Challenge Yourself in 2022
2022. Is this your year? The year of change, growth, challenge and success? Whether you are seeking a career change, boost old skills or just try something completely new, According to [...]
Music At Christmas
Christmas and music are interlinked. Can you think of a single christmas where you didn't sing a carol, hymn, or hummed a christmas related song (Wham, Mariah Carey etc)?? For most of us, Christmas is [...]
Learning Music Reduces Loneliness and Impact of Lockdowns
I read an extremely interesting article about music and the effects of music on loneliness. In a time where lockdowns have been a way of life for many, across the world, I wanted to remind [...]
Quiz time!
Just a little fun now- a little music Quiz! This quiz is here to test all ages and knowledge of general music . Have a go and let us know your scores!!!! Who recorded the [...]
6 AdvantagesTo Online Learning
Online learning is a very popular method of tuition all around the world for various reasons. You might be interested to know about the top 6 benefits of online learning- so here is a [...]
10 Psychological Benefits of Listening to Music – Numbers 9 and 10
This is our final piece on psychological benefits that music has. Read numbers 9 and 10 here! 9-Music Can Reduce the Symptoms of Depression Researchers have also found that music therapy can be a safe [...]
10 Psychological Benefits of Listening to Music – Numbers 7 and 8
Continuing from our previous threads, lets look at even more psychological benefits of listening to music! 7-Music Can Improve Motivation There is a good reason why you find it easier to exercise while you listen [...]
10 Psychological Benefits of Listening to Music – Numbers 5 and 6
5-Music Can Help Manage Pain Research has shown that music can be very helpful in the management of pain. A 2015 review of research on the effects of music on pain management found that patients who listened [...]
10 Psychological Benefits of Listening to Music – Numbers 3 and 4
Continuing on from our last blog post, I wanted to delve more into the psychological benefits of listening to music. The next one is one that I wanted to explore more into and had never [...]
10 Psychological Benefits of Listening to Music – Numbers 1 and 2
I came across this wonderful article which explained the psychological benefits of listening to music. I wanted to write a blog about it as it was extremely striking to me just how vast the benefits [...]
Advantages of Online Learning
Online learning is a fast growing way that pupils are choosing to learn music. Its a very modern way of learning and has a huge amount of benefits . Here are our top 5! 1. [...]
Why Music Lessons Are The Perfect Christmas Gift!
Struggling what to get someone for Christmas?! Why not get them music lessons?! Think about it: Their new years resolution to learn a musical instrument is now complete! With Christmas fast approaching, you’re probably [...]
Celebrating Alan Menken and Howard Ashman
You may not have heard of these two people but they are the masterminds behind the music and lyrics to "The Little Mermaid", "Beauty and the Beast", "Aladdin" and also "Little Shop of Horrors" (winning [...]
Music Makes You Meet People
I always say to people that music is a great way for you to meet people: whether you are young , old or in between, it is a great way to become more social [...]
Does Learning Music Help Students Do Better In School?
Music has been very well documented as helping people who are studying to be better students but in what ways? Is it as simple as putting on some Mozart whilst cramming for an exam to [...]
Why not to stop lessons over the summer- teachers point of view
As a teacher since 2002, I know first- hand what the worst factors are when you come to teach a student in September who has had the whole summer off. Here are my top 4 [...]
Modern Day Maestro- Lang Lang
If you love the piano , then you probably would have heard of Lang Lang. A modern piano prodigy from China who has taken the world by storm. Here are some facts about the very [...]
The Greats: Chopin
Frederic Francois Chopin was a 19th century Polish composer and virtuoso pianist who wrote primarily for the solo piano. He was a poetic genius and one of music's earliest superstars. He was blessed with a [...]
The history of the Pianoforte
The piano is a very popular instrument learned with Key Lessons. I wanted to share some facts about the piano that you may not have known! Have a read and share with us [...]
The Wonder of Stevie Wonder
Whether you are a fan of MoTown or not, Stevie Wonder is an artist who has changed the music scene and music today. Not only writing hit after hit himself, he has influenced other artists [...]
Does Music Make you Smarter Than The Average?
A recent read of the Business Insider showed a very insteresting article discussing scientificically proven and tested theories that showed what makes you have a higher IQ than the average person. Number 3 on that [...]
The Greats: Beethoven
Beethoven is one of my favourite composers: most people know instantly the sound of ' Moonlight Sonata', 'Ode To Joy' or 'Fur Elise' amongst many other songs he composed. He is a composer, trained under [...]
The Greats: Mozart
I want to dedicate a section of this blog to some Greats in musical history. Whether you recognise them as Stevie Wonder, Beethoven or Barbara Streisand, there is no denying that Mozart changed the [...]
Giving Kids the Golden Buzzer
The Detroit Youth Choir rocked the world stage when they were given the Golden Buzzer at America's Got Talent in 2019. Their mission statement on their website is very simple "... to [...]
What’s the Right Age to Begin Music Lessons?
At Key Lessons, we often get asked what age is the right age to start. I saw this article and thought it was pretty well written and good food for thought. We always say it [...]
Why NOT to stop lessons over the summer
I know it is easier for many people to stop lessons over the summer- due to holidays, loss of the regular routine, limited time and so on, but in 16 years of teaching Piano I [...]
Music Is A Language- Right?
I often describe learning Music for the first time, as if you were learning Chinese (if you don’t already and only speak English!)- it takes a long time to learn the language, you need to [...]
Why Private Tuition Wins- Everytime!
Key Lessons proudly offers private tuition to its clients. I have been a private and group tutor since 2000 and the results of a student privately tutored greatly outweighs the pro’s of a group lesson. [...]
The Greats: John Williams
Let's discuss the musical force that is, John Williams. Unlike the other 'greats' i have spoken about previously on this blog, he is not someone I can miss off the list as a 'great' composer. [...]
Pros and cons to a career in Orchestral Music- Douglas Yeo
Douglas Yeo is a fantastic musician who has played for several years for the Boston Symphony Orchestra. He wrote a very honest review of life as an Orchestral musician and one I thought would be [...]
What Kind Of Career Could I Have In Music?
Music is a brilliant career choice and the choices of what you can do within the music industry are wide and cater to all personality types-whether you want to be the lead singer in a [...]
New year, new you?
The beginning of a new year holds great promise. It provides an opportunity for us to leave “in the past” any short comings and try again something new and to take it to a new [...]
5 Famous Siblings And Their Story
As in the post previous to this, sometimes dealing with siblings who are competing with each other to be the ‘better’ musician in the family can be a struggle, but read these 5 examples of [...]
Why You Shouldn’t Let Your Child Quit Music Lessons
I know it can be hard when you have been lessons for a while and your child is not practicing or showing music enthusiasm towards an instrument. My top tip here is to a) bargain [...]
Sibling Rivalry And How To Deal With It
Often, even if two siblings are learning different instruments, there can be competition between the two which can be a struggle for some parents to deal with. Here are some tips as to how to [...]
What Are The Most Popular Musical Instruments To Learn?
According to the Associated Board of Royal School of Music (ABRSM), the instruments ranked in their percentage of examinations in 2014 were as follows: Piano 28% Recorder 28% Drum kit 14% Guitar 13% Violin 12% [...]
Why you SHOULD Take Music Lessons
Music is amazing- it speaks to all nationalities and is loved by pretty much everyone. There are so many reasons why music is wonderful but here are my top 5! 1. Music is forever. The [...]
What Do You Need To Get Into The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra?
A dream for many musicians is to join the world renown Royal Philharmonic Orchestra(RPO). The RPO are known across the globe for their breathtaking performances, high standards and are known to many music lovers as one [...]
10 Reasons Why Learning A Musical Instrument Is Good!
1) Music Is Good For Your Health Research has shown that playing music lowers your blood pressure, reduces stress and anxiety levels. It even strengthens your immunological response, making you more resistant to viruses. [...]
Why I Love Music So Much
I started playing the piano at 7 years old, when my uncle bought me a keyboard. I had never had a lesson but the next morning, my mother came down the stairs and I had [...]
What Instrument Do I Buy As A Complete Beginner?
So, you/ your child is a complete beginner in a new instrument and you need to buy the instrument . Should you buy the best that money can buy as an investment for life?! My [...]
The Teaching Makes All The Difference
I remember when I was sitting my grade5. I was terrible at sight reading and I had a teacher who militantly made me have sight reading lessons- no fun, nothing else, just sight reading. And [...]
What Is It Like Running Key Lessons?
Day to day running of Key Lessons is hard work and very admin heavy. I have to make sure that every client is happy and that lessons are going well on both sides . I [...]
Don’t Live With Regret- Get Lessons Today!
I get many phone calls from people saying that they had music lessons when they were child and that they were pretty good- then they became distracted with school work, friends, a social life etc....but [...]
What Inspired You To Set Up Key Lessons?
I started Key Lessons Ltd when I found that as a full time piano teacher I was at capacity but still wanted to make sure that these new enquiries were sent to competent tutors . You [...]
ABRSM or Trinity?
The Associated Board of Royal Schools of music is probably an examination board you would have heard of. It is renowned amongst musicians and non-musicians and so is usually the first examination board that people [...]
Child Is Upset That Friend/Sibling Is Progressing More Than Them
I have seen this time and time again as a piano teacher. Once I taught two twin girls lessons. They were twins and they had a one-on-one lesson each, one after the other. I taught [...]
Scientific Benefits Of Learning Music
Scientists have long proven the benefits of music : it lowers blood pressure, it increases memory , reduces stress and anxiety, it helps you to sleep better, workout better and some go as far as to [...]
Practice Tips!
Ok. So you've got yourself to your instrument and you're about the play . But what do you start with? If you're learning a song I always say to start with playing your song(s) through [...]
What Career Options Are There In Music?
I often have parents say to me that they don’t want to push their child into music because thy feel there are no job prospects out there . I would have to say that I 100% [...]
How Young Is Too Young?
I get asked this question all the time . I have to say it’s completely individual . I have taught lessons to 5 year olds who can have a one hour lesson and then 9 year [...]
How To Stop Music Lessons Being Just A Fallen New Year’s Resolution
Key lessons gets a large influx of sign ups in January, from a range of people , ages and levels . One thing I notice (and it's more with adult students) is that because it [...]
Exams-Should You Take Them?
Exams are a fantastic way to make sure that there aren't any gaps in your learning . Depending on where you might want music to go on your life , this will be key to [...]
How To Calm Nerves Before An Exam
There was not a single exam that I took for piano that I wasn't extremely nervous for. Even when doing my grade 8, being 20 years old and knowing that I was a competent player, [...]
Are You Ready To Start Prepping For An Exam?
If you're thinking of moving onto sitting exams,how do you know if you or your child is ready? My first answer is ask your teacher . They will know whether you have mastered the foundation [...]
My Child Doesn’t Love Music Lessons-What Do I Do?
I get asked this question a lot from many frustrated parents. I feel a lot of the answer comes in if your child is not enjoying the lessons rather than learning music itself. Ask [...]
Music As A Career
Music has a wide range of possible career choices. I know when I was growing up my parents weren't too keen on me becoming a Musician, but in reality, it has become my career, even [...]
Grade 8 done- what’s next?
If you're passionate , determined and quite frankly talented enough to have gotten to grade 8 in an instrument, then first of all well done . You are a rare person indeed with a very [...]
How Long Should You Practice For?
Practice for adults is very different than practice for children ; so let me divide this entry into sections : Kids : I would say any child up to 7 years old should practice 20 mins [...]
Getting Rid Of Bad Habits
I think we all know what my answer is going to be and you're not going to like it: PRACTICE! It's the simplest answer to this,however is not as simple as that !... Bad habits can [...]
Getting More Practice In
Adult life is busy and it's often hard to find time to fit everything in. But if you want to , you will. Most people have the time, just don't want to prioritise learning to it [...]
How Long Does It Take To Become Competent?
This question is a tough one . And always difficult for me to answer as I grew up obsessed with the piano so that was never a question that crossed my mind. I always say [...]
Which Instrument Should I Learn?
If you're not lucky enough to know which instrument you want to learn but know that you have a musical side , this question is for you. I particularly get asked this question from parents who sense [...]
Lost In Music- Where To Start!
I get many phone calls from people seeming quite lost at the thought of getting music tuition. Many questions arise , including is it too late to learn ? What instrument do I buy? If you're [...]
Why I Started Key Lessons
Hi everyone. My name is Della . I am the Company Owner and Founder of Key Lessons Limited. I wanted to start blogging to answer many of your questions; particularly if the world of music lessons [...]
