Intermediate

Telemann - Allegro (from Fantasia No. 1 in D major)

Georg Philipp Telemann was a contemporary of J. S. Bach, and actually a much more famous and successful composer in his day. The Fantasia in D major, on Trinity’s Grade 6 alternative syllabus, is a worthy piece and a lot of fun to play. How do we make an edition of our own that adds dynamics, articulation, touch and expression to a score that does not include any of these details? In this video I show you some of the principles involved in making such decisions, looking at several options for interpretation based on the design of the music itself.... Read >>

Arnold - The Buccaneer (from Eight Children’s Pieces, Op. 36)

ABRSM Grade 6 – C2

The Buccanneer is a highly effective show piece. Our slightly inebriated swashbuckling hero is painted in glorious technicolour by Malcolm Arnold. The player will need to be comfortable with fast repeated notes and be able to play melody and accompaniment in one hand. Resources & links Piano Exam Pieces 2021 & 2022, Grade 6 is available from the ABRSM online shop here. Click here to purchase online from Faber Music (external link). The syllabus upon which these Practising the Piano... Read >>

Schubert - Valse sentimentale, Op. 50 No. 13

This beautiful waltz by Schubert features a cross rhythm between the hands. Don’t miss this feature! The player will need to consider carefully how to use the pedal here - sometimes more, sometimes less. 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, see page 7). Click here to view the index for our Guide to... Read >>

Lemoine - Etude No. 23, Op. 37

Both hands are kept busy in this highly effective study by Lemoine. Even when in the accompanying role, the left hand faces technical challenges with jumps and fast moving chord progressions. 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, see page 21). Click here to view the index for our Guide to the Trinity College... Read >>

Beethoven - Bagatelle in G minor, Op. 119 No. 1

ABRSM Grade 5 – A5

A bagatelle is a short piece, usually light in nature. Beethoven wrote several sets of bagatelles throughout his life, the opus 119 set was completed in 1820. The G minor, op. 119 no. 1 is like a minuet, beginning with a melancholy theme in G minor, followed by a calmer section in E flat major. A short bridge brings us back to the opening theme, this time varied with more activity and an especially athletic left hand part. A Picardy third ends the piece with a smile. Preview (please log-in... Read >>

Debussy - Page d’album, L133

ABRSM Grade 6 – B2

Debussy’s exquisitely crafted late miniature calls for delicacy of touch and sensitivity to the frequent changes in tempo (effectively written-out rubato). The player who chooses this piece will find the piece growing on them as they finesse it - an eye and an ear for detail are absolute requirements. Resources & links Piano Exam Pieces 2021 & 2022, Grade 6 is available from the ABRSM online shop here. Click here to view open domain editions for these works (external link). ... Read >>

Martha Mier - Opening Night Jazz (from Jazz, Rags & Blues, Book 5)

ABRSM Grade 6 – C1

This rousing jazz piece is guaranteed to please, and to impress. With relatively few notes, Martha Mier empowers the player to sound amazing! Resources & links Piano Exam Pieces 2021 & 2022, Grade 6 is available from the ABRSM online shop here. Click here to purchase online from Alfred Music or click here to purchase digitally on Amazon (external links). The syllabus upon which these Practising the Piano Online Academy materials are based is © by The Associated... Read >>

F. Price - Ticklin’ Toes

ABRSM Grade 4 – C3

Florence Price’s catchy Ticklin’ Toes is based on African-American dances, its syncopated rhythms and off-beat accompaniment patterns creating a lively, playful mood. Despite the editor’s caveat that players might prefer a slower tempo to the given crotchet = 138, a fast tempo is required to bring the music fully to life. A foolproof recipe for success in controlling fast tempos is an initial bout of very slow practice, ensuring complete accuracy in notes, rhythms and fingerings, followed by short bursts of the music at ever-faster tempos punctuated by deliberate stops or pauses. This might involve practising beat by beat to... Read >>

Burgmüller - 1. La Candeur (Openness) in C major (from 25 Easy and Progressive Etudes, Op. 100)

The quaver patterns require the cultivation of a legato cantabile touch and tonal gradation. Begin with the voice and sing the lines, shaping expressively and giving some space where the music breathes. Fingers need to be close to the keys, and the wrist flexible and mobile. As you glide through the five-finger positions sense the alignment of the arm behind each finger. You’ll feel this either as a tiny lateral movement in the wrist in the direction of travel, or as a small wrist circle (either is fine). Don’t overlook the chordal accompaniment in the LH; a solidly prepared background... Read >>