Monthly Archives: October 2013

Issue 109: Scales and Arpeggios

The “young man in a hurry” I mentioned in another post is having problems motivating himself to learn his scales. I have every sympathy – I hated scales after grade 1 (hands separately, only a couple to learn). Grade 5 … Continue reading

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Issue 109: Welcome to The Jungle

Half term has finally arrived, and a sort of break from teaching – sort of, because I have a couple of exam candidates who will hugely benefit from a couple of lessons over half term as their exams are scarily soon. … Continue reading

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Issue 109: Three-Note Christmas Carol for Keyboards

Traditional Christmas carols are notoriously difficult for beginners to play. Take a Wider Opportunities Keyboard Class, (like mine!). They started in September, and we are still working out where to put our fingers on the keyboards. In about six weeks’ … Continue reading

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Issue 109: Festina Lente – Make Haste Slowly

I’ve a new student, already raring to take his Grade 5. He has chosen and taught himself his pieces, so, in his mind, there is very little left to do – just the scales and arpeggios, studies, sight-reading and aural tests. … Continue reading

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Issue 108: Welcome to the Jungle

Another week has flashed by. Just one more week until half term – when we can get our breath back, and brace up for another longish half of term. It has been a long, long time since that first week … Continue reading

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Issue 108: What do I teach first?

Thinking about teaching piano, the problem is that I want to ensure that the student learns the correct notes, fingering, rhythm, articulation, touch and dynamics. It is clearly impossible to learn all those elements in one go, but I am … Continue reading

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Issue 108: Rememberance Sunday

If you are thinking of doing something for Rememberance Sunday, the Churches Together in Britain website has a powerpoint slide presentation which could be useful to you: Here is the link; http://www.ctbi.org.uk/233 and this is the download to look for: … Continue reading

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Issue 108: Trading Insults

Well really! but too, too enjoyable! http://www.classicfm.com/discover/music/composer-insults/ here are 21 very rude, very catty comments by composers, about composers.

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