Here is our guitar instructor, Casey Laughlin demoing how to play the chromatic scale. To learn this scale with a step by step teaching method book a trial lesson with him in person in our Chicago based guitar studio or online.

Practicing chromatic scales is highly beneficial for guitarists, offering a comprehensive workout that enhances both technical proficiency and musical understanding. These scales, consisting of all twelve pitches within an octave, help develop finger dexterity and coordination, crucial for navigating the fretboard with ease. As guitarists move through the chromatic scale, they encounter various finger patterns and intervals, challenging their agility and precision. This practice is particularly valuable for beginners, as it lays a strong foundation for more complex scales and melodies.


Moreover, practicing chromatic scales improves a guitarist's ear training and fretboard visualization skills. By playing each note in sequence, guitarists develop a deeper understanding of pitch relationships and intervals. This heightened awareness translates into improved improvisation and composition abilities, as players can more intuitively select notes that harmonize well. Additionally, regularly practicing chromatic scales enhances muscle memory, making it easier for guitarists to execute complex passages accurately and efficiently in their playing.

Are you ready to embark on your musical journey and bring the enchanting sounds of the piano into your home? Purchasing the right keyboard is a crucial first step. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned player, finding the perfect instrument can make all the difference in your musical experience. Here's a comprehensive guide to help you choose the ideal keyboard for your needs.
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1. Consider Your Budget
Before diving into the world of keyboard shopping, it's essential to determine your budget. Keyboards come in a wide range of prices, so setting a budget will help you narrow down your options and find a keyboard that fits both your needs and your wallet.

2. Determine Your Needs
Are you a beginner looking for a keyboard to learn on? Or are you a seasoned player in need of a professional instrument? Consider your skill level and intended use for the keyboard. If you're just starting, a basic keyboard with essential features may suffice. However, if you're serious about playing, investing in a higher-end model with advanced features is recommended.

3. Choose the Right Number of Keys
Keyboards come in various sizes, with 61, 76, and 88 keys being the most common. While a 61-key keyboard is compact and suitable for beginners, an 88-key keyboard is ideal for serious pianists, as it offers the full range of a traditional piano. If space and budget allow, opt for an 88-key keyboard to maximize your playing potential.

4. Look for Weighted Keys
For a realistic piano playing experience, consider a keyboard with weighted keys. Weighted keys mimic the feel of an acoustic piano, providing the necessary resistance for proper finger strength and technique development. This feature is crucial for pianists who plan to transition to an acoustic piano in the future.
5. Consider the Brand
When it comes to keyboard brands, several reputable names stand out. Casio, Yamaha, Roland, and Alesis are known for producing high-quality keyboards with a range of features to suit every player's needs. Each brand offers a variety of models to choose from, so be sure to compare specifications and read reviews to find the best keyboard for you.

6. Utilize Apps Like OfferUp, Craigslist, and Facebook Marketplace
To find the best deals on keyboards, consider using apps like OfferUp, Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace. These apps connect buyers with sellers in their local area, making it easy to find a keyboard that meets your requirements at a reasonable price. Browse listings, communicate with sellers, and arrange a safe and convenient way to purchase your keyboard through the app.

7. Get the Right Accessories - Try to Find a keyboard that has a permanent stand unless you plan on moving the keyboard a lot. See photos below that depict the difference between these stands
In addition to the keyboard itself, consider purchasing accessories such as a keyboard stand and seat. A sturdy stand will ensure your keyboard is at the correct height for comfortable playing, while a comfortable seat will provide proper support during long practice sessions.

Conclusion

Choosing the right keyboard is an important decision that can greatly impact your musical journey. By considering your budget, needs, and preferences, as well as utilizing resources like OfferUp to find the best deals, you can find the perfect keyboard to help you achieve your musical goals. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned player, investing in a quality keyboard is a step towards a lifetime of musical enjoyment.

​Are you a bass singer looking to improve your vocal range and clarity? Welcome to our bass-specific vocal warm-up routine! This series of exercises, led by our talented instructor Kehsin Xu, is designed to help you warm up your voice effectively and efficiently, ensuring that you're ready to perform at your best.

​Are you a baritone singer looking to improve your vocal range and clarity? Welcome to our baritone-specific vocal warm-up routine! This series of exercises, led by our talented instructor Kehsin Xu, is designed to help you warm up your voice effectively and efficiently, ensuring that you're ready to perform at your best.Title: "Vocal Warm-Up for 

Video by Angelo Nottoli
Text by Samuel Barsi

When a student is learning music for the first time its very important for them to learn how the notes work in music. What does a scale sound like? What does it not sound like?  To develop musical intuition we should have a keen sense of this. 

Although simple, this keyboard exercise teaches the piano students the first five notes of the major scale, then it teaches them the notes that are contained in this scales major triad chord, and then it has the student play the chord. Basically this is an introduction to chords. Practice this and find it in every key. For instance, can you figure out how to do this exercise if you start on B instead of C? What about if you start on A? 

We know this is simple and there is much more to know about piano playing and chords. During our piano lessons and keyboard classes we will be sure to give you a balanced curriculum of helpful exercises, songs, and other customized projects to help you reach you musical goals. 

By Sam Barsi
Video by Angelo Nottoli
Whether you want to strum songs on an acoustic by the camp fire, play finger-style folk music with nylon strings, play some shredding solos over the Chicago blues, solo like the guitar gods of classic rock, or play jazz and improvise on the fly, this warm up is for you! 

Finger dexterity is one of the most important skills that will help you as a guitarist. This guitar warm up will help you work on your finger control on the fretboard with your left hand while coordinating your picking hand (right hand) at the same time. A good guitar instructor knows this warm up and a BUNCH of other ones that will help you reach your guitar goals faster. 

Warm ups like this should be done consistently. You would be surprised how much better you will get if you did this warm up 5 times a week over the course of 2 months. As you can probably imagine, your speed and control would be off the charts! 

During our guitar lessons and guitar classes we will give you a balanced lesson plan of warm ups, songs, chords, riffs and scales. If you want to focus on a specific area of your guitar playing, we can do that as well. We want to help you achieve your goals. Happy practicing! 

Warming up your voice for singing is a common activity during voice lessons. But how can you warm up at home? Wouldn't it be nice to have a singing teacher to help you warm up, expand your range, and discover your true tone?

This voice warm up is designed for kids voices specifically, but we also have made warm ups for adult voices as well. To find them go to our blog and just scroll until you find it.

Make sure to breathe deeply from your belly (diaphragm) as you breathe for singing. This will really help you sing properly and get the best tone possible. Happy singing!