For this blog post, it would be useful to print it off or copy and paste into a document like Microsoft Word before printing. The following in paper format will make more sense to you as you’re sat at the piano/keyboard, rather than a computer screen. This post also assumes […]
By Colin Forrester There are many piano methods, especially online piano guides start you off learning chords straight away. In my opinion, this is not the correct way to learn the piano. You should learn the value of notes, rhythm, musical terms, posture, and everything else that has been previously […]
One of the most obvious but easily overlooked songwriting devices is the use of contrast. Most successful songs incorporate this technique and once you are familiar with the various ways in which you can achieve contrast, you can begin to incorporate it into your own songwriting. The purpose of contrast […]
By Ugo Onwutalu “I wish I could play the Piano!“ We hear that statement all the time at past events, gigs and concerts I’ve played at. I have to admit, I’m always surprised when I hear such a comment, because it’s quite possible to gain pleasure from learning, playing and […]
Picture the scene. You’re playing a piece, perhaps one you really enjoy. As your musical journey seemingly goes smoothly, it’s suddenly derailed by a squiggly mark you see and perhaps later, the letters D.C/D.S. planted right in your path. Add in a repeat sign or two here and there and […]
if (WIDGETBOX) WIDGETBOX.renderWidget(‘4190c399-fbd3-4146-af29-a0767493d78d’); Get the <a href=”http://www.widgetbox.com/widget/computer-keyboard-piano”>Computer Keyboard Piano</a> widget and many other <a href=”http://www.widgetbox.com/”>great free widgets</a> at <a href=”http://www.widgetbox.com”>Widgetbox</a>! Not seeing a widget? (<a href=”http://docs.widgetbox.com/using-widgets/installing-widgets/why-cant-i-see-my-widget/”>More info</a>) C Major Scale C D E F G A B C D Major Scale D E F♯ G A B C♯ D E […]
By Ugo Onwutalu It has often been said in various promotional material, media and popular culture that learning a musical instrument and listening to music has numerous benefits amongst which are the increase in memory, learning capacity, overall intelligence and emotional well-being. This reminds me of the Mozart Effect popularised years ago as […]
This post includes audio which might require installation depending on your browser Perfect Fourths Perfect Fifths Major 6ths Minor 6ths Major 7ths Minor 7ths Octaves
I’ve unsurprisingly had a number of respondents to my post ‘why smart work is overrated‘, lining up to criticise me for being negative instead of being encouraging. Well let me respond that I felt I had to speak out in light of what I saw. Anyway another thing that’s got […]
The importance of choosing the right music course cannot be overestimated. It is an obvious point that would scarecely need stating if it wasn’t for the number of students I’ve met who have told me they regretted what they studied because either it did not lead to the career […]
So you’re a beginner in violin or perhaps a parent of a beginner violin student. You have a modest budget and are interested in purchasing a 1/4 violin between $150 to $250 for yourself/your child. But you don’t know where to look. Buy from a reputable string instrument retailer and […]
By Samantha Coates Technique is an incredibly subjective issue. Get 10 piano teachers in a room and you will have10 different techniques. Dare to criticise someone else’s and you’re in for a long night. I’d like to start this article by describing three personal experiences, all to do with comments […]
By Colin Forrester You see it. Standing there on its own begging to be played. Maybe someone is playing it to a half-decent level and you feel you could do something similar but you talk yourself out if it. You’re ‘not confident‘/don’t have the time/don’t want to cause a scene/be […]
The Circle of fifths is a circle of closely related pitches or key tonalities. It shows how the different keys are related to one another. It is usually shown as a circle with the names of keys around it. If you take any key in the circle, its fifth is […]
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