As 2022 comes to a close it’s only natural to reflect on the past twelve months. When I started this blog nearly eleven years ago, I never thought that it would still be popular today. Over the years, it has been a useful way to observe and log my ever-changing piano practice. It also shares teaching ideas. Additionally, it offers a platform to others, enabling them to share their views and experiences.  I feel grateful and humbled.

Some may have noticed my focus is primarily as an author. This year, those efforts have been rewarded and last week marked an exciting achievement. My latest three-book series, Women Composers – A Graded Anthology For Piano (Schott), won a Presto Music Award. It was named the best ‘New Series Of The Year’. It was an exciting moment, not just for me but also for my publisher Schott Music. I want to thank the whole Schott team for their commitment. Their belief in my work has been invaluable. But I really want to thank YOU. Many of you have purchased these books. Quite a few thousand of you, in fact, have done so. You have been most generous in your comments about them and I have really appreciated your feedback. 

Here are the top four ‘most read’ posts on my blog this year, in the following categories:

Most Popular Guest Posts:

1. Chord Playing and Improvising 2 by Christopher Norton
2. Andreas Eggertsberger speaks out about Focal Dystonia
3. Pianists From The Past – Teresa Carreño by Clara Rodriguez
4. Harpsichord Basics by Katharine May

Most Popular General Music Posts:

1. Why is Grade 5 Theory important?
2. Women Composers – A Graded Anthology For Piano
3. Queen Elizabeth II and the Ghosts of Windsor Castle
4. The healing powers of music: repairing brain damage

Most Popular Piano Practice Posts:

1. A few thoughts on Chopin’s Nocturne No. 20 in C sharp minor Op. Posth.
2. Top Tips for practising octaves
3. Sweet Dreams by P I Tchaikovsky
4. Resolving tension in piano playing

Some of these articles have been published recently whilst others are old favourites; ‘A few thoughts on Chopin’s Nocturne No. 20 in C sharp minor Op. Posth.’ has been in the number one spot for the past five years and is my most viewed of all time!

I hope you enjoy revisiting these blog posts. I sincerely thank you for reading them. Thank you also for supporting my work.