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Burgmüller - 18. Inquiétude (Restlessness) in E Minor (from 25 Easy and Progressive Etudes, Op. 100)

In Inquiétude (Restlessness) we find just one basic pattern – left hand staccato chords on each beat of the bar and scurrying semiquaver groups in the right hand, off the beat. It makes sense to begin learning the notes with the left hand, the conductor. The wedged staccato dashes tell us to play short and emphatically, with energy in the tips of the fingers. The right hand groups need to be played close to the keys, yet with a sense of shaping and mobility in the hand and wrist. The wider intervals, such as we find in bars 5-6, and... Read >>

Couperin - Les coucous bénévoles

The right hand features the call of the cuckoo in this delightful, descriptive piece; the left hand will need to be very secure rhythmically to support what is happening above. A successful performance needs precision in articulation, and careful organisation of the tricky ornament. 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... Read >>

Chee-Hwa Tan - The Swing (from Through the Windowpane)

ABRSM Grade 1 – B2

The composer’s indication to soar “as high as your imagination takes you” invites a range of possible tempos from moderate to fast. The player has the opportunity to explore the colours of the different registers – the middle register in the opening, the treble in the second phrase and then down to the bass in the closing phrase. A long pedal marking at the end and a hand crossing in the final bar give the player the feeling of command over a wide range of the piano keyboard. A delightful character piece full of educational as well as artistic value.... Read >>

Beethoven (arr. Czerny) - Écossaise in G, WoO 23

ABRSM Grade 2 – A1

In this bouncy Écossaise by Beethoven the player needs to distinguish between two different types of staccato - the ordinary dot and the sharper, more accented dash (or wedge). We find several slurs, to be played using a down-up motion generated by the arm; release the final note of each slur, making it softer and slightly shorter than its written value. Bring out the humour of the piece by enjoying Beethoven’s cheeky dissonances and high-spirited syncopations. Preview (please log-in or subscribe to see full video) ... Read >>

Daquin - Suite de la réjouissance (Gavotte en rondeau from Premier livre de pièces de clavecin)

ABRSM Grade 2 – A3

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. Open domain editions are also available here. You can listen to a recording of this piece and others from this grade on Spotify using ... Read >>

Scarlatti - Sonata in G Major

Here is an opportunity for the developing player to explore various possibilities for touch and articulation. In this short sonata there are also several technical challenges to overcome, including jumps, rotary freedom, delicate grace notes. 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. Click here to view a complete listing of all... Read >>

JC Bach - Aria in F, BWV Anh. 131

ABRSM Grade 1 – A1

JC Bach's Aria in F is part of a new series on the ABRSM syllabus designed for youngsters, or elementary players. This series of articles provides a step-by-step (or phrase-by-phrase) approach to learning the piece thoroughly and securely, building a solid foundation for performance in an exam, or if you... Read >>

Brian Chapple - March Hare (No. 5 from In the Pink)

ABRSM Grade 2 – C1

Two different time signatures and two contrasting musical ideas alternate in this character piece depicting the mad march hare. The player will need firm control of rhythm and legato and staccato touches. Resources & links Piano Exam Pieces 2021 & 2021, Grade 2 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... Read >>

Loeschhorn - Study in F (No. 25 from 48 Etüden in fortschreitender Ordnung, Op. 65)

ABRSM Grade 3 – B2

This study from the Romantic period features a melody line in the right hand in singing style, supported by an accompaniment in broken chords in the left. The secret to playing it beautifully lies not only in projecting the melody line but also in shaping it while keeping the accompaniment soft. Singing the line out loud will help you discover where the high and low points of each phrase are. Preview (please log-in or subscribe to see full video) Resources & links This piece is available for... Read >>