5 Reasons Why It’s a Good Idea to Have a Studio Policy
When I had lessons as a child, no teacher I encountered seemed to have any formal policy when it came to the lessons they offered. It was predominantly pay by…
4 Ways for Instrumental Teachers to Avoid ‘Resource Overwhelm’
I don't know about anyone else, but one of my jobs over the summer is to make some attempt to sort and reorganise music, organise resources and generally tidy up…
10 Things I’ve Learnt in 18 Years as a Private Music Teacher
I've recently celebrated 18 years as a private music teacher. In that time, there have been many 'ups and downs', and after 18 years, I've definitely learnt a few things…
4 Ways to Make the Most of the Music Exam Mark Sheet
If you're reading this, you've probably taken a music exam fairly recently. Congratulations! Whatever the outcome, I have a huge amount of admiration for any learner who puts themselves forward…
Review: Piano Star Theory
I don't know about you, but when I was learning piano as a child, the idea of theory sent shivers down my spine. Don't get me wrong, I liked theory,…
Review: Modern Piano Studies (Jakub Metelka)
Some might say that studies (or études) have fallen out of favour with modern approaches to piano teaching. As a developing pianist, I don't recall using books of studies in…
Review: Landscapes (Alison Matthews)
After all these years of playing and teaching, I still love discovering new music. In Landscapes, Alison Matthews has composed 14 beautiful 'poetic' piano solos which will, I'm sure, stand…
DipLCM(TD): Delivering an Effective Demonstration Lesson
In this blog post, I want to share some thoughts about planning, rehearsing and delivering your demonstration lesson as part of the DipLCM(TD) teaching diploma. The advice given here is…
Review: ABRSM More Piano Sight-Reading, Grades 1-8
I suppose you might ask, with some justification I may add, what the point of another set of piano sight-reading books is. ABRSM have always produced a set of eight…
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
Review: Music & Drama Education Expo 2019
I have just returned from this year’s Music & Drama Education Expo, held at Olympia London on 6th and 7th March. 2019 is the fifth consecutive event I’ve attended in…
8 Myths of Private Instrumental Teaching
Over the past 18 years, I have come across many myths surrounding the nature of private teaching as a professional occupation. Sometimes these myths are perpetuated by those outside of…
On the Record: Reflections on Using Recordings as a Learning Tool
Ruth Carlyle is an adult student, studying singing with David Barton. She reflects here on her experience of making recordings of her singing as part of her learning. You can…