The Practice BlogThe Practice Blog is an ongoing music practice resource for students, teachers, parents and anybody involved in music who needs to practice. RSS (for more information about RSS and how to use it click on the blue ? above the orange RSS button) is used to update you when I have updated the blog – kind of like an automatic bookmark that only appears when there is something new to see. Of course, you will probably want to bookmark the Essential Music Practice Homepage as well so it is available for reference at all times!. You can also click on one of the buttons below if you use igoogle or a similar service and just follow the instructions.
So what will the Music Practice Blog do for me? It will...
Jan 12, 2010, Zoom Digital Recorder ReviewsZoom digital recorder reviews. A digital audio recorder can be a huge asset to your practice. This page gives an overview of the zoom digital recorder range including the zoom h2, zoom h4 and zoom h4n Permalink -- click for full blog post "Zoom Digital Recorder Reviews" Jan 11, 2010, Zoom H2 ReviewThe Zoom H2 is a great portable digital audio recorder. 4 microphones giving 360° one-touch recording, compact size, 26 bit 96KHz recording. Read more about the Zoom H2 here. Permalink -- click for full blog post "Zoom H2 Review" Jan 10, 2010, Zoom H4n ReviewThe Zoom H4n is an advanced handy recorder with a huge array of features. It is also a great music practice tool. Read a review of the Zoom H4n here. Permalink -- click for full blog post "Zoom H4n Review" Dec 16, 2009, Transcribe MusicBeing able to transcribe music is an important skill, especially for composers and jazz musicians. Here is a guide on how to transcribe music and reviews of music transcription software. Permalink -- click for full blog post "Transcribe Music" Dec 13, 2009, Lesson notes and practice targets now available on AmazonThe Lesson notes and practice targets book is now available from Amazon.com. The price is the same ($15.95). Lesson notes and practice targets helps both teachers and students organise music practice more effectively with separate pages for notes on playing, targets for the week and planning practice. Click here to read more about Lesson notes and practice targets. Dec 12, 2009, Music Practice BooksGeneral music practice books on how to practice as well as books focusing on specific areas of practice such as sight reading, group practice, improvisation and memorization. Permalink -- click for full blog post "Music Practice Books" Dec 10, 2009, Digital Audio RecorderRecording practice is very beneficial, and while a high quality digital audio recorder isn't necessary it is certainly very useful. This page contains information and reviews of a variety of models. Permalink -- click for full blog post "Digital Audio Recorder" Oct 31, 2009, Sheet MusicThere is more sheet music available than ever before both online and in traditional printed formats. Here is some information on the best places to buy and download free sheet music. Permalink -- click for full blog post " Sheet Music" Sep 26, 2009, Downloads page links fixedThanks to Perfect Practice ezine subscriber Bethany for letting me know there were a couple of problems on the site and with the last ezine edition. These are now fixed. All the downloadable music sheets are available again on the practice planning charts page
Sorry for any inconvenience (or frustration!) with these links not working. Simon Permalink -- click for full blog post "Downloads page links fixed" Sep 13, 2009, SMART Music GoalsIf having clear music goals is the fuel that drives your progress, setting SMART goals is like fitting a turbo charger! Permalink -- click for full blog post "SMART Music Goals" Sep 10, 2009, Lesson Notes and Practice TargetsThe way your music lesson notes are recorded during music lessons can have a great effect on whether you achieve your practice targets each week. Essential reading for all music teachers and students. Permalink -- click for full blog post "Lesson Notes and Practice Targets" Jul 4, 2009, Google Verification
Permalink -- click for full blog post "Google Verification" Jun 21, 2009, Thank you!
Thank you to everyone who helped out with the Lesson Notes Booklet survey. It seems most people prefer the one year version, although a few people did point out that although the year was their preference it would be useful to have the one term booklet available for the times students begin halfway through the year and for younger students. I am just waiting for the print proofs to come so I can check the printing and layout. These should be with me in about a week, and as soon as I have checked them I will make Lesson Notes and Practice Targets available on the site. Thanks again for your help! Simon May 29, 2009, Simon HorseySimon Horsey built the Essential Music Practice site to help music students develop the music practice skills needed to make faster, more effective progress. Permalink -- click for full blog post "Simon Horsey" May 20, 2009, Practice Makes PerfectPractice Makes Perfect is the book that teaches you how to practice. This book is all you need to stop working hard and start working smart. Permalink -- click for full blog post "Practice Makes Perfect" May 19, 2009, Piano course sale
I am in the process of writing some content pages focusing on piano practice technique. Since I am aware that some readers of Essential Music Practice are self taught, or looking for extra support with their lessons, I decided to have a look at a few of the 'online piano courses' available. I will be publishing my reviews on the site soon...however, a quick heads up to those pianists who are interested in extra support or online lessons... Rocket Piano is on sale for $39.95 at the moment. This is a significant discount and although I am only half way through a full review of the course I have been impressed so far. This price is listed as lasting until May 22nd on the site so if you are interested Click Here to go to the Rocket Piano site now. I will be posting my full (already favourable) review in the new 'piano' section of the site soon. May 16, 2009, Text only version of Practice Makes Perfect
There is a text only version of my new eBook Practice Makes Perfect coming soon... Following the release of Practice Makes Perfect with a free copy of the text only version included, lots of people emailed me and asked if they could buy the text only version. Initially the text only version was a free accompaniment to the full eBook - however after so many requests I am in the process of making this available as a separate purchase. I am currently setting up the cart pages and it should be available in a few days for the bargain price of $9.97. I will, of course, post to my RSS feed when the book is available so watch this space! Permalink -- click for full blog post "Text only version of Practice Makes Perfect" May 12, 2009, Essential music practice techniques for all instruments.Only effective music practice makes perfect. This site shows you how to practice more efficiently and effectively for more progress in less time. Permalink -- click for full blog post "Essential music practice techniques for all instruments." May 6, 2009, New place to buy music with FREE DELIVERY WORLDWIDE!
I am always on the lookout for cheaper, more convenient ways to buy sheet music online. Yes, I like to go to a music shop and browse sometimes, but I also want a way to buy sheet music and music books online that is quick, efficient and as cheap as possible (while retaining an excellent service - which I don't mind paying for).
Hence, being told about The Book Depository gave me a big smile as I found their prices extremely competitive and they offer FREE WORLDWIDE DELIVERY! I decided to test them out so searched for several books I recommend to piano students such as A Dozen A Day, the every popular Inner Game of Music and the excellent book by Sandor On Piano Playing. Each book was available for delivery within 24 hours (even the Sandor) and at a good price (with the free delivery of course!) I also found the design of the site much cleaner and less cluttered than Amazon. I wasn't told how I could buy one 'New and used from...'or bombarded with lots of different publications. Perfect! Next time you are thinking of buying a book online, no matter where you are in the world, you'd be wise to check out The Book Depository during your search! Apr 30, 2009, Inspiring TED Talk by Benjamin Zander
Benjamin Zander is the conductor of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and teaches interpretation classes at the New England Conservatory as well as conducting their orchestra. I love his 'one buttock player' demonstration in the video. In terms of music practice I will be showing this to my students to remind them how practice needs to be musical and to listen to the way their sound. It's also a great advocate for videoing students to help them move away from the 'head bobbing on each beat' phase. There is something for us all to learn in this video - whether we are 'classical' musician or not! I think he may well have converted a few of the audience to classical music! Enjoy! P.S. Just something I have noticed...I tend to show my students videos like this from YouTube as opposed to giving them the link. I find when I give the link they often return with four or five other links, instead of returning to tell me how they were inspired to start practising straight after seeing the video! I find this site where you can download YouTube videos very useful for this.
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