Music Education
I’ve just finished reading Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother, the marvellously candid account of a mother and her two musical daughters. It’s really about what drives us, why we do things and constitutes a fascinating insight into the pursuit of musical excellence. But at what cost? I
Opinion
Education in music has many rewards for students. Certain skills like social interaction, improved coordination, more self-confidence, and a greater memory enhancement all stem from having a musical background. Musicians and music teachers alike tend to think that once they master the art of an instrument or a specific facet
Music Education
The audience waits excitedly: some are masterclass veterans and some are new to the experience; some have copies of the music on their laps, some have the music in their heads. There are teachers, parents and other young players; there is an atmosphere of hushed reverence and expectation. The young
Music Education
The advent and popularization of historical performance practice in recent years has led to some wonderful innovations in piano performance. In many circles, Mozart’s original and intimate ideas of phrasing are now readily reinstated and re-legitimized over more long-line Romantic approaches; familiarity with Bach’s ornamentation and practices of
Music Education
In this series of articles, I’ve focused on helping students discover the indications various composers employed to show where they wanted the sustaining pedal engaged and released. What happens when our ears want additional resonance from the instrument, but using the pedal would obscure a melodic line or cover
Music Education
The voice of the cello touches us deeply. Perhaps it speaks to us in a special way as it is the closest sound to the human voice. Due to the fantastic range of the cello, from the brilliant high tones to the deep chocolatey sounds—there are many cello pieces
Music Education
Guitarist, composer and academic consultant for Trinity College London-India, Mark Haydon, examines the multiple roles technology can play for the classical musician and composer, and explains why the digital platform is a space it is essential to occupy for them. Over the past few years we have slowly seen orchestras
Music Education
Now there’s a question to ponder… Most pupils equate slow with boring. But if we can help those pupils to enjoy a bit more active engagement with their practice, we can begin to change this age-old attitude. For many, practice is done with the brain remaining in a fairly
Music Education
Last year the Metropolitan Opera staged Philip Glass’s ‘Akhnaten’ starring Countertenor Anthony Roth Costanzo. Following the premiere much media attention was directed towards the countertenor in the leading role. Glass’s hypnotic, repetitive music is a big sing for any countertenor. Costanzo not only negotiated the vocal challenges of
Music Education
In a world where parents are constantly re-evaluating the cost of a recurring service, job security may depend in part upon how indispensable we are to our piano students. How do we become indispensable? How do we keep parents from jumping from teacher to teacher or experience to experience? How
Music Education
Why would teachers want to encourage parents to attend lessons? Although some teachers—Suzuki, Yamaha, or preschool, for example—routinely invite parents, not all music teachers find that children or their guardians benefit from a shared experience. The following is an overview of some of the rewards and challenges of
Music Education
The habit of comparing ourselves (and being compared) to others is not restricted to the world of music. Starting shortly after birth, our physical attributes, talents, and achievements are constantly compared to those of our peers. The age at which first words are spoken and first steps are taken can
