by Mage, NCTM The piano is what is often referred to in music education as a foundational instrument. According to the Music Teachers National Association, “Piano and violin are the most common ‘starter’ instruments because the physical limitations of a child’s body will not allow them to play other instruments until they are older.” At the college level, all music majors are required to be proficient on the piano; Tom Hynes, assistant assistant professor of music at Azusa Pacific University (Azusa, CA), backs this…

by Mage, NCTM The electric bass (also known as the bass guitar, though there are also acoustic bass guitars!) is an instrument that is best suited to modern styles such as rock, blues, jazz, funk, pop, R&B. In fact if you are planning to do a Royal Conservatory exam (another topic that needs its own article!) you will need to get a totally different instrument called the double bass (also known as a “standup bass” or an “upright bass”) since much of the material played will be music of…