Will Hay

Blog

  • Autumn Leaves Project

    This term, my students have been creating a backing track for an Autumn Leaves video I made. Most have chosen to use a drum track and record a performance of their piano piece along with the drums. This provides the extra challenge of playing in time with the drums! We have used Tape Machine and Audio Evolution Mobile to record the performances and mix/align them with the drum track then the video editor on my Galaxy Note Pro to put the backing track on the video, add credits and render and upload each student’s video. Each composition has also been notated on the Noteflight Classroom.

  • Pianist For Your Cheshire Wedding

    Music for a Summer WeddingAn atmospheric choice of piano music can really set the tone for your wedding ceremony or reception.  Music reinforces memory and the piano can set the backdrop for magical memories of your special day.

    Music before the ceremony:

    People often specify a particular genre of music to be played on the piano while the guests are taking their seats. Perhaps you might include a few songs with some special meaning.

    Adele- Make you feel my love, Bryan Adams – Everything I do, Glasgow Love Theme from Love Actually, Eric Clapton – Wonderful Tonight, Aerosmith – I don’t want to miss a thing

    Music for the Arrival of the Bride:
    Alicia Keys – If I ain’t got you, Lou Reed – Perfect Day, Lionel Richie – Say you, say me, Leona Lewis – A moment like this

    Signing of the register:

    Eva Cassidy – Songbird, Beatles – All you need is love, Elvis Costello – She, Ben E King – Stand by Me

    Music for the exit of the couple:

    Norah Jones – Come away with me, Katie Melua – Closest thing to crazy, Stevie Wonder – Isn’t she lovely?, Pachelbel – Canon in D

    If you are planning a wedding in Cheshire, North Wales, or on the Wirral and thinking of having a pianist to play during the ceremony, drinks reception, or wedding breakfast then why not give me a call. Dates are still available for bookings in 2014/15.

    Contact me for availability

  • Latest Piano Exam Syllabus

    I have just recorded a demonstration playlist for the updated ABRSM Grade 1 syllabus for 2015-2016 which is valid from January 2015.

    The sheet music for the pieces can be purchased here

  • 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