In our new blog series, our Practice Sleuths Graham Fitch and Adina Mornell investigate practising mysteries in detail and discuss ideas and insights on how to solve them!
Episode 1 – Fingering
In this inaugural episode, our sleuths unravel the mysteries of piano fingering – debunking myths, challenging conventions, and offering practical tips. Join us on a journey of experimentation and discovery, from thumb-on-black-key rebellions in Daquin’s Le Coucou to tension-taming tricks in Schumann and Beethoven!
Works featured
- Louis-Claude Daquin: Le Coucou (No. 12 from Pièces de Clavecin, Book 1)
- Robert Schumann: The Bird as Prophet (Waldszenen, Op. 82, No. 7)
- Franz Schubert: Impromptu in G-flat Major (Four Impromptus, Op. 90 No. 3 / D. 899)
- Frédéric Chopin: Études (Op. 10 and Op. 25)
- Ludwig van Beethoven: Sonata in E Major (Op. 109, 3rd mvt, Variation III)
- Johann Sebastian Bach: B-flat Major Invention (Two-Part Inventions, BWV 785)
Further resources & links
- Practice Clinic – Click here to view an index of our regular Practice Clinics in which Graham Fitch answers practising-related questions submitted by Online Academy subscribers.
- The Secrets of Experts – Click here to find out more about Adina Mornell’s course on creating your own recipe for enjoyable, successful performances.
Future Episodes
A full archive of Practice Sleuth episodes will be available here as further episodes are added and in the meantime, be sure to sign-up to our mailing list to be notified of new episodes!
The Secrets of Experts (Part 2)
Do you long to share your playing with others, but avoid doing so because you’re worried that you won’t enjoy the experience due to fear? Or do you feel that your pieces are secure when practising only to find they fall apart in front of others?
The second part of Adina Mornell’s course explores how we facilitate learning by savouring our time at the piano. We will take knowledge gained from the first three workshops about how the brain works and apply it in order to optimise practice outcomes and as set ourselves up for short, medium and long term success!
What you’ll learn
- The sources of self-talk and how one can channel positive thoughts despite years of being critical with oneself.
- How our mindset during practice is essential for optimal learning, and that it creates the groundwork for later positive experiences in front of an audience.
- That “no pain, no gain” is a relic of the past – enjoyable practice is not only rewarding, but more long-lasting.
The first workshop will take place on Tuesday 21st January and focusses on reframing practice methods and goals. Click here for more information and to book your place!