Bach, Byrd and Maintaining Focus
In this month’s Practice Clinic, Graham Fitch answers questions on maintaining focus and concentration when practising, fingering and fatigue in a Chopin Nocturne and several topics in works by Bach and Byrd.
Chopin’s Nocturne in C-Sharp Minor
Chopin wrote the Nocturne in C-sharp minor (op. posth.) in 1830, but it was only published 40 years later in 1870. Dedicated to his sister, Ludwika "as an exercise before…
Applying the Stepladder Approach
At the core of my practice tools are what I call The Three S's - or Slowly, Separately, Sections. They refer to nitty-gritty practising, the sort of thing we do not…
Freshen it Up
Ideas for freshening up an interpretation of a piece by playing in different styles.
Pedalling and Rests
Rests in piano music can be confusing. Some rests we have to treat very literally - this means a noticeable silence - whereas others may simply mean don't play anything on…