Tunes N Tots & Beyond

Fall lessons/classes are in full swing! 🎶
I am going to try to post more often this year😅

Interesting history on the piano!

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Has the piano always been popular?

The pianoforte was born in the 1690s.

Bartolomeo Cristofori built it in Italy, probably thinking:

“This is it. This will change music forever”.

It didn’t.

Harpsichords still ruled: loud, bright, and fashionable.
Clavichords had their place too: quiet, expressive but a bit fragile.

And the pianoforte?

It was complicated, expensive and not quite strong enough yet.

The sound was interesting: soft when you wanted, loud when needed.
But it lacked the power to impress a big audience.

So, for a while, it just… existed.
A good idea waiting for its moment.

Then composers got curious.
First a handful: Scarlatti, Clementi.

But then came Mozart.

He saw the potential. Started writing for it. Playing it.
His music still had that harpsichord feel, but the piano was getting noticed.

Haydn joined in.

And then Beethoven arrived.

He didn’t just play the piano.. he attacked it. Pushed it harder than anyone before.
Too hard, actually.

Early pianos weren’t built for that level of intensity. He kept breaking them.

Piano makers had to step up: stronger frames, better strings, more keys, more sound.

By the early 1800s, the pianoforte had fully evolved. Bigger, bolder, more powerful.

And suddenly, it was everywhere.
The instrument of the century. No more background music. This was serious.

Chopin emphasised its subtleties. Liszt pushed its technical boundaries. Schumann explored its emotional depth.

Every middleclass family wanted one in their home.
If you were an upperclass young woman, you HAD to learn it. Not for fun, but to prove you were "accomplished."

The harpsichord? It went from essential to antique in a matter of decades.

Then the world changed and the piano changed with it. Ragtime. Jazz. Blues. Swing. It adapted to everything.

Classical composers still loved it: Debussy, Rachmaninov, Gershwin..
but now there were also bar pianists, jazz legends, and rock ‘n’ roll rebels playing it.

It became electric. It became digital. Synthesisers were invented but the piano stayed the piano.
Concert halls, jazz clubs, pop studios, people’s living rooms.. it never left.

Not bad for an invention that spent its first few decades getting ignored.

What about Bach?

Ah, Bach. The man was NOT a piano enthusiast.

By the time Cristofori invented the pianoforte, Bach was already a big deal.

He wrote for the harpsichord, the clavichord, and the organ.. basically anything with keys except the pianoforte.

Why?

Early pianos weren’t up to his standards.

He tried one around 1730, a German made version by Gottfried Silbermann.
He wasn’t impressed.
Thought the high notes were weak, the action too heavy.
In short: “Not for me, thanks”.

Silbermann, probably frustrated, went back to work. Years later, he improved the design.

Bach gave it another chance. This time, he approved. He even helped promote it.

But did he write specifically for the piano?
Not really.

His keyboard music was mostly for harpsichord and clavichord, though people today play it on the piano all the time.

So, while Bach technically lived during the piano’s early years, he wasn’t part of its rise to fame.

That was left to Mozart, Beethoven, and the composers who followed.

Still, if you play “The Well-Tempered Clavier”, you can’t help but wonder..
maybe, just maybe, Bach would have loved the modern instrument.



📸Yamaha from Markson Pianos

My musical beginnings 🎶💕

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📚🎵 BRAIN SCIENCE: WHY MUSIC MAKES BETTER READERS 🎵📚

Did you know that learning to read and playing music share neurological highways in the brain?

New research reveals why musical kids often become stronger readers—they’re literally creating neural networks in the same areas of their brain that they often use for reading.
When children engage with music, they’re:

• Training their brains to distinguish between similar sounds (crucial for phonics!)

• Strengthening working memory (essential for comprehension!)

• Building rhythm perception (key for reading fluency!)

• Developing sustained attention (needed for longer texts!)

The science is clear: just 30 minutes of active music engagement 2-3 times weekly creates measurable changes in the reading brain. And the benefits are even stronger for kids with reading challenges, especially dyslexia.

So when your child is drumming, singing, or playing an instrument, they’re not just making music—they’re building their reading brain!

Another session of Tunes N Tots starts NEXT Saturday! This is a popular class so give us a call at 8609345119 to sign up and save yourself a spot!

Stay tuned for another session of music class at Busy Bees! 🎶
10:30am Saturday mornings beginning in March.
It will be a spring themed music class. Hopefully signs of spring are around the corner🫠

Join me in January 🎶

Musical families- stay tuned for details on studio recital this winter at location that has space for all of us....plus an in tune piano 😅.

I'm super excited for this!

🎶Monday, August 12th, Tunes N Tots & Beyond will be joining INCREDIBLE KIDS for musical fun from 5:00 - 6:00PM 🎶

🌟Every Monday, specifically for kids with disabilities
🌟0 - 7 years from 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM
🌟8 - 17 years from 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM
🌟Techs are welcome
🌟This is not a drop off group
To register, visit https://www.nowinmotion.org/event/incredible-kids/.

Join me for some musical fun 🎶

🎵 Spark Your Child's Musical Journey! 🎵

🌟 Introducing Our 8-Week Kids Music Workshop & Festival! 🌟

Is your child ready to embark on a melodic adventure this summer? Dive into the world of rhythm, harmony, and joy with our exciting Kids Music Workshop! 🎶

📅 Dates: Every Thursday, starting July 11th, 2024, until August 29th, 2024

🕥 Time: 10:30 AM

📍 Location: Quiet Corner Academy, 748 N Main St, Danielson, CT

👧👦 Ages: 5-14

💲 Cost: Only $80 per child for the entire 8-week program! Fees due by June 28, 2024. (Please contact for pricing for families with more than 3 children).

🎸 What's in Store? 🥁
Under the expert guidance of our experienced instructors, your little ones will explore the magic of music through a delightful blend of songs, movement, and hands-on instrument fun! From catchy tunes to rhythmic beats, this workshop is designed to ignite creativity and foster a love for music in children of all ages. 🌈✨

🎉 Grand Finale: The Festival of Talent! 🎉
After 8 weeks of musical exploration, it's time for our young maestros to shine! Join us for a spectacular closing performance and festival where participants will showcase their newfound skills and spread smiles through the power of music! 🎤🎉

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Why Join? 🌟
Fun & Educational: Learn while having a blast!
Build Confidence: Let your child's talent take center stage.
Make Friends: Connect with fellow music enthusiasts.
Memories to Last a Lifetime: Create unforgettable summer moments!

📝 Registration: Reserve your spot today and let the musical journey begin! Limited spots available, so don't miss out!

Let's make this summer one to remember with the gift of music! 🎵🌟

Summer is the perfect time to try piano lessons 🎶
Limited availability for new students in summer session 🎶
Message me today for details!