Interesting Links

The following links are ones we have found interesting, and are provided for reference.  

Hawthorn Music Studio does not necessarily endorse all the content on these pages.

Online Video

Conductor Benjamin Zander talks about music and passion
http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/benjamin_zander_on_music_and_passion.html

Music Suppliers

Allan's Music - Kew Store http://www.allansmusic.com.au/Stores/Kew.aspx
A good resource for sheet music, new pianos and digital pianos.  Our students tell us that they have generally had good experiences buying instruments here.

JunctionMusic, Camberwell  http://www.musicjunction.com.au
A good resource for sheet music and guitars.

Sheet Music Online  

http://www.musicnotes.com
A good resource for digital sheet music.  You have the option to transpose the songs into a different key, which is great for singers.  Popular songs can be purchased for around $5 rather than $16.  We have not tried ordering printed sheet music.

http://www.azchords.com
A resource for free-to-download lead sheets and lyrics.  If you can read chord symbols, you can get many popular and classic songs.  The chords are worked out by fans, so the quality is variable.  There is some annoying advertising on this website.

Computer Equipment

StreetwiseSoftware  http://www.streetwise.com.au
We've been very happy with all our purchases and after-sales service on our Mac computers and iPods.  Thanks to our Macs, we are phasing out our CDs as we've burned them all into iTunes (so they can't be damaged or lost).  We can download sheetmusic from the internet.  We can record our students' playing.  Where would we be without them?

Apptech Pty Ltd http://www.truelocal.com.au/business/apptech-pty-ltd/burwood-east
To keep our Macs running happily, we have Eddie from Apptech.  He's a tech who speaks English as well as fluent Geek.  Over the past 4 years there has been no problem that Eddie (or the rest of the team) couldn't fix for us.

Musical & Educational Toys

Caveat Emptor: Let the buyer beware - if you buy a child (& most adults) a noise-maker, they will make noise with it.  For this reason we often un-recommend toy instruments, in particular the "Toys That Toot" range.

Kindermusikhttp://www.kindermusik.com.au/html/cms/9/online-shop
For online ordering, this is a great site.  The instruments are of the highest quality, and excellent value.  All Kindermusik instruments conform to all the international standards for child safety.  Many hard-to-source instruments are available at the online shop.  Great for unusual & long-lasting birthday presents.

Kinderplay  http://www.kinderplay.com.au  (contact page only)
Nigel's sister, Felicity, works at this store. Say 'hi' and tell her we sent you! They stock a nice selection of wooden instruments such as maracas, castanets, bell jingles etc.

Honeybee http://www.honeybeetoys.com.au
A lovely selection of  tuned instruments.  I seriously covet the 27 note glockenspeil - which at $88 is a ridiculously low price. Their pentatonic children's harp is also desirable, though at $200+ will require saving up.  A lot of great things for stimulating creativity - in children and in adults.  Online ordering available.