When starting something new it's hard to ensure that we are doing everything 'right' and often we pick up some bad habits. So here are some common practice errors that I see students make and how to avoid them! The first thing to remember is to be aware of what you are doing, even the smallest thing can make a huge difference to your practice. LOCATION How many of you practice in a small room with a closed door? There's a problem with this. In small rooms, we tend to play mo

That darned reed! If you're a clarinet or saxophone player (sorry double reeds, I won't even attempt to go there!) you will know about this little piece of timber that is so, so important to creating a good sound. However, some days, it just doesn't sound good! This blog goes through understanding reeds on a clarinet and saxophone. Important things you should know! What is a reed? A reed is a piece of cane (a plant akin to bamboo) that is secured to a mouthpiece with a ligatu

Online learning has become a powerful alternative to traditional education, but is it effective? Research shows that well-structured online lessons can match or exceed in-person learning outcomes. Students benefit from flexibility, personalised pacing, and access to expert teachers anywhere. With interactive teaching, clear goals, and consistent engagement, online learning supports strong progress, confidence, and long-term skill development.

This post will follow on quite closely from my 'How do I play low notes on the flute post' but there are some key differences. Make an...

We're all a little impatient sometimes and we all seem to think that we need to practice for hours at a time in order to improve quickly....

To play rich, beautiful low notes on the flute, there are a few things you need to consider. Air Direction To play low notes we need to...

This is a common question I'm asked by many students. But fear not! There are a couple of factors that come into play that you can work through to improve your sound! Embouchure (mouth formation) Your mouth needs to be pinched at the sides (left and right) with a small hole in the middle (or slightly to the side if you have a peaked lip). When you blow, your air stream should form a small triangle on the mouthpiece. But be quick, it disappears quickly! Everyone will be differ