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Sergei Rachmaninoff - Prelude in G Major, Op. 32 No. 5

The crystalline G Major Prelude is one of Rachmaninoff’s more accessible works and has justly become a favourite of intermediate and advanced pianists alike. The left hand’s limpid quintuplets set the stage for the sparkling cantabile melody in the upper register with contrasting arabesque figures establishing a wistful atmosphere. In this video lesson on the piece, Fred Karpoff demonstrates how to play it expressively with cantabile voicing, imaginative fingering, good cross-rhythms, well-timed rolls and lush pedalling. Preview (please log-in or subscribe to see full video) Resources & links... Read >>

Chopin - Waltz in D-flat Major ('Minute', Op. 64 No. 1)

The "Minute" Waltz continues to delight audiences and pianists over 175 years since it was composed. The publisher’s title suggested a "small" waltz, not one to be played within one minute. A more interesting story suggests that Chopin was actually inspired by seeing a little dog chase its tail! In any event, the piece endures as a favourite and is highly pianistic. In this video lesson, Fred Karpoff guides you how to play this elegant piece with ease, including the "tail-chasing" figure of the right hand, the lilting waltz rhythms of the left hand and three-dimensional shaping of the running... Read >>

Czerny - Eight-Measure Exercises (Op. 821)

A guided tour of selected exercises

Carl Czerny’s works are often thought of as a ‘necessary evil’ that will magically further a pianist’s technique. As with all repertoire, outstanding results can only be achieved by working better, not harder. Fred Karpoff shows how Czerny’s Eight-Measure Exercises, in particular, are an excellent vehicle for quickly addressing specific... Read >>

Claude Debussy - Bruyères, No.5 from Preludes, Book 2

Bruyères (Heather) is the 'sister' prelude of The Girl With the Flaxen Hair from Debussy’s first book of Preludes. Both pieces are highly accessible for audiences; some might even describe them as 'easy listening'. A pastoral character is apparent from the outset in each, using mostly diatonic elements. Performance Video lesson Preview (please log-in or subscribe to see full video) Resources & links Click here to download Fred's marked score for this work or click... 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 >>

JS Bach - Invention No. 4 in D Minor, BWV 775

One of the most beloved of Bach’s Inventions, this work is ideal for studying two-voiced counterpoint with equal challenges in each hand. In addition to melodic inversion, this lesson highlights how to apply three-dimensional solutions to scalar figures, detached arpeggios, and trills. Fred’s marked score provides detailed analysis of invertible counterpoint, harmony, sequence, and hemiola possibilities. Preview (please log-in or subscribe to see full video) Resources & links Click here to download a Fred's marked score for this work or Click here to... Read >>

Oskar Merikanto - Merellä

(Op. 47 No. 4)

Lesson excerpt (please click here to view the video lesson) Resources & links Click here to view open domain editions for this work or click here to view Fred's performance. For more like this video, check out Fred’s website, Entrada Piano, where you will find hundreds of training videos and his masterclass series. ... Read >>

Claude Debussy - Clair de lune (No. 3 from Suite bergamasque, L. 75)

Preview (please log-in or subscribe to see full video) Resources & links Click here to download a Fred's marked score for this work or Click here to view open domain editions. ... Read >>

Sergei Rachmaninoff - Prelude in D Major, Op. 23 No. 4

Performance For pianists, this piece holds a special place as among the most beautiful solo pieces to play. Its main cantabile melody undergoes variation treatment (AA’BA’’) particularly with lyrical counterpoint and increasingly rich orchestration, with a tremendous climax leading to the final A section. In this detailed lesson on the piece, Fred Karpoff explores elements such as voicing, pedalling, three-dimensional technical solutions and clever options for how to retake voices in different hands to facilitate a smoother, more pianistic performance. Performance Video lesson Preview... Read >>