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Schumann - Album for the Young (Op. 68)

Schumann’s Album for the Young is a collection of delightful character pieces cherished by pianists at all levels. Composed for his daughters in 1848, the pieces are invaluable for developing both technical and interpretative skills. In this video series, Graham Fitch explores each of the pieces in the first volume... Read >>


Graham Fitch Learning pieces Schumann

Music at Sight

Sight reading is a skill you can develop, but you have to know how. This introductory course teaches the five skills you need to become an excellent sight-reader!... Read >>


A Guide to the ABRSM Syllabus (2023 - 2024)

This series provides a detailed guide to the ABRSM piano examination syllabus for 2023 - 2024, including video walk-throughs with practice suggestions, tips on style and interpretation and other ideas for a selection of pieces (from initial to Grade 8).... Read >>


Graham Fitch Performing Examinations

Simple Improvisation with Christopher Norton's Connections

A series of step-by-step guides to using pieces from Christopher Norton's Connections to learn chord shapes and do simple improvisation.... Read >>


Christopher Norton Performing Improvisation

Carl 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 >>


Fred Karpoff Technique Exercises

A Guide to the Trinity College Piano Syllabus (2021 - 2023)

This series features video walk-throughs of a selection of pieces from Trinity College London’s 2021 - 2023 piano examination syllabus, giving plenty of tips for practice, as well as suggestions for piano teachers, and guidance on matters relating to style and interpretation.... Read >>


Graham Fitch Performing Examinations

Jailbreaking Hanon

Should the exercises of Charles-Louis Hanon be consigned to the dustbins of history or can they be useful if done mindfully, with choreography based on modern thinking about piano technique? In this lecture series, Graham Fitch shows many applications for Hanon's exercises, including how they can be used as a... Read >>


Graham Fitch Technique Exercises

A Guide to the Trinity College Piano Syllabus (2018 - 2020)

This series features video demonstrations of a selection of pieces from Trinity College London’s 2018 - 2020 piano examination syllabus, with examples from each grade from Initial to 8. You will find plenty of tips for practice, as well as suggestions for piano teachers, and guidance on matters relating to... Read >>


Graham Fitch Performing Examinations

Etudes & Studies – Czerny (Part 1)

Practical Method for Beginners (Op. 599)

In this lecture series, Ilga Pitkevica gives a tour of Czerny’s Practical Method for Beginners (Op. 599), explaining how and why these etudes should be used for developing and teaching both musical and technical skills. Ilga provides detailed suggestions for each of her favourite etudes from the collection practising, avoiding... Read >>


Ilga Pitkevica Technique Exercises

How to Learn a New Piece

In this video series Graham Fitch shows how to lay strong foundations from the outset when learning a new piece. The videos feature numerous examples from the ABRSM syllabus covering such topics as background research, analysis, fingering, interpretation and practice methods.... Read >>


Graham Fitch Learning pieces

ABRSM Initial Grade - Piano Exam Pieces

This collection of video walk-throughs from our guide to the ABRSM 2021 & 2022 piano examination syllabus provides practice suggestions, tips on style and interpretation and other ideas for each of the main Initial Grade pieces.... Read >>


Graham Fitch Performing Examinations

ABRSM Grade 3 - Piano Exam Pieces

This collection of video walk-throughs from our guide to the ABRSM 2021 & 2022 piano examination syllabus provides practice suggestions, tips on style and interpretation and other ideas for each of the Grade 3 pieces.... Read >>


Graham Fitch Learning pieces

ABRSM Grade 2 - Piano Exam Pieces

This collection of video walk-throughs from our guide to the ABRSM 2021 & 2022 piano examination syllabus provides practice suggestions, tips on style and interpretation and other ideas for each of the Grade 2 pieces.... Read >>


Graham Fitch Learning pieces

ABRSM Grade 1 - Piano Exam Pieces

This collection of video walk-throughs from our guide to the ABRSM 2021 & 2022 piano examination syllabus provides practice suggestions, tips on style and interpretation and other ideas for each of the main Grade 1 pieces.... Read >>


Graham Fitch Performing Examinations

Making Progress with Beginners

In these video lectures based on the Piano Teachers' Course, Ilga Pitkevica shares effective strategies from her own experience in making quick progress with developing sight reading, teaching scales and building the foundations of speed with beginners.... Read >>


Ilga Pitkevica Teaching

Create First! - Part 1

Learning Music the Pattern Play Way

An introductory Pattern Play series that introduces the materials of music (scales, intervals, and chords) in creative and musical ways.... Read >>


Forrest Kinney Performing Improvisation

Elementary Technique - Fundamentals of Scales & Arpeggios

This module follows on from the introductory module to explore the fundamentals of scale and arpeggio playing, featuring close-up video demonstrations of the movements involved. It provides suggestions and exercises for mastering technical challenges such as thumb passage and gaining speed, with further tips on how to structure scale and... Read >>


Foundations of Good Technique

Teaching and problem solving

In these video lectures Ilga shares her experience on how to teach good pianistic habits and ease of movements from the start, and how to tackle problems in piano playing caused by lack of flexibility. Ease of movement helps not only to avoid tension and unnecessary rigidness in piano playing,... Read >>


Ilga Pitkevica Teaching

Piano Technique Lecture Series

In this series of video lectures, I explore aspects of technique one by one. My approach is based on using the body in the most natural ways possible, with emphasis on healthy technique and correct alignment. While I recognise that exercises, such as Hanon, are out of favour with some... Read >>


Graham Fitch Technique

Developing a Balanced Technique

Strategies and approaches for achieving "pianistic fitness"

Mastering core piano techniques is essential for the freedom to successfully express musical ideas. Based on her personal experience and the traditions of the Russian School, Ilga Pitkevica shares insights into approaches and strategies for achieving “pianistic fitness” and developing a balanced piano technique.... Read >>


Ilga Pitkevica Technique

Ecossaise in E-Flat (No. 4 from Six Ecossaises, WoO 83)

ABRSM Grade 3 – A1

A lively dance in 2/4 time, an ecossaise is actually the French word for “Scottish”! Flexibility in the right hand is necessary to avoid tension, and flexibility in the pulse (while not indicated in the score) is essential to bring grace and elegance at the start, and then some forward... Read >>


Graham Fitch Learning pieces Beethoven

A Guide to the ABRSM Syllabus (2018 - 2020)

This series contains resources and further links to other resources featuring the ABRSM syllabus (until 2020) and is designed for elementary level players, young musicians and their teachers. Articles in this series provide step-by-step (or phrase-by-phrase) approaches to learning a pieces thoroughly and securely, offer practice exercises to help solve... Read >>


Graham Fitch Performing Examinations

25 Easy and Progressive Etudes (Op. 100)

Study Edition Annotations

Burgmüller’s 25 Easy and Progressive Etudes, Op. 100 have been a mainstay of elementary étude repertoire for many generations - and deservedly so. I cannot imagine any young pianist or elementary player who would not immediately engage with, or benefit from learning them. This series of articles provides annotations and... Read >>


Playing Together - Etiquette and Tips for Duet Playing

These videos, based on content from the Piano Teachers’ Course UK, provide a demonstration of the “do’s and don’ts” of duet playing. Using Mozart’s Five Variations K501 as a practical example, the videos illustrate the various challenges that arise, including pedalling, page turning and getting in each other’s way in... Read >>


Beate Toyka Teaching

A Practical Guide to Forearm Rotation

Forearm rotation is a way of coordinating the arm with the fingers in very specific and controlled ways. Tiny movements in the forearm share with the fingers the job of putting down the keys and can yield significant benefits, including improved coordination, reduced tension and a feeling of greater strength... Read >>


Graham Fitch Technique

Quarantine-Spots

A chain is only as strong as its weakest link. If you have spots in your pieces that regularly break down you’re going to need to identify them and isolate these sections so you can do some quality, systematic practice on them. This process I call quarantining, and each extract... Read >>


Graham Fitch Practising Practice tools

Knight Rupert (Album for the Young No. 12)

Knight Rupert, No. 12 from Schumann’s Album for the Young, Op. 68, is a favourite recital piece for the intermediate player, and great fun to play. The rousing A section contrasts beautifully with the more lyrical B section. This video walkthrough and article shows how to use quarantining and other... Read >>


Graham Fitch Learning pieces Schumann

Elementary Technique - Introduction & Basics

Based on motions that are natural to the body, this introductory module explores the basics of piano technique, through a series of videos demonstrating how to move in ways that are natural the body to achieve physical freedom for playing that feels and sounds good. It serves as a starting... Read >>


Graham Fitch Technique

Slow Practice

If you’re serious about playing the piano, there’s no getting away from slow practice. It is a cornerstone of our work from the beginner stages right through to the advanced level, and a practice tool also used by professional pianists and seasoned virtuosos all the time. In this section, ... Read >>


Graham Fitch Practising Practice tools

Für Elise

(Bagatelle No. 25 in A Minor)

This evergreen miniature of Beethoven scarcely needs any introduction at all, since Für Elise is known to the world at large. What beginning piano student does not itch to play it, pestering their teacher long before they are ready? This video walkthrough and article shows how to use quarantining and... Read >>


Graham Fitch Learning pieces Beethoven

Read Ahead - Level 1

Read Ahead is an exciting new program that helps piano students to improve their sight-reading ability. This unique curriculum is based on an extensive collection of carefully ordered compositions with related exercises and quizzes that help students develop the mental and tactile skills necessary for fluent sight-reading. This section features Level... Read >>


Read Ahead - Level 2

Sightreading for the Modern Musician

Read Ahead is an exciting new program that helps piano students to improve their sight-reading ability. This unique curriculum is based on an extensive collection of carefully ordered compositions with related exercises and quizzes that help students develop the mental and tactile skills necessary for fluent sight-reading. This section features Level... Read >>


Healthy Piano Playing

Piano playing is a deeply satisfying artistic activity, but it can also be very demanding physically on our arms and hands. Just as elite athletes understand and care for their bodies, so should pianists think carefully about their approach to playing and practising. A healthy piano technique not only avoids... Read >>


Penelope Roskell Technique Healthy playing

Yoga for Musicians

In this collection of videos, Penelope Roskell demonstrates clearly and concisely how yoga principles can be applied directly to instrumental playing, and how playing can be more fluid, powerful and emotionally expressive. Suitable for musicians of any age; from beginner to professional; Classical, jazz, folk and pop, the exercises demonstrated... Read >>


Penelope Roskell Technique Healthy playing

The Art of Piano Fingering

A thorough understanding of the principles of good fingering is a vital basis for good piano playing. Without comfortable, musically appropriate fingerings, we can waste hours of practice time trying to remedy a problem which could have been averted much earlier. In this series of articles, author Penelope Roskell... Read >>


Penelope Roskell Technique Fingering

Rigaudon

Trinity College - Grade 2

A rigaudon is a lively French baroque dance. Telemann’s energetic example, set for Trinity Grade 2, contains plenty of springy rhythms and colour. In this video, I look at how to use simple five-finger patterns to develop the skills involved in playing the piece - forearm staccato and combined touches... Read >>


Graham Fitch Learning pieces Telemann

Sonatina in G - Second Movement

This walkthrough of the second movement of Beethoven’s popular Sonatina in G will help students to assimilate essential elements of the Classical style: articulation, balance, ornamentation, and clear phrasing. The series of reduced scores provides students with a step-by-step approach to learning the piece, and makes it easier for teachers... Read >>


Ken Johansen Learning pieces Beethoven

Scales & Arpeggios - Basic Introduction

A thorough knowledge of scales and arpeggios is an absolute necessity for all serious students of the piano. Western music is built on the major/minor tonal system, and to attempt to study the instrument without scales (or basic theory) would be as nonsensical as learning language without the alphabet or... Read >>


Teaching & Developing Sight-Reading Skills

Sight-reading an interesting piece of music is like meeting an interesting person. We enjoy the pleasure of a new encounter, sense perhaps a mutual affinity, and look forward to a deeper acquaintance. This series of articles provides exercises and music aimed at developing confidence in playing at sight and enhancing... Read >>


Separate Practice

Learning a complex piece each hand alone before putting the hands together is a strategy favoured by the majority of piano teachers. While it is of course possible to practise a fugue hands separately, this misses the point. Rather than working hands separately, I advocate strands separately (playing each line... Read >>


Graham Fitch Practising Practice tools

Sonatina in G - First Movement

This walkthrough of the first movement of Beethoven’s popular Sonatina in G will help students to assimilate essential elements of the Classical style: articulation, balance, ornamentation, and clear phrasing. The series of reduced scores provides students with a step-by-step approach to learning the piece, and makes it easier for teachers... Read >>


Ken Johansen Learning pieces Beethoven

Teaching Beginners

Teaching young beginner pianists is an incredibly rewarding part of being a piano teacher. Find out how to make the early lessons purposeful, musical and enjoyable with real lesson excerpts to bring it all to life.... Read >>


Sally Cathcart Teaching

The Practice Tools Lecture Series

Without an understanding how to approach practising the piano, day-to-day practice can often be unfocussed and unproductive. In this series of video lectures, I identify and explore various practice tools that will help pianists of any level get the most out of their time spent practising.... Read >>


Graham Fitch Practising Practice tools

Practical Psychology for Teaching and Learning

Based on lectures from the Piano Teachers' Course, this set of video lectures provide psychological insight and understanding, and practical tips, to help piano teachers with their pupils.... Read >>


Lucinda Mackworth-Young Teaching

Sonata in G Major

Trinity College - Grade 3

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.... Read >>


Graham Fitch Learning pieces Scarlatti

From the Ground Up

From the Ground Up is a series devoted to learning individual pieces using outlines and reduced scores that help you to practise more effectively, memorize more consciously, and interpret music more creatively.... Read >>


Ken Johansen Learning pieces

Little Prelude in F

BWV 927 (From the Notebook for Wilhelm Friedmann Bach)

Bach’s lovely Little Prelude in F is a harmonic prelude, essentially an elaborated chord progression. In this article, the basic harmonic skeleton of the piece is gradually fleshed out, allowing students to understand its simple underlying structure, and to work systematically on its various layers.... Read >>


Ken Johansen Learning pieces Bach

Anyone Can Improvise!

Dedicated to helping everyone play the music they love and long to play, Lucinda Mackworth-Young introduces her step-by-step system for learning to play by ear and improvise, so that even classically trained piano players can play spontaneously, anywhere, anytime - and say “Yes!” when asked to play Happy Birthday!... Read >>


Lucinda Mackworth-Young Performing Improvisation

ABRSM Grade 1 Scales & Broken Chords

Scale playing is an area of piano study that is often neglected in lessons and undertaken only half-heartedly in practice sessions. And yet scales and arpeggios can be approached creatively, and practised in a variety of different ways! This series of resources on scales and arpeggios begins with the current... Read >>


Aria in F

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 >>


Graham Fitch Learning pieces JC Bach

Sonatina in G

ABRSM Grade 3 – A1

Handel's Sonatina in G 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 are... Read >>


Graham Fitch Learning pieces Handel

An Overview of the Practice Tools

This series of articles serves as an introduction to Graham Fitch’s practice tools, including how to approach a new piece and the Three Ss.... Read >>


Graham Fitch Practising Practice tools

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