Back in the 1980s and 1990s, British primary schools focused music teaching on singing, percussion and the one instrument that parents dreaded hearing - the descant recorder. They were cheap to buy and practically indestructible. Although the sound of London's Burning being played on a recorder was an acquired taste, the instrument... Read More »
On 10th September 2009, leading musicians including Jamie Cullum and Killa Kela led an interactive nationwide music lesson to kick-start 'Music Year'. This is a new government initiative to get over two million schoolchildren playing a musical instrument by 2011. There is to be an investment of £330 million between 2008 and 2011 to encourage schools to push music on their curriculum, but the... Read More »
We are proud to announce that First Tutors has officially partnered with the Edinburgh Guitar and Music Festival!
The Edinburgh Guitar and Music festival is rapidly growing into a must-see international event, attracting worldwide acts performing music in a variety of guitar-based genres. This year's festival, running from the 25th to the 27th of May, will also contain an extensive program of educational guitar seminars, making it an absolute must for guitarists looking to improve the... Read More »
Jimi Hendrix
When one learns the guitar, there are a few acts towards which one aspires. Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, Angus Young... but one figure overshadows them all. Possibly the most dedicated guitarist ever, who could coax sounds out of his instrument the likes of which haven't been heard before or since, and who was at one point caught sleeping next to his guitar while in the US Army: Jimi Hendrix. The star by which practically all contemporary rock, blues and RnB guitarists ste... Read More »
45% of CHILDREN WHO WANT TO LEARN AN INSTRUMENT choose the guitar. It is such a versatile instrument and lends itself well to any style of music from rock to classical. You can purchase an acoustic or basic electric guitar relatively cheaply, and it is of course, unlike the piano, a portable instrument, which is great for practising anywhere. Many guitar tutors encou... Read More »
We're delighted to announce the official launch of First Tutors: Music, the new place to find a music tutor.
If you're a parent looking for music tuition, First Tutors: Music lists tutor profiles of music industry professionals able to help.
If you're a tutor looking to meet tutees, First Tutors: Music is a great place to start! Just register with us and you'll be contacted by tutees directly!
... Read More »The British music scene has always had a healthy following across the globe, more often than not dominating the charts in numerous countries. Following on from last week's feature on the Music Year, we take a look at five of the richest bands and musicians who have all flo... Read More »
If you're thinking of introducing your child to a wind instrument, or indeed taking up lessons yourself, then you've got a lot of fun ahead of you.
Wind instruments are typically split into two types: brass and woodwind instruments. Brass instruments include the trombone, tuba and ... Read More »
The East Coast Musician of the Year Competition attracts both able students and those in the early stage of their musical development giving the competition its unique status within the regions musical calendar. It enjoys the support of the regions Music Teachers, Schools, Colleges,Local Authorities Music Service Departments and regional orchestras.
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The world of music isn't all pianos, violins, guitars and clarinets. There are plenty of wonderful, wacky and obscure instruments, each with their own fascinating sounds. We've compiled a list of some of our favourites.
Djembe
Not the most radical of starting-off points, but one that illustrates music's depth and variety of forms. Most contemporary Western music is derived from a mix of European and African diaspora styles - specifically the marriage of the European classica... Read More »