Melanie Spanswick

5 Tips To Create Rhythmic Independence

Rhythmic independence is the topic of my most recent article for Pianist Magazine’s newsletter. As usual, these articles are in a ‘5 tips’ format and I hope you find it of interest. In some of my past articles for this newsletter, I’ve suggested and implied that the use of the metronome is paramount. It can…

Music, the confessions of a low middlebrow: Peter Honey

Today, my neighbour Dr. Peter Honey has kindly written a whimsical guest post. Peter is an occupational psychologist, management trainer, author, and artist, as well as an avid classical music lover and concertgoer. Here, he considers his classical concert ‘likes and dislikes’! Last week I was at Wigmore Hall listening to a concert given by…

Teaching Observations: Favourite Fellowship Piano Diploma Repertoire

Today’s article is the final post in my diploma mini-series. I’ve previously explored repertoire options for both the Associate Diploma and Licentiate Diploma exams, and you can read my articles about here and here. The final exam in the diploma trilogy is the Fellowship diploma; the ABRSM’s fellowship exam is the FRSM and Trinity College…

My Compositional Journey: Wendy Edwards Beardall-Norton

Many will know that I enjoy highlighting the work of living composers, particularly educational composers – and especially music written by women. Today, I welcome back Canadian composer Wendy Edwards Beardall-Norton. Wendy, who is married to composer Christopher Norton, who has so generously written numerous posts for this blog, is a ‘star’ composer and is…

Anthem For A New Age: Coronation 2023

I couldn’t let this weekend pass without a nod to the new age dawning upon us here in the UK. The Coronation of King Charles III will no doubt be a traditional and lavish affair, and whether you are a fan of the royal family or not, the sheer scale of this historical event is…

Variations on a Procul Theme: Tamara Barschak

My guest writer today is pianist, composer, and teacher Tamara Barschak. Tamara trained as a classical pianist for many years under Fred Lewin and then under Roger Green of Trinity College of Music. She branched out into Jazz, funk, and blues and went to live in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil where she studied Brazilian musical…

Teaching Observations: Favourite Licentiate Piano Diploma Repertoire

Due to the vociferous and appreciative response from readers regarding my article featuring Associate Diploma Repertoire (which you can read here), let’s now turn our attention to the next diploma, the Licentiate exam. This is the second diploma in the group of three which most music examination boards in the UK offer; they are the…

Teaching Observations: Favourite Associate Piano Diploma Repertoire

Over the past few years, I have been preparing a flurry of students for their performance diploma exams. These so-called ‘final’ exams can be very beneficial, and provide their recipients with letters after their name allowing them to assume a high level of achievement. They can also provide appropriate motivation, a goal, and, most importantly,…

A masterclass with Elisabeth Leonskaja

A very Happy Easter to all who celebrate today. I hope you have time to relax and rejuvinate during this holiday period. I haven’t posted a masterclass for a while and I’ve missed them! Today’s class was recorded at the Oxford Piano Festival and was streamed live on July 31st 2022. Founded in 1999, this…

Teaching Observations: A Mindful Approach

The third post in my new series, Teaching Observations, focuses on a perennial issue; ensuring students can find the necessary focus, discipline, and concentration required for real progress. Over the past few years, I have taught pupils who were most able and could find their way around the keyboard with relative ease. Notes were generally…