Have you not worked from home before? Here are my 13 tips which I found useful when I first started working from home and have adapted since the commencement of Covid 19. These are ways to help you as an individual and as a family to stay sane and healthy during lockdown.
Read MoreThis post address the question that I am often asked ie How do you compose? In the post, I draw back the curtain on this topic and explain some of the processes involved in creating a composition.
I also introduce Singable Sunday Psalms which is to be launched in October. I give the readers an inside glimpse of what I do personally when I am composing and also how Singable Sunday Psalms for Advent and Christmastide will be beneficial to Christian and Catholic Congregations/Parishes and Musicians of different abilities. Get read for Singable Sunday Psalms to be launched in October which you will be to purchase through my website.
Read MoreSight Reading -How to improve the skill of Sight Reading explores the problems associated that teachers, students and parents experience when the skill of sight reading is mentioned. The Problems associated with sight reading are not as a result of the music but an internal emotional response. The posts explores some of these ways as well as ways to learn and improve the skill of sight reading.
Read MoreThis post is part of series in relation to buying a Piano. in this post, the focus is on the 10 key considerations required before buying a second Hand Piano. It highlights the type of information a buyer should seek from the seller whether it be a second hand seller from a music store or from unknown person or from a relative.
Read MoreListening to Music is a pleasurable activity whether we are skilled musicians or do not play an instrument or sing. Listening to Music can lift our emotions when we are down, can motivate us when we lack drive, can provide us with joy and excitement and connects with our inner being or our soul/spirit. This post explores why this is possible by exploring 6 different ways our brain transforms sound into emotions. It also explores the consequences involved in losing hearing on the emotions through the brain. It provides music examples for each of the 6 different ways the brain transforms sound into emotion.
Read MoreThis post explores the art of introduction and its importance in a group setting. Then this leads to a discussion of the art of conversation as it relates to music using Nocturne in E flat major by Chopin and Impromptu in A flat major op 90 by Schubert as examples. This method then provides the listener with a familiar yet personal process in which to engage in classical music.
Read MoreWanting to learn Piano? This is the first post in a 3-part series.
Post 1: Homework guide and research before shopping for your instrument. Post 2: Possible instruments to buy for different budgets. Post 3: How to maintain your instrument.
In Post 1 we explore the exciting and challenging time to buy a Piano or Keyboard. This post explores 6 key factors to be considered before you head off shopping for your instrument. This is your homework guide and research guide in part 1 of your piano/keyboard research.
Read MoreThis blog post provides a taste of upcoming developments for talkingmusic.online. It highlights the launching of service page, some of the types of service to be included. for clients, along with news of upcoming podcast launch for talkingmusic.online.
Read Morethis blog post highlights the spiritual understanding of the Feast of the Annunciation along with architectural highlights of the Basilica of the Annunciation in Nazareth. The blog then refers to famous Ave Maria written by Schubert and Bach/Gounod.
Read MoreHow are traditions of a country and/or world connected to Music? How do attitudes of individuals impact on society or on the world? The post explores these issues and provides the impact that Music plays in society for us as individuals and as a nation and world. It also highlights National Sorry Day in Australia and the Multi Cultural celebrations to be held this week in Canberra.
Read MoreIn the second of the series called Instrument of the Orchestra, we explore the recorder- the parts of the recorder, the names for them and their functions. Helping a young child/grandchild learn these names and their functions gives them a greater understanding and helps them to appreciate that the recorder is not a toy or a non instrument.
Read MoreWhy are we fascinated by fireworks? What is its connection to our emotions and Music? You may be surprised with the findings. This post explores 9 possible reasons for humanity’s fascination and its effect on our physical, emotional and spiritual well-being.
Then, we explore how these reasons interconnect with Music with a number of music examples for your listening and enjoyment related to fireworks.
Knowing the benefits of fireworks to our overall health and well being may provide an extra bonus next time you are watching fireworks display. Click to read this fascinating post.
Read MoreEvery Country has its traditions, flag and National Anthem.
In this post, we explore:
(a) The meaning of the word Anthem.
(b) The relationship of the meaning of Anthem to Australian National Anthem.
(c) Australian National Anthem Lyrics.
(d) The origins and history of Australian National Anthem.
(e) Additions to the National Anthem- Christian Verse.
(f) Interpretations and performance considerations for the Australian National Anthem.
Read More
This post is the first in a weekly series called Orchestral Instruments in which I will discuss the families of instruments, their origins/history, Characteristics of the instruments of the orchestra as well as other instruments which are not regular orchestra members.
This post discusses the humble instrument the Recorder. Even though it is not a regular member of the orchestra. it is often the first introduction to playing an instrument that children have at school.
Many parents cringe at the thought of their child learning the recorder. They either have bad memories of learning it themselves or cringe at the thought of the sound of the squeaks and squawks. This post invites parents, music teachers and other interested people who come in contact with children to:
1. Understand the challenges and benefits the child receives from learning the recorder.
2. Engage in simple exercises to assist the child in learning the instrument.
Ensure the height and placement of the Music standis correct for the child
Read More.WHY I LOVE MUSIC AND TEACH IT PART 2
In this 2-part series, I want to share with you more key reasons for loving and teaching Music including the connections between maths, science, physical education, languages and Music.
Read my post to find out how Music can be life changing for you and your emotions
Read MoreOur senses take in so much in a day and it can take a toll on our psyche. Before long, our senses feel saturated. We know the effect this can have on us as we can experience it every day. The post explores the effects of environmental sounds on our emotions, the differences between sound and music and how it affects our emotional well-being and learning styles and its impact on how we listen to music.
I invite you to join me in taking a moment each day to give our senses a boost and to look, feel, hear, taste and smell something beautiful today.
I especially love giving my ears something pleasurable to listen to- MUSIC
Read MoreCarols of the Epiphany explores not only 3 Carols-Kings of the Orient ( We Three Kings), O Holy Night and The First Nowell ( The First Noel), but examines the meaning and traditions of the Solemnity of the Feast of the Epiphany from the Religious ( Catholic), Life and Music perspectives. You will be able to learn more about these carols and sing along with the various settings offered.
Read MoreIn this 2-part series, I want to share with you my reasons for loving and teaching Music. You can get to know me more in my About Me page. However, I want to share with you why I love Music and why I teach it.
Music is art in sound. It is the art of communicating in silence and in sound to our emotions. Music has power since it has the power to transform and to heal our emotions.
Music is life where I can be a melody of rejoicing, a harmony to myself and to other people, a rhythm that makes my heart beat, a stable form on which to pin my life. As a Music Teacher, I love to be able to help my students learn the skills required so that they too can fall in love with Music. Being able to play/sing music is totally engaging because it involves us physically, emotionally and spiritually.
Read MoreHaving New Year resolutions are worthwhile because:
1. it gives us an opportunity to review our lives at the physical, emotional, intellectual, social, spiritual, financial, educational levels.
2. it gives insight into what is working well and what needs to change.
3. it provides hope that things can change.
4. Hope then can provide motivation and desire to achieve.
However New Year resolutions will remain just that unless we set ourselves up for success by correctly setting our goals.
Why not set one or 2 resolutions for your life. Work on them each day for 365 days inching forward each day with some step towards the goal. If every person in the world, set one resolution for the year, worked on it sincerely and achieved it, imagine how much better the world could be.
Read MoreAs we lead up to New Year's Eve, many people take some time to make new Year resolutions. Some make impossible resolutions only to be disappointed with themselves for not keeping it, whilst others make resolutions knowing that they won’t keep it. So, let's think about making a resolution- it is a resolve to change something. It means that we can identify at least one thing in our lives that we want to change.
Read More