Remembering my Studies with Peter Wallfisch
I had the great privilege to embark on my postgraduate studies with Peter Wallfisch, studying with him from 1980 for two years (but returning on occasion thereafter). During my time…
Slaying the Dragon
Piano playing can never be an exact science. We will not always be able to say with absolute precision or certainty how we arrived at a particular result in our…
Top Ten Tips to Maximise your Practising
I have had a lot of requests for this article, which first appeared in Pianist Magazine last year. Here it is! With the Olympics very much in the news at…
Five-a-Side Team Events: Some Thoughts on Chord Playing
In my youth I was fortunate enough to have some lessons with Philip Fowke, the first one was on Rachmaninov's rather overplayed Prelude in C sharp minor. I recall the…
A Prima Vista: Some Thoughts on Sight Reading
Sight reading is included in every graded examination. Few seem to excel at it, and many actively dread it. Even the best players are likely to drop marks in this…
Once Upon a Time…
We have all heard student performances where the beginning was good - secure, well-known, confident - then after a page or two we notice a decline as skill levels start…
Leaps of Faith: On Practising Waltzes
Waltzes demand a fair amount of left hand agility from the pianist - all that hopping back and forth can be quite dizzying. A pre-requisite for mobility across the keyboard…
A Supplement to Slow Practice
A few weeks ago, I gave some suggestions for practising Mozart's Rondo alla turca and I would like to apply this principle to another piece, which really couldn't be more contrasting in…
An Energy Saving Tip
The other day the bulb in my piano lamp blew. It was the only light I had on in the room, and because it was dark outside and I was…