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Rave Reviews for Repertoire Week!
Last term’s Repertoire Week was a huge success, and everyone told me how much they enjoyed choosing what to play and polishing up “old” pieces to give them another airing. I would like give a perspective from the other side: it was wonderful to hear all the performances! Some people played music they’d learnt by…
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Forty Years On…
… when afar and asunder, parted are those who are singing today… These are the opening words of the most famous public school song in England. It’s the song of Harrow School, founded in 1572 under a Royal Charter granted by Elizabeth I. The school was established through the efforts and endowment of a local…
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When are you “done”?
Say you need a new shelf in your kitchen. You buy the wood, the brackets and the screws. You go into your shed or your garage. You measure. You cut the wood into the length and width you need. You shape it. It looks great! But is it done? No, because you haven’t yet sanded…
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You have to run slow to run fast
My pupil, Rhian, is a keen runner. She belongs to a running club in Swansea, and she trains frequently. She takes part in events – even marathons! I’m not sure if Rhian was at last weekend’s London Marathon, but she’s certainly a very active and dynamic person. Last term I reminded Rhian how important it…
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Cycling Home
Competition Time! At the bottom of this post, you’ll see the score of a song. This song is in a beginner piano book. The song is called “Cycling Home”. You will need to view the post on my website to see it. (Please scroll down to the bottom of the email where you can click on…
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Repertoire Week
Repertoire Week is fast approaching! In fact, it’s next week! You should choose either four separate pieces, or a 15-minute programme, to perform. I am calling them “pieces”, but this includes exercises from the back of a grade exam book, songs, short compositions of your own, something you may have learnt with a previous teacher…
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Next Term!
If you have your lessons on Mondays, Fridays or Saturdays, please check the calendar for next term. There are some weeks where I am not available to teach you, and I have offered alternative dates. I need to hear from you by 21st March to let me know which date and time would suit you…
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Composition
Remember to View the Post! The link is at the bottom of your email. When we play from sheet music, we’re playing someone else’s idea. You may be at the very beginning of your studies, just learning how to find Middle C on the piano and play a short piece on one note; or you may…
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Repertoire
Remember to View the Post! The link is at the bottom of your email. Why do people learn to play a musical instrument? Children can be inspired by seeing a professional play, or knowing that one of their friends is learning music. Many children are offered lessons in school. Some are encouraged to learn by…
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Open the Post!
In last week’s Humoresque I presented you with three recordings so that you could see the effect of changing either pitch or rhythm on your perception of a melody. But the audio tracks didn’t show in the email. I should have realised this, as it’s happened once before, and I should have warned you that…