It has recently come to Humoresque’s attention that not many of you read these posts. Humoresque began on 6th April this year. The intention was to provide a weekly term-time blog post which would be helpful (hopefully!), informative (mostly!), entertaining (a humoresque!) and light-hearted (i.e. short!) All Humoresque’s posts are on my website, and you’re …
2026 Rippling Keys Music term dates as follows: Winter 26 begins Monday 12th January and ends Saturday 28th March. During this Session, there are no lessons in the week beginning 16th February. Spring/Summer 26 begins Monday 20th April and ends Saturday 25th July. During this Session, there are no lessons on Friday 15th May, Saturday …
You are all invited to Hemblington Church on Sunday 14th December for our Candlelit Carol Service, followed by Cake! I know some of you are too far away to make this, but if you’re in Norfolk on that day, please do come along! It’s a very special event, with the Christmas story told through prose, …
Competition Time! At the bottom of this post, you’ll see a score of a song. This song is in a piano book which I use with adult beginners. The song is called “The Donkey”. This competition has four categories. Here’s what I want you to do: Category 1 is for beginners up to and including …
It’s a trick question! In my experience, most students rarely practise at all. Even from here, I can hear your cries of furious denial! Of course I practise! And I’m making good progress! I play my instrument three times a day/every day/twice a week/occasionally… Yes, yes (said soothingly), of course you do! And that’s wonderful. …
Trinity have changed their submission procedure for their music grade exams. This doesn’t affect candidates (you!) except in one way: I now need to upload a photo of you holding your exam book, as well as recording your video. If you are recording your own video at home, please also get someone to take a …
Yes! If you’re a musician, you begin Christmas in the summer – or even earlier. When I directed the Norfolk Keyboard Orchestra, I arranged the Christmas music in July and August and we’d start rehearsing it in September. So remember that, next time you feel like moaning at the cards, decorations and Christmas jumpers the …
A few days ago it was my brother’s birthday. On the same day, at least two other people I know celebrated their birthdays. After all, every single day of the year it’s the birthday of countless people all over the world. We acknowledge the special date when it’s someone we know. We celebrate the whole …
I am teaching from Monday to Thursday inclusive this week, i.e. Monday 13th October, Tuesday 14th October, Wednesday 15th October and Thursday 16th October. There will be no lessons on Friday 17th, Saturday 18th, Monday 20th, Tuesday 21st, Wednesday 22nd or Thursday 23rd October. Friday and Saturday people should show up on Friday 24th and …
Do you remember that Performance is one of the three Ps? If you’ve forgotten the others, you can read the post about it all here. Performance is the ultimate goal of learning to play. You may be performing just to yourself, perhaps even with headphones on, or in a locked room with a cheetah prowling …