Let's Explore: Abracadabra Tutor Method

Hi everyone,

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

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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.

Let's Explore: 'Learn As You Play' by Peter Wastall

Hi everyone,

In todays post we will be exploring 'Learn as You Play' by Peter Wastall.

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Within 'Learn as you Play' it offers illustrations to demonstrate how to look after your flute, holding the flute and finger placements. It also offers large format staves to make it easier for a beginner to understand reading from a stave. It also offers a mixture of exercises and pieces, along with basic music theory throughout the method. The newer addition of 'Learn as you Play' is so much more clearer and concise; as its now been updated for a more modern feel. Also, the latest addition also has a CD included with it.

Understanding the Method

'Learn as you Play' features classical and traditional pieces, as well as exercises that focus on scales, arpeggios, and technique. You also have a finger placement chart and additional music theory located at the back of the book. 'Learn as you Play' is a very well established method, as its been used for decades.

Is 'Learn as you Play' Fun to Learn from?

'Learn as you Play' features a Prep unit before you even start working on unit 1. Within each unit features a mixture of exercises and pieces. What is really nice about 'Learn as you Play' is after you have worked through a certain of number of units, you have the option to learn Concert Pieces which fit into the units that you have worked through. 'Learn as you Play' is definitely a more traditional approach when it comes to learning an instrument, but because that it has recently been given a more modern look, and a fresher feel it still makes it feel really approachable.

Let's Explore: 'A New Tune a Day' Tutor Method

Hi everyone,

In todays post we will be exploring 'A New Tune a Day' tutor method.

Layout

The 'A New Tune a Day' tutor method uses photographs to demonstrate how to put your flute together, looking after your flute and also finger placements. It's a clear and concise method that uses large format staves, and it also has basic music theory throughout the method. It has a mixture of pieces and exercises. It also has a free finger placement chart included, which is located at the middle of the book.

Understanding the Method

This method offers a mixture of pieces, exercises, scales and arpeggios throughout the book; as well as basic music theory. The exercises within this method will help you with your technical development; even though a few of the exercises might be a bit challenging at first. As whole it covers a wide range for someone whose just starting to learn a musical instrument. Also, for some instruments 'A New Tune a Day' as a method has more than one book, but in some cases you may also be able to buy the method as one complete book, rather than two separate books; which will actually work out a bit cheaper for you. It just depends on which instrument you are learning, as in some cases its just one stand alone method.

Is 'A New Tune a Day' Fun to Learn from?

'A New Tune a Day' is broken up into units, and each unit focuses on a certain aspect of your development. These units can be a mix of exercises, pieces and scales; depending on where you are up to within the method. It also slowly builds on what you have previously learnt earlier on within the method. You also have goals throughout the method to give you something to aim for. The exercises located throughout the method will get you to gradually explore and understand your instrument more, and these may also be a little challenging. There's some scales within the method, but it does depend on which unit you are working through; as not all units offer scales.

  This is a fresh, modern way of learning an musical instrument, which also goes in depth but while at the same time without being overwhelming for a beginner.