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 […]
*Firstly, if you don’t have Quicktime it is recommended that you download it to hear the audio in this post. A well known jazz musician once said, “jazz can be taught in just three lessons; 1st lesson: practice for 10 years; 2nd lesson: practice and perform for 10 years; 3rd […]
By Ugo Onwutalu Playing your favourite tune by ear can be rewarding once you know how. The challenge is in being able to recreate what you hear, especially if you don’t have perfect pitch. Here are some tips for getting closer to reproducing your favourite songs (this applies mainly to […]
This is not a precise “how to get into the music industry” manual. Anyone who knows anything about the music business knows the difficulties when trying to ‘make it big’ and the pitfalls if you are lucky enough to get there. What this article does it give pointers as to […]
By Ugo Onwutalu Over the years I have experimented with different ways to get myself to practice. I have tried practicing after teaching and in the early morning. Everyone’s circumstances are different but if you are like most people, you · Either have a 9-5 job which leaves a limited […]
Over the years, I have met and taught many who have often said they ‘used to play piano’ (or whatever instrument) but ‘gave up’. Talent that could have flourished instead wilted under the lack of interest in taking music exams and generally being pushed by parents (who might have been […]
By Jessica Josh The days of the private music teacher charging $50 or more an hour are long gone. Now you can fall back on non-human tutors, i.e. your handy smartphone or tablet, to learn music—for a fraction of the cost. Hot on the heels of […]
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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