Age-Appropriate: Why Instrumental Teachers Should Be Honest About Their Skillset
When I started teaching, as I'm sure a lot of us did, I'd teach anyone who came my way, who was interested and who was willing to pay. My first…
Instrumental Teaching: The Critical Art of Choice
As instrumental teachers, we are overwhelmed by choice when it comes to teaching resources and materials. New books, websites and subscription sites appear on an almost daily basis. There is…
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…
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…