Simplifying the Score
When we begin work on a new piece, we might feel bewildered by all the information on the page. The score is dense with notes, fingerings, pedallings and other instructions…
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…
Trimming Down For The Holidays
A family in my street has gone to absolutely no trouble with their Christmas tree whatever. It has virtually nothing on it, except for a few red ribbons and the…
Tools for Memorisation
Here is the second part of my article MIND OVER MEMORY, published last year in Pianist Magazine. Remember, everyone who has ever played the piano in public has had that horrible…
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…