Wow, after endless disney accompaniment after another, it has been a real find. I have been devouring the microjazz collection, which I originally bought with a pupil in mind, realised it was too advanced for her and thought, ooh, I'll have a wee bash....am hooked. Two days from buying the 3rd collection as well as a book from the Wedgewood Blue series, I have been ploughing through the pieces and even went out again to get the Micro Styles series, with backing CD. and a book of sightreading tests for my pupil. Hehe, think she'd rather have the jazz....

Even though the repertoire is short and not as advanced as stuff I have been examined on in the past, I'm getting a real kick out of this and am sounding a lot more like my old happy pianist self, rather than murdering the occaisional hymn for church and crucifying Jamie Cullum.

I got the tip from the Teacher's forum, so thanks folks, I'll be getting the lower level stuff and force feeding it like foie gras to my pupils!!

I describe this stuff as "the alternative repertoire I have been discovering over the last 18 months".

It has made all the difference in the world to my students; Norton, Wedgwood, Cornick, Gillock et al. I am also discovering that the enthusiasm engendered by playing this repertoire is rubbing off onto their exam prep.

With trepidation; "Okay, your progress over the last few months has been brilliant. You are now ready for grade x. Do you want to do it?"

"Yes please."

"Are you sure? The pieces will not be by the composers whose music you have enjoyed so much recently."

Reply - "Still want to do the exam."

Having embarked on the exam process whilst prepared to abort it at the first sign of loss of enthusiasm, I am delighted to report that said enthusiasm has survived.

This repertoire was not available when I started my career. 30 years into it, I am thrilled at the work of these people, who combine the ability to write piano music that both develops piano technique and grabs the attention of pupils.

Steve

Yes, that was the case for me too Steve!

I'm really keen my pupils should enjoy all types and styles of music but you've got to start them where they're at and, sadly, Mozart and Bach is definitely not where most of mine start life these days. Lucky if they've even heard of them, let alone heard any music by them.

I find these "jazz" publications are just as testing to play, certainly rhythmically challenging and fun too. Gradually, of course, one widens the repertoire but I am so pleased such materials are available now.

The even better news is some are also being made available for oboists . When I grew up all you played (generally) was baroque music because that's what oboists were supposed to "do" then. If you were lucky something else came your way but not a lot - jazz on the oboe would have been unthinkable.

Thank heavens that's changing too - so many great publications around to tempt the young player and, when they've tried them and are hooked as players, we widen the choice. Surprisingly (no, not really) they generally take to more classical stuff really well once they've done the jazz bit and mostly come to really like both.

Me too. I found an old "students' concert" programme the other day, dating from the mid-eighties, and I was really taken aback at how "classical" most of the pieces were.

It's great having a much wider choice of good pieces to use for teaching - it should be possible for everyone to have something they enjoy to play. And I really love pushing the boundaries back, helping pupils get to like something they didn't think they would ...

I was brought up on classical music only, and was thrilled to discover the Microjazz stuff about 10 years ago. I've got quite a lot of it, including duets, and love playing it myself. My pupils also enjoy the challenge - as you say the rhythms are challenging - although recently several have said to me that they prefer the classical style pieces. It's nice too to see that 'jazzy' pieces are sometimes set for grade exams. I try to introduce them as soon as possible and combine these with the classical style pieces.

I didn't even allow my pupils to play the 'fun' exam pieces available in list C until about 2000.

How stuffy is that?

Steve

I think what we tend to forget sometimes is that when famous composers like Mozart were learning, their teachers (often famous composers of the day in their own right and somtimes even their own fathers!) composed little tunes for them in the 'pop' music style of the day - which is the dance music of minuets, polonaises, jigs, etc! They obviously understood that as well as studying the 'standard serious music literature' these pupils also needed something lighter to keep them interested and motivated, and could put across important teaching points at the same time. These pieces are now what we'd think of as 'serious' classical music today, but back then it was very much popular music. So these days as teachers we are doing the same thing by letting our pupils play pop and jazz, etc. (although admittedly the rhythms of pop music in the 1700's and 1800's were a little less complicated!!!!! )

'As well as serious dramatic works, people need joy - pieces providing light entertainment. Do one of them well and enjoy the other.'

Antonio Banchieri



(The motto of, IMHO, one of the very best vocal groups in the world today, the Banchieri Singers.)

Hi Cyrilla

This is the first posting I've found from you for a while. Welcome back!

A good quote too by the way!

Completely agree. If anyone gets the chance to hear the Banchieri singers please do not miss the opportunity- they are wonderful

Thank you oboist! *waves*

For anyone who hasn't ever heard the Banchieri Singers, the good news is that they have accepted an invitation to perform and teach on next year's Kodaly Summer School (6th-13th August 2006 in Leicester).

I drove for five hours last year just to hear them sing...I could listen to them every day!

They perfectly fulfil their creed - quite stunning to hear the same group perform 'Drop, drop, slow tears' as you have NEVER heard it before (and believe me, YOUR tears will be dropping..), the very difficult music of Gesualdo, modern Japanese compositions, Beatles arrangements, - you name it, they do it - and all equally well and with the same level of stunning musicianship and deep and palpable enjoyment.

*big sigh of contentment*