Get advice and great ideas to improve your playing or singing, have fun and share your musical journey with us!
Composing inspiration from a young award winner
Interview with David Ingham, winner of the ABRSM-sponsored Commonwealth International Composition Award (CICA).
ABRSM’s World Theatre Day Competition inspires musical imagination
In celebration of this year’s World Theatre Day, we launched a song competition on 27 March, where participants were invited to submit a video singing Pure Imagination from the 1971 film Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory to win musical theatre repertoire books.
How to learn by ear
The English Folk Dance and Song Society and Orchestras for All are delighted to publish a comprehensive online training resource on ensemble musicianship, freely available for everyone to use.
Cling film and rubber bands
YolanDa Brown is joined by cor anglais player Sue Böhling, double bassist Hugh Kluger and percussionist Henry Baldwin as they reveal the secrets of caring for their instruments.
Dame Evelyn Glennie shares her experience and tips on performing
Dame Evelyn Glennie is the world’s premier solo percussionist, performing worldwide with the greatest orchestras, conductors and artists.
Meet the BBC’s Young Jazz Musician of the Year!
Deschanel Gordon is BBC’s Young Jazz Musician of the Year 2020. We interviewed him about his competition experience, his musical journey and what’s in store for the future.
Join NYJO online in their virtual academy!
Whether you are a complete beginner or a gigging pro, the NYJO Virtual Academy has materials designed to inspire, challenge and take your playing to another level.
Free resources from our friends at Figurenotes
Dust off your instrument and get your hands on a bundle of FREE resources from Figurenotes. These are ideal for teachers to send to their students too - great support for those adapting to online teaching.
Wake Up Shake Up
Struggling to get your kids motivated to practise at home? Ali’s 5 minute ‘musical workout’ will get them ready for an active practice session.
Record your practice
It can be really beneficial to record your practice session. Our Chief Examiner, John Holmes, suggests using the ABRSM marking criteria to review and evaluate your practice.
Are you practising your instrument or the music?
ABRSM's Chief Examiner, John Holmes, emphasises the importance of practising the instrument itself as well as the pieces you’re working on.
Practice makes permanent
ABRSM's Chief Examiner, John Holmes, highlights the importance of ingraining the habits you want to keep, rather than just practising until it's right.
The key ingredients of music
ABRSM's Chief Examiner, John Holmes, discusses the core musical ingredients we should focus on in our practice.
Asha, Emma and Roella share their stories of making the semi-finals of BBC Young Jazz Musician 2020
The BBC Young Jazz Musician competition is the BBC’s platform for young, talented jazz musicians. Following the success of the first three editions, the biennial competition returns in 2020 to celebrate and showcase the next generation of UK Jazz musicians.
How to put on online concerts and gigs
In this article from the ISM, arts entrepreneur David Taylor shares advice on setting up, promoting and bringing in some income from online performances.
Bringing composition to life with an award winning young composer
An interview with Devon Packer, winner of the ABRSM-sponsored Commonwealth International Composition Award (CICA).
Bringing to life the career of professional timpanists
Born in London, Paul Philbert displayed his musical propensity early in life, studying at the Purcell School of Music, and further, at Trinity College of Music.
Young Percussion Composer of the Year Competition
PercWorks’ Young Percussion Composer of the Year competition is now open!
How are Performance Grades assessed?
Become the examiner! What mark would you give this Piano Performance Grade? Watch, mark, and listen to commentary from our Chief Examiner, John Holmes.
Take a minute to listen
In a world that is becoming increasingly visually loud, Minute of Listening helps pupils develop their creative listening skills.
Guy Johnston & Tom Poster perform Bridge
Guy Johnston (cello) and Tom Poster (piano) perform Spring Song by Bridge.
Hear Hannah’s story about the ARSM
ARSM is all about the performance, and gives you the opportunity to create and perform your own programme of music for the first time.
Berlin Phil Puzzle Book
With many nurseries and schools shut, the Berlin Philharmonic has put together a wonderful puzzle and colouring in book for young musicians.
Challenges and easy bits
ABRSM's Chief Examiner, John Holmes, discusses balancing how we should practise tricky passages in pieces with sections that come more easily to us.
Tricky passages
Our Chief Examiner, John Holmes, talks about his techniques for navigating difficult passages in pieces.
Chief Examiner share his practice tips
ABRSM's John Holmes shares his best practice tips to help your musical progression.
Warming up
ABRSM's Chief Examiner, John Holmes, emphasises the importance of a consistent warm-up for your practice.
Developing your online profile
This year, NYJO has been introducing its musicians to a range of influential figures from the creative industries.
It’s never not worth it
ABRSM's Chief Examiner, John Holmes, encourages us to take advantage of any opportunity to practise, no matter how little time we have.