The Practice Blog

Jan 12, Zoom Digital Recorder Reviews

Tue, 12 Jan 2010 11:52:48 GMT

Zoom 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

Jan 11, Zoom H2 Review

Mon, 11 Jan 2010 15:37:21 GMT

The 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.

Jan 10, Zoom H4n Review

Sun, 10 Jan 2010 21:04:01 GMT

The 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.

Dec 16, Transcribe Music

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 20:26:15 GMT

Being 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.

Dec 13, Lesson notes and practice targets now available on Amazon

Sun, 13 Dec 2009 15:34:44 GMT

The 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, Music Practice Books

Sat, 12 Dec 2009 13:31:52 GMT

General 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.

Dec 10, Digital Audio Recorder

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 21:48:12 GMT

Recording 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.

Oct 31, Sheet Music

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 14:41:07 GMT

There 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.

Sep 26, Downloads page links fixed

Sat, 26 Sep 2009 16:58:49 GMT

Thanks 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

Sep 13, SMART Music Goals

Sun, 13 Sep 2009 16:11:37 GMT

If having clear music goals is the fuel that drives your progress, setting SMART goals is like fitting a turbo charger!

Sep 10, Lesson Notes and Practice Targets

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 15:49:38 GMT

The 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.

Jul 4, Google Verification

Sat, 04 Jul 2009 09:29:50 GMT

Jun 21, Thank you!

Sun, 21 Jun 2009 15:42:49 GMT

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, Simon Horsey

Fri, 29 May 2009 11:53:08 GMT

Simon Horsey built the Essential Music Practice site to help music students develop the music practice skills needed to make faster, more effective progress.

May 20, Practice Makes Perfect

Wed, 20 May 2009 09:42:42 GMT

Practice 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.

May 19, Piano course sale

Tue, 19 May 2009 10:10:23 GMT

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, Text only version of Practice Makes Perfect

Sat, 16 May 2009 22:59:06 GMT

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!

May 12, Essential music practice techniques for all instruments.

Tue, 12 May 2009 15:38:02 GMT

Only effective music practice makes perfect. This site shows you how to practice more efficiently and effectively for more progress in less time.

May 6, New place to buy music with FREE DELIVERY WORLDWIDE!

Wed, 06 May 2009 11:56:27 GMT

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, Inspiring TED Talk by Benjamin Zander

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 10:34:45 GMT

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.

Apr 27, Electronic or clockwork metronome

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 14:49:05 GMT

Should you buy a traditional clockwork metronome or a modern electronic type? This page helps you answer the electronic or clockwork metronome question!

Apr 27, Use a metronome

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 14:44:50 GMT

A metronome is a must have when practicing. Not, as many people think to make sure you are keeping up when playing fast... but to make sure you are keeping time when playing SLOW!

Apr 27, Which Metronome Should I Buy?

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 14:33:31 GMT

There are many different metronome models around with many different features, so which metronome should you buy? Here is a guide to buying a metronome which looks at what features you can get for you

Apr 24, Instrument fingering charts on iPhone/iPod Touch

Fri, 24 Apr 2009 12:07:23 GMT

Having found Rhythm in Reach I checked out the developers other software and found Instruments in reach. This is a free app that gives basic fingering charts for band instruments. Ideal for elementary/middle school band students or any beginners this is a must download, especially since the price is:FREE!

According to the developer a more advanced app is in development. This will be great if it includes all those little used alternative trill fingerings and altissimo sax fingerings! One to watch!

Apr 24, Great way to learn about rhythm

Fri, 24 Apr 2009 12:02:16 GMT

I have just found out about the Rhythm In Reach application for the iPhone/iPod Touch in the iTunes App store. This is a fantastic application to help students learn about how to read and play rhythms.

This is the description of the game from the iTunes store:
Users first select from 4 different time signatures available (2/4, 3/4, 4/4, 6/8) and then pick a level to play. A rhythmic pattern is then shown that is to be played using the touch pad. When the user is ready to begin an audible and visual metronome counts down and continues during gameplay. Scoring is awarded based on accuracy and level. An error screen lets users know EXACTLY where mistakes were made so that corrections can be made in the future.

The parents who told me about this was raving about how his son spent time playing it and teaching him (the parent) about the note values and how to play the game and there is no better way to learn than by teaching someone else!

I have just downloaded the app. It is £2.39, which is less than the price of a piece of sheet music, and I am already impressed...and disappointed I didn't manage a 100 score straight off!

I will post a more indepth review on the site when I have used it for a while. Early indications are I will definitely be recommending this to all my iPhone/iPod Touch owning students!

Apr 8, Stay Motivated

Wed, 08 Apr 2009 21:39:30 GMT

It is important to stay motivated when learning a musical instrument, even when you seem to have reached a plateau and feel you are going nowhere.

Mar 22, Site Search

Sun, 22 Mar 2009 22:30:26 GMT

Essential Music Practice is the best place for tips and advice on music practice. Search the site here.

Mar 22, Download Sheet Music

Sun, 22 Mar 2009 20:26:34 GMT

The web is full of places to download sheet music, some free and some for sale but not all of it the same quality. Here are the resources to ensure you are getting the best sheet music available.

Feb 11, GarageBand 09

Wed, 11 Feb 2009 16:53:16 GMT

I have just been playing with the new version of GarageBand. WOW! Aside from the usual easy to use 'it just works' functionality the new lessons feature is amazing. Read the macworld review of the beginners piano and guitar lessons here and there is a detailed review of the artist lessons at music radar.

The Music Radar review is the one that prompted me to have a look at the new 'learn to play' side of GarageBand, which I was a little dubious of. I already use GarageBand when teaching beginners composition and for recording practice and lessons but the new guitar and piano lessons are excellent. I watched the Norah Jones lesson which was excellent, well structured and a great resource for those who would like to play in her style.

For Mac users... a must buy. For Windows users...another reason to consider adding a Mac to your set up for music!

Interesting to note that as Microsoft are selling us automated backing tracks just by humming a few tunes at the computer, Apple are teaching us how to play real instruments...

Feb 11, Recording Practice

Wed, 11 Feb 2009 15:55:07 GMT

Recording practice is an excellent way to evaluate what needs to be practiced. We often hear mistakes in recordings we didn't hear when playing. These Mac and PC programs will help!

Feb 11, Practice Tracks

Wed, 11 Feb 2009 15:29:06 GMT

One problem can be rehearsing alone. There are several ways to solve this with practice tracks. This page reviews the best.

Feb 4, Kids and Practice

Wed, 04 Feb 2009 21:53:45 GMT

Kids and practice sometimes don't mix. They say they want to learn, but they never practice! Here's some advice to help encourage them.

Jan 29, Set your musical goals

Thu, 29 Jan 2009 16:34:23 GMT

Knowing your musical goals is one of the most important steps in achieving them. If you don't know where you are heading, how can you expect to get there? Find out how important practice goals are.