Comments for Musicroom Blog - Notes for Musicians

Comment on David Blunkett calls government music plan ‘dishonest’ by Emma Cooper

Emma Cooper — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 11:21:49 +0000

The National Music Plan presents a very positive message about the importance of music in schools, one which has been widely welcomed. It presents a vision for more equal music education provision, and for all children to have access to learn an instrument and be part of some form of choir during their schooling. The Government’s draft framework further backs music in schools by retaining a place for it on the mandatory curriculum at KS2 and KS3, and suggests a statutory requirement for Arts provision at KS4. There are far more opportunities now than when I was at school for students with a range of interests and not just those who play traditional orchestral instruments – for example the Music BTEC and Music Practitioner qualifications, which have been kept on the shortlist of vocational qualifications contributing to league tables (until 2014 at least), Music Technology, fast growing in popularity, and students can even beatbox or DJ for their GCSE in Music.

While there are significant cuts in funding on the way, we are, after all, in times of economic difficulty. It is hoped that the new Hubs system will help organisations and practitioners in music education make more efficient use of the funding available. Through collaborative ventures, hubs will augment music in schools “so that more children experience a combination of classroom teaching, instrumental and vocal tuition and input from professional musicians” (NMP). Hubs will also endeavour to provide “high quality, coherent and comprehensive” music education, to quote Jonathan Savage, whose Hub bid I have been following with interest on his blog – looking at the exciting and wide-ranging list of partners involved in the Cheshire East bid demonstrates how these hubs could really maximise the possibilities and reach of music education for all students.

Comment on David Blunkett calls government music plan ‘dishonest’ by Anonymous

Anonymous — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 17:12:39 +0000

In my experience music in Schools favours those whose parents made them have lessons in something when they were younger while leaving everyone else fall by the wayside.

Comment on Does playing a musical instrument help your hearing? by DJ equipment

DJ equipment — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 04:47:35 +0000

Musicians have a much higher risk of hearing loss that most people do, and many of us don’t really wear proper hearing protection. Even just listening to an iPod for an extended period of time can permanently damage your hearing. We also gradually lose our high-frequency hearing as we age.

Comment on 5 tips on how to serenade that special someone on Valentines Day! by Marianne Rizkallah

Marianne Rizkallah — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 12:21:21 +0000

“Girl on the platform’s smile…”

*shudders*

Comment on Man seeks musician on Tube for mutual partnership by Kieran

Kieran — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 15:34:48 +0000

Such wonderful spirit! Good luck to him and all who aid him in this truly eccentric and wholesomely British endeavour!

Comment on The parent’s guide to purchasing your child’s first instrument: the ukulele by spek

spek — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 12:21:34 +0000

Uke, much more relevent today than a recorder.

Comment on Finding a voice: the benefits of learning to play music for children with autism by Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 19:03:46 +0000

My son has Asberger’s and he loves music. He would rather listen and work out how to play something by ear rather than read music , although he is doing well in exams (working on Grade 5 cello and grade 3 piano at age 11). He loves picking out tunes on a guitar or keyboard and when he is feeling a bit stressed will often go to his room and just make music on his keyboard.

Comment on The Jessie Rose Trip – The Cordless Show by Snowflake

Snowflake — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 13:21:08 +0000

These videos are amazing!!!!! When are there going to be some more, would love to see how musicians are using these instruments.

Comment on Boss TU-3 Chromatic Tuner by Chromatic tuner

Chromatic tuner — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 09:16:25 +0000

This model is really good. I use it to play in a band with my friends. It works very easy. Everyone I have tried to use it.

Comment on Exeter School of Samba by anti-bullying workshop

anti-bullying workshop — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 13:18:53 +0000

Great post, do you mind if I re-blog this (with full attribution and linking)? I really want to share it with my readers, they would find it very useful.

Comment on Discover Trinity Guildhall Music Exams! by Barry Hayden

Barry Hayden — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 22:12:35 +0000

I am surprised Trinity are expanding their exam “net”, when they are unable to cope with the demand for the lesser instruments in the provinces.

The result is that they use alternative examiners.

This came to light at the last round of examinations when a Grade 4 student failed his examination – much to my surprise. Upon investigation I discovered he had been examined by a violinist!

Students should expect to be examined by their peers – Trinity charge enough for the process!

Barry C. Hayden
Classic Guitar Studios

Comment on Young singers sought by Youth Music for London Cultural Olympiad festival by Bethia Coates

Bethia Coates — Sun, 15 May 2011 14:27:30 +0000

Thank you I am going to vlog all of my experiences on my youtube channel ^^^ the first one is up now. x

Comment on Young singers sought by Youth Music for London Cultural Olympiad festival by Musicroom

Musicroom — Fri, 13 May 2011 07:38:58 +0000

That’s amazing- well done you

Comment on Young singers sought by Youth Music for London Cultural Olympiad festival by Bethia Coates

Bethia Coates — Thu, 12 May 2011 20:25:59 +0000

IM IN!!!!! x

Comment on Young singers sought by Youth Music for London Cultural Olympiad festival by Bethia Coates

Bethia Coates — Thu, 05 May 2011 14:04:05 +0000

http://www.youtube.co.uk/musicalbethia will keep you updated! should hear in about a week…. x

Comment on Young singers sought by Youth Music for London Cultural Olympiad festival by Musicroom

Musicroom — Tue, 03 May 2011 13:55:29 +0000

Can you send us a link to your youtube channel? Keep us updated on how you get on!

Comment on Young singers sought by Youth Music for London Cultural Olympiad festival by Bethia Coates

Bethia Coates — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 14:47:16 +0000

i havent got any of the actual day but i have the songs that i sang on my youtube channel if that’s any good? :s musicalbethia – type in to youtube and lots of videos of me singing will come up- although some of them are rather dated and my voice has changed a lot since some of them! x

Comment on Young singers sought by Youth Music for London Cultural Olympiad festival by Musicroom

Musicroom — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 14:48:54 +0000

Fantastic- have you got any videos of it all that you can share?

Comment on Young singers sought by Youth Music for London Cultural Olympiad festival by Bethia Coates

Bethia Coates — Sat, 23 Apr 2011 19:26:19 +0000

nationals went well!! erm i sang when you believe by mariah carey and whitney houston and people get ready by eva cassidy…. just waiting to hear now and if i get through i think there’s one more round of auditions- the finals…. i feel like im on glee or something lol so yeah, fingers crossed! x

Comment on Young singers sought by Youth Music for London Cultural Olympiad festival by Musicroom

Musicroom — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 16:13:36 +0000

Fantastic news- what have you chosen to sing?

Comment on Young singers sought by Youth Music for London Cultural Olympiad festival by Bethia Coates

Bethia Coates — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 18:38:45 +0000

I’M THROUGH TO NATIONALS! I only know one other person who’s going :s so am a bit nervous. The auditions have been changed to Leeds and they are on Thursday. I have to sing 2 contrasting songs that are two minutes each and have a 5 min interview and group auditions… I hope they like my song choice :s I will keep you updated as to how the nationals go!

Comment on Young singers sought by Youth Music for London Cultural Olympiad festival by Musicroom

Musicroom — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 16:23:16 +0000

That’s fantastic- well done Bethia! Keep us updated on how the London auditions go if you get there. Good luck!

Comment on Young singers sought by Youth Music for London Cultural Olympiad festival by Bethia Coates

Bethia Coates — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 21:01:28 +0000

i have been shortlisted for nationals!! just waiting to hear if i have definately got an audition (which are being held in London). erm only 18 of us got through to regionals in manchester and we did group work on songs then they asked us to improvise and they ‘explored’ our voices was great. SO hope I get through! fingers crossed!

Comment on Pearls Before Breakfast – Joshua Bell Lesson On Perception by Jonathan Wilson

Jonathan Wilson — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 17:35:31 +0000

I put some thoughts about this post in a blog post:

http://jaywilsonmusic.com/2011/02/10/i-played-my-best-for-him-pah-rumpah-pum-pum/

Comment on Young singers sought by Youth Music for London Cultural Olympiad festival by Musicroom

Musicroom — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 14:10:40 +0000

That sounds great – thanks for sharing You’ll have to keep us posted regarding the Nationals!
Was there lots of competition? and what did you sing?

Comment on Young singers sought by Youth Music for London Cultural Olympiad festival by Bethia Coates

Bethia Coates — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 14:07:53 +0000

I just auditioned for regionals in Manchester for YMV it was SUCH a great evening and I loved it. Just waiting to hear if I’ve got through to Nationals :s I hope so!

Comment on Click & Collect In Scotland? It’s “Snow” Bother by Musicroom

Musicroom — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 10:57:47 +0000

Hello! Yes this service is now available nationwide with all of our high street stores. On each product page, where it says Store Availability you will see a hyperlinked option next to it saying Click and Collect. Click on this link to arrange this service.

Comment on Korg scoops two accolades by Musicroom

Musicroom — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 10:27:33 +0000

Hi! Glad you like the blog and yes we’re on Facebook. Here’s the link: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Musicroom/127604010618202

Comment on Casio debuts three new instruments by Andrew Banks

Andrew Banks — Sat, 08 Jan 2011 20:06:29 +0000

The WK 7500 is a very versitile keyboard. It has 9 drawbars and a fast/slow rotary speaker switch as well as a wide selection of vintage electric piano sounds.

Comment on Click & Collect In Scotland? It’s “Snow” Bother by Diane

Diane — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 10:22:29 +0000

Are you adding this to the delivery options on the main site?

It sounds like a really useful service to be offering!