Going beyond the notes - five strategies for teaching music students to practise and perform music more expressively. more
Alfred Brendel - his contribution to integrity in the interpretation of piano music. more
What are the advantages and disadvantages of traditional (acoustic) and electronic pianos? Where is the best place to buy a piano? more
The private music teacher/child/parent relationship is a complicated one, resting on mutual co-operation and collaboration. A good relationship depends on mutual respect - for the well-being of the child, for the teacher's professionalism, and for the whole array of demands on parents' time and resources, The better the relationship, the better the outcome of tuition. more
Playing when someone is listening can be difficult for some children because of the added stress and the older the child is, the worse the anxiety seems to get unless they are practising performing regularly. Here are some suggestions to prevent performance nerves from becoming a problem. more
Children need strong listening skills for success at school and for their social and emotional development. Find out how listening skills can easily be developed at home. more
Learning in music can be affected in many ways by dyslexia. Here are ten ways to maximise your dyslexic child's chances of musical enjoyment and success. more
The process of learning to read and play or sing music is complex and interesting. The better informed parents are, the better equipped they can be to help their child. Some of the ways in which we learn are explored here. more
Whether you are taking an ABRSM, Trinity or LCM music exam, you need secure supporting tests to do your best and maybe even achieve a distinction mark. Find out how to shine in Part 3 of the E-MusicMaestro guide to getting on target for a music exam distinction. more
You want your child to gain the most from music lessons so it is important to make practice time comfortable, enjoyable and, possibly, sociable. Organise your family schedule to make practice time fit in with other commitments so that your child knows you think music is important. more
The supporting tests in music exams (aural, scales, study, musical knowledge, improvisation) are given different weighting depending on which board you choose and the percentage you need to get a distinction varies too. Find out which board would suit you best and discover how to get distinction marks in these tests in your exam, whether it's with ABRSM, Trinity or LCM. more
You can help your child to succeed in a music exam by helping to make sure she keeps to a workable practice plan. Here are some suggestions. more