Focus in Practice
As a teacher, my chief aim is to assist my students in playing more freely and expressively. A big part of that process is helping them unlock their unique musical…
Some Favourite Pianists: Part Two
I have just returned from an exciting week of playing and teaching at the Summer School for Pianists in Walsall, where I heard some wonderful piano playing from my colleagues and from…
Practising with Purpose
The routine practice session may on occasion feel like panning for gold - there may well be some nuggets in there but they will reveal themselves in amongst a lot…
Marking the Score
The other day I opened up a working score of the Frank Bridge Sonata I inherited from one of my teachers, Peter Wallfisch, and was struck by all the markings…
The Middle Path – Rhythm Practice
I sometimes get messages asking why I don't write more about practising in dotted rhythms, and why I hardly speak of the metronome. This made me realise that both these…
Feeling an Interpretation
I would like to throw out some ideas that might help develop an interpretation during practising, always keeping in mind that the process of practising should move us ever nearer…
Some Useful Books
It's that festive time of year, and you may want to do a little book shopping. Here is a selection of books on piano playing that are at the top…