The Sonatina in C Major, Opus 20 No. 1, by Christoph Friedrich Kuhlau (1786), stands as one of the most widely studied and performed pieces in early piano pedagogy.

The Baroque era (c. 1600–1750) was a time of immense growth for instrumental music, and no form became more popular or influential than the concerto.

February open  mic was the first of 2026.  These open mics tend to be well attended, fun interactive sessions for 2 hours. The night included learning some traditional dancing from a grandmother. Comparing the same song sung in different styles and the effect that had on the audience.  We were taught to beatbox by a student. 

Honouring Friedrich Kuhlau: A Tribute to the German Composer's Influence in Denmark. Christoph Friedrich Kuhlau, born on 11 September 1786 and passed away on March 12 1832. He was a German-Danish composer and pianist who left a significant mark on the music of his time. Best known for his works for the flute, his compositions blend the Classical and early Romantic styles, making him a unique figure in the transition of musical eras. Early Life and Training Kuhlau was born nea

Hi my name is Gracie and welcome to my piano blog. This is for all of my new piano compositions for my new book.

Edward Elgar’s two pieces for violin and piano, Chanson de Nuit and Chanson de Matin, Opus 15, are among his most charming and accessible works. Composed early in his career, they showcase his nascent melodic gift and his ability to evoke distinct atmospheres within a concise format.

Welcome to a fascinating area of music history that will help you understand the foundational principles of harmony, specifically how the fauxbourdon tradition, an ancient technique, paved the way for two fundamental concepts in classical music theory: Figured Bass and The Rule of the Octave.

For many aspiring violinists, the allure of playing beautiful repertoire, a soaring Bach concerto or a fiery Paganini caprice, is the primary motivation. However, the path to truly mastering these pieces runs not only through repeated practice of the music itself but, crucially, through the seemingly monotonous routine of scale practice.

This blog features the ten calls we incorporate into lessons for any instrument at Stalybridge Music Academy. These calls are perfect for understanding The Harmonic Series, Triads, Transposition, composition, and The Circle of Fifths.

The history of Western music is rich with innovations, yet few teaching tools have proven as enduring and visually intuitive as the Guidonian Hand (Latin: Manus Guidonis). Developed in the medieval era and often associated with the music theorist Guido d'Arezzo (c. 991–1033), this simple yet ingenious device was the cornerstone of music instruction for centuries.

For modern listeners, music is a journey through many different feelings. A single song might start mournful, become hopeful, and end in passionate joy. However, for composers in the Baroque era music was treated differently. The goal was to focus on, perfect, and maintain one single emotion per movement. This powerful idea was known as the Doctrine of the Affections.

Do you want to learn how to create powerful, memorable musical phrases that have historically been used to command attention and inspire action? Join our "Learn How to Write a Bugle Call" Workshops, specifically tailored with colour note pitches and boomwhackers making it suitable for any music student.