You are here:
I can answer questions from students of "classical" composing, arranging, notation problems and music theory, writing for instruments and voice and writing music for education. I can answer questions about orchestration but I do not cover questions about pop or rock music, pop song writing or electronic music.
I taught for many years in UK up to "A" level theory and composition. I have spent many years in music education, initially (like everyone else) as a teacher. Then I moved on to advisory work (teaching teachers!) and also lectured, giving many workshops for teachers in developing music education skills and techniques. For a time I worked as a teacher-lecturer at London University's Institute of Education and eventually worked full-time as a Music Education Adviser to schools in part of London, offering advice on music education and curriculum development.
International Society for Music Education; Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.
"The Times" Educational Supplement; "Hi-Fi News and Record Review". For several years, I used to write for many of the state music education periodicals in the US and I also wrote several influential articles on instrumental music teaching for "Music Teacher" magazine in the UK. (UK).
PhD(Hons); MA(Hons); FLCM (compositon) ARCM, LMusTCL,(music diplomas)
I have always been fascinated with the arts, especially music. I used to think of music as a kind of language but have since ditched that view. The concept is not especially helpful, for music can so often transcend language completely. Music often takes over where language fails.
I believe totally in the concept of life-long learning. It may be true that you can't teach an old dog new tricks but that adage should not apply to human beings with a normal working mind. In fact, we have to keep learning just to keep up with everyday technologies.
| User | Date | K | C | T | P | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michael Nelson | 11/19/09 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | Quick and thorough. Very helpful. |
| Carlos | 11/16/09 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | |
| krislynn perry | 11/12/09 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | thank you very much for trying to ..... |
| Carlos | 09/21/09 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | |
| Sina | 09/02/09 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 |
Hi Michael, Thanks very much for contacting me. As you rightly suggest towards the end of your message, this could be a complete course! But since neither of us have that much time on our hands, I'll
Hi Carlos, Thanks very much for contacting me. Well, I don't know why you have been asked to convert a 3/4 song into some other time signature, because it is perfectly good as it is! Ok then. Let's
Dear Krislynn Thank you for contacting me. I am afraid that I can rarely answer questions about individual classical works. This is because I have compaatively few classical scores here (I live
Hi Josh, Many thanks for contacting me. The question you have been given seems a rather difficult one, for this is the type of question teachers might ask older students. Never mind though, it seems
Hi Julie, An accented eighth note would not be politically correct because it may well offend some religious groups in the community. It is best to avoid them. Accented eighth notes, I mean. Staccato
Answers by Expert:

©2009 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.