The piece featured in today’s lunchtime Guitar Group rehearsal featured a short, slow introduction followed by a longer and much more upbeat section. Pupils had been encouraged to relax in the holidays and to refrain from practice in the hope of returning refreshed. So I wasn’t too disappointed to hear that the intro was a […]

Just last week I was introduced to Ben Saunders, who responded with a courteous and short email along the lines of: “I’m a little busy at the moment but would love to meet up for a pint.” He was, in fact, four days away from starting his 30-day dash to North Pole. Alone.
An attempt to […]

Here is the full, uncut text of the research report by Robert Hart, Director of Research at Intuitive Media, which was featured in issue 20 of Connected Magazine. Drawing on the results of a research project into how online connectivity is changing children’s lives, Robert shares the story of Emily Sanderson.

The human species is evolving […]

In an attempt to refresh mind and body between school and a twilight Parents’ Evening, I recently spent an hour in the pool and health suite of North Berwick Sports Centre. In the steam room I found myself, inexplicably whistling*. Apart from the fantastic acoustic and the apparent contribution of the steam to the quality […]

In 1994 I went on a trip to Sweden with the Lothian Regional Orchestra and Jazz Band. Our host, a man with the resoundingly Nordic name of Gerry Morrisey, took us out for a tour in his car and and pointed out a patch of spare ground covered in oil where learner drivers would practise […]

It’s not often you get a glimpse into - far less a listen to - pre-history. Michael Wood’s The Story of India (BBC4 last night - sadly not available on iPlayer) visited Brahmin priests in Kerala taking young trainees through vocal preparations for a 12-day celebration of Agni - the god of fire.
The prayers being […]

How can we make music on a computer slow down so that we can practise better?
Many students across the country use the commendable repertoire from Rock School’s graded books for the performing components of Standard Grade, Higher and Advanced Higher Music. One of the advantages of the CD which comes with each book is that […]

Are you born with a musical ear or can it be developed? I’d say both.
Some people are born with boundless talent and often aren’t really aware of how they do what they do. Others are born with good aural ability, which can be improved by study. Others still seem to require a little more graft […]

How many epiphanies are you allowed in a lifetime? Assuming that the answer is - as many as you’re prepared to let in - then, are they likely to have anything in common?
I’d say that the common factor in all those moments when I was struck by something so meaningful that it should really have […]

A friend referred me to a very interesting site for guitar enthusiasts the other day called Chord Book It has many features, the most immediately useful of which for pupils is an online tuner.The beauty of this is that you can click R (for repeat) for each string and hear the note for as long […]