Guitar v. Piano: Which one is the best fit for you?

Here at North Main Music, we get this question often from prospective students and their parents: should they first learn to strum sweet serenades on the guitar or tickle the ivories? The answer is anything but black and white (insert piano keys pun here.) Piano and guitar are both suitable to most music genres and are equally up to the challenge of accompanying a vocalist. Yet at the same time, these two instruments couldn’t be more different. So, which one is the best fit for you or your child? In an ideal situation, one would get a solid foundation in both piano and guitar in order to know for sure, but we can help make your guess an educated one.

Learning Curves—Guitar v. Piano
The guitar and piano learning curve are not the same. After your first piano lesson, you could very well walk away with a simple tune like ‘Twinkle Twinkle Little Star’ under your belt. By contrast, the only thing you’ll walk away with after your first guitar lesson is probably sore fingers. Guitar can be uncomfortable at first. Between the sorta wonky wrist position and the hard-to-press strings,it can take up to two weeks before you’re not shaking out your burning fingers every 5 minutes.

Jump to three months or so from your starting date: With practice, you will have made steady improvement on the piano. You can play a handful of simple songs, but coordinating both your hands is a little like patting your head and rubbing your stomach at the same time. It may be a little while before you can comfortably accompany yourself.

After three months on the guitar, your fingers haven’t been getting sore for a while, and you’re equipped with a handful of chords. You can strum, with some confidence, a huge repertoire of basic rock songs, and at least 10 Bob Dylan songs. You’re not shredding, but you could do a campfire proud.

After about a year-and-a-half of diligent practice, piano and guitar start to even out again. You can pound out enough chords in C and G Major to play some of your favorite pop songs on the piano. Maybe you’ve got a sonatina or two under your belt. More intricate passages are still tricky and require time and effort. They always will.

After a year-and-a-half of furious practice on the guitar, you’re kind of bored with strumming, and you’ve moved on to lead guitar passages and fingerstyle. That can keep you busy for, oh, the next ten years! Intermediate to advanced guitar progresses in much the same way as intermediate to advanced piano.

Portability and Space
This pro v. con is a no-brainer. Hands down, a guitar is more portable and space-effective than a piano. Get an acoustic guitar, and you can take it almost anywhere. Get a piano, and you can barely take it up the stairs (with an army of burly gym rats). You can, of course, remedy the portability problem by getting a keyboard, but you’ll still always need a power source. This one goes to the guitars.




Start-up Costs
While it may be true that guitars are less expensive than pianos, a beginner guitar costs about as much as a beginner keyboard, and really, a keyboard is all you need when you first start piano lessons. Since there’s no need to break the bank buying the best equipment in the beginning, both instruments get a point for this topic.

Theory and Ear Training
It can be easier to conceptualize melodies on the linear piano than on the nonlinear guitar. What does linear vs. non-linear mean? There is only one way to play each unique note or frequency on a piano. There’s only one middle-C, one C above middle C, etc. On the other hand, the guitar has around six ways of playing the very same pitch. When playing by ear on a piano, if pitch in a melody increases, your hand necessarily moves to the right. When playing by ear on a guitar, if the pitch in a melody increases, your hand might move toward the body of the guitar or to an entirely different string.

Now one for the guitars: Some people find it somewhat easier to conceptualize harmonies and chords on a guitar than on a piano. This is because the piano is divided in a somewhat arbitrary way with black keys. It is fairly easy to understand music theory in the context of one key (C-Major) on the piano, but the way the keys are arranged obfuscates the fact that harmonic progressions are simply distances and relationships between chords. It’s easier to demonstrate these relationships with chord shapes on the guitar.

Accompaniment and Vocal Type
Piano and guitar are both quintessential for vocal accompaniment, but they lend themselves to different types of voices. Because they are loud and bright, pianos can sometimes drown out the beautiful mellower types of voices. Pianos sound great with voices that might be described as soulful, clear, salient, bright, or virtuosic. Guitars can accompany any type of voice, but acoustic guitars complement voices that might be described as darker, soothing, airy, or “folksy.”

So, there you have it. We hope that this Guitar v. Piano list gives you some food for thought as to which instrument might be suit your musical interests and current lifestyle. If you have further questions, you are always welcome to contact us at 603-505-4282 or email us at northmainmusic@gmail.com.



Inspired by and adapted from this article on mollymusic.org.

10 Things That Will Happen When Your Child Begins Piano Lessons

Are you considering enrolling your child in piano lessons? In this month’s blog post, we’ve put together a list of 10 benefits to starting piano lessons for kids. Here at North Main Music, it never ceases to amaze us when we see the positive impact that piano lessons have on kids.

If you’re considering piano lessons for your child, here are 10 great things that you can expect to see as your child moves forward on his or her musical journey.

1. Your child will do better in school
Research shows that children who study music do better on standardized testing and in school overall. After all, music and math are very much intertwined.

2. Your child will become more disciplined
Practicing everyday teaches kids discipline as well as patience. Oftentimes, the discipline it takes to learn the piano carries over into other areas of life, such as school or sports activities.

3. Your child will gain confidence
Learning to accept constructive criticism from a music instructor will help your child build self-confidence. What’s more, being able to do something special, like playing the piano, helps kids feel good about themselves.

4. Your child will become more outgoing
Of course, participating in student concerts and group programs, such as being in one of our bands, helps kids feel less self-conscious. However, talking one-on-one with a teacher also helps children feel more comfortable speaking with others.

5. Your child will make new friends
At North Main Music, we pride ourselves on having a true music community, where many of our students become friends with one another within and outside of our music studio. At NMM, your child can make friends with other music students by participating in one of our group programs, accompanying another student in a semi-annual concert performance, or by attending one of our other many activities and classes throughout the year.

6. Your child will develop a “Musical Ear”
Studying music makes kids into musicians. This applies to all areas of music, not just the piano. Many of our students also participate in their school’s or town’s band, orchestra, chorus, or musical theater.

7. Your child will learn to read music 
Reading music is a skill most people don’t have. People who can read the treble and bass clefs required for piano playing can read music for almost any instrument.

8. Your child will gain a new hobby
Social media, TV, and video games are fun for kids, but playing the piano is much better for young minds.

9. Your child will improve concentration
Concentration is something one must build. At first, your child may only be able to concentrate for 10 minutes, but as he or she advances and the music becomes more difficult he or she will learn to concentrate for an hour or more at a time.

10. Your child will learn to handle stress better
It is a well-known fact that playing music reduces stress. Today’s kids have higher stress levels than previous generations--playing an instrument can be a positive way to deal with life’s difficult moments.

The bottom line is that piano lessons are great for children. There are so many benefits to learning the piano--from developing life skills to creating a lifetime of memories. If you’re a piano parent congratulations, you are giving your child a wonderful gift! If your child is interested in taking piano lessons, give us a call at 603-505-4282 or email us at NorthMainMusic@gmail.com.




This article was inspired by and adapted from this article on takelessons.com.

Thriller Night: 40 killer songs for your Halloween playlist

Halloween: a time for regrettable costume decisions, novelty props, worm-shaped treats, and, of course, rockin' Halloween tunes. Halloween music is ephemeral: its brief October life-span means it was made to blast real loud for a few weeks each year and get everyone in the spooky zone. 

So, whether you’re hosting a haunted house party or handing out candy, North Main Music has put together a playlist that is sure to get you in the Halloween spirit. We picked out some great kid-friendly classics, plus tunes for the grown ups to enjoy from David Bowie to She & Him, Rihanna, the Gorillaz, and more. 

Whatever your plans this Halloween, add these chilling tunes to your creepy All Hallow's Eve playlist!

1. Time Warp - The Rocky Horror Picture Show

2. This is Halloween - Marilyn Manson

3. Love Potion No. 9 - The Searchers

4. Howlin' for You - The Black Keys

5. Boogieman - Childish Gambino

7. Werewolves of London - Warren Zevon

8. The Monster Hop - Bert Convy

9. The Number of the Beast - Iron Maiden

10. Psycho Killer - Talking Heads

11. My Beloved Monster - Eels

12. A Nightmare on my Street - DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince

13. Pet Sematary - Ramones

14. Spellbound - Siouxsie and the Banshees

15. The Addams Family TV Theme

16. Bat Dance - Prince

17. Halloween - Dead Kennedys

18. I put a spell on you - She and Him

19. Sympathy for the Devil - The Rolling Stones

20. Dracula's Wedding - Outkast featuring Kelis

21. I want candy - Bow Wow Wow

22. Burn the Witch - Queens of the Stone Age

23. Disturbia - Rihanna

24. Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps) - David Bowie

25. Heads will roll - Yeah Yeah Yeahs

26. Somebody's watching me - Rockwell

27. Monster Mash - Bobby "Boris" Pickett

28. Hunting for Witches - Bloc Party

29. Thriller - Michael Jackson

30. Invisible - Ok Go

31. I was a teenage werewolf - The Cramps

32. Dracula - Gorillaz

33. The Purple People Eater - Sheb Wooley

34. Season of the Witch - Donovan

35. Bark at the moon - Ozzy Osbourne

36. Zombie - The Cranberries

37. Ghost Town -The Specials

38. Ghostbusters - Ray Parker, Jr. 

39. Black Magic Woman - Santana

40. Halloween -  The Misfits

Got a favorite Halloween song that's not on this play list? Let us know in the comments below!

This article was inspired by/adapted from these articles on takelessons.com, nme.com, and freepeople.com.

The 5 Easiest Instruments for Adult Learners

Are you an adult interested in learning how to play a musical instrument, but nervous about getting started? We've compiled a list of some of the easiest instruments for adult learners that we teach at North Main Music.

It’s a commonly held misconception that learning to play a musical instrument as an adult very difficult, if not impossible. The myth that one must pursue music lessons early in life in order to master the craft has kept many capable adults from exploring their musical potential.

As the saying goes, it’s never too late to learn! In fact, there can be some advantages to learning music as an adult. Adults are much more independent and self-motivated than kids who may be pushed by their parents to take music lessons. With the right help, guidance, and motivation, any adult can excel at playing a musical instrument.

If you’re not sure where to start, here are five of the easiest instruments for adults to learn.


1. Ukulele
Inexpensive to buy, highly portable, and super fun to play, the ukulele is one of the easiest instruments to learn. With just four nylon strings (instead of the guitar’s six), you can quickly pick up simple chords and play some of your favorite songs within a few weeks. When you learn ukulele, you also gain many fundamental skills that will make it easier to graduate from the ukulele to the guitar, should you decide you want to explore a new instrument in the future.


2. Voice

Everyone can sing something. Most adults usually have some level of vocal skill coming in to lessons and tend to underrate their own ability. One of the best things about having your own voice be your "instrument" is that your instrument is always with you and you can practice it anywhere--while driving, in the shower, walking your dog, etc. 





3. Piano

Beginner pianos or keyboard are inexpensive, but to some, the piano may seem complicated — after all, you need to learn to coordinate both hands at once — but it’s actually one of the easiest instruments for adult learners. Because the notes are all laid out in front of you, it’s easier to understand than many other instruments and good for your mind because you are reading music from day one of your lessons. Plus, though you may play wrong notes sometimes, you can’t ever play out of tune the way you can with other instruments. Moreover, due to its popularity, you’ll have no shortage of useful learning materials when you choose piano as your instrument! 



4. Guitar
There are some great advantages to learning the guitar as an adult. First, the guitar takes some hand strength to play, so it is not a suitable instrument for most small children to learn. Second, many adults have had some prior experience with guitar lessons as older kids or teens, and therefore guitar lessons, in some ways, can be liking "riding a bike" and feel like you are picking up where you left off all those years ago.


5. Drums
For sure, learning to play the whole drum kit is difficult. It's also not a requirement for taking drum lessons. You can start your lesson with just the snare drum and add additional pieces as you become more comfortable and confident in your playing. 


Learning how to play a musical instrument as an adult is not as intimidating as it may sound. While the options listed above may be some of the easiest instruments to learn, there’s no need to limit yourself! You are always welcome to take a 30-minute introductory lesson in any instrument that may interest you to get a feel for it.

Whatever instrument you pick, excelling at music will eventually feel easy and natural, just as long as you’re genuinely engaged in your lessons, practice regularly, and have a dedicated teacher who will nurture your inner musicality along the way. Check out the talented and caring instructors at North Main Music and start becoming the musician you’ve always dreamed of being!



This article was inspired by/adapted from this article on takelessons.com


Photo credit: Doug Guarino

Finding The Right Teacher For Your Music-Loving Kid

How do you match your child with someone competent, trustworthy, and inspiring?

Once your child has zeroed in on the instrument they would like to learn, the next step is to find a teacher. For many families, that means scouting about for a good private music school and instructor — which can be a challenge on many levels. Asking friends and parents of your child's peers for recommendations is a natural first step, but it doesn't have to be your only method. There are other ways to evaluate if a teacher is likely a good fit for your child and if they can help plug your kid into your local music scene.

In the internet age, it is fairly easy to do some research on your new potential teacher. At North Main Music, each of our instructors has a detailed bio on our website, describing their education and experience, as well as their teaching philosophy. You’re also welcome to call us to ask questions about an instructor’s background, teaching style, and their students’ successes – specifically the students that share your same level and goals.


How can I tell if a teacher is a great match for my child?

This presents a particularly tricky minefield for parents who aren't musically inclined themselves, or whose own memories of childhood lessons are occupied by boring old bats or sadistic, tough-talking taskmasters--or a combination of both. Given the perceived layers of mystery that all too often surround learning to play music, novice parents might wrongly assume that bad teaching is just the way things are supposed to be, but this is far from the truth. 

If you remember only one piece of advice when choosing a music teacher, remember this golden rule: More than degrees, titles, or awards, a teacher’s level of emotional intelligence — the awareness of their own emotions and the emotions of others–will determine their effectiveness as a teacher. Is your candidate responsive to your messages, questions, and input? Are they flexible and spontaneous? Can they balance structure and fun, and do they seem to genuinely love what they do? These are the characteristics that truly matter, and that keep a student engaged, challenged, and committed to music lessons.



The Trial Lesson

At North Main Music, we offer a trial lesson for just $32, so you can to test how the personalities of a teacher and your child mesh. During the trial lesson, you are welcome ask questions: What's the teacher's background as a musician and as an instructor? What kinds of teaching materials and music does she use? How much practice time is expected for students, and does that vary by the student's age? Will the teacher allow the student to record the lesson? (This can be a terrific practice aid, especially when it comes to remembering how something is supposed to sound.) What are the expectations for students and for their parents?

A good teacher will be a friendly, encouraging, and inspiring presence — even when a student hits rough patches. He will point out the student's weaknesses without being harsh or dismissive, suggest innovative ways to overcome challenges, and create engaging ways to tackle even rote activities like playing scales or honing fine motor skills. The instructor's age and experience might or might not be a deciding factor; oftentimes a newer teacher’s youth can help a student, especially a teenager, feel more at ease. On the other hand, another student may be more motivated and inspired by a “seasoned” musician with a great deal of experiential wisdom.

So what if you try out a teacher for a little while and you're just not sure it's a good fit? It's crucial to trust your gut. It's better to make a change sooner rather than later, especially if you feel like a teacher's experience, energy or approach just isn't right for your child. Sure, that will probably be an uncomfortable conversation, but isn't that preferable to wasting money, time and your kid's initial enthusiasm? At North Main Music, we are always open to feedback on how to make your child’s lesson experience as positive as possible, and we are happy to work with you to match your child with the best teacher for them.



“We scheduled a trial lesson! How do we prepare for it?”

Congratulations! You’ve made a great first step. Now you need to do a little preparation. First you need to find an instrument if you don’t have one. Start your research but you may not need to purchase anything just yet. Ask you new potential teacher for advice on that. We also have a comprehensive FAQ page on our website, which may answer some of your questions as you prepare for your first lesson.

And that leads to the next point – GOALS. It’s very important that you can verbalize clearly why you want to take music lessons. You’ll want to tell your new potential teacher your goals in the first lesson:

• Are you doing this just for enjoyment?
• Do you want to strengthen your skills so you can be a part of a community group? (a church choir or musical theatre troupe or band, etc.)
• Are you in middle/high school and you want to join the orchestra? star in the school musical? play in the jazz band?
• Are you considering majoring music in college?
• Do you want to start a band?
• Do you want to be the next American Idol?

Whatever your goals are, make them clear to yourself and your teacher so that, together, you can determine whether or not this teacher can help you to reach them and make the most of your learning experience.


“My kid had their trial lesson. How do I know he/she was the right teacher?”
You might not be able to answer this question after just one lesson. But here are some things to think about:

• A good teacher should be able to nurture and make you feel comfortable and good about yourself especially when you are having difficulty mastering the subject
• A good teacher should challenge you to achieve to a level that maybe you think you can’t attain.
• A good teacher should be honest with you but not in a belittling way – in a way that elevates you to a higher level.
• A good teacher listens to your desires and goals and creates a plan to achieve those goals.
• A good teacher can communicate their ideas clearly to you and when you don’t quite understand, they can come up with several different ways to communicate the same concepts until you understand (because not every student learns the same way).
• A good teacher is willing to tell you when you should find another teacher if they feel like you have achieved everything you can with them.
• A good teacher will not belittle you if you decide that it is time to move on to another teacher.

You know you are with a good teacher if you leave your lessons feeling excited about what you are doing! Of course there will always be some times that you will have a difficult lesson here and there but the right teacher will guide you through those difficult times and celebrate your success when you come through it.


Good luck on your search!

The above article was inspired by/adapted from this article on npr.org and this one on pianopower.org.

Shh!!! The best way to practice drums quietly

For people who play percussion, drums often can't be loud enough to satisfy their musical tastes, but for household members and neighbors, drum practice is often *not* music to their ears. So whether you play rock, funk, jazz, or anything in between, learning how to practice your drum playing quietly is essential.

At North Main Music, we've found that the best way to practice drums quietly is by using Silentstroke drumheads. Silentstroke drumheads are low volume drumheads designed for quiet practice applications where standard drum set volumes are an issue. Constructed of 1-ply mesh material, Silentstroke drumheads provide a soft spring-like feel at very low decibel levels and are available in 6" to 24" sizes. 

To accompany your quiet drumheads, we recommend Zildjian L80 Low Volume cymbals, which are real cymbals that play at reduced volume - up to 80% less volume, thanks to a unique perforated pattern. That means you can play them exactly how you play any other cymbal, using any stick, mallet, or technique. The full decay is there, and they respond to your every playing nuance. They're the obvious solution for quiet rehearsals and late-night practice at home. 

As our founder and director, Mike McAdam says, "They are the greatest things of all time. One of the best things about these drumheads and cymbols is that they feel like real drums and cymbals--whereas rubber pads or electronic kits do not. "

While you're anxiously awaiting the delivery of your new Silentstroke drumheads, here are a few things you can do to keep the volume down while you practice: 

• Use Brushes: If you have some drum brushes, these drumming tools permit you to play drums quietly without sacrificing your stick height to get soft sounds. Additionally, brushes make it possible for you to play with the same attack on drums as if you’re using sticks.
• Develop New Skills: Learning how to play the drums with a lighter touch and lower stick high is the best way to lower the volume of your practice sessions, but it’s the most difficult one. Focus on your technique, and work with a private drum teacher to master the skill.
• Get Thinner, Lighter and Smaller Sticks: You can practice drums more quietly by simply getting thinner, lighter and smaller sticks. That way, you’re able to practice at low-velocity swings. However, this solution is appropriate only if you live in a home surrounded by landscape, which can stop the sound transmission from your living space to adjacent houses. If you’re living in an apartment, you may want to try another solution.

By applying theses tips, you can practice drums more quietly and allow your neighbors and household members to fully enjoy the time they spend indoors.

Don't let fear of disturbing others keep you from your drum practice. Get some Silentstroke drum heads and Low Volume cymbols and get jammin'!

Got a funny story about a noisy drum practice, or a tip to share on how to practice more quietly? Share it in the comments below!

Portions of this article adapted from takelessons.com.