Will Hay

Category: Piano Teaching

  • Waterfalls Project 2014

    Waterfalls Project 2014 Waterfalls Project 2014

    Starting this half term, I am running a studio-wide composition project; “Waterfalls“.
    Object: Compose a piece of piano music, 96 seconds in length, titled “Waterfalls” to reflect/accompany the video.
    There are three different types of waterfalls featured which may each be represented differently in your composition.

    You may want to team up with a partner for this project and divide the work between yourselves. Perhaps one person might take care of the ostinato, the other, the melody.

    (Details also on the Noteflight projects forum)
    The project must be completed by the beginning of June 2014.
    Instructions:
    1. Watch the video
    2. Make up a simple watery ostinato
    3. Play your ostinato along with the video
    4. Does it need to change at all throughout the video?
    5. Record your ostinato into your Evernote ideas notebook.
      (If you haven’t got one, ask)
    6. Next, try to make a melody to fit with your ostinato.
    7. Play your melody while watching the video
    8. Does it need to change at all throughout the video?
    9. Record your melody into your ideas notebook.
    10. Notate your ostinato and melody using the template score on Noteflight.

  • 6 concerts in 8 days…

    River and RainbowThe next student concert series will be taking place at the beginning of March 2014. The title will be “River and Rainbow”, a pastoral countryside theme for springtime. The theme is inspired by some charming compositions of Walter Carroll who published a number of books of these delightful pieces over a century ago. These compositions will feature strongly in the concerts this term as I am assigning pieces for my students to learn so that the concert programmes largely follow the theme this time.

    All of my students, should they wish to, will have the opportunity to perform in one of the concerts listed below:

      Mon 3rd March 910am – Upton Heath
      Tue 4th March 910am – St Oswalds
      Thu 6th March 910am Saighton and 1020am Eccleston
      Sat 8th March 11am – All Saints
      Mon 10th March 910am – St Werburghs

  • Grade 1 – Piano Exam

    (Updated Dec 2013)
    ABRSM Grade 1 Exam – The vital statistics: The current entry fee (2014) is £36.25. The next exam period is 3rd March- 5th April 2014 and the closing date for entry to these exams will be 24th January 2014. Alongside the playlist of demonstration videos for the current Grade 1 pieces, I have added some slow demo videos of some of the pieces which my students have specifically requested to help with their studies.

    The next in my vodcast series on piano exams. In this video, watch Amelia sit her Grade 1 piano exam. This time, not one of my videos,  ABRSM have staged an example of a Grade 1 piano exam which is a great way to give candidates an idea of what it is like to sit the exam. If only Stanley Palace, the venue used for the Chester exams was able to offer a wonderful grand piano as in this video! At least you can expect the same professional, supportive attitude from any of the ABRSM examiners, though the papers on their desk might not always be quite so beautifully aligned.

    ABRSM: Grade 1 Piano Exam Video

  • Studio Open Day

    CupCakes

     

    On Saturday 7th September, we had a light afternoon tea with 30 guests comprising of some of my students and members of their families. Centrepiece of the table were some bespoke piano cupcakes expertly designed and produced by Louise at The Scullery. Wish I could say I made them myself!

    Though the weather was not altogether kind on the day we were able to spend some time in the garden and in the studio. An informal recital on the new pianos was followed by an impromptu jam session in which four of my students took part directed from the pBone!

    It would be nice to have another Studio Open Day at some point in the future though the next event in the diary will be the concert series culminating with a concert at All Saints on Saturday 16th November. More details about the concerts to follow, once they have been finalised.

  • New Start, New Studio

    Huntington Piano StudioWelcome back to the new term. I hope everybody has had a good summer break and managed to find some time to do some practise during the holidays. A lot has changed here at Will Hay Piano Tuition. Most notable is the new studio in Saighton with two new pianos!

    Given the choice every one of my students has opted to play the “black” piano in the studio, the 1980 Yamaha U3. It has a lovely rich tone without being overly bright and pingy. The “white” piano is a Roland FP-4F digital piano with an ivory feel weighted keyboard which offers hundreds of other sounds for making accompaniments and backing tracks. The portability of this instrument means that it’s great for playing at wedding ceremonies, receptions, parties and corporate events around Cheshire.

    I have been able to take on 25 new students with the new schedule and 66 have been able to continue their studies with me either at the studio or at their homes and schools around Chester. Most of my teaching time is now fully subscribed but if you know of people interested in having lessons then do please still get in touch.

    The studio before!The studio before the conversion!