Past Blog Posts

Learn to play classical music

Classical music is experiencing something of a comeback. The style has always been fairly popular, but in recent years classical music has moved into the spotlight.

Of course, the definition of classical music is very broad: the term is generally used to describe most music produced between 1550 and 1900, although purists would say that the true Classical Period refers to the years 1750-1820: Mozart's heyday. Whichever definition you choose to adopt, however, the scope of classical music is vast and its influences are still strong today.

Think, for example, about how Pavarotti brought opera music into the pop charts with his rendition of Nessun Dorma, or how Charlotte Church and Katharine Jenkins have shown that the classical repertoire can be enjoyed and performed by young and trendy people.

With classical record sales on the rise accordingly and TV programmes like The Choir and Popstar to Opera Star focusing on classical music, there have never been more op... Read More »

Wind instruments: not a load of hot air

If you're thinking of introducing your child to a wind instrument, or indeed taking up lessons yourself, then you've got a lot of fun ahead of you.

Wind instruments are typically split into two types: brass and woodwind instruments. Brass instruments include the trombone, tuba and trumpet whilst woodwind instruments include the flute, recorder and saxophone.

Typically, these are really fun instruments to learn. The recorder in particular is a great introduction to music for primary school children, although d... Read More »

Debate of the week: If music be the food of education

The provision of music tuition in schools has decreased in recent years. Whether that's individual instrument lessons or group singing lessons, it seems that music just isn't on the menu when it comes to many pupils' educational diets.

It seems as though this is a trend that we need to reverse. According to a recent study by the University of the Arts, London, learning a musical instrument at primary school can boost a child's confidence and learning in other areas. Children across 6,500 schools in England, Wales and Northern Ireland currently take part in a government-funded scheme to teach pupils how to play instruments in a group. Their teachers, when questioned as part of the study, reported that participation in this group led to more positive attitudes to learning and improved motivation in other subjects.

Teachers also commented on ... Read More »

5 best-selling British music artists

The British music scene has always had a healthy following across the globe, more often than not dominating the charts in numerous countries. Following on from last week's feature on the Music Year, we take a look at five of the richest bands and musicians who have all flown the flag for the UK across the world and the famous albums by which they made their name...

The Beatles - Studio albums: Please Please Me (1963) With The Beatles (1963) A Hard Day's Night (1964) Beatles For Sale (1964) Help! (1965) Rubber Soul (1965) Revolver (1966) Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967) Magical Mystery Tour (1967) The White Album (1968) Yellow Subm... Read More »