Launching the 2018-2020 Trinity Syllabus

I am very happy to announce a brand new series featuring the current Trinity College London Piano Syllabus on the Online Academy. Having been commissioned by Trinity to write the teaching notes for the advanced grades, I was delighted to put together this series of articles and video demonstrations for a selection of pieces from the 2018 – 2020 piano examination syllabus, with several examples from each grade from Initial to 8.

Within this series you will find plenty of tips for practice, overcoming technical problems as well as suggestions for piano teachers and guidance on matters relating to style and interpretation. The following are example excerpts from two video demonstrations from the series:

Initial Grade – Canon by Henk Badings

One of the pieces in the Initial grade is Canon by Henk Badings. There are so many different ways to get value out of this little piece, from call and response games and some singing in lessons to phrase shaping and developing equality between the hands.

Grade 4 – Allegretto by Mozart

Jumping to Grade 4, and Mozart’s Allegretto, we find a delightful minuet-style piece with a trio section in the minor, and many interesting compositional features that can be explained and demonstrated to the learner. It’s also interesting to know that Mozart wrote this piece on a trip to London when he was only 8 years old. In the video I demonstrate quarantine practice, and explore different fingering possibilities, as well as options for phrasing and expression.

The series currently includes two articles which serve as guides to the foundation and intermediate grades, along with video demonstrations for five selected works from the initial grade through to grade 4. Please click on one of the following links to view the available content (requires sign-in) or click here to view subscription options and sign-up for an Online Academy account:

• Foundation grades
  • Exploring Trinity’s Piano Syllabus – Foundation Grades
  • Trinity College Initial – Badings: Canon
  • Trinity College Grade 1 – Reinagle: Minuet (No. 10 from 24 Short and Easy Pieces)
  • Trinity College Grade 2 – Kukuck: The Rowboat
  • Trinity College Grade 3 – Scarlatti: Sonata in G
• Intermediate grades
  • Exploring Trinity’s Piano Syllabus – Intermediate Grades
  • Trinity College Grade 4 – Mozart: Allegretto (from The London Sketchbook, K. 15hh)

Over 20 additional video demonstrations for other works in the syllabus and a guide to the advanced level will also be added on an ongoing basis.