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WA Mozart - Allegro (3rd mvt from Sonata in E-flat, K. 282)
ABRSM Grade 6 – A2
Composed when Mozart was just 19, this challenging and brilliant sonata form movement requires precision and clarity in touch, and imagination in characterising the different themes. We find just two dynamic markings (p and f), leaving room for the player to add more shadings in between. Resources & links Piano Exam Pieces 2021 & 2022, Grade 6 is available from the ABRSM online shop here. Click here to view open domain editions for these works (external link). The syllabus upon... Read >>
F. Price - A Morning Sunbeam (No. 3 from Three Sketches for Little Pianists)
ABRSM Grade 1 – B2
There is much musical interest and teaching value in Florence Price’s A Morning Sunbeam! While the melody in the opening section is mostly in the right hand, it passes to the left hand in the answering phrases, thereby extending the melody’s range without moving out of the five-finger position. In the middle section, in the subdominant key of C, the melody is now varied and we find a new feature - some bouncy off-beat chords in the right hand accompaniment. Preview (please log-in or subscribe to see full video) ... Read >>
Bartók - Rondo (No. 1 from Three Rondos on Folk Tunes)
ABRSM Grade 8 - C1
With his compatriot Kodály, Bartók collected folksongs from his native Hungary as well as surrounding east-European countries, introducing them into his compositions. The first Rondo contains three Slovak folksongs, the first acting as the rondo theme and the other two as episodes. This vibrant piece is full of contrasts in texture and mood, singing wistfully one moment and dancing wildly the next. Do not be a slave to the strict-looking metronome marks (Bartók was not in his own performances).... Read >>
Proksch - And Now Let's Handel
German composer Michael Proksch gives us a fun piece in neo-baroque style. And Now Let’s Handel features a simple harmonic progression based on a cycle of fifths that repeats three times, each time with a different texture. The quaver patterns give each hand in turn the opportunity to develop forearm rotation while shaping the line. There are a few possibilities for pedalling to explore. Preview (please log-in or subscribe to see full video) Resources & links Click here to purchase sheet music from... Read >>
Kukuck - The Rowboat
The Rowboat is a miniature tone picture relying on imagination and a sense of storyline to convey the musical message. Sensitivity to phrasing, developing a cantabile touch and the technique of chord legato are explored in this video. Preview (please log-in or subscribe to see full video) Resources & links Click here to purchase sheet music from the Trinity College online store (external link). Click here to view the index for our Guide to the Trinity College Piano Syllabus. ... Read >>
Debussy - Page d’album, L133
ABRSM Grade 6 – B2
Debussy’s exquisitely crafted late miniature calls for delicacy of touch and sensitivity to the frequent changes in tempo (effectively written-out rubato). The player who chooses this piece will find the piece growing on them as they finesse it - an eye and an ear for detail are absolute requirements. Resources & links Piano Exam Pieces 2021 & 2022, Grade 6 is available from the ABRSM online shop here. Click here to view open domain editions for these works (external link). ... Read >>
Barbara Arens - Sparkling Splashes & Smooth Water (from The Mermaid Challenge)
ABRSM Grade 2 – A1
Resources & links This piece is available for individual purchase as a digital download here or in print as part of the Piano Exam Pieces 2025 & 2026 Grade 2 publication here. You can listen to a recording of this piece and others from this grade on Spotify using this link.... Read >>
Kallmeyer - Six-Eight-Prelude (from The Cool Cat Piano Goodies)
Trinity College - Grade 8
This Prelude comes from a collection of easy to moderate piano pieces in different popular idioms, Cool Cat Piano Goodies by German composer Ulrich Kallmeyer. The mood is relaxed, possibly even a little lazy. There is quite a lot going on in the left hand as it jumps from the upper register to the lower in the A section, all of which needs to be done with a light touch. To hold it all together we need to clearly feel two dotted crotchet beats per bar. Preview (please log-in or subscribe to... Read >>
Trad. German (arr. Blackwell) - Muss i denn
ABRSM Grade 1 – A2
Resources & links This piece is available for individual purchase as a digital download here or in print as part of the Piano Exam Pieces 2025 & 2026 Grade 1 publication here. Open domain editions are also available here. You can listen to a recording of this piece and others from this grade... Read >>