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, […]
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 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 […]
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 […]
This post is for teachers and pupils on how to use audio to help learning of songs on piano. It is important for the pupil to be able on some level to develop good aural skills in order for them to play their favourite songs. This means they should be […]
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 […]
By Andy Feldman: Flamenco is one of the most inspirational guitar styles anyone can learn. Part of the attraction is that flamenco is one of the oldest and most recognisable classical styles, and even guitarists who play hard rock and metal styles can benefit from learning flamenco chords and playing […]
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 “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 […]
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 […]
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