There are so many different ways of practising the piano and whilst it’s relatively easy to identify those that are ineffective, it’s much harder to establish fail-safe methods which will work every time. Many believe slow practice is of little use and can be distracting or even damaging, but if worked at regularly and accurately, it promotes a much more…
Tag: piano
Salon Music
The piano is the perfect vehicle for Salon music, that is, music more suited to the drawing-room as opposed to the concert hall. This genre was popular in Europe in the Nineteenth Century. During this period, many composers were also performers, and they loved to write little pieces to perform at house recitals or soirées, showcasing their talents in…
Clara Rodriguez in conversation with Melanie Spanswick
The twenty-second interview in my Classical Conversations Series features Venezuelan pianist Clara Rodriguez and I was delighted to chat to her at Steinway Hall in London. Find out more about Clara, here. For those who prefer to read interviews, the transcript: MELANIE SPANSWICK: Venezuelan concert pianist Clara Rodriguez plays solo and chamber concerts all around the…
Celebrating the Left Hand
Many students have ongoing problems regarding their left hand. These difficulties may include inability to read the bass clef properly, weaker fingers, or just lack of co-ordination and movement. A languid left hand can be caused by so many culprits, so in this post I thought it a good idea to examine the reasons why…
Structuring Your Piano Practice
Structured practice for the more advanced pianist has been whirling around my inbox recently. I’ve written about it several times for beginners, but it does take on a different mantle for those who have clearly passed that stage. Piano practice has frequently been cited by pupils as the main reason for wanting to quit, after…
Hungarian Dances at The Musical Museum
Finding a new venue is always an exciting discovery. I had never before visited The Musical Museum at Kew Bridge in West London, but it is celebrating its 50th Anniversary this year. In addition to housing some interesting musical artifacts it also hosts a concert series as well as many other activities. The Museum’s concert…
Piers Lane in conversation with Melanie Spanswick
My twenty-first Classical Conversation is with Australian concert pianist Piers Lane who chatted to me at Steinway Hall in London. Find out more about Piers, here. For those who prefer to read interviews, here is the transcript; MELANIE SPANSWICK: Australian concert pianist Piers Lane came to prominence in 1977 at the inaugural Sydney International Piano Competition…
Angela Hewitt in conversation with Melanie Spanswick
This is the Twentieth Classical Conversation in my series and I’m delighted to welcome celebrated British Canadian concert pianist Angela Hewitt to mark the occasion. We met at Jaques Samuel pianos in London. Find out more about Angela, here. The transcript for those who prefer to read interviews: MELANIE SPANSWICK: Celebrated British-Canadian concert pianist Angela Hewitt gives…
Listening and focusing
There are numerous considerations when playing the piano. Elements requiring attention include co-ordination, notes, fingering, rhythm, pedalling, colour, sound, and so on. The list is endless, and the success of the all important technical and musical issues depends on how carefully we listen and focus on what we are doing. It’s too easy to play with closed ears, that is,…
Valerie Tryon in conversation with Melanie Spanswick
My nineteenth Classical Conversation is with British concert pianist Valerie Tryon. Valerie now resides in Ancaster in Ontario, Canada, but was visiting the UK to record a disc with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra when I caught up with her in London. Find out more about Valerie, here. Here’s the transcript for those who prefer to read…
Pulse Perfection
Over the past few weeks I’ve been coaching several exam candidates; pianists who have come to me to play through their set pieces and other aspects of their respective exams. It’s the time of year for cramming, studying and practising beyond the norm in order to achieve that coveted high mark. There have, however, been…
Steven Osborne in conversation with Melanie Spanswick
The eighteenth interview in my Classical Conversations Series is with British concert pianist, Steven Osborne. We met for a chat during rehearsals for the Midsummer Music Festival held in Latimer, Buckinghamshire, where Steven was giving chamber music recitals. Find out more about Steven, here. Here’s the transcript for those who prefer to read interviews: MELANIE SPANSWICK: British…