thoughts on piano teaching and beyond
If we understand how to adapt specific skills, to make them relevant to the repertoire we are currently working on, we can make the learning process less arduous and more rewarding, while also continuing to build on existing skills and develop new ones.
Piano teacher Alexandra Westcott explains how a decision to reorganise her teaching brought her greater fulfilment, self-esteem and job satisfaction.
They say that goodbye is one of the hardest things to say, and saying goodbye to your piano teacher can be a difficult decision, especially if you have been taking lessons with that teacher for some time.
The world of the piano is huge and so much more is available to us if we allow it, even if we ‘know’ very little. All it takes is no judgement, and full permission to explore it.
The internet is full of articles promising to help you learn to play the piano Learn to play in just 4 weeks! Play piano in 10 easy steps 5 ways to become a great pianist And so on.... The British pianist James Rhodes entered this busy, lucrative market a few years ago with his book… Continue reading There’s no ‘Quick Fix’ to playing the piano
A selection of repertoire, study books and exercises published by ABRSM and TCL. If you are interested in purchasing any of these books, please contact me for further information SPECTRUM series of contemporary solo miniatures, compiled by Thalia Myers (ABRSM). Includes pieces by Howard Skempton, Cheryl Frances-Hoad, Michael Finnissy, Karen Tanaka... Spectrum - used,… Continue reading Sheet Music & Study Books for sale
Piano Portals: 7 Secrets to Technique from Out of This World - pianist & teacher Stephen Marquiss introduces Piano Portals
A new book from Nathan Holder takes a wide-ranging and eclectic approach to piano music and other facts about the piano. Primarily aimed at teenagers, there is much in this to appeal to the piano enthusiast of any age.
Guest post by Stephen Marquiss “We’ll see you on TV one day”, they said. By the time I reached my 29th birthday, I had been on TV once – but does a school promotional appearance really count? I could’ve made it twice, for the semi-final of BBC Young Musicians. But I withdrew through injury. I’m… Continue reading The Mammoth in the Practice Room: 7 reasons why musicians fall short of their potential
"The most dangerous thing is 'finger memory'; if you really know a piece harmonically, it doesn't matter what finger you use, but if finger memory fails you, it falls apart utterly." the late Peter Feuchtwanger, quoted in The Piano Shop on the Left Bank by Thad Carhart. From our earliest time at the piano, we… Continue reading Fingering schemes: help or hindrance?
