Performance can be a large part of being a successful musician. Here at Northern Music Academy we encourage students by holding one or more concerts per year, providing both the incentive to improve and an opportunity to showcase what you have learned. Though entirely optional, performing is an excellent way to gain confidence and consolidate any improvements you have made. Our concerts provide a supportive, friendly environment where students not only have fun, but also gain a great feeling of satisfaction.
Tuesday 17th September brought a visit to historic music shop Gough and Davy in Hull to try out a new piano from Casio that I have been hearing a lot about. The GP 300 digital piano is described as a ‘hybrid’, as it goes further than before to bridge the gap between digital and acoustic grand pianos, which exists in part due to the difference in keyboard action.
Casio’s new piano uses a keyboard mechanism designed by noted acoustic piano maker, Bechstein, and it’s safe to say it improves the digital piano experience beyond measure. Without detailing all of the differences i noticed in the hour or so I spent playing the GP 300, this piano made an excellent impression. Three main piano sounds are on offer, including Berlin, Hamburg and Vienna Grands, plus variations, all beautifully detailed. One striking difference was the feel of the keyboard action, which just seems so much easier to play than expected, amounting to something of a revelation. You can even get a look at the keyboard hammer action, and enjoy the sound experience still further, when you lift up the lid.
My day out in Hull proved to be more than worthwhile, and indeed I was so impressed and delighted by the GP300 that I have ordered not one, not two but three for the studios of the Northern Music Academy. We take delivery soon.
Work is now well under way to replace the previous Northern Music Academy website with one which is fresh, informative, topical and maybe even inspirational; oh, and definitely easier to manage.
Created by media specialist Tommy Rawle, the new website has been built to serve the needs of both current and prospective music students and their families. Find out more about the teachers, their backgrounds, our education philosophy, or simply check regular opening hours.
We consider ourselves fortunate to work in specialist music education. Sharing what we know about music is a joy, and a privilege. Learning to make music is such an enriching, life affirming activity, and for the budding musician may best be enjoyed minus the constraints and limitations that are often imposed by the state education system.
For many of us, music lessons may be the only private education we can ever really afford. Here at the Northern Music Academy, we fully appreciate this, and we are wholly committed to making this count.