“The guitar is a miniature orchestra in itself.”
–Ludwig van Beethoven
Playing music isn’t just therapy for the soul, it actively rewires our brains and trains us to become more creative in problem solving, multi-tasking, and improves our memory and cognitive skills. Throughout this learning journey, the instrument itself often becomes like a best-friend, someone to share and express our ups and downs, our truths and emotions.
吉他（意大利語：Chitarra），又譯為結他或六弦琴。是一種彈撥樂器，通常有六條弦，形狀與提琴相似。吉他在流行音樂、搖滾音樂、藍調、民歌、佛朗明哥中，常被視為主要樂器。而在古典音樂的領域裏，吉他常以獨奏或二重奏的型式演出；當然，在室內樂和管弦樂中，吉他亦扮演著相當程度的陪襯角色。古典吉他與小提琴、鋼琴並列為世界著名三大樂器。
吉他是目前青少年最為喜愛的樂器之一，時尚流行，有時代感，又便於攜帶，音色優雅，簡單易學，有著極富個性的音色和表現手法，既能表達委婉動人的喃喃細語，也能表達大氣磅礴的豪邁氣概，讓多少人為之魂牽夢縈；一把空心木吉他，撥動那六根金色的琴弦，就可以洋溢著青春氣息的輕快旋律，彈奏出舒緩人心的音樂空間，可以表達出喜怒哀樂，也可以培養莊重優雅的氣質魅力，美妙的音色及瀟灑的彈奏更能添加其個人魅力，深受廣大青年的喜愛。
從性能上說，吉他的音色優美，表現力豐富，可以彈奏各個音樂時期的樂曲，演出形式有獨奏、重奏、協奏以及伴奏。與鋼琴相比吉他的性能有過之而無不及。唯一一點是吉他的音量小不及鋼琴，但對於生活在人口密集環境下的現代人來說，小音量的樂器在練習中不會擾民從而在練琴時間上可以有更多的選擇。它是當今流行音樂的主樂器之一，享有“樂器王子”的美譽。
對於東方文化快速融入美國多族裔的社會有很直接的媒介功能，青少年在藝術的學習中很快進入角色，正因如此本校對每一名學員自己對音樂風格的喜好因人而異，進行教學，收到良好的教學效果。
If you’re feeling a bit rebel and want to break away from the classical styles of music, then you could never go wrong by picking up a guitar, and venturing into the worlds of rock, jazz, funk, soul, metal, punk-rock, pop, bluegrass, folk, country, and many more experimental genres. Guitar music was heavily influenced by the blues, transformed through jazz, and never again was the same after rock.
The origins and evolution of guitar
Guitar music has accompanied many cultures throughout history, across endless genres and forms from classical to metal. It’s been the object of fascination and obsession by musicians and music-lovers around the world. If you’re intrigued by this 6-string instrument, you’ll be fascinated by the 7 instruments along the path of the guitar’s evolution. This video by Rob Scallon is a must-watch.
Ukulele!
While the ukulele resembles a small classical guitar, it is much smaller in size and has only four nylon strings, which are much gentler on the fingers. Known today to be Hawaii’s primary instrument, the word, “Ukulele” actually means, “the gift that came here”, which traces its origins to Portugal. The ukulele enjoyed a craze in the 1920s, and has recently become popular again - here is a BBC clip on the ukulele’s 100 year journey.
Guitar or Ukulele?
Why not try both? At Music Studio 78, we offer classes for everyone, at every stage of experience and interest! Whether you would like to continue your music journey with us, are preparing for exams or a performance, or have only ever dreamed of being able to play, we have you covered. All classes are customized to your needs and goals, one on one.
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We offer entry-level classes for children by teaching them foundational music concepts that spark their imagination. For teenagers, lessons are guided by their innate interest and curiosity, and focus on gradual integration of technique, training towards confident performance and a more structured grading framework. An assessment class is in place for those with existing guitar/ukulele background.
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This course is mainly for adults who love the guitar or ukulele but have never learned or once learned but have not had the opportunity to continue learning for a significant period of time. Many of our adult students are currently parents or grandparents themselves. If you have the interest and time to learn, we are happy to have you.
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This is a special training course for advanced performance. Designed mostly for musicians who are preparing for entrance exams to music schools and conservatories or advance competitions. This track requires students to be highly disciplined with their practice and a commitment to excel.