First, a ballet is a story that is told not in words, but through dance. Ballet has been around for more than five hundred years. At first, it was entertainment for the wealthy, but, eventually, it found its place as entertainment for the public. Dancers on stage and in costume tell the story through their choreography or dancing, jumping, and other movements.

    The Nutcracker story was originally written by E. T. A. Hoffmann and adapted by Alexandre Dumas. It had to be edited and worked so that the story could be told through dance. The Nutcracker was first created as a musical work played by an orchestra and later developed into a ballet by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, a famous Russian composer, and choreographer Marius Petipa in 1892. A theatre company asked for both a ballet and an opera to be written. Tchaikovsky wrote all the music for the original work and the ballet. The story of The Nutcracker had to be edited and worked so that the story could be told through dance.

    This ballet is performed so often during the holiday seasons because the story takes place on Christmas Eve at the home of a German family, the Stahlbaums. It tells about a young girl, Clara, who receives a toy Nutcracker as a gift, and a dream she has about the Nutcracker. The story has a little something for everyone, including drama, a fierce battle with a Mouse King, mice, and soldiers, love and a happy ending complete with a celebration in a magical kingdom, and of course, the Christmas party with a large, decorated tree and gifts. So, you can see why it is performed often at this time of the year.

    The Nutcracker ballet features many beloved melodies including the march at the beginning, dances like the Trepak, Coffee and Tea, Waltz of the Flowers, and the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy. If The Nutcracker is being performed in your area, I would encourage you to go see it, and now that you know the basic idea of the story, you'll have a better idea of what is happening on the stage! 

If you want to learn more about our course offerings at the Music & Language Learning Center, schedule a free consultation with us today!
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Sight reading is an important and highly useful skill when learning to read and play music. Sight reading is the ability to see a piece for the first time and be able to play it on sight without diving too deeply into the piece or even reading through the whole piece first. ​

According to the National Association for Music Education, sight reading creates confidence and builds a stronger foundation in rhythm and pitch. This skill can take a long time, years even, to build so check out this week’s blogs for some tips to get started:

​1. Create a SMART goal
If you are a current student your teachers have probably taught you to use the acronym SMART to create a specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound goal. This strategy stops people from trying and failing at goals that are too large and too vague to be successfully accomplished. In sight reading, examples could include maintaining consistent sounds, keeping rhythm, staying focused after a mistake, or even keeping accidentals in mind. 

2. Choose the right music
The pieces you are practicing or performing are not going to be the same ones you pick for sight reading. Sight reading pieces may be considered easier but you should pick them to target the specific goal you created. You should pick a piece you are able to play almost all the way through accurately to build both sight reading and confidence. Choosing the right tempo is important for this. 

3. Develop your sense of touch
When you’re sight reading you should be looking at the pages as much as possible and your hands as little as possible so you have the most time to look ahead and take in all the components of the music. To be able to do this, you should know your instrument by touch so when you see a note you can play it without looking down or pausing.

4. Learn the clefs by heart
When you know the notes on paper by heart, sight reading will be much smoother. The instant recognition will speed up your brain’s signals to your fingers so you don’t have to pause as much in between notes.

5. Repeat
The most important thing to do with sight reading is practice consistently to continue nurturing the skill. This will not only allow you to improve your sight reading but also maintain it. Create a practice schedule and try to stick to it as best you can to form a habit.

6. Learn Music Theory
The best sight readers are not the ones reading every note the fastest, they are the ones who don’t need every note to fill in the chord. They understand the overall chord progression of the piece and try to fill in the blanks they don’t see. Music theory will help you reach this level of sight reading because it teaches you the structure and function of music.

Like anything else, sight reading takes time and practice to master. It’s important to be patient and remember to be kind to yourself when it gets frustrating. Hopefully these tips will serve you well as you begin honing your sight reading. 

The Music and Language Learning Center offers classes in both sight reading and music theory for a more structured, personalized learning opportunity. Please reach out to us for a free consultation or check out our course catalog if you are interested!

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1. All instruments use the same notation.
To be clear, certain instruments definitely have different notation conventions. However, the basic notes used in standard musical notation stay the same across the board. This means learning how to read sheet music will not only allow you to play your chosen instrument, it gives you the freedom to explore other instruments in the future with much less difficulty than if you just tried to play everything by ear. 

2. Music acts as a universal language.
More than just being the same across instruments, standard musical notation is the same worldwide. While different cultures may have different symbols included that are specific to them, the basic notes are the same. Knowing how to read that notation will allow you and musicians half a world away from you to understand each other’s ideas. This exchange of ideas allows musicians to strengthen their own playing and expand their creativity.  

3. You will be able to learn more complex pieces faster. 
It is quite possible to learn pop or rock songs simply by listening to the chord progression as most of those songs are just repeated chords. However, for more complex pieces it is hard to replicate them by just listening. You could spend hours trying to get through half of a complex Mozart piece through listening or video tutorials or you could learn how to read sheet music and be able to sight read it in minutes. 

4. Reading music can improve cognitive function.
According to the National Institute of Health, musical training is associated with increases in brain plasticity, executive functioning, verbal memorization, and sometimes even academic achievement. All of these will not only make you better at your instrument but also more successful in other aspects of life.

5. Being able to read music will allow you to join musical groups.
In order to play in a musical group, all the musicians need to know the piece they are playing and their own part in it. If one of them is relying solely on memorization or ear training it can be a lot more difficult to do that. This could close some doors for you as a musician if you are not proficient in reading music. On top of this, playing in a group could expose you to other instruments you’d like to try and open you up to more musical opportunities. 

It is not impossible to learn how to play music without knowing how to read music but knowing how to read music will make your musical journey a lot easier and increase your own versatility as a musician. 

The Music and Language Learning Center offers multiple courses on many elements of music from learning specific instruments to learning music theory as a whole. Check out our course catalog or set up a free consultation with us to see how we can help!

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When learning a new language there are most likely going to be a lot of different sounds in that language than your native tongue even if they have similar origins like romance or Slavic languages. For example, if you are going from English to Spanish, you may have trouble rolling your “rr”s or even recognizing how different letters make different sounds in English and Spanish. ​

One way to aid your pronunciation is tongue twisters, because they force your brain to think about the words you are pronouncing and motivate you to try to do it as correctly as possible. Check out this week’s blog for some fun tongue twisters to improve your Spanish pronunciation!

1. “Un perro rompe la rama del árbol”
One of the hardest sounds to master in Spanish is the “r”. Knowing when to use the trilling double “rr” can be difficult and this phrase emphasizes that as it goes between the double “rr” and the single “r.” A good rule of thumb to remember is that when “r” is at the beginning of a word it is pronounced as a double “rr” but an “r” at the end of a word or syllable is a single “r.”

2. “Juan junta juncos junto a la zanja”
Another sound that can be difficult to pronounce or even remember in Spanish is the “j.” The soft “j” in Spanish that sounds more like an “h” in English is hard to remember and actually shapes your mouth differently depending on the letter that comes after it which is displayed in this phrase.

3. “Hoy ya es ayer y ayer ya es hoy, ya llegó el día, y hoy es hoy.”
This phrase accentuates the silent “h” sound and the “y” sound that “ll” makes in Spanish. Try to enunciate this phrase clearly rather than letting the sounds blur together so you get the full pronunciation practice. 

4. “La araña con maña amaña la laña. La araña con maña es una tucaña.”
Practicing this phrase will help remind and emphasize the “ny” sound “ñ” makes. It also forces you to notice that the “a” sound sounds like “ah” in Spanish rather than the harsher “a” in English.

5. “De generación en generación las generaciones se degeneran con mayor degeneración.”
This phrase will serve to remind you of the “h” sound “g” makes in Spanish. It will also be difficult to navigate between “r” and “n” sounds throughout the phrase. 

6. “Si yo como como como, y tu comes como comes, ¿Cómo comes como como si yo como como comes?”
While this phrase may seem easier because of the repeating “como” it is actually quite difficult especially if you don’t understand the meaning. Pronunciation might be easier but it’s also good to examine the meaning and how “como” can be used in a variety of different ways in Spanish. 

7. “Juan tuvo un tubo, y el tubo que tuvo se le rompió, y para recuperar el tubo que tuvo, tuvo que comprar un tubo igual al tubo que tuvo y rompió.”
This is a longer tongue twister that has a lot of repetition making it a little bit harder. It’s also important to keep in mind that sometimes “v” and “b” can sound the same in Spanish.

8. “Si tu gusto no gusta con el gusto que gusta mi gusto, que disgusto tiene mi gusto al saber que tu gusto no gusta con el gusto que gusta mi gusto.” 
The repetition of the different forms of “gustar” makes this one a little bit tricky especially with its length. Thinking about what the phrase actually means can also expand your understanding of how this verb works in Spanish. 

Sometimes when we’re learning a new language we can get caught up on the grammar and vocabulary of speaking it rather than speaking it correctly. All of these tongue twisters should give you a great opportunity to really focus on your pronunciation rather than the content of what you are saying. 

Spanish is a very fun language to explore and the Music and Language Learning Center is always happy to help you with your exploration. Please contact us for a free consultation if you are interested in a structured, personalized Spanish learning experience! ​

Fortunately, in the age of the internet it is now possible to practice different piano skills using apps and websites. This week’s blog will give you some great recommendations for piano online resources that will be both fun and educational.

This is an amazing and free app for ear training. All musicians can find this helpful in some way because not only does it provide exercises in ear training it also offers practice with rhythm, sight reading, and theory. This is a perfect app for learning the basics of not just piano but music as a whole. ​

This website is unique in that it offers hundreds of hours of free video lessons for piano. You can start the lessons where you see fit and skip through any you don’t find useful. This app is also very helpful for any beginner jazz players as it has lessons in improvisation, doing solos, and chord changes over the course of a piece. ​

This is one of the more reputable piano learning apps because it genuinely has a lot to offer beginners to intermediates. It has great songs, can be personalized to your taste, hones your technique, and allows you to pick which hand you want to practice on. This one also has a free trial but if you are committed to learning piano the subscription cost isn’t too heavy compared to other streaming and gaming services. ​

All of these resources should be wonderful tools to supplement piano practice when you either don’t have a piano to play with or just want to try something different. Learning these applications and websites will help you become a more skilled pianist. 

It’s important to remember that learning how to play the piano can be almost as fun as actually playing the piano. The basics of piano will introduce you to the basics of almost every other instrument. 

The Music and Language Learning Center offers courses on more than just piano,we help you  become the best musician possible. Check out our course catalog or schedule a free consultation with us to see how we can help you!​

If you're eager to master Brazilian Portuguese, these ten iconic songs are perfect for enriching your vocabulary, boosting your comprehension, and connecting you directly to Brazil’s unparalleled musical tradition. Dive in and let the rhythm guide your learning journey!

Our Top 10 Brazilian Portuguese Songs for Language Learners:

​Music history is a rich source of cultural, historical, and artistic insights, offering a profound connection to human creativity. Beyond notes and melodies, it encompasses the evolution of instruments, diverse compositions, musicians, and works that reflect the stories of different times. So, adorn yourselves with the cloak of curiosity, equip your minds with the tools of inquiry, and join us as we embark on a formal expedition through the corridors of musical history.

1. Makeup scenarios and dialogues

When learning a language, it is important to be as creative as possible. It can help to make up dialogues in your head and play them out. For example, if you are learning about food and drink, dream up a scenario where you order a meal in a French restaurant. You might start by telling the waiter you have a reservation, and then choose from the menu or à la carte. You can make these dialogues as easy or complicated as you like but try to practice them with another French speaker once you feel you have mastered the phrases. 

2. Be diligent with your learning

Create a learning routine that you can stick to. It must not be too demanding that you won’t be able to keep to it but must also be challenging. You can set yourself goals. These could be daily, weekly, or monthly. You could aim to learn a new word a day and incorporate it into your daily activities. 

3. Revise weekly what you have learned so you don’t forget things

It may seem obvious but find time at the end of each week to revise what you’ve learned. In modern life, it’s very easy to put things into our short-term memory, so this is a good way to stay on top of all the work you’ve put into your language learning.

4. Keep a notebook where you can write down vocabulary or phrases that you don’t know

As you learn nouns make sure you learn their gender at the same time. Native English speakers may find using the correct gender a stumbling block when learning a romance language. Find a memorization method that works for you - perhaps come up with little memorable phrases using adjectives in their same gender: la dame blanche, le poireau vert, la jupe violette…

With every verb you learn, aim to recite it in its conjugation in the present, imperfect, future and conditional tenses. To test yourself create a sentence that can be transposed into the various tenses:

      Le garçon boit un jus d’orange (present)
      Le garçon buvait un jus d’orange (imperfect)
      Le garçon boira un jus d’orange (future)
      Le garçon buvait un jus d’orange (conditional)

You can also learn specific phrases that are commonly used in the French language. Practice saying them through repetition so that they roll off the tongue, and you’ll sound like a true native.

5. Work on your pronunciation

French vowel sounds are particularly hard for anglophones to articulate as we use a different part of our mouth when we speak. To improve your pronunciation, listen to recordings of French speakers saying the word in question and repeat it yourself. You can also record yourself saying the same word, and then compare. 

The more confident you feel in your pronunciation, the easier it will be to talk freely. Even if you don’t feel 100% confident, you must still be brave and not be afraid to make mistakes!

6. Watch French films with French subtitles on Resources such as the YouTube Channel

Easy French are really useful for learning languages from native speakers. A good technique is to listen to the podcast, write down what you hear, and then make a translation. Then you can put the channel’s subtitles on and check to see how you’ve done. These podcasts expose you to various accents from all around France. 

You can also watch French series or films. First watch with the French subtitles on, noting down any unfamiliar grammar or phrases, and then try without to see how easily you can follow. For a younger audience, you can try “Asterix and Obelix” or “Lupin”, whilst the more mature audience might enjoy programs such as “Le Bazar de la Charité” or “Dix pour Percent”. 

7. Get a pen pal

If you are unable to visit a Francophone country this is a useful way of practicing your French with a native, and you can make a good friend at the same time. If you are currently at school, you might be able to join an exchange program. Otherwise, there are plenty of online resources that you can use to find a French pen pal. Websites and apps such as My Language Exchange and Hello Talk provide you with someone with whom you can communicate in either written or spoken dialogue.

8. Learn French songs and read books

Listening to French music is a wonderful way to embrace the country’s culture. It can be exciting to do your research on Spotify or YouTube, find francophone songs that you like, and learn the lyrics. This is a really good way of learning new vocabulary, common phrases, and the general flow of the language. It will also help loads with your pronunciation. To get you started here are a few artists: Edith Piaf, Yves Montand, Paris Combo, Coralie Clement, Zaz, and Stromae.

Reading is also a really good way to build your vocabulary and knowledge of the culture. It is great to read aloud to ensure you don’t miss anything, and feel free to take your time to look up anything you don’t know. 

9. Play games

Playing games is a fun way to learn a language. It requires you to finesse your social communications, ask questions, and cooperate or hide things from other players. If you know some other French speakers around, get together to play some board games, 20 questions, or word games. Alternatively, you can find games online to play on your own or with others such as at Digital Dialects.

You can also come up with games to help you memorize vocabulary or learn your conjugations, maybe flashcards would work well for you. It all depends on what sort of learner you are so take the time to find the method that works best for you. 

10. Go to France and immerse yourself in the culture and language

Lastly, if you can, there is nothing better than to immerse yourself in a French-speaking country. Enjoy being surrounded by the language and do as many activities as you can!

Be as brave as you can, let your imagination run free, and enjoy the process of learning a beautiful language such as French! 

If you would like to learn more about our course offerings at the Music & Language Learning Center, schedule a free consultation with us.