The Maestro journal
Notes on the practice.
Field notes, guides, and the thinking behind Maestro.
- 01
Building a Daily Music Practice Habit That Holds
A daily music practice habit fails for predictable reasons. Here's how to build one that sticks — using cues, small sessions, and streaks that survive bad days.
2026-06-11
5 min read
- 02
Strobe Tuner vs Needle Tuner: Which to Choose
Strobe tuner vs needle tuner — what's the real difference, when does the extra precision matter, and which one should you actually use for your instrument?
2026-06-09
5 min read
- 03
How to Tune a Violin: Fifths, Fine Tuners, and the A
How to tune a violin without snapping a string or fighting the pegs — start from the A, tune in fifths, and know when to use fine tuners versus the pegs.
2026-06-05
5 min read
- 04
What Are Cents in Tuning? A Beginner's Guide
New to tuners? This beginner's guide explains what cents in tuning mean, how to read a tuner's needle and numbers, and what 'in tune' really looks like.
2026-06-01
6 min read
- 05
Why Practicing With a Metronome Feels Impossible
Practicing with a metronome feels like fighting the click for a reason. Here's why your timing drifts, why you rush, and how to finally lock in with the beat.
2026-05-26
5 min read
- 06
How Your Brain Hears When Something Is Out of Tune
Pitch perception is stranger than it looks. Here's how the ear and brain detect when a note is out of tune — beats, cents, and the limits of human hearing.
2026-05-20
5 min read
- 07
432 Hz vs 440 Hz Tuning: Separating Myth From Fact
The 432 Hz vs 440 Hz tuning debate is full of confident claims and almost no evidence. Here's what's true about A4, where 440 came from, and what actually matters.
2026-05-14
6 min read
- 08
How to Tune a Guitar With a Tuner and By Ear
Learn how to tune a guitar properly — with a chromatic tuner and by ear — and why the order you turn the pegs decides whether the tuning actually holds.
2026-05-08
5 min read