Over the last few weeks I have been preparing for what will no doubt be the highlight of my year; directing the Piano Teachers’ Course at Chetham’s International Piano Summer School. This preparation has prompted a reflection on my own teaching, hence the subject of this blog post. There is often a general perception that…
Tag: Piano Exams
My work as a composer: Wendy Edwards Beardall-Norton
My guest writer this week is Canadian composer and teacher Wendy Edwards Beardall-Norton. Wendy has taught the piano for over 40 years and, more recently, she has been writing music for it. In this article she describes her journey towards composition, and how she became a published composer. You can also enjoy her music by…
Tricky Corners: Fourth and Fifth Fingers in Chords
Today’s ‘Tricky Corner’ examines those pesky fourth and fifth fingers in chords. A student recently studied the ‘Praeludium’ from Ludas Tonalis by Hindemith. This delightfully contemplative piece presents a few technical challenges, not least the opening introduction, which must sound improvisatory, and the subsequent Moderato passage (from bar 4), with its copious demisemiquaver figurations. None…
Selecting & Practising Piano Exam Repertoire: Trinity College London Grade 5
Continuing with my series surveying piano exam repertoire, today’s post examines Trinity College London Grade 5. List A offers a diverse and well-chosen collection of pieces. It includes composers such as Richard Jones, Anton Diabelli, Moritz Vogel, and Dmitri Kabalevsky. Each candidate must prepare three exercises. These are played alongside scales and arpeggios. These exercises…
The London College of Music Piano Syllabus 2018 – 2020
The much awaited London College of Music (LCM) piano syllabus has finally been published. A new syllabus is always exciting – both for student and teacher. I am an enthusiastic supporter of piano exams; they provide a veritable goal for anyone learning, particularly for younger players. And whilst an exam syllabus should never be used…
Selecting & Practising Piano Exam Repertoire: ABRSM Grade 4
Today I am continuing my series on selected exam repertoire. I’ve chosen three complimentary pieces from the ABRSM Grade 4 list. They are taken from the main syllabus, as opposed to the alternative syllabus. I have offered five practice tips for each one. I have also selected a recording from the many on YouTube. Minuet…
Practising Piano Waves
Piano Waves consists of five little pieces for the intermediate pianist; approximately Grade 4 – 6 level ABRSM. They were written in 2016, and have proved popular with all ages, but particularly with teenagers. They were inspired by my time giving recitals on cruise ships. This provided ample opportunity to observe the sea in all…
Selecting & Practising Piano Exam Repertoire: ABRSM Grade 3
Selecting and practising piano exam repertoire continues today with ABRSM Grade 3. I’m selecting contrasting works or those which sit well together, thereby producing an interesting programme. This element should not be underestimated. Examiners are pleased to hear all the repertoire on set lists. For the student, who might spend a good few months learning…
9 Tips for Success in Your Piano Exam
Selecting and Practising Piano Exam Repertoire is a new series on my blog, which will begin in earnest next week. Today’s post is in preparation, offering a few practice ideas to make piano exam study a more fruitful and rewarding affair. Some of you have written requesting information about piano exam programmes and how best…
Piano Notes 2017-18
Piano Notes were published in early 2017. They offer students and teachers a wealth of practical advice. This advice covers the entire ABRSM (Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music examination board) piano syllabus. The syllabus spans from Grade 1 through to Grade 8 and it started in January 2017 and goes through to…
Improve Your Sight-Reading Skills: 5 Top Tips
My latest article for Pianist Magazine’s New Year’s newsletter focuses on sight-reading. I’ve written about this subject many times, but it’s an important topic for pianists, and is often ignored or sidestepped in piano lessons until absolutely necessary, that is, just prior to an exam or audition, when testing is unavoidable. Few pianists are keen…
The Mindful Pianist: Mark Tanner
The Mindful Pianist is a book written by British pianist, author, teacher, composer, researcher, examiner and adjudicator, Mark Tanner. This volume forms part of EPTA’s, or European Piano Teachers Association, Piano Professional Series, and is published by Faber Music. I invited Mark to answer twelve questions about his life and diverse career as a musician. You’ve…