The Myth of Perfection
Debunking the myth of perfection in piano performance and suggestions for achieving healthy perfectionism when practising a performance.
On Editions
When we learn a piece of music from a score, it is important to be able to distinguish those markings that are from the pen of the composer, and those…
On Schumann’s Kinderszenen
It is summer time, and rather than present my usual type of post, I am planning something a little different for the next few weeks. The first is a selection…
Some Favourite Pianists: Part One
It is summer time in the UK, and because I have a couple of recitals to play I need to do some practising of my own. So, rather than write…
The History of Piano Technique: Studies and Exercises
There has been much feedback and lively debate on last week's post about Czerny and his legacy of studies and exercises. It seems some piano teachers firmly believe in assigning…
Practising Chopin’s “Ocean” Etude
In last week's post on ties and repeated notes, I referred to Chopin's Ocean Etude (more properly known as op. 25 no. 12). A reader contacted me asking if I…
Chopin’s First Ballade – a Practice Suggestion
Chopin's evergreen First Ballade has never been more popular, thanks in part to Alan Rusbridger's book about his personal quest with the piece, Play It Again. It is a piece that…
Keep Calm and Carry On Practising
When I was on the selection committee for the 11th Unisa International Piano Competition, we listened to two solid days of audio recordings, one after the other. Our selection of…
Inventing Exercises from Pieces
There are pieces that contain passages of technical difficulty that require special attention, a type of practising over and above the routine use of the other practice tools. This could…