If we are serious about our music, our progress with our repertoire and our technical and artistic development, we need to establish good and regular practising habits, as regular as cleaning one’s teeth. No one, not even professional musicians at the top of their game, is born with an innate talent which negates the need… Continue reading Feeding the practise habit
Author: The Cross-Eyed Pianist
Pianist, writer, music and arts reviewer, and blogger on classical music and pianism
Breaking the routine
Some years ago I belonged to a gym. I went regularly - 3 or 4 times a week - and followed the same sequence of exercises every time: rowing, cycling, cross-trainer, weight-training. After a while, it occurred to me that my fitness wasn't really improving as I was just “going through the motions”, following the… Continue reading Breaking the routine
P is… for Piano Parents & Practising!
Practice should reflect age and level. Five to ten minutes of practice at a time for a very young beginner is usually good. For those starting out regardless of age, five to ten minutes per day, moving to two sessions per day of that duration, is recommended to gradually build both concentration and engagement.
What happened to improvisation in classical piano music?
Guest post by Phil Best The great piano composers were all fluent improvisers. Bach, Mozart, Chopin and so many others are reported to have improvised to audiences regularly. Beethoven’s improvisation duel against Daniel Steibelt, which he won to become the most lauded improviser in Vienna, proves this point whilst it also demonstrates how many virtuoso… Continue reading What happened to improvisation in classical piano music?
EPTA launches a new piano teachers’ course
The European Piano Teachers' Association (EPTA) has announced the launch of a new piano teachers' course as part of its 40th-anniversary celebrations in 2019. The course, headed by Murray McLachlan, Chair of EPTA and head of keyboard at Chethams School in Manchester, takes place over 6 separate CPD training days in 2019 and will cover… Continue reading EPTA launches a new piano teachers’ course
The power of “yet”
Those of us who teach and play ourselves understand that music requires commitment in the form of consistent, focused practising. This does not mean a snatched half-hour here or there or a blitz the night before the weekly piano lesson, but regular engagement with the instrument and its literature (at least 5 days out of… Continue reading The power of “yet”
Technique without tears
Technique lies at the foundation of piano playing, and good technique can serve the beginner student right through to advanced level.
Joanna and the Piano – Gavin Thomson
Written in the present tense with all the breathless stream of consciousness of a bright, excitable 10 year old girl, Joanna and the Piano is part time-travelling fantasy, part comment on modern family life. When her father is made redundant, Joanna is forced to leave the city home and friends she loves to start a… Continue reading Joanna and the Piano – Gavin Thomson
Introducing ‘Piano Teachers’ Hour’ on Twitter
Guest post by Barbara Kennedy When I made the switch to piano teaching, following a career in administration, one of the biggest surprises was that I missed the face-to-face interaction with colleagues. I had not anticipated just how isolating piano teaching could be. I now see around 35 students (and families) a week and I… Continue reading Introducing ‘Piano Teachers’ Hour’ on Twitter
New ABRSM piano syllabus released
With this new syllabus, the ABRSM has sought to remain true to its core strength of offering a syllabus which combines rigour with a selection of music to appeal to a wide range of students around the world
