Music Blog
Teaching tips, music theory, practice advice, and inspiration — from a working musician and teacher in Telford.
22 June 2026
How to Sing in Tune When You Think You Can't
Almost everyone who thinks they are tone-deaf is not. With a few targeted habits, most adults can dramatically improve their pitch within a few weeks.
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15 June 2026
Hand Independence at the Piano: Why It's Hard and How to Train It
Hand independence is the skill that separates beginners from confident pianists. It feels impossible at first — and then, with the right practice, it suddenly is not.
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8 June 2026
Understanding Time Signatures: More Than Just Counting to Four
Time signatures are usually taught as "count to four, then start again". That description is technically true and musically useless. Here is what they actually tell you.
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1 June 2026
Sight-Singing for Choir Members: You Can Learn This
Sight-singing feels like a mystical skill that some people have and others do not. It is not. It is a learnable technique — and choir members pick it up faster than they expect.
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25 May 2026
Why Every Musician Should Keep a Practice Journal
A practice journal is the single cheapest, simplest tool for improving faster. Most musicians never keep one. Here is what to record and why it matters.
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18 May 2026
ABRSM Aural Tests Demystified: What Examiners Are Actually Listening For
Aural tests are the part of the ABRSM exam students dread most. They should not be — examiners are listening for something much simpler than students imagine.
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11 May 2026
When to Use the Sustain Pedal (and When to Put Your Foot Away)
The sustain pedal is one of the most misused controls on the piano. Most students overuse it, some avoid it entirely, and few are taught how it actually works.
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4 May 2026
Finding Your Head Voice: What It Is and How to Access It
Most singers are not using their full range — they are pushing chest voice higher and higher rather than switching into head voice. Here is how to find it.
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27 April 2026
How to Learn a Piece From Scratch: A Step-by-Step Approach
Most students sit down with new music and start playing from bar one. That is the slowest possible way to learn a piece. Here is a better approach.
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20 April 2026
What Is the Circle of Fifths and Why Should You Care?
The Circle of Fifths looks intimidating at first — but it is really just a map of how keys relate to one another. Here is why it is worth learning.
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13 April 2026
How to Join a Choir When You Think You Are Not Good Enough
The most common reason people do not join a choir is not lack of interest — it is the belief that they cannot sing well enough. Here is why that should not stop you.
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6 April 2026
Why Scales Are Not the Enemy (And How to Make Them Actually Useful)
Most piano students dread scales — but the problem is not scales themselves. It is how they are usually taught. Here is how to make them genuinely useful.
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30 March 2026
Managing Performance Nerves: Practical Strategies That Actually Work
Performance anxiety affects everyone. The good news is that it is manageable with practical strategies that genuinely reduce the grip that nerves have on your playing.
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23 March 2026
It’s Not Too Late: Why Adults Make Excellent Piano Students
Adults are, in many ways, better learners than children. And the joy of playing the piano does not come with an age limit.
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16 March 2026
How to Read Music: A Beginner’s Guide That Actually Makes Sense
Learning to read music can feel like learning a new language. But the basics are surprisingly straightforward.
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9 March 2026
Breathing for Singers: Why Posture Matters More Than You Think
Good breath support starts long before you inhale. It starts with how you stand. Fix the posture, and the breathing very often fixes itself.
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2 March 2026
Preparing for Your First ABRSM Exam: What to Expect and How to Get Ready
Graded music exams are a fantastic way to measure progress. If you have never taken one before, here is everything you need to know.
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23 February 2026
The 20-Minute Practice Rule: Making the Most of Limited Time
Twenty minutes of focused, structured practice is worth more than sixty minutes of aimless playing. Here is how to use that time well.
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16 February 2026
What Makes a Great Male Voice Choir? Lessons from the Rehearsal Room
The best ensembles are not necessarily the ones with the most talented singers. The choirs that really shine share qualities that go beyond hitting the right notes.
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9 February 2026
Understanding Intervals: The Building Blocks of Everything You Hear
An interval is the distance between two notes. Within that simple concept lies the foundation of melody, harmony, and the entire emotional language of music.
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