I’ve previously posted about different methods of learning music whether that be studying the piano or any other instrument, and today’s blog examines the Orff Method or Orff Approach. Carl Orff (1895-1982) was a German composer, conductor and music educator. Despite being a reasonably prolific composer he has become known for one work; the scenic…
Category: Melanie Spanswick
The Piano Education Project: Vlog 4
‘Vlog’ number 4 discusses how long it could potentially take to learn to play the piano.
The Piano Education Project: Vlog 3
This is the third ‘vlog’ in The Piano Education Project series. It deals with the question of whether you need to buy a piano if you want to learn, and offers some advice about purchasing options.
Why is Grade 5 Theory important?
In this post I examine the importance of the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music’s Grade 5 theory exam. The Grade 5 theory exam is significant to pupils because once a Grade 5 instrumental practical exam has been achieved it’s not possible to take a further graded instrumental exam until you have passed…
The Piano Education Project: Vlog 2
In the second ‘vlog’ of my series from The Piano Education Project, I’m looking at the benefits of playing the piano. Why it’s an excellent hobby and one that’s beneficial for the mind, body and soul.
Marvin Hamlisch 1944 – 2012
Marvin Hamlisch died on Monday August 6th in Los Angeles, California, at the age of 68 following a brief illness. I’ve long been a fan of his work and music. Hamlisch was born in Manhattan and was a child prodigy entering the Juilliard’s pre-school division. The US’s pre-school division is akin to our UK junior…
The Piano Education Project: Vlog 1
I have set up a YouTube channel and will be offering a few practice tips to those who want to learn to play the piano. My ‘vlog’ series is called the Piano Education Project and I’ll be ‘vlogging’ about all aspects of piano playing. I’ll also be interviewing pianists asking them about their experiences and…
Would you adopt a piano?
I’ve never really considered a piano’s demise, in fact I always thought (maybe naively) that if you were lucky enough to own one, you would keep hold of it forever possibly passing it on to a family member or at least a good home. Apparently this romantic notion is far removed from reality according to…
Dalcroze Eurhythmics
Émile Jaques–Dalcroze (1865-1950) was a Swiss composer, improviser and music educator. He developed the Dalcroze Eurhythmics method in the early Twentieth century and it focuses on physical movement involving the whole body as a way of expressing and learning about music. This very creative approach to music education is useful for all ages. In Dalcroze…
The Kodály Method
In the last blog post I examined the importance and value of the Suzuki Method. Today I’m continuing my exploration of various music educational systems by highlighting the Kodály Method. Unlike the Suzuki, this Method focuses on studying singing, pitch, and musical notation rather than learning an instrument, however, these elements are crucial to musical…
The Suzuki Method
The Japanese violinist and educator, Shin’ichi Suzuki devised his increasingly popular method in the 1940s. It was his belief that most children develop intellectually at tremendous speed between the ages of 2-5 therefore he recommended starting lessons before the age of five. Children start by watching others before they begin playing themselves which accustoms them…
Conductor Esa-Pekka Salonen carries the Olympic flame
The Finnish conductor and composer Esa-Pekka Salonen was recently given the honour of carrying the torch at the Olympic Games in central London. The Principal Conductor and Artistic Advisor of London’s Philharmonic Orchestra and Conductor Laureate of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, was torchbearer number 40 in the 2012 Torch Relay. Salonen was given the…