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.

My 'Abracadabra' Collection

Hi everyone,

In todays post I will be talking about my collection of books from 'Abracadabra'.

'Abracadabra' Tutor Method

This is the original book from 'Abracadabra', and this focuses on learning and developing on your instrument through songs and well known pieces. It also has basic music theory throughout the book, along with illustrated diagrams to show you where to place your fingers. There's also a small selection of Scales & Arpeggios at the back of the book. The one thing that I have only just noticed is that it doesn't contain a section about looking after your instrument or any demonstration about how to put your instrument together.

'Abracadabra' Technique

The section about looking after your instrument, and putting your instrument together is within this book. In my opinion it should be within both books because a beginner isn't going to know that the relevant information they need to look after their instrument is within a different book (especially if they are teaching themselves).

This book goes from making a sound on your instrument, playing slurred, staccato and legato, playing loud and soft; as well as intervals. It focuses on developing your technique by using songs and well known pieces.

'Abracadabra' Performance Pieces

The 'Abracadabra' performance pieces book is a book that contains well known and traditional pieces for you to work on, and maybe start developing your performance skills. It's also a nice book if you fancied trying out a little bit of classical music, as they are simplified versions of well known pieces. It also contains a small selection of duets that you could learn alongside with your teacher or a friend.

'Abracadabra' Christmas

This is a selection of well known Christmas Carols and songs that have been simplified for a beginner to intermediate learner. This book also contains a few duets that you learn either with your teacher or a friend.

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.