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…
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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…
Women Composers – A Graded Anthology For Piano
I’m delighted to introduce my three-book piano series: Women Composers – A Graded Anthology For Piano (Schott Music). This series was published in February/March 2022 and was one of my lockdown projects. Schott and I worked on these publications over a significant period and I’m happy to say that this series won a Presto Music…
Pianists From The Past: Teresa Carreño written by Clara Rodriguez
My Pianists From The Past series continues with this fascinating post detailing the life and career of Venezuelan pianist and composer Teresa Carreño. This article was written by Venezuelan pianist and pedagogue Clara Rodriguez. She is a professor of piano at the Royal College of Music Junior Department. Clara is also a noted exponent of…
Harpsichord Essentials: Katharine May
Katharine May, who is a British harpsichordist and pianist, is my guest writer this week. I asked Katharine (pictured above) for some tips and guidance for those who fancy swapping the piano for the harpsichord. In this post she seeks to explain a few fundamentals. I have often been approached by pianists wishing to try…