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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 >>
Cimarosa - Sonata in G, C.34
ABRSM Grade 4 – A2
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 4 publication here. Open domain editions are also available here. You can listen to a recording of this piece and others from... Read >>
Trad. (arr. Önaç) - What shall we do with the drunken sailor?
ABRSM Initial Grade – A2
The melody of this traditional sea shanty in the dorian mode is clearly presented with some accompanimental material in the left hand. David A. T. Önaç’s clever arrangement presents some useful technical challenges, such as passing a line smoothly from one hand to the other, and changes in touch from staccato to legato. Preview (please log-in or subscribe to see full video) Resources & links This piece is available for digital download individually from the ABRSM shop here or in print as part of the... 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 >>
Chopin - Prelude in B Minor (Op. 28 No. 6)
Chopin’s dark, somber Prélude in B minor is much more difficult to play than it looks. The pedalling requires a lot of thought as Chopin gives us only three pedal markings, in those places where he wants special pedal effects that provide generous resonance. In other places, we must therefore be careful to pedal more sparingly and discreetly. The melodic interest is in the long LH rising and falling phrases, yet we clearly hear the tolling of bells in the RH repeated notes. There are some beautiful - and surprising - harmonic moments that you’ll need to savour in order... Read >>
Granados - Vals poético (No. 6 from Valses poéticos)
ABRSM Grade 6 - B2
Enrique Granados wrote this romantic waltz when he was a student at the Madrid Conservatory, indicating that it should be played sentimentally, with freedom (quasi ad libitum). A vivid imagination will help communicate the spirit of this music; perhaps the repetition of the opening paragraph an octave higher at bar 17 suggests there may be two characters in dialogue? Whatever narrative we explore, we need to bring colour and flexibility to the singing lines as we respond to the composer’s directions for changes in tempo (written-out rubato). Preview (please log-in or subscribe... Read >>
Joplin - Maple Leaf Rag
ABRSM Grade 8 – C2
Preview (please log-in or subscribe to see full video) 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 8 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 this link. ... Read >>
Mel Bonis - Douce amis (from Album pour les tout-petits, Op. 103)
ABRSM Grade 3 – B2
Preview (please log-in or subscribe to see full video) 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 this grade on Spotify using this link. ... Read >>
Schumann - Einsame Blumen (No. 3 from Waldscenen, Op. 82)
ABRSM Grade 6 – B13
Waldszenen (Forest Scenes), Op. 82, is a set of nine short pieces written by Robert Schumann in 1849. Einsame Blumen (Lonely Flowers) is a piece of extreme delicacy and beauty, requiring the performer to paint a picture in sound from the imagination. The right hand is constructed from two voices as though in dialogue, with quite extreme dissonances that only work at a soft dynamic level with careful voicing by the pianist. The quaver rests in the left hand accompaniment imply a light touch, but are not necessarily to be taken as literal silences; in her edition, Clara Schumann suggests... Read >>