Barrie Carson Turner

Now as a freelance writer and editor, his work focuses on educational and music books for children. He has published numerous original children's works including school musicals, songs, and musical arrangements.

He still occasionally teaches music in his local area of Suffolk and Norfolk, England.

Author Q & A

Q: Describe how you became interested in music as a child. What instruments did you learn how to play?

A: Both my parents were musical. My brother and I were sent for piano lessons as a matter of course. I began piano at the age of eight, and violin at the age of 11. I wanted to learn the violin when I heard a local violin teacher (later my teacher) play some wonderful Hungarian gypsy music at a concert.

Q: What's the best advice you could give to someone just learning to play an instrument?

A: Two things:

1. When you're learning a piece, spend lots of time practicing it slowly. If you can't play the music slowly you won't be able to play it at the correct speed. When you can play the piece reasonably accurately at the slow speed, gradually begin to speed it up.

2. Remember—a few minutes practice each day is better than one long session, occasionally.

A: Whom would I invite?

1. George Gershwin
   I'd like to thank him for his wonderful songs and talk to him about his composing methods.

2. Aaron Copland
   I spent a few, brief moments talking to him many years ago at the US Embassy in London—and I'd like to finish our conversation! (At the time, others were also pressing to speak to him.)

3. Franz Schubert
   He had, it seems to me, such a terribly sad life—constantly ignored by the Viennese concert-going public. I'd like to show him and tell him about his huge standing with 20th century composers and musicians.

4. The violinist Yehudi Menuhin
   One of the great musicians of the century. I admire his positive attitude to life and his wide extra-musical interests.

5. The pianist Artur Rubinstein
   I would like to play a piano duet with him!