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…
New Year Reset for Music Teachers
The beginning of a new year is traditionally a time for reflection, for thinking about the year just gone, and planning for the new year ahead. Many people also make…
Review: The Piano Player, Wintertide Collection
I'm going to start by saying the presentation of this book is exquisite. As I seem to keep saying, I have a whole shelf section dedicated to Christmas piano music,…
Review: Peaceful Piano Playlist, Christmas
One of several books now published in the Peaceful Piano Playlist series from Faber Music, this Christmas edition includes 24 'festive piano solos for the intermediate player'. They are presented…
Review: Did Someone Say Christmas (Darren Day)
If you're looking for another book of easy carol arrangements for piano to add to your collection, this probably isn't the book you're looking for. Indeed, I've featured many such…
Review: Truth (Alexis Ffrench)
[This post contains affiliate links] Someone once described Alexis Ffrench to me as "a bit more upmarket than Einaudi". I think this is pretty unkind to both composers. There are…
12 Quick-to-Learn Christmas Choral Ideas
When I was directing a church choir, I'd like to think I was pretty organised. By December, I'd have decided what we were singing in the Christmas carol service. That…
Review: ABRSM Pop Performer
There are literally thousands of books available for piano of arrangements of pop songs. Some are inevitably more successful than others. The art of arranging a pop song, many of…