Books for a Chill & Easy Practice Sessions

Hi everyone,

In this post I'm going to talk about books that you can use for creating a chill & easy practice session.

You may decide that you would like to do a more relaxed practice session, and this could be due to you wanting just to change up your usual practice routine for something a little more laid back or you may just coming back into practicing your instrument after a break away, and you want something easier to start off with.

I've tried to find material thats on the easier side to sight read while at the same time you can have some fun in curating a list of music that is on the more relaxed side of things. To help you get back into playing or if you just doing something different for a change.

Winner Scores All

This book is only available for both woodwind and brass players, but it contains a good mix of music from traditional pieces to musicals. Also, the pieces aren't that long in length and are very user friendly as the key signatures used are on also on the easier side. I've used this book a lot over the years, and its one that I started out with when I was just starting out on the flute. It was a godsend for me last year while I was getting back into practicing, due to ongoing health issue. It helped me to get back into playing, and trying to figure out how high up the stave I could go on any given day.

All the Tunes You've Ever Wanted to Play Book 1

I've got the book that suitable for all C instruments, but I'm sure there's a copy out there for your range of instrument. This is similar to 'Winner Scores All', but it contains a mixture of TV themes, musical theatre and traditional songs. This book is more beginner level, but it will still do the trick of getting back into playing without being stressful.

Hal Leonard Play a Long Series

The Hal Leonard Play a Long series is brilliant, as not only does it cover a wide range of musical interests; but everything within this series is available for most instruments. I'd say that the books in this range are between beginner and early intermediate level. I'm just going off the fact that some of key signatures/ time signatures can be a bit tricky to get your fingers around if your not familiar with them. All of that will come as you progress through your usual learning and development.

James Rae Studies

James Rae are modern studies for woodwind players, and they are fun to learn. There's two books (I think) for all woodwind instruments. Book one is beginner to intermediate level, and book two is more intermediate to advanced with some easier pieces. The James Rae studies are definitely on the more laid back side compared to the usual study books out there. 

If you are interested in learning an easier study, but your not too sure where to go for your chosen instrument I would recommend doing an search on the internet and see if you can find anything suitable for your playing style and ability.

Creating a Library for Your Sheet Music

Hi everyone,

In today's post I'm going to be talking about creating a library for your sheet music, so then that way you know where everything is and you know exactly where to look.

This is a recent addition to my own personal practice/ recording space, and I've organised it in a way so I know where everything is. Also, another really nice thing is about this book shelf is that I have now got room to expand my own personal sheet music collection.

I'm going to explain how I've sorted out my sheet music shelves from top to bottom.

Top Shelf

On the top shelf is a small amount of violin/ vocal/ piano sheet music, Trevor Wye Practice Books, compilations of easy to read sheet music, flute tutor methods such as 'A New Tune a Day' and 'Abracadabra', various scales and sight reading books. I also have a small amount of music literature and language books on this shelf.

Second Shelf

This shelf contains all of my flute study books, and these range from compilations of flute studies to flute studies by individual composers such as Andersen, Moyse and Gariboldi. I've also got my portable Bluetooth speaker on this shelf, as it comes in handy for when I want to use it with the TomPlay app.

Third Shelf

This shelf contains all of my flute pieces, and these range from easy to intermediate compilation books, Hal Leonard classic series and the Classical Players series, Disney, and also works by composers such as Bach, Mozart, Vivaldi and Chopin to name a few.

Bottom Shelf

This shelf contains a bit of mixture as it has the books for Piccolo practice, manuscript paper, Orchestral Excerpts, past exam material, and Music Theory books. There's also a small container that holds all of my cleaning essentials for my flute.

I love how easy it is for me for find exactly what it is that I'm looking for within my own personal sheet music collection, and this is with a small space.

If you are struggling to organise your sheet music try and see if you find a small space that would be suitable for organising your sheet music. It could even be just using a shelf or two, and use magazine files to help you to categorise your collection or small book shelf with the correct height and depth. The height of my shelves are the size of A4 plus one inch with a depth of 30cm to give you an idea on what you may need.

If you are learning multiple instruments you may want to do something similar to what have, but dedicate a shelf to each instrument to keep everything together.

This is just what I have decided to do with my own personal sheet music collection, and I know not everyone has a spare area to keep their sheet music organised. I've always tried to have some sort of organisation system in place, as I literally had a small square shelf in my other bedroom and I had to use magazine files to sort it to the best of my ability. I had to keep some of it in under bed boxes, as I had no room for all of it.

If you do want to organise your sheet music, but you're not sure then just start with a small space (if possible), and then take it from there. I would also recommend doing this, as it will also keep your sheet music in good condition.

 

ABRSM Practical Exam Materials

Hi everyone,

In this post I'm going to talk about the materials needed for your Practical ABRSM exams.

From doing a bit of research on the ABRSM UK website it turns out that you need a number of different books to work from to get the best out of your practical ABRSM exams.

Pieces (ABRSM publications)

There's a few ways to buy your chosen exam pieces, depending on your chosen instrument :-

- Exam Packs

- Exam Pieces

  - Part Only

  - Score & Part

Extended Repertoire

This is an extended list of repertoire that you can also choose from to form part of your exam to give yourself a little more choice. The extended repertoire lists can be found on the ABRSM website

Scales & Arpeggios

This varies depending on which instrument you are learning :-

- Grades grouped together such as Grades 1-3, Grades 1-5

- Individual Scales & Arpeggio books per Grade (1 book per Grade)

Sight Reading

This varies depending on which instrument you are learning :-

- Grades grouped together such as Grades 1-3, Grades 1-5

- Individual Sight Reading books per Grade (1 book per Grade)

Aural

This varies depending on which instrument you are learning :-

- Aural Training in Practice

- Specimen Aural Tests (with or without CDs)

These can either be purchased as a group of grades together such as Grades 1-3, Grades 1-5 or as individual Aural practice tests per Grade.

Learning & Practicing Scales & Arpeggios

Hi everyone,

In todays post I will be talking about learning and practicing your scales and arpeggios.

Within the Classical scale system you have 12 Major scales and arpeggios, and 12 Minor scales and arpeggios. If you are working through your grades you will gradually be introduced to different scales and arpeggios, and variations of those scales the more you progress.

The First Octave

To gain an understanding of scales and arpeggios just focus on the first octave of each scale. One octave scales are usually aimed at beginner players regardless of what instrument you are learning. Even as you progress onto the higher grades always start by learning the scale just by using the first octave, as this way it help to gain an understanding on where the scales/ arpeggios are going.

Second, Third and Fourth Octaves

Once you have become comfortable in playing the first octave, you can gradually start working on the second, third and fourth octaves. Don't push the third and fourth octave scales, as you may need the stamina to help you to build up to playing the third and fourth octaves.

Break the Scales/ Arpeggios Down

If you are struggling to get the grips of your scales and arpeggios, it might be worth trying to break the scales and arpeggios down into more manageable chunks. You might want to focus on breaking down the scales into three note phrases, or you might just want to focus on getting used to playing in the octave that you are struggling with. 

Articulate Your Scales and Arpeggios

You don't have to play your scales and arpeggios as written - you can use them to explore different articulation techniques. 

Different articulation includes :-

- Single notes/ tonguing

- Slurred

- Staccato

- Pizzicato

- Slurred/ Staccato

- Slurred groups of two/ three/ four notes

- Slurred ascending the scale; staccato descending the scale

Take Your Time

It's important to take your time when you learning and gaining an understanding of your scales. Its also important not to rush your scales, as this is how mistakes happen.

Gaining Confidence in Performing

Hi everyone,

In todays post I'm going to talk about developing and gaining confidence in performing, as this isn't something that naturally comes to everyone and that's okay.

You have been playing your musical instrument for a while, and you feel that you would to have a go at performing in front of a group of people. The fact that you have chosen to perform in front of a group of people is huge in itself, and that should give you a little confidence boost.

Find a Local Jam Night and/ or Open Mic Night

These are a really good way to start to develop your confidence in performing, as you are usually with another group of people who may or may not have performed before. It's also a really way for you to get some feedback on your performance in a relaxed atmosphere; and other people may give you some tips on performing along the way. It's also a great way to make new friends and to extend your support network.

Keep it Simple

For your first performance I would recommend that you keep it simple to see if you like it; and play a piece that you a familiar with. It doesn't matter if its a nursery rhyme or a short easy piece of classical music, as you need to make it a little bit easier to counteract the performance nerves. It also doesn't matter if you mess up or have a little fumble along the way - just try to play through it the best you can.

Gradually Extend your Performance Time

Rather than playing just the one piece, try and extend it to three pieces. This will also give you ability to start playing around with different performance themes such as Disney music and works from different composers/ genres. It should start to give you an idea on what you enjoy playing, and which performance areas you would like to explore in more depth.

Feedback from the Audience

This will just naturally happen from the audience that you have been performing in front of. If they are seasoned performers they might give you a few tips on what you can do better on ready for the next time you perform or piece/ song suggestions. Also, if there's any special performance events that are coming up that you might fancy performing in. They also have some information of other groups within your local area that specialise in your instrument, and who maybe looking for new members to join.

Instrumental Groups

In some areas they have groups dedicated to your chosen instrument, and these are usually local to you. If you are interested in joining a group that interests enquire about it through your local music store, and also through social media to get some information. Within these groups there's usually a performance aspect built in there, and you will have the same common interest of learning and playing the same instrument.

Take Your Time

When building up your confidence in performing, its important to take your time while performing. This is really hard to do, especially if you are performing in front of a group of people you have never performed in front of before. It's also important that you enjoy the experience, and take on as much feedback as you can. 

Performance Nerves

It is completely natural to feel nervous before a performance, and it doesn't matter how big or small your performance is. You will still feel a little bit nervous. All I can suggest is play through it the best you can, and the nerves should naturally pass the more you get into it. But, that may not always be the case for everyone, as everyone deals with performance nerves differently.

Deep Dive: Abracadabra

Hi everyone,

In todays post I'm going to be talking about the Abracadabra Tutor Book, which is available for a variety of different instruments.

The Abracadabra book is a great for starting out, if you fancy learning by using small pieces of music. There's also a separate Abracadabra Technique book to help you to develop your instrument techniques in an approachable manner.

Format

Throughout this method, it gradually introduces more notes for you to learn alongside short pieces of music for you to learn so then you can get used to playing those notes and what they sound like.

With the introduction of each new note that is introduced there is a finger chart to show you where to place your fingers on the instrument to get the corresponding note to sound.

Along with the introduction of learning and developing new notes, and pieces; you also get music theory included in small bursts explaining notes and their time values, time signatures and their time values, the stave, musical terms and what they mean, and techniques.

This is really approachable method if you fancy learning and exploring your instrument through short pieces and songs. Everything is also clearly laid out, and the explanations are short and to the point.

I would recommend the 'Abracadabra' method to younger learners, due to learning being through songs and short pieces and this will make learning a musical instrument an enjoyable experience.

Having an 'Off' Day

 Hi everyone,

In this post I'm going to talk about having an 'off' day in general, as it happens to all of us at some point. This could be due to just generally not feeling yourself, or you could be under the weather. It could also be that you could just do with a break away from things.

It's Okay to Have an 'Off' Day

We all experience having an 'off' day, and it's okay to have an 'off' day. These could be due to a number of reasons such as your general health, mental health or just waking up and feeling rubbish. 

Take Time Out from Doing Your Usual Routine

Try and tackle your 'off' day by doing something enjoyable, but do something that you wouldn't usually have time to do. This could be reading a book, going for walk, having a go at a new arts and crafts activity, go and explore outside your local area, easy exercises or yoga. You can also just have a nice and easy chill day to see if that might help.

Explore a New Music Genre

Listen to a genre of music that you're not familiar with or go an explore a composer that isn't familiar to you. You might not take to it straight away, but you might appreciate it later on. But, if you are musical and you enjoy listening to or learning a musical instrument it may come in handy somewhere down the line. Everyone has different music preferences, but its always nice to occasionally to go out and explore around those musical preferences.

Read a Book

If you enjoy reading and you haven't read for a while then take out a book that you have enjoyed reading in the past, and start reading it again. Or, you could always treat yourself to a new book from an author that you have never read anything from.

Make Your Favourite Beverage

If you fancy settling down with a book you might want to make your favourite non alcoholic beverage to go with it. This could be a making a latte using your coffee machine, a flavoured hot chocolate, a new flavour tea or just a good old 'English Breakfast' tea. Whatever is taking your fancy, and you have got the stuff in to make the beverage. Just make it, as it might make you feel a lot better.

Going for a Walk

This one might do you a world of good, as its getting you out of the house for a little bit. If you do decide to go for a walk, you may decide to do a local walking trail or go and visit a local park. Also, you may want to go just slightly out of your local area. If you do decide to go slightly outside your local area please make sure that you are familiar with the area that you are going, and that you are familiar with the safest routes to get back home safely. Also, make sure that you are prepared for your walk by taking a bottle or two of water and something to eat. Make sure that you are prepared with the correct clothes for that season. 

If you are having an 'off' day just remember that it's okay to have an 'off' day. Take time out for yourself to help you to back to your usual self. If you are having an 'off' day and you put yourself first, please remember that you aren't being selfish towards other people; but you are doing something for you to get yourself out of this 'rut' that you're in. There's nothing wrong with putting yourself and your overall wellbeing first, as you know your own body and mind.