Praxis Musical Instraments

Why we will no longer be a welcoming church

We’ve decided to quit being a welcoming church. No kidding. We’re giving it up. Like so many congregations, we’ve sunk an amazing amount of time and energy into becoming a welcoming church. We changed worship styles, trained greeters and ushers, wore name tags, brewed coffee, went to workshops on hospitality and put our friendliest people …

5 Reasons to Learn a Musical Instrument

Benefits of music education and reasons why you should learn to play a musical instrument.

The Top 17 Ways Learning a Musical Instrument Gives You The Edge

Why are those who are good playing an instrument also good at other things? What are the benefits of playing a musical instrument that give them the edge?

10 Easy Guitar Songs for Beginners

As anyone just starting out learning to play the guitar knows, trying to get your fingers in the right place to form chords and strum at the same time can be a major challenge, especially since mos…

Stop Forcing Your Kids to Learn a Musical Instrument

Our daughter Rebekah, who is in second grade, takes three after-school classes every week. On Monday there is violin; on Wednesday, Hebrew; and on Thursday, ballet. One of these classes connects her to a religious tradition going back three thousand years. Two of them are pretty well pointless.I don’t mean that as a bad thing. Pointlessness rules, as far as I am concerned. Lots of great activities...

18 Benefits of Playing a Musical Instrument

The Chinese philosopher Confucius said long ago that "Music produces a kind of pleasure which human nature cannot do without." Playing a musical instrument has many benefits and can bring joy to you and to everyone around you. This article will provide you with 18 benefits of playing an instrument and will hopefully give you a better sense of appreciation and pride for music.

Can a Musical Instrument Affect Teeth?

Dr. Brent Ingram discusses how musical instruments can sometimes affect the alignment of teeth, and how a dentist can help assess each individual's case.

3 Things Parents Must Tell Their Children When They Begin a Musical Instrument

“You are allowed to fail, and you will become better because of your failures.” There are no red pen marks for missed notes in music the way there are on tests — there is nothing to feel bad about when you play something “wrong” in music. To become skilled at a musical instrument — and to become great at anything — one needs to struggle a little. In your child’s case, they need to sound bad before they sound good; they need to…

How to Ship Musical Instruments

When you're shipping musical instruments, you need to properly package your valuable piece. Find out how to prepare and ship your instrument.

Dust Off Your Instrument and Play!

Posted by Catherine Jennings on Friday, October 3rd, 2014Resources from the music collection at the Oakland Public Library to get back into playing your instrument, or learn a new oneDust Off Your Instrument and Play!Resources from the music collection at the Oakland Public Library to help you get back into playing your instrument, or learn a new one.Did you used to play a musical instrument? Have you said to yourself, “Oh, if I had only kept it up” but…

Playing a musical instrument could boost brain function in kids

New research from a team at the Auditory Neuroscience Laboratory at Northwestern University has studied the benefits of learning to play musical instruments, and concluded that the process can result in significant positive impacts on a child's brain.

Maximize Your Time with These Musical Practice Tips

Practice is hard work! And with these practice tips, you'll be able to make the most of those precious hours spent mastering your musical instrument.

Pull My Tail: Musical Instruments that Sound Like Cats

A piano that pulls cats' tails? Read about five musical instruments that somehow involve cats. Presenting the cat piano, the saron, the shamisen, the singing saw and the sistrum.

How to Raise Musical Children: Birth to Age 5

Teach your baby or toddler to be musical with these singing and movement exercises.

Why Everyone Should Learn To Play A Musical Instrument

Share onFor most of us, music forms an integral part of our lives. Music is there to reinforce our determination when we don't feel like working out. Music is there to soothe us after a stressful day. Music is there to help us cope after a breakup that leaves us feeling empty. In fact, music can even open a closed heart !But the benefits don't stop there. Learning to play a musical instrument has just as many benefits as listening to…

Play Animal Musical Chairs

In this variation on musical chairs, no one gets kicked "out" of the game -- instead, they get to tell other kids what to do!

Which Instrument Are You?