Will Hay

Tag: piano duets

  • The importance of scales

    There’s little chance of escaping the fact that scales aren’t the most exciting thing to practice, especially when you have a piano exam coming up in the next few weeks.  However they are the building blocks of much music and being able to play them fluently is fundamental in the ability to play any instrument.

    My students have been incorporating “musical curve” into their scale technique. Playing duet scales helps focus on the rhythm with some lovely arrangements  in “Get Ready for Major Scale Duets”

    This collaborative performance of Twinkle Twinkle Little C from the book demonstrates some of the “musical curve” technique they have been exploring. With thanks to Amelia, Kathleen, Lauren, Beth, Mattea, Shea, Alice, Emily, Grace, Ruth, Felicity, Izzie, Emma, Kirsten, Jacob, Oliver and Sylvia for their contributions to the video.

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    Scales are also a useful tool to experiment with in composition. This 12 bar work by Beryl looks at the relationship between relative major and minor scale.
    “Major and Minor Creativity” by Beryl

    Why not have a go at making your own composition using scales? Log in to your noteflight account to get started.

  • Concert of duets raises £260 for Music School

    The last “Playing Together” concert at King’s School, Chester was very well attended. Thirty students performed duets, trios and ensembles which included a variety of other instruments including guitars, saxophones, flutes and a recorder.

    Some hi-resolution photographs of the concert are available in a password-protected gallery. (Access details for this gallery will be emailed to parents directly) All proceeds from any sales of these photographs will go to the Kampala Music School Fund. Video clips are also available, (produced to order) of your child’s performance on DVD, memory stick or by digital download, price £5. Contact me if you are interested in one of these.

    Excerpts from the “Playing Together” Concert

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    Plans are already afoot for the next concert which is likely to take place on a Saturday morning in late June, 2011.

  • Playing Together – Piano Duets and Ensembles

    It has been really encouraging to see a lot of work going into piano duets this term in preparation for the next concert. There will be a mix of piano-based ensembles in the programme besides piano duets as I have tried to set up a group to perform from each of the schools in which I teach. Those students involved should have received an email and the music for your ensemble will soon be available on your noteflight studio account if you have not already got a sheet copy.

    Some of the duets I have been using have been taken from Piano Time Jazz Duets Bk1. This book features duets in various styles from an energetic boogie to a moody blues and lively samba.

    Others are from Easy Jazzin’ About by Pam Wedgewood which also take inspiration from blues, rock and jazz styles with “cool syncopation and funky riffs”.

    I was so pleased with Alice and Emily’s work on their duet that I felt it had to be shared below as a preview for the “Playing Together” recital.

    Katie’s Waltz performed by Alice and Emily

  • Duet arrangements for beginners

    It is often the case with piano duets that one part is much harder than the other. Younger beginners deserve the opportunity to collaborate with their peers at the piano. The four arrangements below, kindly input into noteflight by Becky ;-), are pieces from Tunes for Ten Fingers. Both parts should be suitable for those who have recently worked through this book or are currently studying from it. As they are embedded noteflight scores this allows the pianist the chance to practise either part and get the duet effect even if their duet partner is not present. You may print a copy of the scores for practise at the piano by clicking on the embedded printer icon.

    Yankee Doodle

    Westminster Chimes

    Kumbaya

    Old MacDonald