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 […]
Image Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons By Marcela De Vivo Art and music are usually the first programs to be cut from the school budget. Considered to not be an integral part of learning skills and information that would be useful in the future (on the job, out in […]
By Bynn Alexander If you have dabbled in songwriting but have found yourself disappointed with your efforts, it’s easy to get discouraged. Equally frustrating is when you think your songs are good, but they fail to interest others, to the point where you start to second-guess your abilities. Yes, […]
Upon first hearing Camila Cabello’s song ‘Havana’ I was reminded of another latin chart-topper – Carlos Santana’s 1999 hit ‘Smooth’ featuring Rob Thomas (lead singer of American rock band ‘Matchbox Twenty’). It seemed like a perfect fit to combine the two songs. Below’s the end result. Enjoy.
This post includes audio which might require installation depending on your browser Tritone – a musical interval that spans three whole tones Diminished Triads consist of two minor thirds above the root Augmented Triad – a triad, or chord, consisting of two major thirds (an augmented fifth). Inversions of chords […]
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 […]
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 […]
Following on from my last post on analysing Chris Brown’s song ‘Love More’, it occured to me that while I’ve played and listened to a wide variety of music over the years, I’ve never personally expressed my likes/dislike for certain music on TuneBox TV (probably because playing in a band, […]
Watch your posture If you are learning/play a musical instrument, take note, your body is sacred. This is because the act requires certain physical movements as well as a level of endurance, strength and flexibility, especially in practice where repetition is the norm. At the core of any good […]
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 […]
Here’s a video of George Ezras’ ‘Blame It On Me’. The video performance was done with a ‘bluesey’ feel to it. Folk (which some think this song is) and blues (as well as Country, Bluegrass, Gospel and Jazz) have elements which crossover into each other, so I thought it would be fun […]
Recent Comments