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JS Bach - Prelude & Fugue in A-flat Major (Book 1)

BWV862

Difficulty Prelude: 4 Fugue: 6 This video preview features a performance of the work, please log-in or subscribe to see full teaching video for this work. Resources & links Click here for open domain editions for this work. click here to download difficulty chart for all 48 preludes & fugues. ... Read >>

Elgar (arr. Jones) - Salut d’amour (Op.12)

ABRSM Grade 3 – B1

Elgar’s famous violin melody is transcribed for piano by Richard Jones in a setting that requires careful balance between the two hands, as well as control of tone in the left hand. Use of the pedal is essential. Resources & links Piano Exam Pieces 2021 & 2021, Grade 3 is available from the ABRSM online shop here. The syllabus upon which these Practising the Piano Online Academy materials are based is © by The Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music and is reproduced... Read >>

Burgmüller - 2. L’Arabesque (Arabesque) in A minor (from 25 Easy and Progressive Etudes, Op. 100)

Keep the LH chords close to the keyboard, the fingertips firm and somewhat active, the wrist loose but relatively still. When practising the LH separately, the following patterns will help to learn the hand shapes: Play RH semiquaver patterns lightly using a drop-roll (down-up) movement generated from the arm. Small lateral adjustments in the wrist keep us free and loose by assisting finger articulation. The first note of each RH group is the strongest, the last note lighter and short. You might practise chaining the drop-roll slurs thus (RH alone): ... Read >>

Valerie Capers - Billie’s Song (No. 7 from Portraits in Jazz)

Valerie Capers composed Billie’s Song as a tribute to the great jazz singer, Billie Holiday. This beautiful ballad is featured in the Grade 4 list from the ABRSM 2023 & 2024 examination syllabus and can serve as a great introduction to the world of jazz. Capers uses lush, extended harmonies to accompany a lyrical melody to project, as she says, the "special warmth and intensity" of "the great lady of song." Performance Video lesson Preview (please log-in or subscribe to see full video) ... Read >>

Liszt - Notturno No. 3 (Liebestraum)

Liszt’s Notturno No. 3 (Liebestraum) blends soaring lyricism with virtuosic brilliance. This From the Ground Up edition clarifies its harmonic structure through practical reductions and sectional study, offering focused strategies to master technical challenges and shape a richly coloured, naturally flowing interpretation.... Read >>

Beethoven - Sonata No. 1 in F Minor (Op. 2 No. 1)

(Op. 2 No. 1)

Pianist and captain of The Piano Boat, Masayuki Tayama, gives a guided tour of Beethoven’s first piano sonata in F minor, Op. 2 No. 1. In these eighteen videos, Masa explores background, style, interpretation, technical challenges and practice methods for each of the four movements.... Read >>

Clara Schumann - Scherzo in G, Op. 15 No. 4

Clara Schumann's short Scherzo from Op. 15 No. 4 is a delightful piece to study at the intermediate level. A jaunty 'A' section is contrasted by a sustained, melancholic trio before the playful main section returns. The work provides a wide variety of technical and musical challenges, including fast staccato passages, arpeggios, two-note slurs, and projecting cantabile over chorale texture. Fred Karpoff guides you to integrate three-dimensional technique with musical insights to play this piece with ease. Preview (please log-in or subscribe to see full video) ... Read >>

Löhlein (arr. Haas) - Balletto

Trinity College - Grade 2

The main challenge in Georg Simon Löhlein’s Balletto is the thirds, played both staccato and legato in the right hand (the left hand providing modest support). Perfect synchronisation of both notes is most important. This early Classical piece uses just two chords throughout – tonic and dominant, and two dynamics – mf and p.... Read >>

Partita No. 6 in E minor

BWV 830

The Toccata from Bach’s Partita No. 6 in E minor, BWV 830, is a popular choice for piano diplomas. These videos (with accompanying study edition for the Fugue) will show you how to approach learning, interpreting and performing this magnificent work.... Read >>