Today’s post has been written by guest writer Rami Bar-Niv. Rami is an israeli pianist, composer, author, and instructor of master classes, who is based in the USA. In this article, he discusses that vital topic for all pianists: wrist movement. Rudolf Serkin complained once: “how come, before I play the opening chord of Beethoven’s…
Tag: Piano Tuition
The Schott Student Edition Series
I’m pleased to be contributing to the Schott Student Edition Series. Popular amongst teachers and students, this series is, first and foremost, intended with instrumental tuition in mind. Each book is edited in collaboration with experienced instrumental teachers, providing information about the selected composers and works as well as useful ‘Teaching Notes’ with plenty of…
Guildhall Young Artists Online – Preparing For Conservatoire Entry: A New Course
From September 2023, the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London is offering an innovative new course for students. This advanced two-year online course is aimed at international musicians who are interested in studying for a degree at the Guildhall School or at any other UK music conservatoire. Students, who are of post Grade…
Chord Playing and Improvising 5: Christopher Norton
Christopher Norton’s Connections for Piano has been very popular since its launch in 2007. It forms a major part of the new Royal Conservatory syllabus in Canada, as well as being a feature of many other syllabuses, festival programmes and competitions around the world. Here’s a recent quote from a teacher: Connections: this series is…
Rubato
Today’s ‘5 Tips’ post was first published a few weeks ago in Pianist Magazine’s bi-monthly newsletter. It focuses on rubato, which literally means ‘robbed time’. Taking time for musical effect during a piece can be a tricky task for many a student and this article offers some suggestions. Rubato means ‘robbed’ time or taking time…
Teaching Observations: Prepping the Score
Today’s post is the last on my blog until the end of July, as I undertake an exciting trip to the Far East for my publisher Schott Music, giving piano workshops for teachers, public and private classes and lessons for both teachers and students, as well as talking about my books. But before I go,…
Using Stylistic Influence in Piano Composition: Jeni Warder
This weekend’s guest writer is teacher and composer Jeni Warder who owns the Keys Piano School in Greater Manchester, UK. Jeni is writing a series of articles for this blog focusing on how to develop a student’s composition skills at various levels. Today, she tackles Grade 2. As a teacher at Keys Piano School in…
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…
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 currently published by several publishers,…
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 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,…
Preparing A New Piece – 5 Tips Part 3
Today’s post is the third and final instalment of a mini-series for Pianist Magazine’s Newsletter: how to approach and learn a new piece. I hope it is of interest. Read Part 1, here, and Part 2, here. In Part 1 and 2 we examined ‘how’ to start learning a new piece. In Part 3, we…