Louise Farrenc (1804 – 1875), pictured above, was a French Romantic composer. In her lifetime she enjoyed a considerable reputation, and whilst the majority of her compositions are for the piano, her chamber music is generally regarded as her finest work. She eventually opened a publishing house with her flautist husband Aristide Farrenc, and Éditions…
Tag: Piano Tuition
PIANO WEEK: What happens on a piano course?
Piano courses are becoming increasingly popular, and it’s not hard to see why. They afford students the opportunity to meet like-minded new friends, enjoy excellent tuition, fine food, and a mini ‘holiday’. If the course happens to be situated in a beautiful place, so much the better. For the last two weeks I have been…
New Piano Courses at Finchcocks
I’m very fortunate to love my work, and one particularly enjoyable aspect is the opportunity to direct piano courses and workshops. I’m writing this post whilst relaxing in my accommodation in Shropshire, just a few miles from the Welsh border, where I’m working for two weeks at PIANO WEEK, an international piano festival and Summer…
Jackdaws Piano Course 2019
The Jackdaws Music Educational Trust instrumental and vocal courses are open for booking today! The 2018/19 programme offers more variety than ever, so there is sure to be something for everyone. The course venue, an attractive house in Somerset (pictured to the left), near Frome, contains excellent facilities, including a Steinway Model B piano, and several…
Weekend Competition: The Intermediate Pianist
Today’s weekend competition focuses on a new three-book piano course published by Faber Music. The Intermediate Pianist is intended for students and piano teachers tutoring students, from approximately Grades 3 – 5 level. Written by Karen Marshall and Heather Hammond, the course is designed to help students (and teachers) negotiate the intermediate stages of learning,…
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, taken from the main syllabus, as opposed to the alternative syllabus, and have offered five practice tips for each one, as well as a recording, which have been selected from the many on YouTube….
Approaches to Staccato Playing
I’m a regular contributor to Piano Professional, the British European Piano Teachers Association (EPTA) magazine; I really enjoy writing for this publication, which focuses on providing piano teachers with helpful information. The following article was written for Issue 43 (published earlier this year), and examines various approaches to staccato. I hope it’s of interest. When…
Selecting & Practising Piano Exam Repertoire: Trinity College London Grade 3
I’ve been enjoying selecting repertoire for this current series on my blog. I’m not so familiar with Trinity College London exams; my students generally take ABRSM examinations, with the exception of a few of my diploma students; I like Trinity’s more varied repertoire at this level, particularly for Contemporary music. Grade 3 provides an interesting…
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, but for the student, who might spend a good few months…
Selecting and Practising Piano Exam Repertoire: Trinity College London Grade 2
Today’s blog post continues my piano exam repertoire selection and tips series by exploring the Trinity College London Grade 2 exam. There’s a wide range of choice on this syllabus with a very definite emphasis on the living composer. I have chosen three pieces which contrast in style and genre. For me, this is an…
Melanie Spanswick 