What age were you when you decided you wanted to be a pianist? I began lessons after my primary teacher heard me play ‘The Bear Jumped Over the Mountain’ from my reading book, aged 8, on a tiny Casio Keyboard. Formal lessons quickly ensued with music soon encompassing all aspects of daily life. Growing up...
How did you first discover the piano? I grew up in a vicarage with an upright piano in the front room and a church organ just next door. I heard lots of music growing up though my parents don’t really play. When I was four, I started having ten-minute piano lessons with Mrs Cole –...
Battling through Storm Eric we arrived, somewhat bedraggled, at Finchcocks – a Grade 1 listed Georgian Manor house, now known for its weekend piano courses. After a warm (champagne fuelled) welcome, we explore the impressive collection of grand pianos, and then crack on with some duets- a real ice-breaker to begin the course, with lots...
Playing Bach What a topic to choose to start these blog posts! Deciding how to play Bach on the piano is a minefield of opinion and taste. Let’s start by considering the two extreme approaches: A – one performer might choose to treat the piano as a one-manual harpsichord. The performance would be crisp and articulate...
