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Music transcription, also known as dictation, or simply writing-what-you-hear, is the art of notating music entirely by ear. Many musicians love to transcribe, while many musicians cringe and shudder, remembering music theory class and failed attempts at transcribing four minute bebop solos on the first attempt. Despite its dreadful reputation, transcribing is helpful for all […]
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Your preparation and organisation are forms of respect shown to your students and musicians. Your effort in preparation tells them that you respect their time, you’ve put thought into the time you’ll spend together, and that you don’t want to waste a single minute of your precious music-making time together. 1. Prepare Your Materials This […] -
As a leader, you understand how precious rehearsal time can be. So often, we feel like we don’t have enough time to perfect our music to meet our goals. Even worse, if your musicians aren’t receptive to your leadership style, you’ll feel like you’re wasting time. How can you achieve all of your rehearsal goals […] -
We’ve all been there: you have an exciting upcoming audition, you think you’re prepared, but something goes wrong. Maybe you don’t get a good response from the judges, or maybe you forgot something crucial in your preparation. No matter how many auditions you’ve had, these helpful tips will prepare you for all future opportunities! 1. […]
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Imagine this: you have the perfect rehearsal planned, you are completely prepared and organised, and then during your rehearsal, some major distraction occurs. Distractions can arise in many forms, from talking, electronic use, interruptions, etc. Staying on-track in your next rehearsal is crucial for accomplishing all of your rehearsal goals. Follow these three quick steps […] -
1. You’re in pain No, not emotional pain from practising chromatic exercises for the 6th hour in a row. We’re talking about physical, potentially damaging, pain. Depending on your instrument, various kinds of pain can arise from overplaying or from playing with improper technique. If you’re experiencing any kinds of bad pain in your arms, […] -
If you’re a musician, you’ve undoubtedly spent hundreds, thousands, or tens of thousands of hours perfecting your craft. Practising and growing musically is a lifelong journey, and the day-to-day routines are full of highs and lows (no pun intended). Your time is valuable; are you making the most out of your practice time? Follow these […]
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What musician doesn’t want stronger ears? Having stronger ear training skills positively impacts almost every aspect of your musicianship. If you want better tone, intonation, balance, blend, expression, compositions, or transcriptions, then ear training is for you. Here are 8 ways you can expand your ears today: 1. Sing before you play If you are […] -
When you create music for any musician, it needs to be as readable and fool-proof as possible. You might not always be there when someone is reading the music that you wrote, and you won’t always be able to correct people if they misunderstand your writing. For these reasons, it is crucial to understand these […]
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1. Maybe you aren’t ready This might be brutally honest: maybe you’re not ready. And that’s okay! It’s very normal to apply for all the best schools without being 100% sure that you can thrive in their environments. This does not mean you’re a bad musician. Many of the best musicians in the world (top […]
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Yep, you heard us. Your beloved music teacher might not feel so warm and fuzzy when they think about you and the joy you (don’t) bring into their classroom. Please note: your teacher doesn’t actually hate you. By being an educator, your teacher automatically loves you and wants what’s best for you during your school […] -
Many bands and musicians after toiling away on the gig circuit are likely to get their first taste of “success” by being offered a management deal. Having booked your own gigs and public appearances you are naturally going to be more than happy to get such a deal. There is no doubt that having management […] -
Practising plays a critical role in the development of any skill! How good are you at balancing a spoon on your nose? How good are you at riding a unicycle?
