by Johnny Carroll | Oct 7, 2025 | Instruments
If your guitar doesn’t feel quite right—maybe the strings buzz, notes sound off, or it’s just harder to play—it might be time for a guitar setup. At Chagrin Valley Music, a guitar setup is one of the most common and valuable services we provide. It’s the process of...
by Johnny Carroll | Oct 7, 2025 | Instruments
Drum notation may look intimidating at first—lots of lines, dots, and symbols—but once you understand the basics, it’s your roadmap to rhythm. At Chagrin Valley Music, we help new drummers learn to read drum music so they can practice effectively and play confidently...
by Johnny Carroll | Oct 3, 2025 | Instruments
Fingerstyle guitar is one of the most beautiful and expressive ways to play. Instead of using a pick, you pluck the strings directly with your fingers, creating intricate patterns, melodies, and bass lines all at once. At Chagrin Valley Music, we love introducing...
by Johnny Carroll | Sep 4, 2025 | Guitar Tips
Fresh guitar strings make a big difference in your playing—they sound brighter, feel smoother, and stay in tune better. But one of the most common questions we get at Chagrin Valley Music is: “How often should I change my guitar strings?” The answer depends on how...
by Johnny Carroll | Aug 14, 2025 | Band Tips
Regular cleaning is essential to keeping your clarinet sounding great and lasting for years. Daily care helps prevent moisture damage, sticky keys, and unpleasant odors while ensuring a smooth, clear tone. At Chagrin Valley Music, we teach every clarinet student how...
by Johnny Carroll | Aug 13, 2025 | Guitar Tips
Your guitar’s fretboard is where all the action happens—and it’s also where sweat, oils, and dirt build up over time. A clean fretboard not only looks great but also improves playability and extends the life of your strings and wood. At Chagrin Valley Music, we...
by Johnny Carroll | Aug 13, 2025 | Band Tips
Keeping your flute clean is essential for good sound, smooth playability, and a long instrument life. A clean flute not only looks better, it helps prevent sticky pads, buildup inside the tubing, and damage to delicate mechanisms. At Chagrin Valley Music, we teach...
by Johnny Carroll | Aug 12, 2025 | Instruments
Learning to play an instrument is one of the most rewarding skills a person can develop. While it’s an obvious way to make music, the benefits go far beyond the notes you play.At Chagrin Valley Music, we see firsthand how music transforms students of all ages—from...
by Johnny Carroll | Aug 12, 2025 | Band Tips
Oiling your trumpet valves is a quick maintenance task that makes a huge difference in playability, tone, and instrument life. Without regular oiling, valves can stick or slow down, making it harder to play and even damaging the horn over time. At Chagrin Valley...
by Johnny Carroll | Aug 12, 2025 | Instruments
Whether you play violin, viola, cello, or bass, applying rosin to your bow is essential for producing a clear, strong sound. Without it, the bow hair will simply glide across the strings with little to no tone. At Chagrin Valley Music, we teach our students how to...
