You’ve found the piano education website and online blog of teacher, published composer and author Andrew Eales.
Download the Autumn 2023 Repertoire Challenge here!
Andrew’s essential handbook of practice tips:
For the latest website and studio news, read on…
Your Autumn Update
Over the summer, I have been making improvements to the Pianodao site, and have invested in upgrading its core infrastructure. Most of the changes at this point are technical, but moving forward I have a much better framework and toolset to enhance the content, features and update the site’s design. Watch this space!
More immediately, the Pianodao Tea Room has been renamed the Pianodao Music Club, better reflecting what it actually is: an online community of piano players, teachers and students who enjoy great discounts on sheet music, regular updates, additional reviews and content, a friendly private forum for discussion, to network with like-minded enthusiasts, and to informally share videos of our playing. Find out more.
And there’s more change afoot! The Active Repertoire Challenge is now a quarterly one, rather than simply annual. It is more absorbing than ever, and the new challenge sheets a have a more playful, engaging, fun vibe. I hope you enjoy the regular challenges, and that they help you develop more confidence! Find out more.
A more subtle change underway relates to the site’s retail links. Like many review sites and blogs, these have included affiliate codes, enabling partner retailers to pay a small commission on purchases that readers make. I have decided, however, to remove all such affiliate marketing from Pianodao. The site’s 2023 retail links now take readers directly to the relevant store, delivering a faster, private, more reliable experience. Legacy retail links will all be updated throughout September.
If you spot that anything isn’t working on the Pianodao site as it should, please drop me a line to let me know. Thank you!
New Articles on Pianodao
As well as updating the site, I have been publishing quite a few articles recently, including some which will be of special interest to teachers and players as we enter the new academic year:
Essential Piano Education Resources 2023-24
It can be overwhelming keeping track of all the latest and best resources for piano teaching. As we enter another academic year, I have therefore collated this list of some of the most essential educational resources and piano music publications to take with us into the coming months…
Putting the PLAY back into Playing the Piano
Are you bored by method-based teaching, disappointed by the exam system, and perplexed to find that piano teaching isn’t proving more fulfilling?
If so, then this radical new manifesto for piano teaching in the 21st Century is for you!
The Three-Dimensional Pianist
Understanding the importance of the three dimensions of musical learning, Musical Mind, Musical Body and Musical Soul, empowers us to teach, learn and practise music holistically, and make more effective and lasting progress at the piano…
Why use Graded Anthologies?
Whether or not you are interested in taking graded exams, anthologies of piano music selected for specific levels of playing can offer many advantages…
ABRSM’s New Diplomas
Exam board ABRSM have announced that their existing LRSM and FRSM higher diplomas will be replaced by digital qualifications from 2024. Here’s the details, along with some analysis…
New Publications Reviewed
In recent months I have reviewed some outstanding new music publications. Here are some of the highlights, in case you missed them:
22 Nocturnes for Chopin
‘22 Nocturnes for Chopin’ is in my view a landmark publication, one which deserves to make a huge mark in our musical lives, and which I believe will make a seminal impact in the piano world. Don’t miss it!
Piano Music of Black Composers
New from Hal Leonard, Leah Claiborne’s two collections ‘Expanding the Repertoire: Piano Music of Black Composers’ offer an indispensable addition to the piano pedagogic literature.
Find out more here…
The Piano Player: Uplifting Classics
Uplifting Classics, in common with its predecessors in Faber’s “Piano Player” series, is perfectly poised to win the affection of adult players who enjoy exploring great tunes, and are ready for a fresh smile!
9 Female Composers from 3 Centuries
The vision and execution of the Urtext Primo series is excellent, and no less so in this new addition featuring the music of 9 female composers, from 3 centuries. I am fond of the series, and this new volume is another gem…
Scott Joplin • 20 Ragtimes
For anyone wanting to explore Scott Joplin’s Ragtimes, this reissue in the Schott Piano Classics series jumps straight to the top of the shopping list…
Reflections & Relaxations
For players at late intermediate level who enjoy delving into single-composer folios to discover new music, Reflections & Relaxations is an easy recommendation, a consummately crafted collection of classy compositions in a contemporary popular style.
Calming Piano Solos
These books are for all intermediate pianists with an open mind and a desire to discover fresh musical treasures. And if the music here promotes a sense of calm, that will I am sure be a very welcome bonus!
Adrian Lord • Piano Postcards
As with his “Piano Meditations”, Adrian Lord’s “Piano Postcards” has a wonderfully elevating quality that permeates the stunning production as much as the music itself. Here, again, is a beautiful collection in every sense, and one to genuinely cherish.
Brian Davidson’s Music Box
Brian Davidson’s music is easy to recommend, combining musical appeal, contemporary character and progressive pianistic writing that’s suitable for late intermediate players looking for fresh repertoire…
There’s plenty more new music awaiting review at present, including the brand new piano syllabus from Trinity College London, Isata Kanneh-Mason’s Piano Impressions from ABRSM, brilliantly presented music books for Star Wars and Harry Potter fans, and so much more…
Fasten your seat belts for a great Autumn on Pianodao, and remember to subscribe to FREE email updates below!
STUDIO NEWS
I presently have limited vacancies for regular students.
If you would like to have lessons with me, find out more
Adult students are welcome to attend our informal performance evenings on the following dates. Pianodao Music Club members and visitors are also welcome to attend but must book and pay in advance please.
• Monday 11th September 2023
• Monday 9th October 2023
• Monday 13th November 2023
• Monday 11th December 2023
These informal events are held at the Chrysalis Theatre, Milton Keynes. Find out more
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