Learn To Play

Glossary Of Musical Terms

Bethel Music Center — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 23:33:01 +0000

Glossary of Musical Instrument Terminology Adjustable Thumb Lever: The lever of a valve can be adjusted to fit the hands of different sized players. Adjustable Thumb Rest: The thumb rest may be positioned for maximum player comfort. Annealing: Heat treatment of metal for a warmer, more colorful tone. Attack: The percussive beginning of a note. …

Preparing for High School Regional and All-State Auditions

Bethel Music Center — Wed, 20 Jun 2012 16:22:44 +0000

It’s that time again: the Connecticut Music Educators Association (CMEA) has issued its annual audition repertoire for regional and all-state auditions. If you are a woodwind, brass, or percussion player you now have an etude and solo piece to learn, as well as the customary scales and arpeggios the CMEA has required for many years. …

Local Musician Spotlight: apple orange pair

Bethel Music Center — Thu, 24 May 2012 18:48:40 +0000

Bethel Music Center is proud to support our local musicians! The apple orange pair, a horn and harp duo, will be giving a performance this Saturday, May 26, 2012 at Christ Presbyterian Church at 135 Whitney Ave in New Haven. Emily Boyer, horn, and Colleen Potter Thorburn, harp, are apple orange pair, a dynamic young …

What You Should Know When Purchasing a Used Instrument

Bethel Music Center — Wed, 02 May 2012 16:55:58 +0000

“PLEASE??! Pretty please?! I promise I’ll take good care of it!” Have you heard this from your children in an attempt to persuade you to buy them an instrument? You may be thinking that an instrument is too expensive, and that even with all the promises in the world of how well they’ll take care …

BMC Top 5: What’s On Your iPod?

Bethel Music Center — Sat, 07 Apr 2012 18:55:47 +0000

What’s on your iPod? By Jessica Bardelli Director of Sales and School Services “Oh man, this song has been stuck in my head for days!” “Have you heard that new song by that band? You know, it goes like this!” “I need new music!” All of these phrases can be heard at Bethel Music Center …

Why to Remember to Turn Your Phone Off at a Performance

Bethel Music Center — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 18:59:29 +0000

Why to Remember to Turn Your Cell Phone off at a Performance Does anyone remember a time when there weren’t pre-performance announcements asking for electronic devices to be turned off? And how many of us remember pre-concert announcements of twenty years ago asking the audience to “please silence your pager”? That announcement has now …

What to consider when purchasing an instrument

Bethel Music Center — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 17:16:47 +0000

Are you looking for an instrument for your son or daughter? Regardless of what instrument you or your child plays, there are many factors to consider when buying an instrument. Among them are the situation(s) it will be used in and the frequency of use, the ability of the player, cost of the instrument, and …

Local Band Spotlight: Crosstown

Bethel Music Center — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 18:33:52 +0000

Bethel Music Center is proud to support our local bands and musicians. Crosstown, based out of Bethel, Connecticut, will be performing this Saturday night, March 10th from 9pm to midnight at the Lumberyard Pub, 2 Main St. in West Redding. Crosstown is a rock and roll cover band with a distinctly bluesy feel. Expect to …

How To Clean Your Trumpet (Mellophone, Baritone, Euphonium, or Tuba)

Bethel Music Center — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 17:43:07 +0000

Want to save $100 a year on repairs? Try cleaning your trumpet on a monthly basis; it only takes twenty minutes or less. In addition to saving money on repairs you can also save money on doctors bills by preventing pathogens that cause Trombone Player’s Lung. Who wouldn’t want to save money and their health? …

Why You Should Play Music

Bethel Music Center — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 17:10:04 +0000

We recently ran a post on the benefits of enrolling your child in music classes; however, we strongly feel that the benefits aren’t expressly for children. In fact, the older you are, the more beneficial playing music can be. Let’s make a distinction, first, between playing music and practicing music. When we mention playing …