Review: Belfast Heart (Darren Day)
One of the nice things about being sent things for review, is that you often come across books which you may not otherwise have seen. I get sent a lot…
Review: My Quirky Notebook (Angeline Bell)
I have to confess, I wasn't sure what to expect from My Quirky Notebook, the latest volume of piano music from Angeline Bell. I had so enjoyed reviewing her last…
Review: Peaceful Piano Playlist Revisited
Sometimes a book comes along which I enjoy playing from so much, I forget to actually write the review! Perhaps that is the greatest endorsement? Peaceful Piano Playlist Revisited has…
Review: The Piano Player, British Classics
What better way to celebrate the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III, than with this excellent and varied selection of British Classics, another publication in Faber Music's well-conceived The…
Being an Adult Learner: a Personal Insight
In this guest blog post, Clementine shares her own experiences of picking up the flute again after a break, and restarting as an adult learner. I teach a lot of…
Review: Graded Gillock (William Gillock)
As I've written before, I get quite a number of books sent to me for review. For many, as much as I value and enjoy their concept and content, I…
ABRSM Grade 5 Theory: a Debate?
I recently ran a poll on Twitter asking people whether ABRSM should remove the requirement for candidates to have passed Grade 5 Theory before progressing to Grade 6 practical and…
Commissioning New Music: the Story of ‘By Woodland Ways’
There is nothing quite like the thrill of working on music that is completely new and has never been seen, never mind played or sung, by another performer. If you…
Review: Keybop Volumes 1 & 2 (Jason Sifford)
Keybop is a collection of 11 jazzy piano solos by Jason Sifford, available in two volumes for mid- to late-elementary and early intermediate levels. Jason Sifford is a freelance pianist…
Review: My Lyrical Notebook (Angeline Bell)
Just occasionally, a book comes along which: (a) I look forward to playing as much as I look forward to using it in my teaching; and (b) I know I'll…
Music Exams 2019-22: Too Many Changes?
Over the past few months in particular, I've sensed an increasing degree of anxiety and frustration from music teachers who feel somewhat overwhelmed by the changes made to graded music…
Review: Some Kind of Peace (Õlafur Arnalds)
[This post contains affiliate links] I have to confess that the name Õlafur Arnalds is new to me. But, even at the age of just 36, he has already released…