Well, we’re finally back on track (pardon the pun). Not only have we finished restoring our database of backing tracks to where it was before the move but we now have some of the ABRSM’s new Flute and Clarinet syllabus ready for download.

More books arrived in the post this morning – I know Mandy will begin working on them immediately after we finish teaching this afternoon.

Sorry we haven't been quite advanced enough to sort out a special offr as promised - we'll try to sort something out for next time.

That's all for now, best of luck to all of you who have entered for exams this time.

Harry

What a Nightmare!

It’s August and we should be announcing our special offer and telling you that work is well under way on the new pieces included in the ABRSM Syllabus change.

Mandy has started work on the new pieces yes – but any thoughts of special offers etc. have gone right out of the window.

I have loads of Trinity and higher grade ABRSM tracks waiting to be uploaded to the site but, we had run out of space on the server.

I contacted our hosting service and organised an “upgrade”. Unfortunately, that so-called upgrade resulted in over 2,500 MIDI/mp3 files being lost – just disappearing into the ether.

After much to and fro-ing with the hosting’s Customer Service and Technical help lines, Craig our webmaster has reinstalled the database that runs our site and I have begun to restore the missing files from back ups.

This will take a few days I’m afraid but we hope to be up to speed with the new syllabus pieces in place by early next term.

Regards Harry

Blower's Blog

Well, the weather might not be as warm or dry as we would like (hopefully better weather is round the corner). Still, we would like to extend a warm welcome to our new customers and for those customers who have returned to Your Online Pianist, we would like to say a big "Thank you".

Mandy and Harry would like to take this opportunity to thank British Bandsman Magazine for publishing an article about our website. If anyone is interested in reading the article or subscribing to the magazine, please visit their website www.britishbandsman.com and follow the links.

What we aim to do in Blower's Blog:

• Each month we aim to keep everyone informed about what's happening on the Your Online Pianist website. As the site grows, we can keep you up to date with details on what accompaniments have been added. We can also let you know details of special offers and events that may be taking place.

What have we done this month?:

• Mandy has been preparing and recording tracks nearly around the clock, and although she is mainly concentrating on Trinity Guildhall Pieces, she has worked on Associated Board Grade 6 pieces for Soprano, Alto Tenor and Baritone Saxophone.

• We have had quite a few requests for higher grade pieces, for both exam boards - among these are some Grade 6 Trumpet/Soprano Cornet and Grade 8 Trombone pieces, so don't forget to check to see if the pieces you want are there. If they aren't then contact us and we'll get them there as soon as possible.

• Trinity Guildhall pieces for F & Eb horn, Trumpet, Euphonium, Trombone and Tuba for Grades 1 to 3 are almost ready to send to the website. Alto/Tenor Saxophone and Bassoon (including Mini and Tenoroon) will be ready shortly. If you urgently need a piece for an impending exam (brass or woodwind), then please contact us and we will push it to the top of the list.

Exam music and other stuff:

• Getting the entire woodwind and brass syllabus for both ABRSM and Trinity Guildhall available for download is an enormous task which we are still working on. Don't forget, if there is an exam piece you need and it's not available yet, please contact us.

• Don't forget, we are trying to cover all the instruments on both exam boards, including 'C' & 'Eb' Clarinets, Mini Bassoon and Tenoroon up to Grade 3, Soprano Cornet up to Grade 8 on ABRSM and Grade 6-8 Trinity Guildhall and Bass Trombone (Harry's Instrument) Grade 6-8 on both boards. Although we don't cover the string syllabus yet, if you require an accompaniment for Violin, Viola, Cello or Double Bass, or piano only for voice, then please contact us.

• All the work we do is aimed at Associated Board or Trinity Guildhall exams. However, we realise that not everyone is taking exams and they do play music 'just for fun'. If this is the case, just let us know what piece you would like (it doesn't have to be an exam piece) and we can make the accompaniments available for your. Also, if you would like to have the 'full' arrangement with repeats etc. we will add these to the site. Just contact us to let us know your requirements.

Blog:

• We would love to hear from Woodwind & Brass Teachers/Pupils ... about anything you like really!!
  

  
  

Special Offers:

• Please keep watching the website for information about our Special Offer starting on 1st August 2007. This offer will be for one month only - details are currently being finalized. Once everything is ready, we will let everyone know - If you do not wish to be kept informed, please contact us at enquiries@youronlinepianist.com.

Exams!:

• It's that time of year - nerves are frayed and panic is setting in. There's never enough time to practise and those scales just seem to slip out of the memory as soon as we play them...

• Yes, it's exam time again - even Mandy is working on exams - Grade 6 flute and Grade 6 clarinet (not on the same day fortunately).

• Everyone here at Your Online Pianist would like to wish everyone taking exams the best of luck and we hope that any accompaniments purchased from us has gone some way towards helping you get excellent exam results.

Regards Harry and Mandy Cook

P.S. Don't forget your free tuning note. Either concert A or B flat is available on our resources page.

If you do not wish to receive this newsletter, please contact us at enquiries@youronlinepianist.com and we will remove you from the list.