Video Lessons for Elementary Grades Published!
Following on from our recent workshops on the new ABRSM 2025 & 2026 piano examination syllabus, we have published the first instalment of video lessons featuring a selection of works from the elementary grades (Initial – Grade 3). As with our previous collections, these detailed video walk-throughs give practice suggestions, tips on overcoming technical challenges and many other ideas on style and interpretation for teachers, candidates or anyone looking for inspiring new repertoire.
In this blog post we feature video previews for a lesson from each grade, starting with the eerie In the Dead of the Night and then including a clever arrangement of Handel’s Music for the Royal Fireworks, a well-known Sonatina movement by Beethoven and a charming miniature by Mel Bonis. These works offer fantastic opportunities for elementary pianists to explore expressive possibilities and tell a story using phrasing, articulation and dynamics!
Video Previews
ABRSM Initial Grade C3: Edmund Jolliffe – In the Dead of Night
This characterful piece invites players to explore atmosphere and storytelling through music. With its haunting melodies and careful dynamics, the piece encourages imaginative interpretation – whether envisioning a dark forest, a haunted house or quiet, cautious footsteps in the night. The piece is ideal for pianists seeking to develop their ability to convey mood and narrative at the piano.
ABRSM Grade 1 A1: Handel (arr. Bullard) – Fireworks Minuet (Music for the Royal Fireworks, HWV 351)
Step into the grandeur of 18th-century royal celebrations with this clever arrangement of Handel’s Fireworks Minuet by Allan Bullard. Originally composed by Handel for King George II in 1749 to mark the end of a long war, this joyful and majestic piece captures the brilliance of fireworks and triumphant festivities.
In this excerpt from his video lesson on the piece, Graham Fitch introduces it and then discusses the hemiola – an interesting rhythmic feature found later on. In the full video you will learn how to bring the music to life with dynamic contrasts, crisp articulation and expressive phrasing!
ABRSM Grade 2 A2: Beethoven – Moderato (1st mvt from Sonatina in G, Anh 5/1)
This well-known movement is a favourite among pianists for its charm and elegance. It provides an excellent opportunity to step into the world of Beethoven and develop expressive two-note slurs, phrasing, shaping and balanced voicing. In this video preview, Graham Fitch gives an overview of the work and explains its ternary form (A B A):
ABRSM Grade 3 B2: Mélanie Bonis – Douce Amie (from Album pour les tout-petits, Op. 103)
This charming piece features a melody which is shared between the hands and requires naunced phrasing, dynamic shaping and subtle pedal use to bring out its expressive qualities. In this preview from his video lesson, Graham Fitch demonstrates a simple way to start learning the piece and to develop the ability to pass the melody seamlessly between the hands:
More Videos!
A total of eighteen videos for pieces from the elementary grades are now available here. Videos for a total of over 40 works across all grades are currently in production and will be published soon! Please click here to sign-up to our mailing list to receive notifications when these videos become available.
How to access?
The full video lessons are all included with a subscription to the Online Academy. Click here if you’d like to find out more about subscription options or click here to subscribe. Alternatively, they can also be purchased from our store without subscription.
Further Resources
We’ve also run a series of online workshops in partnership with the Piano Teachers’ Course UK and The Curious Piano Teachers on choosing the right repertoire, ideas for improvising on works from the syllabus and strategies for learning and connecting with new pieces. Click here to find out more or to purchase access to the workshop recordings and resources.
Links to more resources on previous syllabuses from the ABRSM and Trinity examination boards are available here.
Here’s what some of our subscribers and participants in online events have had to say about our resources for previous examination syllabuses:
- “Essential advice for any teacher preparing students for an exam or looking for graded repertoire ideas for their students.”
- “Although I’m not planning on doing exams, I discovered some lovely new pieces with loads of practical suggestions for how to learn and practise them!”
- “These workshops are a very nice complement to the Online Academy videos by giving the opportunity to ask questions and discuss specific topics. Graham was able to provide me with some excellent tips for assisting a student with a particular trouble spot.”
- “Graham has a unique ability to apply his vast knowledge at any level and show how to bring works from each grade to life!”