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Auralbook for iPhone/iPad | Must-have download for students

by Tim Topham

I’ve long been looking for a well-designed, interactive app for aural training on iPhone and iPad and I think I’ve just found it!! Auralbook is the first that I’ve trailed that can actually analyse your singing and give you feedback on whether your answers are correct… and it actually works quite well! I’ve just tested ... Auralbook for iPhone/iPad | Must-have download for students

03/29/2012 Read more

Julie Haskell answers questions on AMEB exams

by Tim Topham

A couple of weeks ago, the VMTA ran a one-day piano teachers’ conference at Piano Time in South Melbourne. I always try to get along to these events as it’s great to network with other teachers and the presenters and learn new tricks and techniques to improve my teaching practice. The most interesting session for ... Julie Haskell answers questions on AMEB exams

03/09/2012 Read more

Why extrinsic rewards are so bad for motivation

by Tim Topham

Do rewards motivate people? Absolutely: They motivate people to get rewards! So states Daniel Pink in his engaging book Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us. According to his research, extrinsic rewards, particularly “if-then” or “contingent” rewards (“if you do this, then you’ll get that”) snuff out all self motivation and creativity, regardless of ... Why extrinsic rewards are so bad for motivation

02/09/2012 Read more

Preparing For an AMusA Performance Diploma Exam – Why Bother?!

by Tim Topham

I recently sat and passed my Associate Diploma of Performance (called the “AMusA” piano exam in Australia) with Distinction. Needless to say, I was ecstatic! It was a project that I’d been working towards for around two years, having last sat a piano exam when I was 12 and having had a break of around ... Preparing For an AMusA Performance Diploma Exam – Why Bother?!

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Using “sus” chords to inspire beginners

by Tim Topham

No, I’m not talking about anything ‘suss’, but rather chord “suspensions”. If you’re not familiar with suspensions, or how they can be used to inspire your students from their first or second lesson, read on… I like to introduce triads in a student’s very first lesson or two and in some cases it’s the first ... Using “sus” chords to inspire beginners

01/30/2012 Read more

General knowledge/analysis help for your students – Ross Hamilton

by Tim Topham

Have you ever been teaching a piece of music for a student to present at an exam, only to realise a few week’s out that you are not 100% sure of the piece’s analysis/general knowledge requirements? I have, and given the importance that is placed on a student’s understanding of the ‘general knowledge’ surrounding the ... General knowledge/analysis help for your students – Ross Hamilton

01/25/2012 Read more
 

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75 pieces in one year? How Ben went from beginner to Grade 2 in 10 months!

by Tim Topham

In 2011, I challenged all my students to learn at least 40 pieces during the school year. Out of my 40 or so students (and despite my best motivational efforts) most managed around 20 pieces, two achieved the 40 pieces milestone and one completely outdid even my own expectations. Ben (pictured with his award), learnt ... 75 pieces in one year? How Ben went from beginner to Grade 2 in 10 months!

01/16/2012 Read more

Barenboim – A Life in Music

by Tim Topham

I’ve just finished reading Daniel Barenboim’s autobiography entitled “A Life in Music” and thought I’d share some of his thoughts and comments on music for my readers. Despite being an exceptional pianist, the book is actually more about his life as a conductor. At first I was a bit disappointed by this but I soon ... Barenboim – A Life in Music

11/19/2011 Read more

Deliberate Play v. Deliberate Practice

by Tim Topham

Deliberate Practice I’ve talked at length in previous posts about the importance of “Deliberate Practice”, a phrase made popular in Geoff Colvin’s brilliant book, “Talent is Overrated”, in making your limited practice time more effective. But can you actually do too much practice? We’ve all heard that “too much of anything is a bad thing” ... Deliberate Play v. Deliberate Practice

11/13/2011 Read more

Using GHOSTING to balance the hands

by Tim Topham

There comes a time when every pianist has to learn the art of playing louder with one hand than the other in order to bring out a melody, but what’s the best way of teaching this vital skill? You can find pieces that introduce this idea as early as the first method books – often ... Using GHOSTING to balance the hands

11/04/2011 Read more

James Rhodes – Etude for Left Hand

by Tim Topham

A couple of weeks ago I had the pleasure of watching English pianist James Rhodes perform at the Melbourne Recital Centre. With a very good publicist, I’m sure just about everyone in Melbourne would have heard about him and the full-house attendance was impressive. His program was varied and delivered competently, although his playing was ... James Rhodes – Etude for Left Hand

10/28/2011 Read more

The best practice: nothing at all

by Tim Topham

I recently had the opportunity to take a group of my students to watch a master class at Melbourne’s Xavier College where a colleague had arranged for the acclaimed London-based teacher and performer Julian Jacobsen, to work with six of his students and those from local schools. The main thing I got from this experience ... The best practice: nothing at all

09/19/2011 Read more