Ugo Onwutalu Since I was young, I always wanted to improve my piano technique by making my fingers 4 and 5 as strong as fingers 1, 2 and 3. I thought if I went hard on these fingers, they would come up to speed with the others so I would […]
By Ugo Onwutalu Practice (especially in music) is a dirty word. It conjures up images of going through drills, exercises, plenty of effort for little reward and frustration. While learning a new piece may be hard, the strategies don’t have to be. Remember there is a difference between effort and […]
First part in a video series on the song ‘New Day’. This lesson starts with the distinctive chords that open the tune before Keys’ vocals enter. You can even prepare by reading the chord chart and listening to the song below: RIGHT HAND F C E C G F C […]
By Ugo Onwutalu Here’s a keyboard tutorial on the song ‘Radioactive’ by Imagine Dragons. This video focuses on the distinctive melody leading to the catchy chorus line plus tips for playing the left hand chord progression. On this last topic, below is a chart of the bass chord progression and […]
One of the most important aspects in teaching improvisation is to create a situation where the pupil feels safe from negativity. They have to feel that errors are part of the learning process. This in turn, will build confidence and trust – the most important aspect in a teacher-pupil relationship. […]
The heart is pounding and races faster, the hands shake. Many people experience anxiety when they become the centre of attention. Many musicians are not able to perform their best as a result of an increased anxiety level. While some believe it is important to experience some […]
The word “exam” strikes fear in the hearts of many. Of course it doesn’t have to be that way if you approach it with the right attitude. 1. Prepare as well as you can so that whatever the result, you can truly say you did your very best. Sometimes not […]
Dynamics and articulation are about how each note is played. Without incorporating these into your playing, music will sound ‘one-dimensional’. Below is a list of what you must know to take your performances to the next level. Dynamics Dynamics are indicators of the relative intensity or volume of a musical […]
Getting lost among the billions of videos already viewed on YouTube each day is quite easy so in order to stand out, use the following ten tips (in no particular order) for creating a plan and turning your YouTube channel into a hub for conversation and interaction. 1. Customise Your […]
Do I buy a Yamaha, Yanigasawa, Keilworth, Jupiter, Trevor James or Selmer? Alexander Classique, Rico Royal, or Vandoren v12 reed? What about buying from a music store or a mail-order service? Whether you’re a student, enthusiast or it’s your musical hobby, here are some beginners saxophone buying tips to get […]
By Nick Williams When it comes to pre-owned/used products and instruments, there are loads of questions that come to mind. So when deciding to buy a pre-owned upright piano, it’s easy to worry. Buying a piano that fits your budget shouldn’t be an difficult task, however the wrong information can […]
When learning a piece of music do you get carried away in wanting to hear the finished product even if you’re only halfway through the work and can’t play it properly yet? If so, you probably alsp get either excited or impatient to move the music along. So you […]
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