6 Ways to Nurture Your Own Music-Making in 2020
When we're busy teaching (or indeed, performing) it can be hard sometimes to nurture and enjoy our own music-making as individuals. I know from experience that the demands of teaching…
4 Things Pianists Can Do to Improve Their Sight-Reading
If you're a singer, you might be used to singing in choirs. Maybe you've been in shows, perhaps in the chorus where there's been plenty of ensemble singing. If you're…
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…
Work and Music: Music Lessons, Practice and Full-Time Employment
When adults learn an instrument or study singing, they have to juggle music lessons and practice time with other commitments, notably full-time employment. In this guest blog post, David Barton…
“When Can I Do Grade 9?”
Please remember to check the current edition of the syllabus as these change regularly, and marking allocations can be amended. You've passed Grade 8. What next? As we well know,…
Progress in Instrumental Learning: Embracing Foundations
I know that many of us have found both confidence and solace in yoga, me especially over the past six months. Each Sunday, I wait in anticipation of the arrival…
ABRSM Piano Syllabus 2019/20: an overview
I shall preface this overview by saying that I wholeheartedly believe that learning an instrument is not solely about taking exams, and indeed only a small number of my pupils…
Setting the Tempo: Working With Accompanists When There Is No Rehearsal Time
David Barton Music student, Ruth Carlyle, has taken part in two local festivals and has also worked with many other accompanists on fairly limited rehearsal time. Thank you to Ruth…
The Exam-Life Balance
I'm aware that a number of students across the UK are now fast-approaching their GCSE, AS and A-Level summer exams. I know how important these exams are and how stressful…
Music Lessons and Revision
We're just entering exam season here in the UK. The bulk of AS and A-Level exams begin this week, and GCSEs soon after. Virtually all 16-18 year olds are affected…
Why a Grade 1 Pass is a Superb Result!
We're very focussed these days on results. I am conscious that when I send my own students for flute, piano or singing exams here in Lichfield and beyond, it is the…