This post relates to my earlier article 'Curved Lines' - phrases and how to shape music I recently attended a masterclass for pianists, the theme of which was 'Sooner or Later?'; that is, how tempo (speed) and the placing of a note, or group of notes, can affect the mood, drama, colour and shape of… Continue reading ‘Sooner or later’ – Tempo Rubato & the art of stolen time
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'
Practising isn’t just about playing…..
"Practice only on the days you eat" (Dr Suzuki) I've adapted this text from an American website which is encouraging students to do a '100 Days of Practice challenge'. Playing the piano requires development of muscular coordination and mental concentration, skills that are best acquired by consistent and careful daily practice. Designated practice time each… Continue reading Practising isn’t just about playing…..
Aural Masterclass Part 2 – Cadences
Cadences are the punctuation marks in music (see my earlier post on Musical Punctuation Marks). Some cadences are very final (.) while others pause for only a moment (,). Some introduce the performer/listener to a new idea or section in the music (:), others leave the listener wanting more (....). Cadences can asks questions (?),… Continue reading Aural Masterclass Part 2 – Cadences
Guest post: Digital Pianos – Which Should I Buy?
by Serena Grant Digital pianos provide a more recent and economical alternative to acoustic pianos. Digital pianos tend to much smaller and more portable than acoustic pianos, and are able to reproduce the sound and tone of an acoustic piano. Although this fidelity is never 100%, digital piano sound has improved in the past ten years.… Continue reading Guest post: Digital Pianos – Which Should I Buy?
Musical Punctuation Marks
Imagine if you were listening to someone speak, perhaps reading out the news on television, or reading a poem to you. The speaker's voice sounds the same the entire time they are speaking, with no rise or fall in sound, no changes in rhythm or tempo (speed), and no indication that there are pauses, full… Continue reading Musical Punctuation Marks
Aural Masterclass Part 1 – Intervals
The first in an occasional series of posts to help students prepare for aural tests. Understanding intervals is an important aspect of playing and studying music, and this is why music exams test candidates on their knowledge of intervals. An interval is the distance between one note and another, and is always described as a… Continue reading Aural Masterclass Part 1 – Intervals
Guest post: Transposition – a dying art?
by Madelaine Jones We all know the feeling – you’re sat on the stool, anxious before a first rehearsal with a singer. Doubtless you’ll have practised the piece, sorted the fingerings, and on meeting the culprit of your hours of toil, you’ll find them to be a perfectly human, ordinary musical being with whom you… Continue reading Guest post: Transposition – a dying art?
What the great composers teach us
We can learn a great deal from studying and learning music by the great composers such as Bach, Beethoven, Chopin, Liszt, Bartok, and even contemporary classical composers. Find out more here..... What the great composers teach us. (this post first appeared on my sister blog The Cross-Eyed Pianist)
Be an Olympian at the piano
The London 2012 Olympics are a wonderful celebration of sporting success and the superb achievements of Team GB (and others) are an inspiration to us all. Of course such triumphs do not come easily, and every medal winning British athlete interviewed has put their success down to hard work, commitment and focused training, day in… Continue reading Be an Olympian at the piano
What’s the point of scales?
Many piano students view scales as tedious, mindless exercises, a painful part of practice time, with no value or relevance to "real" piano playing. In fact, scales are incredibly important and useful, and students need to understand this from the very start of their study of scales and other technical exercises (broken chords and arpeggios).… Continue reading What’s the point of scales?
A Piano Teacher Writes... 