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Welcome to the School of Musical Traditions

The School of Musical Traditions is a private music lesson studio dedicated to the instruction of the world’s many musical styles and traditions. We are well-versed in the art of teaching music and take great delight in getting to know each of our students and their individual learning goals and styles.

We are delighted to make your acquaintance!

Woman playing cello

About

In addition to teaching a wide array of instruments, our teachers specialize in folk traditions from the US and around the world, jazz, blues, rock, pop, and classical music.

For students who are ready to create and share their own material with the world, we offer instruction in songwriting and recording & production.

Woman playing piano on pier

Learn

Many of our students work one-on-one with a teacher whose expertise matches their learning goals. With lessons available online every day of the week, we will match you with a teacher who fits both your style and schedule.

Our workshops and classes allow students to learn from the finest musicians in the region.

Man playing guitar in front of wall of guitars

Connect

We are always accepting new students! Email, call, or fill out our lesson request form and our admin team will assist you.

All instruction is online at this time. We look forward to re-opening our studios in Takoma Park and Rockville, MD as soon as it is safe to do so!

Highly recommend School of Musical Traditions. Our son has been taking guitar lessons for over 6 months now. Communication has been very good. Our son enjoys the lessons and his teacher is very knowledgeable. Staff are professional and courteous. Great place for lessons for people of all ages.

-M. S. Powers

It has been one year since lessons went virtual, and I must say my stay-at-home guitar lessons and practice sessions have helped me to stay positive and safe during this socially restricted time. So thank you — we have now become an expert Zoom student-and-teacher pair!

-H. Iida

News & Blog Posts
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Secret Sauce for Music Success: Woodwinds Edition
Picking up a new instrument often feels like a daunting challenge, especially if it’s a woodwind instrument that requires such a unique set of muscle movements. That’s why we asked Seth Kibel—SMT’s own clarinet, saxophone, flute, and woodwind teacher—to tell us about his own Secret Sauce for Musical Success. In the following collection of practice tips, Seth talks about how you can make the most of your woodwind lessons and dodge some of the biggest pitfalls of beginning musicians! 1) PRACTICE OFTEN: So much about learning music involves muscles and muscle memory. As woodwind players, we use muscles in our fingers, our lips, our tongue, our cheeks, and more—which is why it is VITAL to practice regularly in order to build...
  • March 28, 2021
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Movement for Musicians: Why Your Body Needs Just as Much Attention as Your Instrument
This blog post was written by Rhia Morsberger — a Maryland-based yoga instructor and mobility specialist who will be teaching a Movement for Musicians workshop for the School of Musical Traditions on March 8th. Anyone who uses their body for some art, sport, or trade will experience some effect of physical overuse or fatigue. For musicians, it is not so much the movement itself (e.g. working their wrists and arm muscles to play an instrument, maintaining poor posture during practice, etc.) so much as the lack of variety in the movements that get them into trouble. What you really need to treat those aches and pains is actually more movement. I can teach you all kinds of novel exercises and...
  • March 7, 2021
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