you’ll be improving on the melodies and more parts of it will be coming out. With time, you’ll be able to produce an interesting melody. 

At this point, you should not bother about whether you are getting the notes right. Rather, follow your ears. Listen to the melody and continue to make corrections as you deem necessary. Let the process flow naturally and organically. Getting the notes correct will come naturally. The more you practice with the chord progression, the more the notes will fall in the right place. If you don’t like this approach or it is difficult for you to follow, you can adopt the next one, discussed right below.

Second Approach
The approach involves attaching a particular rhythm to your chord progression. Lay it down on a recorder. You can then play it repeatedly. Listen as you play it. If you play the melodies so many times, you’ll be able to listen to them without recording. 

After playing the chord progression, close your eyes and try to hear the melody. Try to arrange the musical set pieces mentally. At this point, you should be able to come up with several melodies. You may also record the melodies as you align them with your chord progression. The more you memorize the progression, the easier it will be for you to hear organic melodies naturally. You’ll no longer need to fiddle with your musical instrument to come up with a nice melody. 

Instead of focusing on your musical instrument, unleash your creativity. Listen to your head and dig out the melodies in them. Letting your voice run at the same pace with your ears is one of the best ways to come up with nice music.
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Of course, there are several other ways to create melodies and music, but the two approaches above are easy to adopt and they are effective as well. Most importantly, regardless of what approach you choose, always let your imagination work. Don’t focus on only instruments. The musical instruments are distractions. They’ll sever the synchronization between your ears and voice. So, it is better to use your voice, record it, and transcribe it. When you get the hang of it, you’ll be able to create nice melodies more effortlessly.

​If you're interested in taking music lessons on Zoom or In Person in Burbank, Glendale or North Hollywood, we have some of the  best music lessons in Los Angeles. Our music instructors are picked by interviewing hundreds of music instructors and we have really high standards on both their teaching ability as well as their personality. If you'd like to talk to one of our instructors or set up a first lesson we have a guarantee that if you don't absolutely love your first lesson you don't have to pay for it. Please contact us at (818)902-1233 or on our website at https://www.losangelesmusicteachers.com/online-drum-lessons-in-burbank-ca.html​

After vocal warm-ups and singing, it is essential that you also cool down your voice. You can use the same vocal exercises you used during your warm-up, starting with the most intense and working down to the least intense. Simply using the humming vocal exercise will also allow your voice to cool down and relax. Following these tips will keep your voice strong and allow you to perform at your best.
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Vocal warm-ups are a critical part of any singer’s practice and performance routine. These quick and easy vocal warm-ups will refine your technique, build your vocal power and control, and help expand your vocal range.

At Los Angeles Music Teachers, our trained vocal instructors teach students all aspects of singing, including warm-ups and other vocal techniques that thousands of professional singers use every day to keep their voices in shape and sounding their best.

If you're interested in taking vocal lessons on Zoom or In Person in Burbank, Glendale or North Hollywood, we have some of the  best vocal lessons in Los Angeles. Our vocal instructors are picked by interviewing hundreds of vocal instructors and we have really high standards on both their teaching ability as well as their personality. If you'd like to talk to one of our instructors or set up a first lesson we have a guarantee that if you don't absolutely love your first lesson you don't have to pay for it. Please contact us at (818)902-1233 or on our website at https://www.losangelesmusicteachers.com/online-voice-lessons-in-burbank-ca.html​

When it comes to the age old question of whether it is too late to starting taking music lessons, there are simple answers and there are answers that are slightly more detailed.
The easy answer is no. It is never too late. On the other hand, those who want a slightly more detailed answer will need to know a few things.
For starters, there are a wide range of disadvantages that come up for those who try to start the process of learning how to master a musical instrument during a latter period in life. We are referring to adults in these instances, as opposed to school aged children.
After all, a 21 year old is hardly too old to start learning. So what are these disadvantages and how do they affect the learning process? Time is a major consideration in these instances. It will take an older student a great deal of time and effort to achieve their objectives.
An older student is simply not going to have the same amount of time and energy to dedicate to the learning process. When a child comes home from school, they have a limited number of obligations. They do not have to endure the same number demands on their time.
An adult will need to spend their free time running errands, socializing and dealing with work related concerns. While this may seem daunting, an adult should be able to carve out at least 30 to 45 minutes each day to practice their instrument.
One downside is that an adult will not be able to receive free tuition from their school or locate a helpful peer group of fellow beginners. This is something that you may have been able to take advantage of if you had taken the time to start earlier.
Those who are self motivating and self discipline will still be able to learn the ins and outs of their instrument quickly. It is important to remain realistic about the process, though. No matter how hard you try, you are not going to be Carlos Santana or Stevie Wonder by the time next month rolls around.
In order to learn more more about the mechanics of your chosen instrument, you should be taking the time to study the basic principles of music theory. This is especially helpful for guitar players who are looking to further their understanding of melody, harmony and rhythm.
The more you know about each of these principles at a theoretical level, the easier the learning process becomes. Learning about chord construction, intervals and scales may seem a bit academic and overly heavy. However, it is a crucial aspect of the learning process and a great way to open up your mind to new information. ​

​​If you're interested in taking music lessons on Zoom or In Person in Burbank, Glendale or North Hollywood, we have some of the  best music lessons in Los Angeles. Our music instructors are picked by interviewing hundreds of music instructors and we have really high standards on both their teaching ability as well as their personality. If you'd like to talk to one of our instructors or set up a first lesson we have a guarantee that if you don't absolutely love your first lesson you don't have to pay for it. Please contact us at (818)902-1233 or on our website at https://www.losangelesmusicteachers.com/online-drum-lessons-in-burbank-ca.html​

Differences Between Nylon and Steel String Guitars
Acoustic guitars are available with either steel strings or nylon strings. Guitars with nylon strings are often referred to as classical guitars. Here are some of the main differences between the two different types of guitar.

Genre
When deciding what type of acoustic guitar to get, the most important factor is what type of music you want to play. The nylon strings on classical guitars contribute to a warmer, mellower sound, which is well-suited for classical, flamenco, and folk music. An acoustic guitar with steel strings would be more well-suited for playing country, rock, bluegrass, or just about any other type of music.

If you plan on playing with a pick, a classical guitar may not be the best choice for you. Most classical guitarists stick to fingerstyle playing and strumming, and most nylon-string guitars do not come with pickguards. Without a pickguard, your instrument can be quickly damaged by playing with a pick, so we discourage using anything other than your fingers when playing a classical guitar.

Differences
Classical guitars have smaller bodies and wider necks than standard acoustic guitars. They typically have slotted headstocks with poles that the strings are wrapped around. A full-size steel string guitar will have a larger body and strings which are held in place on the guitar's bridge with the help of bridge pins (nylon strings are tied on to the guitar's bridge).

You will see a lot of steel-string guitars with pickguards in place to protect the instrument from damage that is caused by using a pick. This is not the case with classical guitars since nylon strings are not usually played with a pick.

Which is better for beginners, Steel Strings or Nylon Strings?
If you are a beginner, you may be wondering which type of guitar is easier to learn on. Nylon strings may seem like they would cause less pain for your fingers if you are just starting out. The truth is, your fingers will take some time to become adjusted to playing a guitar regardless of what type of strings you are playing on.
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If your guitar is properly set up, the type of guitar you have should not effect your ability to learn on it. Above all else, choose a guitar type that is best suited for the type of music you want to play and practice diligently until you get the hang of your new instrument.

If you're interested in taking Guitar lessons on Zoom or In Person in Burbank, Glendale or North Hollywood, we have some of the  best guitar lessons in Los Angeles. Our guitar instructors are picked by interviewing hundreds of guitar instructors and we have really high standards on both their teaching ability as well as their personality. If you'd like to talk to one of our instructors or set up a first lesson we have a guarantee that if you don't absolutely love your first lesson you don't have to pay for it. Please contact us at (818)902-1233 or on our website at https://www.losangelesmusicteachers.com/online-guitar-lessons-in-burbank-ca.html​

BREATHING TECHNIQUES FOR BETTER SINGING
Now that you've mastered a few vocal warm-ups and exercises, always remember to maintain good posture and use proper breathing techniques. Two common breathing techniques are singing from your diaphragm and exhaling on a hiss. Keep reading to learn how you can perform these to improve your singing.
  
1. SING FROM YOUR DIAPHRAGM
When singing, it is vitally important to use proper breathing techniques to avoid hurting your voice. It is most common to breathe from the chest during everyday activities, including speaking, but singing requires breathing from the diaphragm. Proper breathing gives your voice more power, more control and a fuller, more expressive tone. Sing from your diaphragm to avoid straining your voice. Your body should be relaxed and balanced, with your weight slightly forward.

WHAT IS YOUR DIAPHRAGM?
The diaphragm is a muscle between your chest and your belly that governs how much air you inhale and exhale when you breathe. “Singing from your diaphragm” is a phrase for this important breathing technique, which describes the proper way to breathe in and out while singing.
The sound of your voice doesn’t actually come from your diaphragm, of course — sound is generated by vibrations of your vocal cords. The vibrations are caused by air being pushed out of your lungs. Your diaphragm is what controls the pushing and is responsible for putting power behind your voice.


2. EXHALE ON A HISSA hissing breath exercise is a great way to start when learning how to warm up your voice before singing. This technique forces vocalists to sing from their diaphragms and improves breath control.
To master the exhale on a hiss breathing technique, it’s important to:

1. Stand up straight and relax your body. This will also relax your diaphragm and release any tension that could prevent you from singing incorrectly.
2. Breathe in through your mouth and count to five. As you breathe, bring the air deep into your lungs. A “singer’s breath” should not make your chest puff out or your shoulders rise — instead, your belly should expand outward.
3. Exhale and count to nine. While exhaling, make a hissing noise that sounds like the first letter of the word “sizzle.” By the time you are done counting, all the air should be expelled from your lungs.

Once you build more lung capacity and get comfortable with this exercise, you can breathe in for a seven count and exhale for a 12 count. 
Now that you've warmed up your voice and know how to breathe from your diaphragm and exhale on a hiss, you’re ready to sing.

If you're interested in taking vocal lessons on Zoom or In Person in Burbank, Glendale or North Hollywood, we have some of the  best vocal lessons in Los Angeles. Our vocal instructors are picked by interviewing hundreds of vocal instructors and we have really high standards on both their teaching ability as well as their personality. If you'd like to talk to one of our instructors or set up a first lesson we have a guarantee that if you don't absolutely love your first lesson you don't have to pay for it. Please contact us at (818)902-1233 or on our website at https://www.losangelesmusicteachers.com/online-voice-lessons-in-burbank-ca.html​