Using the Right Tools for the Job

11 Oct 2025 @ 15:00 BST (GMT +01:00)

Part 1 - From First Notes to Strong Foundations

When learning a new piece, it’s all too easy to get bogged down in the early stages - struggling to process all the information, wrestling with note-learning, maintaining focus and trying to stay motivated. This stage is crucial: build solid foundations and you’ll be free to make music much sooner. Rush through and you risk frustration and creating problems that are hard to fix later.

In his next online workshop on Sat 11th October, Graham Fitch shows how to select and use the right approaches and tools for meeting each of the challenges encountered in the early stages of learning a piece.

Drawing on repertoire examples from elementary to advanced, Graham will guide you through practical methods that help you:

• Learn the notes securely and accurately without overloading working memory
• Process and retain information more efficiently by tackling complexity step by step
• Simplify notation and see the structure clearly with blocking and deconstruction
• Build fluency, accuracy and technical control
• Stay focused, polish details and strengthen muscle memory
• Infuse your playing with musical expression from the very beginning

Repertoire explored will range from Schumann, Beethoven, Grieg and Bach through to Chopin, Mozart and Mendelssohn, with each example carefully chosen to illustrate specific practice tools in action.

By matching the right tool to the right challenge, you’ll make your practising both more efficient and more rewarding. You’ll move beyond “note-bashing” towards fluent, expressive playing - faster and with fewer roadblocks along the way!

This workshop is part of our Learn a New Piece with Graham Fitch course, but you can also join it as a standalone session. All participants will receive access to the workshop recording, resources, and repertoire examples, making it a lasting reference for your practising.

Whether you’re working on an elementary piece or tackling advanced repertoire, this session will equip you with practical, effective strategies to transform your early learning stages into a solid springboard for musical artistry!

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