October 2024
E44: New AI Revolution- Unbelievably Human, Hilarious Conversations with Legendary Composers!
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In this episode, I dive into the mind-blowing world of ChatGPT’s brand new voice AI feature, where I have hilarious, shockingly human-like conversations with some of history’s greatest composers! These experimental chats are not only educational but packed with unexpected humor and personality.
Join me as I explore the incredible capabilities of this revolutionary technology. If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to chat with […]
E43: Why We Need To Be Able To Talk About Race And Gender In Classical Music: a Cautionary Tale
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An exploration of the challenging but crucial conversations surrounding diversity and representation in classical music education, framed through a personal cautionary experience. Drawing from recent events in the industry, topics discussed include:
– The importance of open dialogue about race and gender in music
– Challenges in representing diverse composers in educational materials
– Navigating sensitive discussions in music education
– Lessons learned from attempting to address these issues
– Broader […]
June 2024
E42: ABRSM 2025-2026 Syllabus Review Part 2- the individual grades
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Please check the shownotes for timings if you just want to listen to the review for one particular grade
Show Notes:
- Init [1:40]
- Grade 1 [2:53]
- Grade 2 [4:03]
- Grade 3 [6:00]
- Grade 4 [10:06]
- Grade 5 [13:17]
- Grade 6 [15:33]
- Grade 7 [17:45]
- Grade 8 [23:03]
E41: ABRSM 2025-2026 Syllabus Review Part 1- embracing diversity or a subtle erosion of classical tradition?
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In this thought-provoking first part of a two-part review, I explore the new books and discuss how ABRSM are navigating the complex landscape of music education in a changing world. Join me as I delve into the challenges and opportunities presented by this new syllabus, which is sure to spark lively debate within the piano community. Part two will review the individual grades.
December 2023
E39: Interview with Tim Topham: legend of the piano education community!
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Tim Topham is a legend in the piano education world, his podcast “The Integrated Music Teaching Podcast” is a who’s who of the most interesting & creative piano educators. It was a huge honour to chat to Tim about his new book which advocates and provides a framework for delaying reading music with beginner piano students.
This episode is not just for piano teachers though, […]
September 2023
E38: Trinity 2023 Piano Syllabus Review Part 2- the individual grades with audio clips from the official recordings
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Check the shownotes for timings if you just want to listen to the review for one particular grade
Show Notes:
Init [2:13]
- Terrible (almost non-existent) selection of Baroque/ Classical
- Wild range of difficulty levels
- For me, mostly unremarkable pieces
E37: Decolonising Piano Education… the radical new Trinity Piano Syllabus- and unpacking the many cans of unleashed worms
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The most radical and indispensable piano syllabus ever! This will either be incredibly exciting for piano teachers & students- or highly controversial. Either way, it’s a must-own. In this episode I discuss some of the many controversial issues that this new syllabus raises, and give you a detailed verdict on these new books. Part two will review the individual grades.
April 2023
E35: Tension & Release- we discuss the #5 psychological skill you need to practise at the piano to be deeply musical
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Cheryl is back for a masterclass on how awareness of musical tension and release can make huge changes to our playing, and demonstrates that we absolutely need to learn to learn to feel it in the body before we can successfully apply it to our piano playing
Show Notes
- [6:20] Pulling/ pushing tempo- stretching time
- More tension = […]
- More tension = […]
November 2022
E34: We discuss the 4 most important psychological skills you need to practise at the piano to be deeply musical
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My friend Cheryl is back to chat about and get a deeper understanding of the practical ways in which we can become truly great pianists by bringing the psychological skills I’ve demonstrated in recent episodes into our learning and practising
Show Notes
- [3:15] A reminder of the 4 skills:
- Look for what there is to love in every […]
- Look for what there is to love in every […]
E33: Comprehensive Review of Pop Performer! by ABRSM
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An epic review (with music audio clips) of ABRSM’s hotly anticipated foray into pop music!
I’m holding ABRSM to a high standard so I’m quite critical, but I do also look for what there is to enjoy in these books. Listen to this episode to find out if you should buy them for yourself or recommend them for your students!
September 2022
E32: The #4 psychological skill you need to practise at the piano to be deeply musical
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This fourth skill is immensely practical, maybe some of you might think it’s a stretch to call it a ‘psychological skill’, but I notice that it’s totally normal for most of my students to have issues with putting this into practice as- like in meditation- we have to practise choosing where to place our awareness in any given moment
Show Notes
- [0:45] The #4 skill: to […]
E31: The #3 psychological skill you need to practise at the piano to be deeply musical
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The third in a series looking at the most essential mental habits to practise at the piano that will give you the quickest and most profound progress. These are the things I refer to constantly when I’m teaching, and covers aspects of musicianship that almost all teachers consider unteachable- considered to be innate qualities in talented students. But I can show you how to develop this […]
E30: Review of Nikki Iles & Friends, Jazz Pieces For Piano
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A must-listen review (with music audio clips) of 3 books of jazz piano sheet music from Nikki Iles & Friends published by ABRSM covering from initial grade up to grade 8 and beyond. A detailed look at highlights and ‘weak’ pieces with audio clips from each book starts at 36:30
A brief bulletpoint summary of my […]
August 2022
E29: The #2 psychological skill you need to practise at the piano to be deeply musical
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The second in a series looking at the most essential mental habits to practise at the piano that will give you the quickest and most profound progress. These are the things I refer to constantly when I’m teaching, and covers aspects of musicianship that almost all teachers consider unteachable- considered to be innate qualities in talented students. But I can show you how to develop this […]
June 2022
E28: Self-Determination Theory For Pianists- how it can unlock & improve your musicality, and help you deal with performance anxiety
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A lively and passionate discussion where we introduce the ideas and research behind Self-Determination Theory, which could help you make giant leaps with your music. Some core topics covered in this episode include intrinsic & extrinsic motivation, autonomy, how rewards actually make us perform worse, ego & needing approval from others and ourselves, and how we can practise & cultivate intrinsic motivation in our own piano […]