2024-04-26 10:10
Have you ever listened to a tune so enjoyable you lost yourself in the music? If you ask a sportsperson why they play their sport, they would usually answer with this: “It’s fun… Read More
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The London Piano Institute Blog
londonpianoinstitute.co.uk/blog
Fascinating articles about piano playing written by concert pianists and piano teachers
2024-04-15 09:26
Introduction
In this curated list, we present 15 piano pieces perfectly suited for concert performance. These selections are divided into five distinct categories, each offering its own uniq… Read More
2024-04-10 08:15
Most students, when receiving a new piece to learn, will immediately try to play it from the first notes of the written music, being eager to hear and play the melody. However, there are a f… Read More
2024-04-10 06:46
What is Syncopation?
In music, syncopation involves a variety of rhythms played together to make a piece of music, thereby making part or all of a tune or piece of music off-beat.
More simp… Read More
2024-04-01 11:17
Our everyday lives are filled with music. Whether it is at home during one of your jam sessions, through the radio in the car on your way to the store or even just in public spaces such as r… Read More
2024-03-26 09:48
Jazz piano is a captivating area of the musical art form, known for its versatility, as well as its affinity with deep improvisation, intricate harmonies, and rhythmic complexity. Learning j… Read More
2024-03-26 08:23
Stage fright should not hinder one from performing in front of an audience. Yet it is very much a reality. Did you know there are ways to help overcome it?
Brief Background on Public Piano… Read More
2024-03-18 12:38
Playing chords on the piano is a foundational skill for any aspiring musician. From classical to jazz, pop to rock, chords are the building blocks of music, providing the harmonic framework… Read More
2024-03-04 09:32
In a world full of screens and gadgets, the classic piano shines bright as a symbol of creativity and hard work. This beautiful instrument, with its keys of black and white, takes both playe… Read More
2024-03-01 12:51
When you tend to look at the how and why of things, you grow a deeper understanding and grow in knowledge. Nevertheless, whether you approach life with a deeper or shallow outlook, have you… Read More
2024-02-23 16:49
For most non-jazz musicians and beginners, the assumption is that jazz improvisation is conjured out of thin air, and that improvised phrases are a stream of consciousness. The truth is that… Read More
2024-02-19 13:41
The piano, with its versatility and dynamic range, has the unique ability to mimic the sounds of an entire orchestra. Achieving a symphonic quality in piano playing requires more than just t… Read More
2024-01-22 08:24
Have you ever wondered whether a piano needs maintenance or not? Well, the answer to that question is yes. Pianos, like any other instruments, need to be looked after and cared for to prolon… Read More
2024-01-16 07:59
The piano is a beautiful and versatile instrument.
If you are looking into buying a new piano for yourself, a family/friend or even a company, and are overwhelmed by all the options –… Read More
2023-12-27 13:04
The further you submerge into your musical journey, the more technique is required to keep your talent and effort crisp and clear.
Luckily the metronome has made a way for all piano players… Read More
2023-12-15 06:05
Introduction
The Baroque era, spanning roughly from the early 17th to the mid-18th century, was a period of artistic flourishing characterised by grandeur, drama, and emotional intensity. Am… Read More
2023-12-14 12:14
Collaborative piano playing, often referred to as piano accompaniment, is a distinctive and intricate art form that involves supporting and complementing other musicians, whether they be voc… Read More
2023-12-11 16:20
It is no secret that piano is a skill that can only be developed over time. But how long would it take before you are able to know some basics and play a few songs? And is it worth the money… Read More
2023-12-06 14:23
Finding the perfect gift can be a challenging endeavour, but some gifts stand the test of time and leave a lasting impact. Among these, piano lessons shine as a truly timeless present.
Here… Read More
2023-12-04 08:36
Mastering the Art of Pedal: The piano, with its magnificent resonance and versatility, is a captivating instrument capable of producing a wide array of tones and emotions. Central to unlocki… Read More
2023-11-24 08:24
The world of classical music has long been a realm dominated by male composers, with their contributions celebrated and preserved for centuries. However, within the history of piano literatu… Read More
2023-10-19 11:05
About Xinyue
Xinyue, a renowned classical piano teacher at London Piano Institute, brings over a decade of experience, remarkable skills, and awards to inspire students.
Stefan Joubert: W… Read More
2023-10-11 09:19
In a Nutshell:
“Watermelon Man” is a jazz standard by Herbie Hancock from his 1962 debut album, “Takin’ Off.”
The original version featured Freddie Hubbard and… Read More
2023-10-04 13:36
Preparing for your piano exam is more than just knowing your pieces and your scales but also working through the ear training syllabus and sight-reading.
Many times ear training and sight re… Read More
2023-10-04 13:32
All music has what is commonly known as rhythm and beat.
Beat and rhythm are two distinct concepts, and one should not be confused with the other. Musicgateway states it as follows:
“… Read More
2023-10-03 13:21
Fourth Anniversary
Four years have passed since I started piano lessons – it is hard to believe that time flies so fast. My classes with Stefan Joubert at S & C Music have been exc… Read More
2023-09-19 13:58
The act of playing the piano is often seen as a captivating artistic endeavor that involves skill, emotion, and creativity. Beyond its aesthetic appeal, however, the practice of playing the… Read More
2023-09-18 08:13
In a Nutshell:
Composer: Maurice Ravel
Performer: Samson François
Composition Year: 1908
Instrument: Solo Piano
About the Piece:
“Gaspard de la Nuit” by Ravel, as interpre… Read More
2023-08-08 19:36
About Xinyue
Xinyue, a renowned classical piano teacher at London Piano Institute, brings over a decade of experience, remarkable skills, and awards to inspire students.
Stefan Joubert:… Read More
2023-07-20 18:46
About Xinyue
Xinyue, a renowned classical piano teacher at London Piano Institute, brings over a decade of experience, remarkable skills, and awards to inspire students.
Stefan Joubert:… Read More
2023-07-18 08:02
Interpretation and expression lie at the heart of piano playing. Beyond the technical mastery of the instrument, it is the pianist’s ability to convey emotion, tell a story, and breath… Read More
2023-06-15 14:42
In a nutshell:
Dedicated to Josef Hofmann in 1898
Features solo piano with orchestra
Four movements: Moderato, Andante, Scherzo (Vivace), Allegro deciso
Showcases resolute themes, expressive… Read More
2023-06-15 09:22
About Xinyue
Xinyue, a renowned classical piano teacher at London Piano Institute, brings over a decade of experience, remarkable skills, and awards to inspire students.
Stefan Joubert:… Read More
2023-05-03 12:07
In a nutshell:
The Piano Concerto for the Left Hand was composed by Maurice Ravel.
It was written in the 1920s for Paul Wittgenstein, an Austrian pianist who lost his right arm in WWI.
The p… Read More
2023-05-02 10:11
Stefan Joubert: Who is your favourite pianist and why?
Laura Bevan: My favourite pianist is Yuja Wang for reasons other than her technical capabilities. Yuja Wang is my favourite pianist bec… Read More
2023-04-18 11:33
So, you’re thinking about taking up piano lessons as an adult and the big question on your mind is, “Am I too old for this?” Well, let me tell you my friend, age is just a… Read More
2023-04-05 18:59
About Laura
Laura Bevan is a piano teacher at the London Piano Institute. She has been playing the piano since she was seven years old and since then has studied at the Conservatoire in… Read More
2023-03-25 13:43
There is no feeling like being in the flow of doing something and flourishing at a particular craft. The first time you rode a bike without falling, or when you took up running and ran your… Read More
2023-03-25 10:22
Music is often considered to be the language of the soul. It has the power to move us emotionally, intellectually, and even spiritually. Music can be therapeutic, and its use as a tool for h… Read More
2023-03-13 11:34
Classical music and modern music are two very different genres that have evolved over time, each with their own unique characteristics. Classical music is often associated with elegance, sop… Read More
2023-02-18 08:57
I was watching a video recently about an Olympic athlete talking about their training. Right before they went to the last Olympics, they had a training session and, in their words, “wa… Read More
2023-02-06 12:06
Most people have heard of the wonders of perfect pitch. But what exactly is it? Is it an innate ability? Can you learn it over time? Follow this article for an answer to all of your questi… Read More
2023-01-27 08:24
Playing the piano by ear or by sight – which is best?
There are often disputes between musicians as to which of these two ways of playing music is best. The ear players see their way a… Read More
2023-01-18 12:10
Improving your memory can be a great way to enhance your piano-playing skills and I am here to provide you with a few tips to achieve just that.
Practice Regularly
Consistent practice is cru… Read More
2022-12-29 12:43
As a musician, learning how to play the piano is a rewarding and fulfilling journey. But, simply being able to play the notes on the page is not enough – it is equally important to und… Read More
2022-12-20 11:29
You may notice that when you play the piano different pieces have certain characteristics. This will have something to do with the time period that it was written in. Music has five main era… Read More
2022-12-06 12:29
There are many benefits that come with playing an instrument, specifically the piano. Some are obvious and some you wouldn’t believe, each are just as unique and important in their own… Read More
2022-11-17 11:22
Everyone has to start somewhere when learning an instrument and surprisingly a lot of beginners make the same mistakes at the beginning of their journey. As a piano teacher, here are the m… Read More
2022-11-01 17:42
In this day and age, people are often looking for a shortcut to achieve something. Whether to lose weight, get in shape, or sleep better, the modern-day “hack” of finding an easi… Read More
2022-10-26 13:06
I have been playing the Piano with S & C Music Center in Dubai since June 2019 and have been very consistent and, other than holidays, have not taken any significant breaks. Even when I… Read More
2022-10-08 07:06
With this article, I would like to share a few things that I found extremely helpful over the years- when it comes to coping with stress. Performing and practising can be highly demanding, a… Read More
2022-08-08 16:30
Hello again and welcome to part 2 of practising techniques!
If you haven’t already checked out part 1, please do so as I shared some of the practising principles that I find super impo… Read More
2022-07-02 13:08
Practising is a highly sensitive topic. In my experience as a teacher and a performer – there are thousands of ways to do something on our instrument. Finding those shortcuts that make… Read More
2022-06-23 08:00
Part 2
In part 1 we covered the essence of what listening to classical music live could mean to us- physically, emotionally, chemically etc. Here are some more reasons why it is a wonderful… Read More
2022-04-06 08:38
Music Came Before The Language
Music is not consumed just for fun as it might seem now, at the present time. Netflix, cinema, a night out… Music has changed its role drastically, in t… Read More
2022-04-04 10:08
Choosing Repertoire
This is a very interesting topic that could dictate a lot on how we progress and how we discover our strengths and weaknesses.
Many performers today have chosen to stick… Read More
2022-02-26 13:49
Scales can be seen as a tedious task by many people who choose to study the piano but without them your technique and knowledge will never reach its full potential and no one wants to be he… Read More
2021-12-19 06:31
Improvising on piano – Part 2
Hello music lovers! In part 1 of this article, I wrote about the importance of composing and improvising on piano. If you haven’t yet – check… Read More
2021-11-21 08:32
When mid-November arrives, we all have the same thoughts. We are aware that Christmas is approaching, and we begin to think of ideas to delight our loved ones. As is normal, we want to come… Read More
2021-11-02 10:50
Improvising on piano – Part 1
When we mention improvisation and composing to an averagely educated instrumentalist, both of these concepts sound scary, to say the least.
The problem wi… Read More
2021-10-17 09:10
I am a classically trained pianist who was invited to perform at the Montreux Jazz Festival and decided to move to jazz soon after this unique experience.
I was 23 years old and had finished… Read More
2021-10-11 10:49
Performance anxiety is a psychological phenomenon – it is fear about one’s ability to perform any task. It can happen in many fields of work or in other life situations but here… Read More
2021-10-11 09:20
When I meet new people in different contexts, I am frequently asked what I do for a living. People are often amazed and envious when I tell them I am a pianist. “I wish I could play a… Read More
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