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Music Blog

Teaching tips, music theory, practice advice, and inspiration — from a working musician and teacher in Telford.

singing

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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practice

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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theory

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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choir

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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piano

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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Managing Performance Nerves: Practical Strategies That Actually Workperformance

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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It’s Not Too Late: Why Adults Make Excellent Piano Studentspiano

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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How to Read Music: A Beginner’s Guide That Actually Makes Sensemusic theory

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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Breathing for Singers: Why Posture Matters More Than You Thinksinging

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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Preparing for Your First ABRSM Exam: What to Expect and How to Get Readyexam prep

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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The 20-Minute Practice Rule: Making the Most of Limited Timepractice tips

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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What Makes a Great Male Voice Choir? Lessons from the Rehearsal Roomchoir

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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Understanding Intervals: The Building Blocks of Everything You Hearmusic theory

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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A Ten-Minute Vocal Warm-Up You Can Do Every Morningsinging

2 February 2026

A Ten-Minute Vocal Warm-Up You Can Do Every Morning

Ten minutes is enough to wake up the muscles, open up your range, and protect yourself from strain. Here is a routine I give to every vocal student.

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Five Beginner Piano Pieces That Sound Far Harder Than They Arepiano

26 January 2026

Five Beginner Piano Pieces That Sound Far Harder Than They Are

Some pieces sound complex but sit comfortably under beginner fingers. Here are five favourites that will have people asking how long you have been playing.

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