POPULAR POSTS
A selection of the most widely read posts on this site.
Classic Piano Repertoire: Advanced Level
My latest ‘Tips’ article for Pianist magazine’s website was published just a couple of weeks ago and focuses on repertoire for advanced level players. You can read the first two posts in this series by clicking on the button links below: This is the third and final part in a series delving into suitable repertoire…
Classic Piano Repertoire: Intermediate level
This article is the second part of a three-post series delving into suitable repertoire intended to develop piano playing at whatever your current level: it was published earlier in the week on Pianist Magazine’s website. Whether your practice is structured so that you are able to tackle the following repertoire altogether, or you decide to…
Classic Piano Repertoire: Elementary Level
I usually focus on practice tips for my bi-monthly Pianist Magazine column (this article was published on Pianist’s website last month) but what we play is just as important as how we practice it. As a teacher, I’ve found that the ‘progression’ of piano music for a student is vital. I teach many younger students…
Teaching Observations: Shifty Shoulders
Earlier this week I had an appointment for my three-yearly mammogram. There’s nothing vaguely interesting about this event, but, for me, it’s a more stressful undertaking than for many because exactly fifteen years ago I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I was fortunate because the cancer was caught early and I’ve been able to make…
The ARSM Diploma from a Student’s Perspective: Becky Flisher
I recently published a post about my experience working with three students who were all preparing for their ARSM (Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music or ABRSM) performance diploma exam. You can read it here. Today’s guest post has been written by one of those students: Becky Flisher. Becky is an adult piano…
Teaching Observations: The ARSM Diploma
I’ve written on several occasions about piano performance diplomas and you can read my ‘Teaching Observations’ series, where those blog posts are housed, here. The ARSM piano performance diploma exam is not a new test, having been around for several years already, and it was originally intended to ‘bridge the gap’ between the Associated Board…
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…
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 a group of three. Most music examination boards in the UK offer these diplomas. They are…
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 most 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,…
My Notebooks – A Personal Journey: Angeline Bell
Regular readers of this blog will know that I enjoy publishing guest posts. Today’s writer is composer and piano teacher Angeline Bell. Angeline has recently published two new volumes of piano music with Editions Musica Ferrum, and, in this article, she takes us on her journey as a composer. Scroll to the end of the…
Queen Elizabeth II and the Ghosts of Windsor Castle
I’m not often compelled to write about the royal family. After all, this website is a piano and music education blog. However, the past week has been rather surreal for those of us here in the UK. It’s as though time has stood still. We knew that the late Queen’s time was limited and her…
70 Years and the Queen’s Pianos
I’d like to take this opportunity to wish Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II a very Happy Platinum Jubilee. Whether or not you follow the Royal Family, the Queen’s achievement is nothing short of extraordinary. I have enjoyed observing many of this weekend’s events, and, as I live in Windsor, have been able to feel a…