Let's Explore: Abracadabra Tutor Method

Hi everyone,

In todays post we will be exploring the Abracadabra tutor method.

Layout

The Abracadabra Tutor method uses illustrations to demonstrate finger placements, as well as showing you how to put your flute together. This method is clear and concise as it uses large format staves and it also includes basic music theory throughout the book. The fact the staves are in a large format; the publisher understands that this book is aimed at beginner players, and players who might not be familiar with reading off a music stave.

Understanding the Method

This method mainly concentrates on learning through music and well known pieces, and there's very little in the way for you to learn and develop your technique. But it does contain music theory throughout the book and your scales and arpeggios are located at the back of the book.

  If you wanted to learn and develop on your instrument technique, then Abracadabra does offer a separate book that just focuses on technique only.

Is Abracadabra Fun to Learn from?

The Abracadabra tutor method starts you off with just getting used to the basics and reading from the stave, and then it slowly builds from there. The method does this by mainly focusing your learning through songs; which is a fun way to learn especially if you are just starting out on your instrument. It's also a fresh, modern approach to learning and starting out on a musical instrument. But, if you are looking for a more rounded approach for your learning it might be worth also purchasing a copy of 'Abracadabra Technique', so at least that way you can start to work on developing your technique on your instrument.

Performance Pieces for Beginners

Hi everyone,

In todays post I will be talking about performance pieces for beginners; and you might want to work some of these pieces alongside the tutor method that you are currently using.

I have chosen two performance pieces books from two really well known tutor methods. But in addition to these performance pieces books; 'Learn as You Play' by Peter Wastall has concert pieces after every few units.

'Abracadabra' Performance Pieces

Within this book there's quite a few well known classical pieces of music, and I would say that this book is aimed at beginners to early intermediate players. It also uses a large format stave to make it easier to understand for beginner learners.

Abracadabra Performance Pieces :-

- L'Arlesienne Suite No 1 (Bizet)

- Sarabande (Handel)

- Stick Dance (Bartok - duet)

- Spring Song (Bridge)

- Symphony No 40 (Mozart)

- Hora mit tsibeles (Traditional)

- Rondeau (Purcell - duet)

- Pastime with good company

- Piano Trio (Schubert)

- Et misericordia (J.S. Bach)

- Tango (Albeniz)

- The Old Castle (Mussorgsky)

- Chanson de matin (Elgar - duet)

- Danse Macabre (Saint-Saens)

'A New Tune a Day' Performance Pieces

This book contains 47 well known pieces of music from TV themes, traditional and classical music. The performance pieces book from 'A New Tune a Day' is aimed at the advanced beginner learner; and it also uses a large format stave. 

Both of these performance pieces books would be a brilliant addition to any tutor method that you are currently through. Most tutor methods do include short excerpts of well known pieces, but if you ever wanted to explore a little more and start to develop your confidence in performance then these books would be ideal for that. Most of the pieces are no more than two pages (depending on which book you choose to work from); also some of these pieces might challenge you and your current level of playing. But the aim of both of these books is for you to have fun while at the beginner to early intermediate level, and there's something for everyone.

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.