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Nevada - Starry Dome (No. 15 from Piano Meditation)

ABRSM Grade 5 – B2

This meditation for piano is rather hypnotic and will be a popular choice because of its technical accessibility and the calming mood it creates. There is a rhythmic challenge with the syncopations in the 5/4 bars, and pedalling will need some care. Resources & links Piano Exam Pieces 2021 & 2022, Grade 5 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... Read >>

Schumann - Von fremden Ländern und Menschen (No. 1 from Kinderscenen, Op. 15)

ABRSM Grade 5 – B10

Kinderszenen (Scenes of Childhood) is a set of 13 pieces written in 1838 in which Schumann looks back on childhood memories from the perspective of an adult. The opening piece, Von fremden Ländern und Menschen (Of Foreign Lands and People) features a diminished chord on the second beat of the first bar. The player needs to colour the sound here to create a sense of wonder or mystery. The texture of the piece is typical of the Romantic style - a top melody supported by broken chords and a bass line (a counter melody appears in the bass in... Read >>

Norton - Walking Together

Aim for the hands to be absolutely together in this piece. The left hand emerges in the middle phrase; a loose wrist will enable the fast repeated notes in the right hand. Resources & links Click here to purchase sheet music form the Trinity College online store (external link). Click here to view the index for our Guide to the Trinity College Piano Syllabus. Click here to view a complete listing of all of our piano... Read >>

JS Bach - Fantasia in C minor, BWV 906

ABRSM Grade 8 - A1

This highly chromatic and brilliant piece featuring hand crossings and running triplets shows Bach trying his hand at the new galant and expressive styles of composition that his sons were writing in. The contrasting second theme in the relative major returns in the home key after a development of the main themes, predicting Classical sonata form. Do not be intimidated by the array of ornaments, these can be organised rhythmically based on the realisations presented in the edition.... Read >>

Bridge - Miniature Pastoral (No. 2 from Three Miniature Pastorals, Set 1)

ABRSM Grade 4 – B2

This delightful piece brings as many rewards as it poses challenges to the lower intermediate player, and will certainly help develop sensitivity to touch and responsiveness to mood and character. Resources & links Piano Exam Pieces 2021 & 2021, Grade 4 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 by permission of the copyright owner. The Practising... Read >>

Fibich - Lento (Moods, Impressions and Souvenirs, Op.41 No.139)

The tempo is slow, and the mood sombre and brooding in this gorgeous character piece by the unjustly neglected Czech composer, Fibich. Bring as wide a tonal palette as you can muster to this piece, to create contrasting orchestral textures. The player will need to carefully consider the pedalling and accommodate the spread chords so as to catch the basses in the pedal while keeping continuity in the line. Preview (please log-in or subscribe to see full video) ... Read >>

Bartók - Allegretto (No. 3 from For Children, Vol. 2)

ABRSM Grade 3 – C1

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 3 publication here. Open domain editions are also available here. You can listen to a recording of this piece and others from... Read >>

Szymanowska - Mazurka

The mazurka is a Polish national dance, and this example by Maria Szymanowska in moderate tempo is a good introduction to the style. The left hand requires rhythmical articulation to create the dance style, the right hand supplying spinning patterns above. Resources & links Click here to purchase sheet music form the Trinity College online store (external link). Click here to view open domain editions for these works (external link). Click here to view the... Read >>

Elissa Milne - Cockatoo (No. 9 from Very Easy Little Peppers)

ABRSM Grade 1 – C1

In this witty character piece in jazz style, the composer poses the challenge of playing double notes in the right hand. She does so in a way that encourages free and natural movements of the hand. Cockatoo not only captures the imagination, it is also an effective study for the elementary pianist.... Read >>