Piano teaching

Sheet Music & Study Books for sale

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

General

The Mammoth in the Practice Room: 7 reasons why musicians fall short of their potential

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

Piano teaching

Fingering schemes: help or hindrance?

"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?

Piano teaching, Practising

The Complete Pianist: from healthy technique to natural artistry – Penelope Roskell

The Complete Pianist by Penelope Roskell, renowned pedagogue and concert pianist, is an inspiring distillation of her experience and a comprehensive manual for pianists and teachers, packed with invaluable accumulated wisdom and excellent supporting materials

Piano teaching

Those who can, teach

The expression “those who can, do; those who can’t, teach” does a great disservice to teachers everywhere. In the sphere of music, teaching is often regarded as a “second best” option for those who have trained as performers, yet for anyone who has encountered a great music teacher, it is evident that this is a… Continue reading Those who can, teach

Piano teaching

Making the Most of Your Continuing Professional Development

Guest post by Rhiana Henderson There are many courses, workshops, conferences and other events available of varying lengths and on a whole range of different topics for piano teachers. Afterwards though, how are we able to demonstrate to potential students and employers that we have invested valuable time and money into our own continuing professional… Continue reading Making the Most of Your Continuing Professional Development

Piano teaching, Practising, Students, Teaching

How to Approach Sight Reading for Yourself or With Your Students

Guest post by Eleonor Bindman Sight reading is a very important skill which is often neglected during piano lessons and while practicing because of time constraints. It’s way at the bottom of our list of priorities and the fact that it seems challenging and not “fun” doesn’t help matters. In my early years of teaching… Continue reading How to Approach Sight Reading for Yourself or With Your Students