Hayley's CV !

[Martin]

I've often wondered whether or not Hayley can read music and/or plays an instrument? Can anyone comment?

I've searched the website but could find no references.

Martin

[Richard]

Hello Martin!

I'm not sure, but I believe Hayley can read music. She can certainly play the piano, which she does on the introduction of 'The Water Is Wide' on 'Odyssey'. She can also play the violin, which she used to do back in her busking days in New Zealand. According to her biography, she quickly discovered that her singing attracted a bigger crowd, so I don't think she plays the violin any more. As far as I know, Hayley is still learning to play the guitar, and she may be able to play a few other instruments as well. She's also done some ballet dancing and acting in the past, so there seems to be no end to her talents! i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif

Best Wishes,

Richard

[Martin]

Richard
Thank you for your comprehensive reply. As she plays so many instruments I would therefore be very suprised if she wasn't able to read sheet music. Indeed, it would have been dificult to record two major albums without this skill (especially working with the likes of George Martin).

Best Wishes
Martin .

[postscript]

Hi!

I don't know the extent of Paul McCartney's knowledge of sheet music today, considering his later orchestral works but I believe it was true of the Beetles' early years that they played entirely impromptu upon hearing, none of them could read sheet music, so it is possible to be very successful in music without actually reading it! After all, mastery of the instrument is key.

However, I cannot imagine any child leaving school today (as with Hayley most recently) with at least some understanding of music, especially the ability to play at least one instrument, without being able to read sheet music. Hayley plays violin and piano. The former has 'rather gone hang' due to concentrating on her singing. As I understand it, she was one below the highest Royal Schools of Music General Examination (level 7 or 8) at which level you have to be able to read at least instrumental music and probably have an understanding of orchestral scoring.

The only reason Hayley hasn't taken the highest exam I believe is simply lack of time and at that level I believe you are entitled to teach, at least at the lower levels.

I cannot imagine how she can harmonise without understanding scoring. However, I believe she prefers to hear new songs as a recorded disk, which may or may not be anything to do with her ability to 'hear in her head' from the scored sheet. This might be the cause of the question, 'can she read music?'.

Further, I am sure in some video or other I saw her (probably with George Martin) examine the score of one of her songs in the recording studio. This could be a promoter's 'gimmick' but i don't think either George Martin or Hayley would allow such a 'gimmick' were it not based on truth.

Peter S.

[Martin]

postscript said:

Hi!

I don't know the extent of Paul McCartney's knowledge of sheet music today, considering his later orchestral works but I believe it was true of the Beetles' early years that they played entirely impromptu upon hearing, none of them could read sheet music, so it is possible to be very successful in music without actually reading it! After all, mastery of the instrument is key.

However, I cannot imagine any child leaving school today (as with Hayley most recently) with at least some understanding of music, especially the ability to play at least one instrument, without being able to read sheet music. Hayley plays violin and piano. The former has 'rather gone hang' due to concentrating on her singing. As I understand it, she was one below the highest Royal Schools of Music General Examination (level 7 or 8) at which level you have to be able to read at least instrumental music and probably have an understanding of orchestral scoring.

The only reason Hayley hasn't taken the highest exam I believe is simply lack of time and at that level I believe you are entitled to teach, at least at the lower levels.

I cannot imagine how she can harmonise without understanding scoring. However, I believe she prefers to hear new songs as a recorded disk, which may or may not be anything to do with her ability to 'hear in her head' from the scored sheet. This might be the cause of the question, 'can she read music?'.

Further, I am sure in some video or other I saw her (probably with George Martin) examine the score of one of her songs in the recording studio. This could be a promoter's 'gimmick' but i don't think either George Martin or Hayley would allow such a 'gimmick' were it not based on truth.

Peter S.

Thanks Peter. In fact you cannot progress beyond level 5 of the examination without taking a Theory exam which obviously requires you to be able to read sheet music. So initial question answered!

Best Wishes
Martin