As part of the Online Academy’s series on Trinity College London’s current syllabus, I am happy to let you know that four more video walkthroughs have been added this week (with plenty more still to come). This week we are presenting Telemann’s Rigaudon (Grade 2), Ben Crosland’s The Clown and the Ballerina (Grade 3), Mozart’s Minuet in D, K. 355 (Grade 7), and C. P. E. Bach’s Allegro Assai (Grade 8).

Telemann: Rigaudon (Grade 2)

This video explores some possibilities for touch and articulation in this baroque work, and looks at some of the technical considerations for the elementary level. Specifically, how to develop touch varieties using five-finger positions that are easily played from memory, while looking at the hands. Having experienced these touch varieties in the exercise, we can more easily transfer the skills back to the piece. Click on the video to view the preview or click here to view the full video on the Online Academy.

Ben Crosland: The Clown and The Ballerina (Grade 3)

There is so much to enjoy in this beautifully written piece. Aside from capturing two contrasting characters most imaginatively, we are presented with one of the most basic pianistic problems – how to move from white key to black key positions by moving inwards and upwards. Click on the video to view the preview or click here to view the full video on the Online Academy.

Mozart: Minuet in D, K. 355 (Grade 7)

One of the most interesting stand-alone minuets from the Classical era, Mozart’s Minuet in D, K. 355 is surprising in its use of chromaticism. It is an ideal piece for the upper intermediate player’s repertoire, and I am very glad to see it on the Trinity syllabus. In the texture of a string trio, we begin in the right hand with two violins. In the video I demonstrate a variety of practice tools that will help you voice and control the double notes.
Click on the video to view the preview or click here to view the full video on the Online Academy.

C P E Bach: Allegro Assai (Grade 8)

C. P. E. Bach wrote many sonatas for his favourite keyboard instrument, the clavichord. They are very rarely played by pianists, yet make a refreshing change from the more standard late Baroque/early Classical repertoire. In my video on the Allegro Assai from the Grade 8 syllabus, I look at style and texture – in particular a harmonic progression that appears twice in two contrasting ways. Think of the same person appearing in two completely different outfits. Click on the video to view the preview or click here to view the full video on the Online Academy.

The full index of the Online Academy’s series on the Trinity College London piano syllabus is available here.

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