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Beginner Piano Books & Information for New Piano Students in East Dulwich

We are delighted to have you on board! Once you have paid your invoice for your first block of lessons, please ensure you sign up to our newsletter link that you received in the email containing the link to this page.

You will also need the following books:

Books for lessons:

Theory Books ~ https://amzn.to/34xyoK6 and Theory Drills ~ https://amzn.to/32byFBL

Beginner Piano Book ~ https://amzn.to/3FRb4HY

You can also purchase these books at the local music shop by East Dulwich station (South London Music)/

Piano Books for Young Beginners

Please note:

Your teacher is your first point of contact for all queries. The admin email is only used to enrol new students. Going forwards, please discuss any issues with your teacher at the start of the lesson. They will contact us if they cannot assist with your enquiry.

Terms and Conditions for Lessons:

  1. We do not reschedule or refund missed lessons as we operate the same terms as a private school
  2. Your lesson time remains the same for the academic year
  3. A supply teacher will be used if your teacher is not available
  4. In the case of lockdown, lessons will be online. No refund or carrying over of lessons is allowed so please ensure you are able to attend Zoom lessons before you enrol for lessons.
  5. Late payment of an invoice incurs a £10 administration charge. We reserve the right to give away your space if payment is not received after issuing one reminder.
  6. Your teacher is the first point of contact for all queries. They will contact our admin team on your behalf if they are unable to assist you. 

Music Aptitude Test tips: Texture

Music Aptitude Test tips: Texture

The SE22 Piano School is running a competition on Instagram. Win a 1-to-1 Music Aptitude Test scholarship preparation lesson in September 2023. All the info is here:  https://musicaptitudetest.wordpress.com/2023/06/27/win-a-1-to-1-music-aptitude-test-scholarship-preparation-lesson-in-september-2023/

I will be regularly blogging with tips on how to ace the Music Aptitude Test. Lots of my students in Year 5 are thinking ahead to September and how they will prepare for the MATs this Autumn.

The trickiest section, by far, is the Texture section. Here’s a video that I did recently to give you some tips on how to distinguish 2, 3 and 4 notes. I will also be running monthly group and individual training sessions so do get in touch if you would like to book a session. For all of my piano students, Music Aptitude Test training is included as part of the weekly lesson. We have students gaining scholarships each year to local schools such as Kingsdale, Haberdashers and Prendergast. Our tests have been successfully used by students applying to schools across the UK including Ashmole Academy, Parmiter’s, Dame Alice Owen and more! Have a look at our dedicated Music Aptitude Test web site for full information and lots more tips. You can also download the training tests materials that we use in lessons.

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Buy Music Aptitude Tests for SW Herts Consortium Dame Alice Owens Schools

Music Aptitude Test: Dame Alice Owen’s School Dates for your Diary

The SE22 Piano School is running a competition on Instagram. Win a 1-to-1 Music Aptitude Test scholarship preparation lesson in September 2023. All the info is here:  https://musicaptitudetest.wordpress.com/2023/06/27/win-a-1-to-1-music-aptitude-test-scholarship-preparation-lesson-in-september-2023/

Music Scholarship Preparation at the SE22 Piano School

London Year 6 students: Don’t miss the deadline to apply to Dame Alice Owen’s School on a Music Aptitude Test scholarship place for September 2024 entry. The important dates are listed below:

4th September 2023 – Entrance Exam Part 1 / Musical Aptitude Test Part 1

15th September 2023 – Musical Aptitude Test Part 1 results emailed out

19th September 2023 –  Entrance Exam Part 1 results emailed out

23rd September 2023 – Entrance Exam Part 2

w/c 25th September 2023 – 2nd Round Musical Aptitude tests

About the Music Aptitude Test (Round One)

Pitch: for these questions, candidates listen to two sounds and have to indicate whether the second sound is the same as the first, or whether it is higher or lower. Some of the pitches are less than a semitone apart. 20 questions.

Melody: for these questions, candidates listen to two tunes consisting of five notes. Candidates have to decide whether the second tune is the same as the first or if one of the notes has been altered. If there is a change, candidates will be expected to identify which note has been altered, by giving the number of the note.
10 questions.

Texture: for these questions, candidates listen to a number of notes played together at the same time; this is called a chord. Candidates need to decide whether or not each chord has two, three or four notes.
20 questions.

Rhythm: for these questions, candidates listen to two patterns of notes and have to decide whether the second pattern is the same as, or different from, the first, and where any difference occurs. Each rhythm will be four beats (or pulses) in length.
10 questions.

Letters with results of the first Musical Aptitude test will be sent out within 10 days of the tests taking place.

Children achieving 47 marks or above will be invited to attend a second Musical Aptitude Test. Nb. this score may vary each year.

For this second test, each child is allocated a 5 minute slot to perform on their preferred instrument/s (voice included). There is a totally free choice of piece(s) and the child can perform on more than one instrument if they prefer.

Results of the second Musical Aptitude test will be sent by letter before the end of October and may be helpful to parents when making their child’s school application. Parents who wish to apply for a place at Dame Alice Owen’s School must include it as one of their preferences when making their child’s secondary transfer application via their home Local Authority.

You can download and practice the specimen Aural Tests online so that you know what kind of tests to expect.

Music Aptitude Test web site:
https://musicaptitudetest.wordpress.com/

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