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6/3/2022 0 Comments

What to Look For When Buying a Guitar

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The best guitar option for beginning students is a nylon string classical-style guitar in the appropriate size. Nylon strings are easier on small fingers than steel. The strings should be easy to press down and make a clear sound with no buzzing or ringing. Beware of pawn shop finds or online deals.

A full-size guitar is appropriate for most middle and high school beginners, but younger students will need a smaller instrument to have the most success. Very young beginners (6 and under) can start with a three-string Loog guitar which helps students transition seamlessly to a 6-string instrument when they are ready. Make sure and get a case for your new instrument to keep it protected going to and from lessons!

Get a guitar that will set your student up for success here! If you want to try before you buy, we also offer a monthly guitar rental program.
Guitar Outfit

Guitar Outfit

$250.00

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Loog Guitar Package

Loog Guitar Package

$150.00

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Guitar Rental

Guitar Rental

$25.00

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6/3/2022 0 Comments

What to Look For When Buying a Violin

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Many violins sold online may look like a violin, but they do not sound like one! They are more like Violin Shaped Objects. VSOs are found for cheap, but do not be tempted by the low price point. They are hard to play and keep in tune, and they will frustrate a beginning student.
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How to spot a VSO:

Low price point with lots of "extras" (comes with extra strings, bow, and lots of accessories)
Very shiny, thick finish or colorful paint that deadens sound 
"Mystery" wood and painted fingerboard or purfling
Cheap, plastic fittings that break easily
Strings too high or low from the fingerboard
Bridge not custom cut to fit the violin
Pegs that do not turn easily or stay in tune
Get a violin that will set your student up for success here! If your student is starting on a smaller instrument we recommend renting until they reach full size.
Violin Outfit

Violin Outfit

$270.00

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Standard Violin Rental

Standard Violin Rental

$20.00

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Deluxe Violin Rental

Deluxe Violin Rental

$25.00

Pay now
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6/3/2022 0 Comments

What to Look For When Buying A Keyboard

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Students will use the studio’s pianos during class, but each student needs a keyboard at home on which to practice.


WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN BUYING A KEYBOARD


Which keyboard to purchase will all come down to how much you want to spend. Please note that these keyboard features are not required. These are suggestions for what features to inquire about when purchasing your keyboard:


  1. FULL-SIZE KEYS: Keys are the width of real piano keys.
  2. TOUCH-SENSITIVE KEYS or VELOCITY-SENSITIVE KEYS: Key sounds soft when pressed lightly and sounds loud when pressed hard.
  3. MUSIC RACK: Holds up the music book
  4. BUILT-IN SPEAKERS: Keyboards and digital pianos should have built-in speakers; synthesizers will not.
  5. DAMPER PEDAL JACK: Pedal is usually sold separately.
  6. “TRUE PIANO SOUND” or “GRAND PIANO SOUND”
  7. WEIGHTED KEYS: Feels like you are pressing down a real wooden piano key instead of a light piece of plastic.
  8. AT LEAST 61-KEYS: The more keys the keyboard has, the longer a student will be able to use it. A 61-key piano will suffice through about the 6th year of piano.
  9. FEW BELLS-AND-WHISTLES: Many keyboards come with a lot of features that you don’t need, such as 500 instrument sounds, MIDI interface, or 300 prerecorded songs. I recommend that you spend your money on the quality of the keyboard, rather than the number of bells and whistles.
  10. STAND AND BENCH: To get the best posture it’s important to have your keyboard on an adjustable stand and have a bench at the proper height. Smaller students may need a stool if their feet do not reach the floor. Avoid having the keyboard on a table or bed since this will create bad posture and position habits.

Here are some Amazon options that meet all this criteria:
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6/1/2022 0 Comments

TMTA Theory Test

​Sixteen Starr Music Academy students of Mrs. Corine Maldonado received medals from their performance on the Texas Music Teachers' Association Whitlock Theory Test. The purpose of the Theory Test is to evaluate students’ musical knowledge of and the ability to apply theory, aural, and musicianship concepts across a broad musical spectrum.
Congratulations to the following students and their families for a well-deserved achievement!
Silver Medal: Katherine Hernandez, Leila Martinez, Carolyn Salinas, Kennedy Salinas, Jimena Treviño
Bronze Medal: Arizabella Alanis, Laurel Cantu, Elliana Hernandez, Paris Millan, Mia Ramon
Achievement Medal: Italia Barrera, Arora Cantu, Thiago Castillo, Joseph Garza, Lyzzette Hinojosa, Mariely Lopez
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