Performing

Spreading Chords in the Baroque Period

Spread (or rolled, ripped, broken or arpeggiated) chords are simply chords where we play one note after the other, rather than playing all the notes simultaneously. Although this sounds relatively straightforward, there are questions and problems associated with spreading chords which this series of articles will seek to address.... Read >>

Beyond Stage Fright - Managing Performance Nerves

This short course aims to start you on the first steps of a journey to help you find ways to manage those nerves so that you can perform to your full potential and enjoy the whole experience. The course is divided into fives days with a short video for each... Read >>

Beyond Stage Fright - Inspired Performance

This series features the first two weeks of Inspired Performance which is an online video and audio course which aims to help you move through your performance blocks towards a free, joyful and inspired performing life. It provides an overview of performance anxiety, how we experience nerves and how we... Read >>

A Guide to the Trinity College Piano Syllabus (2018 - 2020)

This series features video demonstrations of a selection of pieces from Trinity College London’s 2018 - 2020 piano examination syllabus, with examples from each grade from Initial to 8. You will find plenty of tips for practice, as well as suggestions for piano teachers, and guidance on matters relating to style and interpretation. Foundation grades Exploring Trinity’s Piano Syllabus – Foundation Grades Trinity College Initial - Badings: Canon Trinity College Initial - Heumann: Spanish Guitar Trinity College Initial - Béra-Tagrine: Conversation Trinity College Grade... Read >>

Preparing for an Examination

This collection of videos offers general tips and suggestions for preparing or a piano examination. It serves as a complement to our repertoire guides and covers topics including sight-reading, aural, technical tests (scales and arpeggios), general preparation and practice strategies.... Read >>

A Guide to the ABRSM Syllabus (2021 - 2022)

Pieces

Initial Grade Grade 1 Grade 2 Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5 Grade 6 Grade 7 Grade 8 Preparing for an Examination Scales & Arpeggios Sight-reading Aural Tests Practising a Performance & Performance Psychology Updates & links You can get further updates on resources for the ABRSM syllabus by signing up for our mailing list here and subscribing... Read >>

Dealing with Performance Anxiety

Although sharing your playing with others can be deeply rewarding, most pianists (including many professionals!) suffer from some form of stage fright at the prospect of playing in a public setting. In this video, Graham Fitch shares some of his thoughts and methods for dealing with performance anxiety. Resources & links Practising the Piano Multimedia eBook Series - Part 4 (Practising for Performance) - This volume focusses on the art of performance, drawing upon proven practise strategies, psychological and therapeutic techniques to help you combat anxiety and... Read >>

A Guide to the ABRSM Syllabus (2023 - 2024)

This series provides a detailed guide to the ABRSM piano examination syllabus for 2023 - 2024, including video walk-throughs with practice suggestions, tips on style and interpretation and other ideas for a selection of pieces (from initial to Grade 8). New Pieces The following are the works that we have featured so far from the main lists for the new syllabus: Initial Grade A1: Chwatal – Little Playmates Initial Grade A2: Trad. (arr. Önaç) - What shall we do with the drunken sailor? Initial Grade A3: H. Wohlfahrt (arr. Jones)... Read >>

A Guide to the Trinity College Piano Syllabus (2021 - 2023)

This series features video walk-throughs of a selection of pieces from Trinity College London’s 2021 - 2023 piano examination syllabus, with examples from each grade from Initial to 3 (with later grades to follow shortly!). You will find plenty of tips for practice, as well as suggestions for piano teachers, and guidance on matters relating to style and interpretation. Foundation grades Trinity College Initial - Badings: Canon Trinity College Initial - Heumann: Spanish Guitar NEW:Trinity College Initial - Trinity College Initial - Praetorious: Old German Dance NEW:... Read >>