In This Issue: Upcoming Community Events | In The News | There's An App for That | Guitar Club | Tip of the Month | Music Videos | Staff in the Spotlight | Composer Birthdays

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Jeremy Kittel Band Performs at the Musical Instrument Museum
	With the drive of Celtic fiddling, the spontaneity of jazz, the soul of bluegrass, the rhythms of Africa and Latin America, the layered melodies of Eastern Europe and the intricacies of chamber music, fiddler Jeremy Kittel consistently captivates audiences. On Chasing Sparks, Kittel, a US National Scottish Fiddle Champion and winner of six Detroit Music Awards, leads an exceptional band whose musical roots transverse the world. Members of the band include guitarist Kyle Sanna, World Music Award-winning percussionist Bodek Janke, bassist Andrew Kratzat and cellist Tristan Clarridge. When: Thursday, July 15, 2010 @ 7:30pm Where: Musical Instrument Museum (MIM) 4725 East Mayo Blvd, Phoenix, AZ 85050 Admission: $32 - $36 For tickets, visit themim.org
Do You Love to Sing? Consider Joining The Fiesta Chorus of Tempe
The Fiesta Chorus of Tempe rehearses every Monday night at 7 PM. If you like to sing and love harmony, we have something for you! We offer a 6-8 week trial period for you to sing along with us and decide if this is something you want in your life. Membership is open to women of all ages who like to sing (and move a little...we call it choreography!). During your trial period, you will receive group vocal instruction and learn about 4-part a cappella singing, barbershop style. We are an educational performing and competing chorus with lots of fun and activities during the year. Visit us at Resurrection Catholic Church (McCarthy Hall), 3201 S. Evergreen St., Tempe AZ just 1/2 block north of Southern. For more information, contact Debie Bohlke at dkbgottasing1@cox.net or call Pat Bowen at 480-399-9799. See us on our website at www.fiestachorus.org.
Chandler Children's Choir 2010-2011 Season Auditions
The CCC is a fabulous supplement to school choir or to any music training - with repertoire focused on classics, and with a chance to perform with professional musicians in stunning venues. The next round of auditions will be August 13th and 14th, for entrance in the 2010-2011 season. The CCC will be accepting positions in both the Junior and Advanced Choirs for boys and girls ages 7 to 16. To schedule your child's free 15-minute audition, call 480-705-9345 or send an email to auditions@chandlerchildrenschoir.com. For more information, visit the CCC website.
Music & Education: It's Not Just About Math Anymore
An interesting article from the April 2010 issue of The Music & Sound Retailer points to correlations between music education and reading skills:
"Music Making Might Improve Reading Neuroscientists have discovered that musicians experience increased brain activity, which enables them to process information from their eyes and ears more efficiently than non-musicians are able to. They discovered that the region of the brain that interprets sound—the auditory cortex—responds more quickly in individuals with musical training and is better primed to discern subtle patterns from the vast quantities of information that flood into the brain from our senses. Professor Nina Kraus, a neuroscientist and amateur musician at Evanston, Ill.-based Northwestern University, has also noted that this area of the brain plays a vital role in reading.
Speaking at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in San Diego, she recommended that music become a more central part of school syllabuses to enable children to develop better reading and language skills. Kraus and her team have employed a method called electroencephalography, which measures brain electrical activity, to review how musicians’ and non-musicians’ brains respond to various stimulus. She discovered that individuals who are better at picking out harmonies and timing in sounds are better at reading, as well. Preliminary findings, which have yet to be published, have also demonstrated that musicians are better at reading."
To help your child achieve their musical and scholastic goals this fall, why not pick up a musical game or two to play this summer? This month, E-Club members can take 20% off all musical games when you bring in the coupon. To use the coupon on an online purchase, enter "20GAME" as the Discount Coupon Redemption code during checkout.

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How to Adjust Amp Settings for Beginners

Adjusting a guitar amp for the first time can be a little intimidating. Here are a few simple suggestions for someone unfamiliar with amps. (Most amps have dials that are set between 1–10.)
• For a clean tone, set the Bass at 7, Middle at 4, Treble at 7, Gain at 4, and Master Volume to your needs, possibly around 3.
• For an over drive or distortion tone, make the Gain 9 and the Master 1. The volume will grow loud quickly, so raise that knob carefully. There will be noise associated with this sound. Switch the amp back to the clean channel or setting to remove the noise. I always set my guitar on 10, but sometimes I lower the volume on the guitar to reduce the distortion from the amp.
• Tube amps are much louder than solid state amps, so be careful on volume until you get comfortable with using the amp.
• If you're using a distortion or overdrive pedal, use it with the clean channel.
• Many amp companies have recommended settings with their products. Take the time to try these out, and you might find some fun tones.
Good luck and have fun, JP
A cable is a necessary accessory for any electric or acoustic-electric guitarist. Now that you're amped up with your new amp settings, why not reward yourself with a new cable? This month, Guitar Club members can take 20% off all cables when you bring in the coupon. To use the coupon on an online purchase, enter "20CABLE" as the Discount Coupon Redemption code during checkout.

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Warm-up Tips for Brass Players

Contributor: Amy Swietlik
It is always important to warm-up properly before practicing your instrument for the day, just like when runners or athletes warm-up before exercising or playing a big game. A good warm-up routine will help prevent injuries – and yes! - injuries can happen to brass players! Start off by playing some long tones on low pitches on your instrument. Gradually add in fingering exercises like one-octave chromatic scales to warm-up the hands. Then do some basic tonguing patterns like repeated eighth- or sixteenth-notes to wake-up your articulations. Next, do some lip slurs or flexibility exercises by alternating back and forth between two different notes that use the same fingering or slide position, such as Bb to F. Finally, once you feel like your lips are warmed-up, finish off with a high-range exercise by slurring up to your highest notes and descending back down – make sure to stay relaxed and use good air when playing up high; tension will only be your enemy. Give yourself a little break after you warm-up and then you will be all set to have a great practice session!

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This month's video was submitted by Lori Weidemann who wrote, "Every time I view it I can’t help but smile. Children are just so full of life, and the talent of this 4 year old is remarkable. Make sure to watch all the way to the end, because his facial expressions are priceless." We couldn't agree more, and hope you like it as much as we did. (Can't see the video? View it in a browser.)

Do you have a favorite music related YouTube Video that you would like to share? E-mail your submissions to web@the-music-store.com.

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Amy Swietlik is in her second year of study at Arizona State University where she is working towards a Masters of Arts in Ethnomusicology. As a member of ASU's Dixie Devils, Amy taught at the 2-week Traditional Jazz Camp hosted by ASU's Jazz Department this summer. Her primary instruments are euphonium and trombone. After completing her education, Amy plans to teach world music and hopes to educate others about different cultures and religions around the world through music. At The Music Store, Amy is a staff member in our Sheet Music department and has been a big help to our Web department this summer where she works diligently to get new products added to our online store and available for you to browse.

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Happy Birthday to the composers who were born in July!

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