Improve your teaching – serie

WINNER OF 'THE BEST EDUCATIONAL PUBLICATION' AT THE 2024 THE ART OF PIANO EDUCATION AWARDS WINNER OF 'OUTSTANDING MUSIC EDUCATION PRINT RESOURCE' AT THE 2025 MUSIC & DRAMA EDUCATION AWARDSDo you believe that some people can sight-read and others just can’t?In How to sight-read, Paul Harris dispels this and other common misconceptions about sight-reading, presenting instead the idea of sight-reading as a technique that can be developed and learned by anyone. He breaks down the fascinating science behind sight-reading as well as providing practical advice and exercises that can be incorporated into both lessons and practice.The engaging activities in the book are supported by a unique accompanying web app enabling readers to improve key areas of sight-reading technique including rhythm, pattern recognition, and brain processing speed.Written to help students, parents and teachers alike, How to sight-read challenges existing perspectives on sight-reading and presents an innovative new approach to teaching and learning this vital musical skill.‘This book has elevated sight-reading practice to the next level, using a fresh, fun approach that blends solid vision, science principles, and 21st-century technology.’Debra Grant BSc (Hons) MCOptom‘Paul Harris has offered the concept that sight-reading is simply a technique that can be easily learnt by us all... This is a mustread for music students and teachers.’John Hutchins, Director Junior Academy and LRAM, Royal Academy of Music“Harris has the wonderful skill of being able to distill complex information and present it with simple (but not simplistic) clarity, making accessible a deeper understanding of the topics he addresses. This book provides another excellent example of this, the author’s several decades of research and experience in the field of sight-reading brought to life with assured confidence and genuine insight.” Andrew Eales, Pianodao.com"...packed full of sensible down-to-earth advice, underpinned with experience of teaching at grass roots level. As ever, Paul’s books are inherently accessible and readable for teachers at all stages, and for even the most experienced, there’s still plenty to enjoy and learn from this book and the others in the series." David Barton, www.davidbartonmusic.co.uk

Improve your teaching! is a must-have handbook for all instrumental and singing teachers. Packed full of comprehensive advice and practical strategies, it offers creative yet accessible solutions to the challenges faced in music education. It outlines Paul Harris's innovative strategy of Simultaneous Learning: a method that encourages the development of musical insight by making connections between all aspects of musicianship and discusses topics including lesson preparation, aural and memory work, effective practice, improvisation and composition, sight-reading and group teaching.Cleverly fusing established teaching techniques with fresh and exciting ideas Improve your teaching! represents a modern and holistic approach to musical instruction.

Teaching beginners is a huge responsibility and a challenge, but also reaps enormous rewards. Today there are a host of colourful tutors to choose from, but none tells us how to teach beginners. It can be a hit and miss affair!Energising and inspirational, Improve your teaching! Teaching Beginners is a must-have resource for all instrumental and singing teachers. Written by the UK's leading music educationalist Paul Harris, it is packed full of comprehensive advice and practical strategies, it offers creative yet accessible solutions to the challenges faced in music education. Written in an approachable style and distilled from years of personal experience and research Paul Harris looks at the issues concerning the teaching of beginners, outlining a series of principals, advice and strategies, discussing: How to approach the first lesson, Practice ideas for beginners, Introducing the tutor book and notation, Taking stock and moving forward, Inheriting pupils, Improvisation and Composition for beginners.A companion to the best-selling Improve your teaching!, this book is guaranteed to challenge, affirm and energise your teaching!

By considering The Virtuoso Teacher and how a teacher might attain virtuoso status, renowned educator and writer Paul Harris delves into the core issues of being a teacher and the teaching process. A fascinating look at topics such as:• self-awareness and the importance of emotional intelligence• getting the best out of pupils• dealing with challenging pupils• asking the right questions• creating a master-plan• taking the stress out of learning• teaching for the right reasons.This seminal book is an inspirational read for all music teachers, encouraging everyone to consider themselves in a new and uplifted light, and transform their teaching.

The Practice Process is an inspiring and empowering look at the crucial topic of practice. Paul Harris explores the key role the teacher plays in developing a psychological and holistic approach for pupils. Packed with clear advice, innovative ideas and principles such as the Integration-Representation-Connection cycle and the Simultaneous Practice Map, this book is firmly rooted in Paul Harris’s highly successful Simultaneous Learning approach.

Paul Harris’s highly successful Simultaneous Learning approach is an entirely positive and imaginative way to teach, which embraces the understanding that all the elements of music are connected.In this definitive book Harris outlines the complete philosophy of his ground-breaking approach. He examines topics such as language and body language, the first lesson on a new piece, introducing notation and making the transition to Simultaneous Learning.