My Upbeat Music Blog

  Music Is Medicine https://upbeatmusicacademy.ca  Why Is Music So Important For Our Health? Playing music is a huge part for many kids lives growing up. Almost a right of passage that parents sign their kids up for Music lessons from the age 4 or 5. But is music actually medicine too? It's been known for years that kids who study music, do better in school. But why? Music is good for your emotional and mental health and can be a huge way to cope with stress, but why do people who play in instrument from a young age and continue playing through their senior years seemingly appear to avoid senility or have improved cognitive function? I know it's a cultural "expectation" and privilege to learn an instrument, but aside from teaching their children a life skill and something they could enjoy for their whole lives, it wasn't until quite recently did we understand how much music could affect their children's health and well being?  I've been a music teacher, st...

   They Say You Should Never Meet Your Heros Noel Wentworth https://upbeatmusicacademy.ca Once upon a time, I had a dream. I suppose a lot of people can say that. Since I was 11 years old I wanted to be a famous musician, playing on stage with my hero's or being the hero myself.  In a nutshell, I wanted to feel important through performing and being a Musician. I remember the day clearly. I was in my room listening to the radio when RATT's Round and Round came on. I heard the Guitar part played by someone named Warren DeMartini.  His Guitar parts spoke to me. The movement of the riffs, the fingering and odd chord structures. I knew almost immediately I had to learn how to play the Guitar ! At first, every time that song came on I imagined myself on stage with Warren. I played all the harmony Guitar parts while Warren did what he was meant to do. Play an amazing solo and rock the audience to its very core. Years later, my 11 year old older-self met Warren in...