App-y Days for Exam Candidates

Students working towards higher grade ABRSM music exams, may find a new app helpful.
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Fingers Crossed!

One of the greatest fears for pianists and piano teachers is any damage to the fingers. When chopping vegetables I’m very aware how easy it would be to cut short (excuse the pun) my career by slicing off a bit of finger. (Must admit, I’ve come close a few times).
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Fun Ways to Celebrate

Oh dear, it’s National Piano Month and – yet again – it’s taken me until nearly the end of the month to realise it!
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‘Wrong notes’ are a Winner!

I was interested to read the criticism of Leeds Piano Competition winner Anna Tcybuleva by Pianist magazine editor Erica Worth.
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Piano Around the World

My piano at home faces the wall in my dining room. The piano I teach on at school faces a wall in the ‘Curriculum Resources” room (a cupboard). Wouldn’t it be nice to play or teach in more interesting surroundings? It seems I’m not alone in this thought …
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Call Me Old-Fashioned

It was refreshing to read an article entitled “Marcel Currin: Unplugged power in piano, books” which I stumbled across in the New Zealand Herald.
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Long Live Music A Level!

I was sad – but not really surprised – to read an article online entitled “Funding cuts are narrowing A level subject choice, headteachers warn” … with writer Kaye Wiggins going on to explain that Music is one of the main subjects to be affected by these cuts.
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Playground for Pianists

If – like me – you enjoy admiring both the appearance and sound of different pianos, it might be worth paying a visit to Besbrode Pianos in Leeds.
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Anatomy of the Piano

Young pianists – and probably older ones as well – may be interested to learn more about how pianos work. Viruoso pianist Will Pickvance in his show Anatomy of the Piano (for Beginners) addresses this question – along with many others.
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End of an Era

I recently received the results for my younger son’s grade 8 ABRSM piano exam – 125 Merit. I was absolutely thrilled – as was he.
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