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December Theme: Percussion

Percussion includes instruments that are struck, scraped, stirred, shaken, or spun. While the first thing that pops into my head is a drum, the above definition covers so many instruments I cannot name them all. Consider a xylophone, tambourine, maraca, as well as any style of drum.

Here is a cute quiz with several different percussion instruments. Plus there are more electronic beats on the opposite axis. Many percussion beats are made electronically these days.

Challenge for your student: look around the house and find your own percussion sounds. Actually, it’s so fun you might want to join in. My son told me tap dance is drumming with his feet – so let those beats come out.

November Theme: Ballet

Every month, the music lab teachers select a theme for the Music Technology and Learning Lab. Students explore the theme in the Music History, Composition, and Listening Stations during their scheduled music lessons.

During November, our lab theme will focus on ballet music. Ballet has a rich history as an art form and has changed over the different periods.

Louis XIV was one of the major influences of ballet becoming its own art form. He took part in many performances, even earning his nickname ‘The Sun King’ from a major part he played when he was fifteen. At the time, the court dances had become more elaborate until dedicated performers took over and courtiers participated in less complex dances.

When performers took over, choreography and a new genre of music began to shape ballet into what we know today. Dramatic music with folk influences happened after the classical period.

During the romantic era, ballet has reached the form we know of today. Tchaikovsky wrote the Nutcracker in 1892. American ballet companies generate 40% of their income from the Nutcracker each year.

Enjoy this collection of ballet music. Find out what your student likes about it, too.

Instrument Petting Zoo

Picking an Instrument

Busy Sunday afternoon, 11/10 at 3pm? Interested in music lessons, but need help picking an instrument? MTMS is holding a special FREE event – Instrument Petting Zoo!

Try All the Instruments

This event is open to the public. Everyone is invited to come try out an instrument or several. We’re all fans of “the more, the merrier!” Our teachers will be there offering free mini-lessons.

Fundraising for Our Local Food Bank

If you try a free music lesson on one of our instruments and like it, consider enrolling in a sampler. Our 4-week beginner lessons samplers require no long-term commitment. And in November, we’re donating 50% of all Music Lessons Sampler proceeds to GRIN (Gahanna Residents in Need).

Plenty of Instruments to Choose From

Worried your instrument of choice won’t be around? Don’t be! Here’s a list of musical instruments you can try at our Instrument Petting Zoo event.

  • Piano
  • Guitar
  • Ukulele
  • Bass
  • Drums
  • Saxophone
  • Clarinet
  • Trumpet
  • Flute
  • Violin
  • Cello
  • Recorder
  • Harmonica
  • Voice

Call or text us (614) 418-7110 if you want to see something that isn’t on the list and we will do our best!

Teachers being teachery: Violin lessons at Michelle Tuesday Music School in Gahanna, Ohio

Making a Difference in Our Community

MTMS has been investing in our community since we were established. It’s more than just music, though we do love music! Our charity of choice is GRIN – Gahanna Residents In Need.

We have two upcoming opportunities to help GRIN through MTMS. First, we have Lesson Samplers in November that will benefit GRIN. Second, we 0have our Winter Benefit Concert on February 1 where the entrance fee is one non-perishable food item for GRIN.

November Lesson Samplers are a great gift during the upcoming season. Give your loved ones a sampler and 50% goes to GRIN. Lesson Samplers are focused on a single instrument, a four-week course with one 40-minute lesson and lab session each week. A sampler is a great way to explore lessons for the first time or a new instrument. Bonus, if you continue lessons afterward we will waive the enrollment fee.

Another cool thing about a Lesson Sampler is that you can get it as a gift certificate for your favorite musician-in-training. The gift certificate can be redeemed on any instrument.

The Winter Benefit Concert will be held on 1 February. Students must sign up starting 2 January. All the non-perishable food items donated for attending the concert will be donated to GRIN. Earlier this year we donated 184.5 pounds of food! Plus it’s an amazing concert of our students showing off their skills and love of music.

Join us for both of these events and know we’re supporting our local community as well as our students’ music. We can’t wait to see you.

Discover Your Musical Potential with Music Theory

For new students (and their parents), learning an instrument is an exciting journey! But there’s more to music than just playing notes—music theory is the key to truly understanding and mastering your craft. Here’s why it’s important:

1. Build a Strong Foundation: Music theory helps students understand why music sounds the way it does. With this knowledge, they can recognize patterns, read music more easily, and play with confidence.

2. Boost Creativity: Knowing theory allows students to go beyond memorizing songs—they can create their own. Improvisation, songwriting, and playing by ear become much easier when students grasp the structure of music.

3. Faster Progress: With a solid understanding of theory, students can pick up new pieces faster and tackle more complex music. It’s like learning the language of music, making everything feel less like guesswork and more intuitive.

4. Versatility Across Instruments: Music theory is universal. Whether your child plays piano, guitar, or any other instrument, theory knowledge transfers seamlessly across instruments. It’s a skill that will serve them for life.

At Michelle Tuesday Music School, we believe in empowering our students with the tools they need to succeed, and music theory is the secret ingredient to discovering their full potential. Check out the Music Technology and Learning Lab to learn how the two teachers assigned to every student – an instrument instructor and a theory instructor – work together to skyrocket your learning.

Start your journey with us today!