Ugo Onwutalu

Many people want to learn blues piano but don't know where to start. They get overwhelmed with the technical dazzle of the performer and their ability to improvise easily. Don't be put off. The easier and simple way lies below.

Do you get nervous deciding what are the best pieces to play for your audition/exam/competition? Perhaps you want to make the best impression without taking too much of a risk. It needn't be a minefield if you follow these tips below:

As the beginning of my other article on practice says: "practice is a dirty word". The realisation that you'll have to put in the time (in particular, hours) to get the results you want, stop many dead in their tracks before they even set foot near their instrument. It gets all too easy to 'do it later/tomorrow/in the coming days/week' etc. Before you know it, what you should have done today becomes what you should have done this WEEK, but as yet, you stll haven't 'got round to doing.

This article is aimed at teachers and pupils on how to use audio to help learning of songs on piano. It is important for the pupil to be able on some level to develop good aural skills in order for them to play their favourite songs. This means they should be working on: recognising notes scales understanding key signatures and what they mean intervals rhythm as well as being able to sing back a melody they hear or clap a beat.

Over the years I have experimented with different ways to get myself to practice. I have tried practicing after teaching and in the early morning. Everyone's circumstances are different but if you are like most people, you · Either have a 9-5 job which leaves a limited amount of time to practice, usually after work. Or: · are a full time student

Finding the right piano (or even music instrument) teacher will have a very important impact on you or child's learning and the way you or they view music in the future. Selecting the wrong tutor may even cause an aversion to learning due to the bad experience. Trust also plays a very important part in selecting a piano teacher as do confidence in their abilities. The challenge is in the beginning when you find there are endless teachers around yet where do you start?

The word "exam" strikes fear in the hearts of many. Of course it doesn't have to be that way if you approach it with the right attitude.

Getting noticed and being seen as influential in your field is essential for success, especially in the music industry. Follow these 5 tips consistently and notice your influence grow.

If you are learning/play a musical instrument, take note, your body is sacred. This is because the act requires certain physical movements as well as a level of endurance, strength and flexibility, especially in practice where repetition is the norm.

The importance of choosing the right music course cannot be overestimated. It is an obvious point that would scarecely need stating if it wasn't for the number of students I've met who have told me they regretted what they studied because either it did not lead to the career opportunities they hoped it would or they did not enjoy the course as much as they thought they would. The end result is regret, unfulfilled hopes and an expensive debt to pay over time.