Music Lesson Questions

11/08/07

Question/ Hi Graham,

Please can you share your thoughts about the various piano exam boards (ABRSM, Trinity Guildhall, London college of music, Royal college of music, northern college of music) so that i can make an informed choice as to which syllabus to follow in my attempt to teach myself piano through the grades.Eg Do the various boards have stylistic leanings etc? technical discipline preferences etc. I'm a lover of the romantic warm mellow singing piano tone.

Thanks for your help, Cat

Answer/ Hi Cat

That is a great question! The ABRSM is the most recognized board and definitely the best choice for classical music graded exams.

The well known ALL Talents Music School in Enfield, North London teaches the ABRSM syllabus, as do most music schools in the London area. I wouldn't consider any other exam boards.

Regards,
Graham Howard

10/08/07

Question/ One of the things you said you'd be writing on was sight reading I could use some insight on these questions about reading music. I learned to read music 8 years ago, but never really proficiently because I play by ear. My dilemma is if I know the way a song is supposed to sound instead of reading the music I start picking out the notes myself. I also have a really hard time reading sheet music to a song I've already memorized. I'll just play it from memory even though I'm looking at the music I'm not really reading. If you have anything to offer on either of those subjects I would be really grateful. Thanks for taking the time for us.
 
Shaylie

Answer/ Hi Shaylie
The only way to improve your sight reading is to keep
on playing pieces you have not seen before.
To get over the problem of not reading the notes you
need to really concentrate on each note of each chord.
Play as S-L-O-W-L-Y as possible and don't move on to
the next chord until you are sure you have played every
written note -- and not made up your own stuff ;-)

If you haven't already read my article on sight reading, here it is:
http://www.ukpianos.co.uk/how-to-improve-your-sight-reading.html

Best regards,
Graham Howard

08/12/06

06/12/06

Hi, Can you tell me what age you recommend that a child starts to have drum

lessons. I have a little boy who is only going to be four in February and

always says he wants to learn to play drums. We have bought him a drum set

for Christmas and would appreciate your advice. Also if they are young do

you do a slightly shorter lesson than 45 mins as I don't know if that length

of time would be to long.

Thanks Ann.

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