Well done everybody! I loved hearing all your performances of The Donkey, and there really was a huge variety. In Category 4 there were clip-clopping donkeys, donkeys with strange and exotic chords and donkeys who picked up speed as they neared their destination! Category 3 was even more inventive, with wonderful added harmonies. In Category …
I’m looking forward to hearing everyone play The Donkey next week. Yes, the competition begins on Monday 8th December and runs until Saturday 13th December. There’s a first and second prize for each Category winner, and Humoresque will announce the winners on Monday 15th December. If you’ve won a prize, you’ll get it during your …
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 …