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- What is different about My Favourite Tutor Books?
- Why are tunes transposed to match?
- Are all the tunes transposed to match in all the book?
- Do the books match AMEB exam requirements?
- Is there a piano accompaniment book?
- Why are there no explanations about setting up the instrument, embochure and music theory?
- Are the books progressive?
- Why are low notes introduced early on?
- Is the flute book the same as the oboe book?
- Why are there little pictures in the corner of each page?
- Why are play-along CDs available separately?
1. What is different about My Favourite Tutor Books?
- Many of the tunes are transposed to match the other books in the series.
- A large number of Australian tunes have been included.
- The scales included at the back of the book match popular Australian exams.
- Great value - up to 80 pages, with up to 178 tunes for just $22 (inc GST).
- Larger font size at the start helps students with their reading early on.
- Piano accompaniment and play-along CDs for all tunes in the book.
2. Why are tunes transposed to match?
For students that share lessons, particularly with instruments in different keys, these books are ideal to allow the students to all play together. While not all the tunes match (read below), a good proportion match between each instrument. This is especially important for teaching in mixed group lessons. This is also especially usefull for concerts where two instruments would like to play together but are in different keys. A fast-find index at the start of each book makes it easy to find tunes that match transposition.
3. Are all the tunes transposed to match in all the book?
No. Some of the tunes are transposed to match some of the tunes in other books. If all the tunes were transposed to match, it would create learning compromises.
4. Do the books match AMEB exam requirements?
The books were not written specifically for the AMEB exams, however, they do contain many features that make them ideal for students preparing for AMEB exams. The books are divided into 3 sections that correspond approximately with the first 3 exam grades. You will find that the range and the concepts introduced can be closely linked with the exam requirements. All of the Italian words that are used in the tutorbooks are also found in the list pieeces. The scales found in the glossary also cover the requirements and can be introduced at the teachers discretion. Overall the books provide an excellent way to prepare students for exams without the student really being aware of it.
5. Is there a piano book?
The accompaniments are now available. They include a all the tunes from the tutor books. The book includes chords symbols and fully notated piano parts. Written in a more contemporary style by pianist and arranger Graeme Vendy, the piano part greatly enhances the traditional tunes used in My Favourite Tutor Books. There are also CD play-along recordings of all the piano parts for each tutor book.
6. Why are there no explanations about setting up the instrument, embochure and music theory?
My Favourite Tutor Books are designed to taught by a teacher. Each teacher wants to explain things in their own way and each student needs to hear things in a way that they can understand. The books have been purposely designed to be uncluttered to mimimise confusion for new students. This also allows teachers to teach in their own way.
7. Are the books progressive?
Absolutley. Each tune has been specially selected to be both entertaining for the student but to also allow progessive learning.
8. Why are low notes introduced early on?
An emphasis is placed on learning some low notes first. If a student has a good foundation on their instrument it allows for faster development later on. This is particularly true in terms of embouchure development.
9. Is the flute book the same as the oboe book?
While many of the tunes do match transposition, each book is unique. These two instruments cannot be taught in the same way so the tunes have been specially selected to provide the most progessive order for learning each instrument.
10. Why are there little pictures in the corner of each page?
If you flick rapidly through the pages, the images form a short animation. Just for fun...
11. Why are the play-along CDs available separately?
Rather than add cost to the tutor book, the CDs are available separately because many teachers and students do not use them. Rather than ask these people to pay extra for something they will not use, teachers and students who want to make use of this excellent resource can purchase them separately. My Favourite Tutor Books and CDs are still excellent value and competitively priced.