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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

Voyeuristic Practice?! How watching other performers can make you a better player.

by Tim Topham

I was watching a TV program last week called “Test your brain“, a series developed by National Geographic Channel which explores how the mind works. The first episode was all about memory (interesting enough for musicians), but the second episode entitled, “You won’t believe your eyes”, really got me thinking about the effect of visual ... Voyeuristic Practice?! How watching other performers can make you a better player.

09/19/2012 Read more

Looking for the best piano masterclass videos?

by Tim Topham

No doubt you send your students to masterclasses and have perhaps even participated in or conducted one yourself in the past. There are many fantastic masterclass videos on YouTube which I won’t worry about listing here (just search for whatever piece you’re looking for + “masterclass”), but there is a great channel called MMF Masterclass ... Looking for the best piano masterclass videos?

09/06/2012 Read more

Is 30 minutes enough?

by Tim Topham

“Enough for what?” you might ask. If I asked how many of you find it hard to find the time to incorporate aural, theory, sight-reading, general knowledge, composition, harmony and improvisation studies into your students’ 30 minute lessons, would you put up your hand? In order to provide our students with a holistic musical education ... Is 30 minutes enough?

09/04/2012 Read more

The best forums, websites and blogs for piano teachers

by Tim Topham

Hopefully many of you are familiar the wealth of great resources for piano teachers on the web, but you’ve probably also realised that there is a lot of rubbish out there! Here is a list of my top picks on the web. Firstly if you’re teaching in Victoria, Australia, make sure you are signed up ... The best forums, websites and blogs for piano teachers

07/10/2012 Read more

Best digital pianos for students

by Tim Topham

What’s the best digital piano? Perhaps you say, “Just get one with weighted keys and a pedal”, or maybe you advise students to, “buy a digital piano that has a stand and three pedals that looks like a real piano”? Whatever your current level of knowledge about digital pianos, if you find it hard to ... Best digital pianos for students

07/06/2012 Read more
 

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Preparing for Piano General Knowledge: Questions parents can ask their children.

by Tim Topham

Students need all the help they can get! Parents are probably one of the best resources for assisting students to prepare for the general knowledge section of their practical examinations. This section of the exam, also called “Musical Knowledge” (Trinity) or Viva Voce for some exam boards, is an important component of the practical examination, ... Preparing for Piano General Knowledge: Questions parents can ask their children.

06/13/2012 Read more

Boost Your Piano Scale Practice | Flashcardlet App

by Tim Topham

One of the trickiest things about getting to the upper levels of any graded exam system is the huge number of scales and arpeggios that students have to recall instantly from memory. Remembering the starting notes and correct fingerings for each hand of the 3rd inversions of dominant 7th arpeggios is rarely easy, especially when ... Boost Your Piano Scale Practice | Flashcardlet App

06/08/2012 Read more

The Virtuoso Teacher – Paul Harris

by Tim Topham

I found this great article while reading the ABRSM’s tri-annual newsletter Libretto (free to download from their website) and found it a really encouraging article for teachers. It’s particularly encouraging for teachers like me who struggle to find enough practice time each day to become/remain virtuoso performers themselves, but who regularly spend six hours or ... The Virtuoso Teacher – Paul Harris

06/05/2012 Read more

“Connections” by Christopher Norton

by Tim Topham

I’ve posted regularly in the past about good music to keep boys inspired to learn piano and the latest instalment from Christopher Norton, his Connections Series, is definitely up to the task! Most importantly, Connections could well be a lifeline for students who may be considering giving up piano lessons – girls and boys. I ... “Connections” by Christopher Norton

05/25/2012 Read more

Piano Pedagogy Project – entire teaching repertoire on YouTube??

by Tim Topham

      I’m often looking online for recordings of pieces that I can show my students, either for them to choose a new piece (if I don’t have time to demo in a lesson) or for them to get other takes on performance. If you haven’t found the University of Iowa’s great Piano Pedagogy ... Piano Pedagogy Project – entire teaching repertoire on YouTube??

05/20/2012 Read more

Dorothy Taubman, Thomas Mark and practising without injury

by Tim Topham

For anyone who still believes in a high finger technique and isn’t familiar with the Taubman approach to technique: watch the following video (and the next three in the sequence). This will be the best 50 mins of YouTubing you’ll do this year! For more information, check out the Taubman Institute and Golandsky Institute websites. ... Dorothy Taubman, Thomas Mark and practising without injury

05/18/2012 Read more