A couple of useful new resources for pianists, teachers and the parents of piano students which have come my way recently. The first, Piano Exercises, is a DVD by Mikael Pettersson, a Swedish concert pianist based in the UK. The exercises were created by Mikael to help pianists develop their technique to play without tension… Continue reading New resources for pianists, piano teachers and parents
Author: The Cross-Eyed Pianist
Frances Wilson is a pianist, writer, music and arts reviewer, music PR, and blogger on classical music and pianism under the pen name 'The Cross-Eyed Pianist'
The Adventures of Ivan – piano pieces to delight young and old
The Adventures of Ivan is a suite of eight characterful piano miniatures by Aram Khatchaturian (1903-78), the titles of which suggest a narrative or snapshots in the life of a young boy called Ivan. Perhaps best known for his concertos and scores for the ballets Spartacus and Gayaneh (which includes the brilliant 'Sabre Dance'), he… Continue reading The Adventures of Ivan – piano pieces to delight young and old
New books for pianists from Trinity College London
It's good to see Trinity College London extending its publishing programme to include more books for pianists, including collections of pieces from beginner to advanced level, and a compilation of piano exercises, selected from past exam syllabuses, all of which offer excellent resources for teachers and students alike. Raise the Bar is a new series… Continue reading New books for pianists from Trinity College London
Be a concert pianist in your own home
Do you dream of playing Beethoven's Emperor Piano Concerto to a packed house at Carnegie Hall? Do you long to play the graceful slow movement of Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 21 with a full orchestra? When I was a teenager there was Music Minus One, which consisted of an LP and a score. I had… Continue reading Be a concert pianist in your own home
Beautiful music in motivating pieces
Why I love playing and teaching Ludovico Einaudi's piano music - guest post by Maria Busqué Ludovico Einaudi's piano music is a delight to play. That aside, there are many advantages to teaching it. I'm still grateful to the person who first introduced me to his pieces. Einaudi's music is beautiful and unpretentious. It's sincere, simple, and allows… Continue reading Beautiful music in motivating pieces
Be kind to your students
I'm sure I am not alone in having several students who are currently immersed in revision and study sessions ahead of their GCSE and A-level exams which commence next month. Some young people cope well with the pressure of revision and exams, but sometimes even the most confident or well-organised students find that something has… Continue reading Be kind to your students
Exam mark sheets: help or hindrance?
It's that time of the year again - exam season, when teachers and students everywhere are awaiting the results of their practical exams. All exam candidates receive a mark sheet which includes brief commentaries on and marks for their pieces, technical work (scales, arpeggios and exercises), aural tests, sight-reading etc. At the bottom of… Continue reading Exam mark sheets: help or hindrance?
Why go on a piano course?
Piano courses are more popular than ever now, in part thanks to Alan Rusbridger's book 'Play It Again'. (For many years, Alan was a regular at what he described as "piano camp" - Lot Music, based in the Lot-et-Garonne region of France). So what is the attraction of a piano course? I think most pianists… Continue reading Why go on a piano course?
Practising the Piano Online Academy
Fans of acclaimed teacher and performer Graham Fitch's insightful, instructive and highly readable blog Practising the Piano and eBook series, his regular contributions to 'Pianist' magazine, his YouTube videos on piano technique, and his inspiring and supportive workshops and courses will be excited to learn of his latest initiative for pianists, the Practising the Piano… Continue reading Practising the Piano Online Academy
Encore – your favourite ABRSM piano exam pieces
There are numerous anthologies of piano pieces which sit comfortably alongside the exam syllabuses, many of which are published by the ABRSM. Encore is a new compilation, in four volumes covering Grades 1 to 8, of over 70 favourite exam pieces from timeless classics to contemporary classical music and popular songs and show tunes or… Continue reading Encore – your favourite ABRSM piano exam pieces
A Piano Teacher Writes... 