Friday 31 August 2012

Songs of Great Britain and Ireland and Treasured Classics

Two books of grade 1-3 piano music. Songs of Great Britain and Ireland are simple but effective arrangements of folk-tunes and Treasured Classics consists of arrangements of favourite themes from the classics; both great for enjoyment, recitals, sight-reading practice and pure pleasure. Available from me and at:

http://www.dehaske.com/product/detail/40544/songs-of-great-britain-and-ireland

http://www.dehaske.com/product/detail/40543/treasured-classics


Friday 24 August 2012

Lessons in September!

To my pupils, students and their parents,

Lessons, for school and private pupils, will begin the second week back after term starts i.e. week beginning Monday 10th Sept. I will be emailing you soon to confirm lesson dates and times. Enjoy the final days of the holidays and I look forward to seeing and hearing you soon!

Thursday 23 August 2012

Happy Birthday Debussy!

Happy birthday Mr Debussy. Schirmer Performance Editions have brought out a selection of pieces suitable for late intermediate to early advanced pianists/ grade 5 + level: http://www.halleonard.com/product/viewproduct.do?itemid=296711&lid=0&keywords=debussy+harding&searchcategory=00&subsiteid=64

Other intermediate pieces by Debussy include: "Le Petit Negre"- this is written in the style of a cake-walk dance and has irresistible rhythms in the outer sections with a contrasting more lyrical section. It is an impressive and fun piece; "The Girl with the Flaxen Hair"- provides an introduction to Debussy's more mature style(described as Impressionist or Symbolist) and his other Preludes and is approx grade 5 + level.

After you have tackled these pieces and been lured into the marvelous piano sound world of Debussy you might like to explore: "Suite Bergamasque" (Prelude is on ABRSM's 2013-14 grade 8 piano syllabus), "Estampes" and "Preludes" books one and two.

I have found that Marguerite Long's "At the Piano with Debussy" offers interesting insights into Debussy's piano music and Roy Howat's " The Art of French Music" is a fascinating and essential book for anyone interested in French piano music and has a very erudite and useful chapter entitled Debussy and the Orient where he discusses Debussy's "harmonic chemistry". Fabulous stuff!


Monday 20 August 2012

Saturday 18 August 2012

Chelmsford Competitive Festival.

I have added the piano section syllabus classes under the heading Chelmsford Competition. Have a look and see what classes you might like to enter.

Thursday 16 August 2012

New pages: Links and Diploma info

I have added two new pages; 1.Useful links for parents, pupils and teachers 2. Diploma pupils info.

Wednesday 15 August 2012

Review-Practicing the Piano

Do check out my review of Nancy Breth's "Practicing the Piano" on the reviews page. If any of my students would like a copy I will send off a bulk order- just let me know!

Tuesday 14 August 2012

For Teaching Diploma Students.

If you are contemplating taking DipABRSM teaching, this is a link to David Barton's excellent Top Tips:

http://www.davidbartonmusic.co.uk/top-tips-for-teaching-diplomas

Here's a link to some of the best teaching videos I have ever seen and a guide to Piano Adventures Primer Level:

http://pianoadventures.com/guide/index.html

Hello!

Hi, welcome to my piano blog! This is primarily for my pupils, students and parents and will be a great way for me to share piano related stuff with you.

I hope you are having a great holiday and have enjoyed the Olympics- I have! Here's a link to the Chariots of Fire theme tune which was played at the medal ceremonies
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-7Vu7cqB20&feature=related

Can any of you work out how to play it by ear?