At some point or another, I ask my pupils, "Who have you listened to...?"

'Who' meaning an exponent of the instrument the pupil is studying, e.g. flautist, clarinettist, saxophonist, pianist etc. 9.9 times out of 10 the pupil replies that they don't listen to anyone, and admit that they don't know any exponents of their instrument. I then draw an analogy with football, saying that if I was teaching them how to play football without them ever having seen a football match, it would take many lessons to explain the game. Say by lesson 3, I might introduce 'the ball' explaining (yawn) its roundness and how one can 'kick' it. Whereas, in reality, if you've seen a game of football, there is little need to explain every little aspect of the game.
Most pupils then realise that indeed, it is essential to listen to exponents of their instrument so as to add to their understanding of the instrument.

These blog pages contain links to sites about instruments and their players, with more to be added. I encourage my pupils to set out on a journey of discovering players, to listen to recordings, radio and concerts. Adding that your local public music library contains recordings to borrow, thereby the pupil does not have to go to any expense to begin this road of discovery.

> UK Public Libraries on the Web - compiled by Sheila and Robert Harden
> Music Reference - LibrarySpot.com
> The World Wide Web Virtual Library: Audio
> IAML (UK & Irl): Music Internet Resources
> Birmingham Library - Birmingham City Council UK
> Google search engine.

Do you have a link to add here? Use the comment below, send me your link. Get listening.