VOL.40 No.1
Check out what’s in the current issue of Music Alive!
Featured Articles
The Music of New York City - The city that never sleeps is full of opportunity, originality and rich music history.
The Unpitched Percussion Family - While the action of playing percussion instruments may look similar across the board, many are built to create textures and rhythms rather than melodies.
Maddie & Tae - Taylor Dye and Madison Marlow have blended their penchant for honesty with a relentless drive to succeed to create an unstoppable country music force.Playlists
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- Listening Guide: Elton John’s “Tiny Dancer”
- Cool Careers: Booking Agent
- Musical Mythbusters (Fact or Fiction): It’s impossible to become a recording artist these days.
VOL.39 No.8
Check out what’s in the current issue of Music Alive!
Featured Articles
Kacey Musgraves - With an uplifting song from her third studio album, country music’s rebel child paints a picture of a bright future for those living with grey skies.
Eric Whitacre and the Virtual Choir - When Eric Whitacre realized people from 120 different countries wanted to sing his music, he decided to bring all 8,000 of them together.
The Many Languages of Pop - For the first time, (pre-pandemic) Latin and Korean superstars were selling out US stadiums to multi-cultural audiences and inspiring America’s youth to sing their hearts out in languages other than their own.Playlists
PLUS—
- Listening Guide: Imagine Dragon’s “Believer”
- Cool Careers: VP, Market Strategy, Disney Channels Worldwide
- Who Invented: The Harmonica
VOL.39 No.7
Check out what’s in the current issue of Music Alive!
Featured Articles
Pop Harmonies - Few things sound as good as perfectly harmonized voices. Pop singers have been layering multiple melodies for decades; the only thing that’s changed is the style.
What Is New Age Music? - In the 1960’s, a self-health and wellness movement gave rise to a collection of ambient musical styles that inspired relaxation and positivity. A few decades later, the genre has resurfaced with a new twist.
OneRepublic - The alternative pop-rock group OneRepublic has been making new music, crowd sourced videos and donations in an effort to cultivate worldwide hope for the futurePlaylists
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- Listening Guide: Sam Cooke’s “A Change Is Gonna Come”
- Cool Careers: Entertainment Attorney
- Who Invented: The Whammy Bar
VOL.39 No.6
Check out what’s in the current issue of Music Alive!
Featured Articles
Listening to Music Podcasts - There’s a podcast out there on just about any topic you can think of. As a music student, you might consider one or more to supplement your music education.
Good Vibrations: A Look Inside the Piano - The piano is one of the most distinctive instruments in the world, and those who have mastered its complexities are among the greatest musicians of all time.Playlists
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- Listening Guide: A-ha’s “Take On Me”
- Cool Careers: Album Cover Designer
- Who Invented: Multi-Track Recording
VOL.39 No.5
Check out what’s in the current issue of Music Alive!
Featured Articles
Tones and I - Once a street performer living out of a van, 26 year-old singer-songwriter Toni Watson’s song “Dance Monkey” has taken the world by storm
Unique Genius: Beethoven at 250 - Few maestros in musical history produced work as important, popular or influential as Ludwig van Beethoven. 250 years after his birth, his music is still celebrated around the world.
When Big Bands Were Big - The term “big band” referred not only to the size of the large ensembles that played the music that was most popular first half of the 20th century, but also the style of music they played.Playlists
PLUS—
- Listening Guide: Kenny Loggins’ “Footloose”
- Cool Careers: Flute and Marching Horn Repair Technician
- Who Invented: The Drum Machine
VOL.39 No.4
Check out what’s in the current issue of Music Alive!
Featured Articles
A Song Is Born - Ever wonder how a melody goes from being an idea inside a songwriter’s head to distribution on the radio and internet?
American Folk - From working in the fields to singing at the Super Bowl, people have been adding their own twist to folk music for centuries.
Playlists
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- Listening Guide: Tom Petty’s “I Won’t Back Down”
- Cool Careers: Guitar Luthier Paul Miles
- Who Invented: The Player Piano
VOL.39 No.3
Check out what’s in the current issue of Music Alive!
Featured Articles
Scratching the Surface: Becoming a DJ - Whether or not you play an instrument, you can create musical performances as a DJ. But where to start?Playlists
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- Listening Guide: Paul McCartney’s “Wonderful Christmastime”
- Cool Careers: Film/TV Composer Casey Dunmore (Schpilkas)
- Who Invented: YouTube Music
VOL.39 No.2
Check out what’s in the current issue of Music Alive!
Featured Articles
When The Soundtrack Tells The Story - Movie making styles, from Gone With the Wind (1939) to Jurassic Park (1993) have evolved creatively and technologically, yet their reliance on music as a storytelling aid remains unchanged.
Maroon 5 - It’s rare for a band to maintain pop chart-level relevance for over a decade, let alone two, but Maroon 5 has been writing smash hits for over 17 years. 
Fretless Strings: The Masters - The second in our two-part series on fretless strings. We profile the masters of the violin, viola, cello and double bass.Playlists
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- Listening Guide: John Mellencamp’s “Jack & Diane”
- Cool Careers: Drum and Backline Technician Jay Reynolds
- Who Invented: Auto Tune
VOL.39 No.1
Featured Articles
Fretless Strings - The first in our two-part story about violins, violas, cellos and double basses profiles their roles in the orchestra and other varied musical uses. 
The Singing Series, Pt. 4: Into the Spotlight - What does it take to achieve a successful vocal performance in a packed auditorium? Let’s find out.
Playlists
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- Listening Guide: Billy Joel’s “Uptown Girl”
- Cool Careers: Director, Sales at American Urban Radio Network – Andy Anderson
- Who Invented: The Tuba
May 2019
Check out what’s in the May 2019 issue of Music Alive!
Featured Articles
Ben Platt - At only 25 years old, Ben Platt has won an Emmy, a GRAMMY, and a Tony Award for his performances in Dear Evan Hansen. So, to join the distinguished EGOT club, all he has to do is win an Oscar!
School Yourself: Music Camp at Home - Summer is a great time to experiment with music on your own. No matter what else you’ll do, with modern technology you can take time to create your own music “camp” experience. The best part? You’re the counselor!
Getting Started in Hip-Hop - n recent years, hip-hop has taken over the popular music charts. As its popularity has risen, so has demand for ways to get in on the music-making action.Playlists
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- Listening Guide: Crosby Stills Nash & Young’s “Our House”
- Cool Careers: Front of House Mixer for Brett Young – Joey Diehl
- Who Invented: The Staff – Guido d’Arezzo
APRIL 2019
Check out what’s in the April 2019 issue of Music Alive!
Featured Articles
Music of the States: Tennessee - The music of Tennessee resonates far beyond its state borders, but Nashville, Memphis and Bristol are where it all began.
Reading, Writing & Rhythm - Rhythm can be a tricky subject, with its variety of time signatures, note duration patterns, changes in timing and rests. Let’s break it down.
The Jonas Brothers - Six years after the brother band-breakup, Joe, Kevin & Nick are back with brand new music.Playlists
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- Listening Guide: King Harvest’s “Dancing in the Moonlight”
- Cool Careers: Music Marketing Specialist – Jamie Coletta
- Who Invented: The Metronome – Dietrich Nikolaus Winkel
March 2019
Check out what’s in the March 2019 issue of Music Alive!
Featured Articles
Revolutionary Voices of America: Then and Now - From sparking the fires of the American Revolution to evoking empathy during struggles for human rights, the power of song has long resonated within us
Lauren Daigle - Lauren Daigle is the Contemporary Christian Artist who doesn’t want to be called one
Arranging 101: Medleys, Mash-Ups & More - When arranging your own piece of music, you aren’t limited to one style, or even to one song.Playlists
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- Listening Guide: Taylor Swift’s “Delicate”
- Cool Careers: Music Director/Producer – Rob Mathes
- Who Invented: The Amplifier – Lee de Forest
February 2019
Check out what’s in the February 2019 issue of Music Alive!
Featured Articles
Music & Your Brain - Our ears communicate with our brains every time we sense sound waves. The human brain has preferences for what kind of sounds it likes to hear. Turns out, music might just be its favorite.
Arranging 101: How It’s Done - Last month, we defined the art of arranging music. Now, lets explore how its done…and how you can do it too.
Playlists
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- Listening Guide: Bill Wither’s “Lean On Me”
- Cool Careers: Documentation Manager – Wesley DeVore
- Who Invented: Headphones – Nathaniel Baldwin
January 2019
Check out what’s in the January 2019 issue of Music Alive!
Featured Articles
Clean Bandit - Clean Bandit, the so-called “utter rascals” of electronic/crossover, released a new album in November 2018, that included the re-release of the song, “Symphony.”
Balkan Beats - The countries of Southeast Europe are known as the Balkans. They have rich music traditions, but for decades have also been undergoing social, cultural, and political transitions that are reflected in their music of today.
Arranging 101: Elements - New year, new series! For the first few months of 2019, this space will contain stories about the art of arranging music, a pursuit that is often misunderstood and even neglected.Playlists
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- Listening Guide: Adele’s “Send My Love (To Your New Lover)”
- Cool Careers: Live Sound Engineer – Barbara Adams
- Who Invented: The LP Record – Peter Carl Goldmark
DECEMBER 2018
Check out what’s in the December 2018 issue of Music Alive!
Featured Articles
Kane Brown - After a breakthrough EP announced his arrival, Kane Brown drops the highly anticipated LP Experiment and tops Billboard’s 200 albums chart.
Have Yourself a Modern Little Christmas - Whether an update of a classic or an entirely new composition, many contemporary artists have continued to celebrate the Christmas season with song.
Singing Series Pt. 3: Highlighting Your Vocal Strengths - Some of the most iconic voices in history have veered from traditionally praised vocals and have been successful because of their unique character and expression.Playlists
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- Listening Guide: Wham!’s “Last Christmas”
- Cool Careers: Digital Content Manager – Marjorie LoPresti
- Who Invented: The Flute – Theobald Boehm
NOVEMBER 2018
Check out what’s in the November 2018 issue of Music Alive!
Featured Articles
Marshmello - Making Waves: Christopher Comstock has never been happier after being named one of Forbes magazine’s World’s Highest Paid DJs.
Theater Themes - 2018 continues the streak of a timeless theme: musicals about music. In this feature we give a brief overview of the art form.
Singing Series Pt. 2: Training Your Voice - Why are some people born better singers than others? We examine how to develop your voice no matter what tools you’ve got to work with.Playlists
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- Listening Guide: Stevie Wonder’s “Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I’m Yours)”
- Cool Careers: Artist Relations Manager – Tim Godwin
- Who Invented: Garageband – Dr. Gerhard Lengeling
OCTOBER 2018
Check out what’s in the October 2018 issue of Music Alive!
Featured Articles
Singing Series Pt. 1: Your Voice as an Instrument - The anatomy of the human voice and the way we produce sound.
Queens of Soul - The cadre of pioneering women who have helped shape a uniquely American music genre.
Playlists
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- Listening Guide: Elvis Presley’s “Jailhouse Rock”
- Cool Careers: Music Therapist Dr. Amy Zabin
- Who Invented: The Clarinet | Johann Christoph Denner
May 2018
Check out what’s in the May 2018 issue of Music Alive!
Featured Articles
Playlists
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- Listening Guide: Alice Merton’s “No Roots”
- Cool Careers: Executive director of the Warner Theatre Lynn Gelormino
- Who Invented…: The electric guitar pickup | George Beauchamp
and more!
April 2018
Check out what’s in the April 2018 issue of Music Alive!
Featured Articles
A Monastic Effort - Today, Thelonious Monk is regarded as one of jazz’s greatest minds—but it took a long time for him to get to that point.
Playlists
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- Listening Guide: Nina Simone’s “Feeling Good”
- Cool Careers: Vintage guitar repairman Tom Crandall
- Who Invented…: The electronic film score | Louis and Bebe Barron
and more!
March 2018
Check out what’s in the March 2018 issue of Music Alive!
Featured Articles
Jumping for Joy - The Aussie songwriter first made it big with “Riptide”—now he’s back with a sophomore set of tunes.
Classical Made Modern - In the turn of the 20th century, classical music underwent another dramatic change—and Modernism was born.
Historical Horns - Through the years, modifications to the original trumpet have taken it through countless models to get to today’s standard.Playlists
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- Listening Guide: Ed Sheeran’s “Perfect”
- Cool Careers: Mastering engineer Piper Payne
- Who Invented…: Country styles | The Carter Family
and more!
February 2018
Check out what’s in the February 2018 issue of Music Alive!
Featured Articles
Not Your Average American Teen - Breakout alternative R&B artist Khalid was still in high school when he was discovered by listeners around the country.
The Ins and Outs of Audio - Sound systems can seem complicated, but once you understand how they work, they all come down to a few major components.Playlists
PLUS—
- Listening Guide: Queen’s “Somebody to Love”
- Cool Careers: Music marketing executive Laura B. Whitmore
- Who Invented…: Modal jazz | Miles Davis
and more!
January 2018
Check out what’s in the January 2018 issue of Music Alive!
Featured Articles
Living Up to Her Reputation - The music world went head over heels for Taylor Swift yet again this November with the release of her fourth studio album, Reputation.
All in the Fingers - In the January issue of Music Alive!, we took a closer look at the many different techniques used in fingerstyle guitar.
Classic Romance - Composers in the Romantic period took expected musical forms and reinvented them with new styles of expression.Playlists
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- Listening Guide: Bebe Rexha’s “Meant to Be (feat. Florida Georgia Line)”
- Cool Careers: Music educator Bryan Powell
- Who Invented…: The saxophone | Adolphe Sax
and more!
December 2017
Check out what’s in the December 2017 issue of Music Alive!
Featured Articles
Singing on Stage - We’re all familiar with vocal competitions like American Idol. But what does it feel like to be a contestant?
The Sounds of Nomads - Gypsy jazz is a style that emerged in the 1930s from a combination of styles from all around the world.
Playlists
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- Listening Guide: Cheat Code’s “No Promises (feat. Demi Lovato)”
- Cool Careers: Radio host Dennis Elsas
- Who Invented…: The Tape-Bow Violin | Laurie Anderson
and more!
November 2017
Check out what’s in the November 2017 issue of Music Alive!
**To see Bonus Content from all published issues in the 2017-18 season, click here.**
Featured Articles
Portugal. The Band - With “Feel It Still,” their first hit on the Billboard Hot 100 charts, Portugal. The Man has won some long-deserved commercial success.
Now Featuring… - Featured artists can be found everywhere in today’s popular music. But is this something carried over from the past?Playlists
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- Listening Guide: Earth, Wind & Fire’s “September”
- Cool Careers: Music photographer Scott Newton
- Who Invented…: Bossa Nova | João Gilberto
and more!
October 2017
Check out what’s in the October 2017 issue of Music Alive!
Featured Articles
Haim Time - The sisters of Haim took a few years between albums—but now they’re back and better than ever.
Ukulele Fever - Over the past ten years, this little instrument has reminded the world that it’s more than just a novelty.
Theater Dreams - In “The Road to Broadway,” we addressed a lot of things that you can do during the school year. But there are also tons of performing arts campsPlaylists
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- Listening Guide: Rag’n’Bone Man’s “Human”
- Cool Careers: Artist manager Marshall Freeman
- Who Invented…: The Piano | Bartolomeo Cristofori
and more!