I was recently interviewed about the value and benefit of learning the piano later in life. Many students play as children taking up the hobby again years later, whilst others learn from scratch. Is it a good idea? Can you succeed as an adult learner? Is anyone ever too old to play the piano? Here…
Tag: Schott Music
Three-Part Webinar for Pianist Magazine
I’ve been contributing articles to Pianist Magazine for over 10 years. During that time I’ve written an elementary ‘How-To-Play’ column—over 60 in total—for each issue and have composed an elementary piano piece—just over 15 so far—as part of the piano score section. I’ve also contributed regularly to Pianist’s blog, writing a series of ‘5-tips’ style posts. It’s been…
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…
Adult Piano Returners – A Group Celebration
Those who read this blog regularly will know that I host an increasingly popular Facebook Group called Adult Piano Returners (click on the group name to find out more). I started this group in September 2021 at the end of the pandemic as a way of connecting with adult pianists, and I also wanted to…
Far Eastern Adventures
I’ve just returned from my second trip to the Far East this year. I love these adventures to far-flung exotic destinations and I feel it a privilege to travel for my work. Despite having worked in Singapore and Hong Kong on numerous occasions, I hadn’t visited since just before the pandemic in 2019. One of…
International Women’s Week: Composing For Schott Music
Every year during March we celebrate the lives and work of women. Is this important? Yes, it is. Women in the workforce is still a relatively recent phenomenon, however, I feel that we finally have a platform from which to build meaningful and fulfilling careers. As you may have sensed if you are a regular…
Middle Eastern Odyssey
I’ve wanted to work in the Middle East for a while and have been busy hatching a suitable plan to present my books and workshops to teachers and students. Most countries in this part of the world are not known for their love of Western music education and it’s this relative indifference that caught my…
Women Composers – A Graded Anthology For Piano: An Interview
A few months ago, I gave an interview for pianist and writer Rhonda Rizzo. This post was published on her blog No Dead Guys. Rhonda writes and publishes a wide variety of articles relating to piano playing and she also features many guest posts. This written interview focused on my new anthology, Women Composers –…
5 Tips To Help Develop Finger Control
My most recent article for Pianist Magazine’s newsletter focuses on honing firmer fingers for clear and crisp articulation. Rapid passages. They require extra practice, don’t they? You sit down at the instrument, ready to start a practice session, and begin at the same quaver, semiquaver or demisemiquaver passage which caused some grief at the previous…
The Recording Process: Yuki Negishi
Japanese pianist Yuki Negishi has written many articles chronicling her pianistic journey to date. In this post, she describes her most recent project: the recording of her new album, Enigma. I’m really happy that my piece ‘Enigma’, written for Yuki, features on this new album. I have been performing for many years since graduating from…
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…
Beginning Jazz Piano: Tim Richards
My guest writer today is renowned British jazz pianist, author, and educator Tim Richards. Tim has written numerous best-selling books and is a Schott Music author and composer. In this article, he offers an introduction to his latest series, Beginning Jazz Piano – A Introduction to Swing, Blues, Latin & Funk. Part 1 is the…