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Rhythm Lab iPad app – the new winner!

by Tim Topham

I’ve previously blogged about my favourite iPad apps for rhythm teaching: see Best iPad apps for piano teachers, but now another app has been released, and it’s called Rhythm Lab, combining the best of ReadRhythm, Rhythm Repeat and My Rhythm. In fact, this one is now my favourite! It’s most similar to ReadRhythm, so if you ... Rhythm Lab iPad app – the new winner!

02/09/2013 Read more

The Classical Piano Method – Heumann

by Tim Topham

I received a review copy of The Classical Piano Method late last year and have finally had a chance to sit-down and play through the pieces. For those of you who have seen it at conferences and in publishers’ trade books, I thought you might be interested to know how it might be useful in your ... The Classical Piano Method – Heumann

02/08/2013 Read more

New repertoire: David Nevue, Craig Armstrong, Kyle Landry and more

by Tim Topham

This post is simply about exposing other teachers to music that I’ve recently found online. The post is designed to be easy to scroll through, listen to YouTube clips, and if you like a piece, click any of the links to find the sheet music. Click on the name of the composer to go straight ... New repertoire: David Nevue, Craig Armstrong, Kyle Landry and more

01/12/2013 Read more

How to Easily Loop YouTube Videos

by Tim Topham

Repeat YouTube Sections I might be behind the eight-ball here, but I’ve just found out about a site called YouRepeat which allows you to loop any section of any YouTube video just by changing the word “tube” in the web address to “repeat”. For example, let’s say I wanted to repeat one section of this ... How to Easily Loop YouTube Videos

01/08/2013 Read more

First experience: ANZCA Modern Piano v. AMEB Piano for Leisure

by Tim Topham

Many of you will have read last month’s post about my experience using Trinity College Exams; now I thought it appropriate to let you know about my first experience preparing students for the ANZCA Modern Piano syllabus. This year for the first time, I chose two students who I felt suited an ANZCA exam : ... First experience: ANZCA Modern Piano v. AMEB Piano for Leisure

12/24/2012 Read more

Trinity College Exams – First Impressions

by Tim Topham

In September last year, I wrote a blog post titled Australian piano exams compared: which syllabus is the best? and made a commitment to my readers that I would trial a couple of the alternate (i.e. non-AMEB) examination boards in the coming year and report back regarding my experience. The original post has remained in my ... Trinity College Exams – First Impressions

11/19/2012 Read more
 

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Why Working To Exams Is Anti-Piano

by Tim Topham

OK, so this might be a bit controversial but hear me out. I was reading a fabulous article by Kathryn Page in a recent Pianist Magazine (No 67), entitled “Developing and maintaining repertoire”. The article was about how important it is for pianists and students to play lots of music at one level and style ... Why Working To Exams Is Anti-Piano

11/17/2012 Read more

Finally! Digital sheet music copyright is starting to make sense.

by Tim Topham

In the digital age, music copyright has become harder for owners to control with everyone having access to copiers and scanners, tablets, computers and the internet. A quick Google search for any popular piece of music will bring up at least half a dozen sites from which you can download a free copy or transcription ... Finally! Digital sheet music copyright is starting to make sense.

11/14/2012 Read more

Another great backing track app for iPad: iReal Pro

by Tim Topham

Looking for easy-to-use jazz and pop backing tracks? One of my Year 8 students recently had to play keyboard in a band for his music performance class at school. The song the band chose was Baker Street (they had a good saxophonist!) and my student’s role was to play the chords on the keyboard. As ... Another great backing track app for iPad: iReal Pro

11/02/2012 Read more

Using Notestar app in the piano teaching studio

by Tim Topham

Using the Notestar app in your teaching studio is a great way to motivate your teen and adult students to keep practising as it provides realistic backing tracks (including vocals) for a heap of modern pop songs. If you: – enjoy teaching students about chords but find it difficult to keep students interested when they ... Using Notestar app in the piano teaching studio

10/28/2012 Read more

Downloading Christopher Norton MIDI to Home Concert Xtreme

by Tim Topham

If you haven’t yet been convinced to buy the amazing iPad app called “Home Concert Xtreme” (HCX), I think this might change your mind! Yes, the app costs about $40, but it’s worth every cent…It’s great for piano teachers and students and is really easy to use. If you’re unfamiliar with HCX, have a look ... Downloading Christopher Norton MIDI to Home Concert Xtreme

10/23/2012 Read more

Music Copyright for teachers

by Tim Topham

I recently attended a presentation run by APRA/AMCOS specifically focussing on copyright laws for Australian music teachers. The session was very informative and answered many of my questions. Here are some of the details that may be of interest to other teachers: If you are using a work (composition, film, screenplay)  composed/written prior to 1955, ... Music Copyright for teachers

10/22/2012 Read more