Across religions and countries, chanting has often been used to create spiritual and meditative results for the listeners.  This is another way music has been utilized to create positive effects on our human emotions – in this case to calm the mind and encourage introspection. Catholic monks created the “ Gregorian” chant. “The Gregorian chant originated as a form of plainsong in the Roman Catholic church under the auspices of Pope Gregory the Great. Gregory is depicted in e

Japanese school teacher Junji Koyama has become world-famous for making musical instruments out of fruits and vegetables and posting YouTube performances of his work.  Junji has performed on every kind of fruit or vegetable you can think of – apples, pineapples, strawberries, limes, cactus, carrots, radishes, broccoli, cucumbers – a full orchestra of edible instruments. Originally, Junji’s work was exclusive to vegetables, until the world’s largest self-serve frozen yogurt br

Most of us bemoan the state of music instruction at public schools and some of us are compelled to write a letter to the editor or speak...

Umi Garrett is a child prodigy classical pianist. In May 2009, 8-year-old Umi appeared on NBC’s The Ellen DeGeneres Show as her first public broadcast performance . Since then, she has been receiving requests to perform worldwide and appearing regularly with symphony orchestras in the US and around the world. Umi also challenges herself in the international competitions regularly. Now, at the age of 23, Umi has released three solo albums and is set to release her most recent

Los Angeles was recently introduced to French concert pianist Hélène Grimaud, when she graced the Hollywood Bowl stage in early August with two nights of piano music.  As an amazing pianist, and an activist, “she could be called a Renaissance woman for our times.  Hélène Grimaud is not just a deeply passionate and committed musical artist whose pianistic accomplishments play a central role in her life. She is a woman with multiple talents that extend far beyond the instrum

Think levitation is only a magician’s trick? Although you may not have learned this in your high school science class, the ability to make tiny particles float in the air is possible. The ability to rise in the air through the power of sound, also known as acoustic levitation , is not new. Scientists have been performing this act since the 1940s. However, a group of Japanese researchers have recently mastered three-dimensional levitation, making it possible to float an object

A common question from our beginning piano students has nothing to do with the black and white keys but what’s at the bottom of the piano...

We’re dedicating this week’s Music Worth Noting to unsung artists. The may not be regularly recognized for their great work–they may even be insulted by another artist–but they brought a sense of awe to our day. You remember how important feeling awesome is, don’t you?   Father Raps to Son This video had us in tears and based on the numbers of views, we’re guessing that others had an emotional connection to this song. Jayce Correia raps to his son Jared who lives with cerebr

Initially a concert musician, Victor Borge soon developed a style that combined comedy with classical music. In 1940 he immigrated to the U.S., where he achieved fame appearing in various venues, including radio, films, concert halls, Broadway, and TV. Though he performed with many of the world’s leading orchestras, his pianistic talent was often overshadowed by his humor. To discover more about his fascinating life and career, check out his biography . Interested in lessons

Every spring bees make their way around to all the blossoming flowers to pollinate nature for us – but did you know the key to doing it...

Science is proving again why we might be the worst judge of our own voice. The truth is we hear our own voice differently from everyone else. Do you remember the first time you heard your own talking or singing voice in a recording? It could be a recital video or simply a voicemail message. Chances are you were surprised about how high it sounded and you didn’t like it. Also, there’s also a good possibility that no one else seemed surprised by your tone. A recent SciSchow seg

It turns out that singing your favorite song and going to a concert may help you live a longer, healthier and happier life.   A research...

In a time when seats are getting smaller, we’re getting charged more for checking in our baggage and meals are no longer offered, it seems like travelers can never gain a victory with the airline industry.   Now, we—especially musicians—finally have a reason to celebrate! The U.S. Department of Transportation recently ruled that musical instruments are considered carry-on luggage, which means that they can be stored in the overhead bin. Those who play a large instrument, such

“ The Most Unwanted Song ” is a song created by artists Komar and Melamid and composer Dave Soldier in 1997. The song was designed to incorporate lyrical and musical elements that were annoying to most people. These elements included bagpipes, cowboy music, an opera singer rapping, and a children’s choir that urged listeners to go shopping at Wal-Mart. Komar & Melamid and David Soldier‘s list of undesirable elements included holiday music, bagpipes, pipe organ, a children’s c

The tweet you hear from a certain bird is more than just a beautiful noise. This small, chunky bird is applying rules of music theory...

With the way that schools in California (and other states) have been gutting/removing their music programs, you would think that people...

When Frozen was dubbed into 41 languages, it meant that 41 singers had to be selected for the popular favorite “ Let it Go .”  Hear 25 of the vocalists in 25 different languages.  It is really amazing to listen to one take of the song, with 25 different voices & languages all patched together.  Even though these are 25 vocalists, their voices meld into one. According to the Hollywood Reporter, “ Let it Go ” composer Robert Lopez is grateful that the animated hit’s 41 foreign-

The Internet has been abuzz with a new musical instrument that has an interesting name and packs a serious sound. Turkish musician Görkem Şen created the Yaybahar and demonstrated its sound on a video that has since gone viral. The instrument is impossibly large and looks deceptively simple. It seems to be made of sticks and drum covers and just when you’re ready to disregard its ability to produce any sound, Şen brings out his bow and starts playing. The sound is deep, full

SEATTLE Reports “Kids are resilient, but sometimes they need a little nudge. For a Seattle boy who recently became very sick, that extra...

All performers grapple with the anxieties of stage fright.  This is a Ted Talk tale of how one musician, Joe Kowan, found a remedy for his. Joe Kowan is a Boston-based musician and graphic designer who has been struggling with stage fright since he first started writing songs at age 27. Despite his adorably expressed fears, he charms audiences with his own style of quirky folk and acoustic hip-hop, by turns poignant, salacious and comical. In 2009 he released the gangsta’ ar