Happy Piano Day 2026!
Hello folks, Just a very quick note today to wish you all a wonderful Piano Day 2026 — celebrated, quite sensibly, on the 88th day of the year (for the...
Studio Notice: Easter 2026 Opening Times
Hello everyone! Nice to have a bit of sun, isn’t it? I for one can’t wait for Spring. Speaking of which, we’re coming swiftly up to Easter, and with Songbird...
Monthly Musical Miscellany – March 2026
Hello folks! Time for another MMM. I’ve been a little quiet on the blog front of late due to some unplanned, life-related monkey business — but I’m very much...
Monthly Musical Miscellany – February 2026
Hi folks, A slightly eclectic one this month — a mixture of archival pianism, neuroscience, Baroque madness, jazz ballad brilliance, Armenian rhythmic...
Studio Notice: February Half Term Closure
Hello all! I hope everyone is enjoying the ever-brighter evenings, I know I am. Feels as though it’s almost time to slough off the frosty manacles of winter…...
Monthly Musical Miscellany – January 2026
It’s MMM time! Welcome to the January edition. This month’s round up is very piano-heavy, including a magnificent concert lecture by Brendel, and a few other...
The Sunday Listen: 'Dionysus' by Tin Hat (2007)
This week’s listen is ‘Dionysus’ by Tin Hat Trio — a piece storiated with much of the world’s greatest traditions of diasporic music-making – folk song,...
Studio Notice: 12-13 January Lesson Notes Unavailable
Hi all! Well Carnival term is now in full swing, and it’s been lovely to settle back into regular lessons again. A quick note to say that I am not going to...
The Sunday Listen: 'Silverwater' by The Necks (2009)
And we’re back! This week’s Sunday Listen is ‘Silverwater’ by The Necks, a piece that quietly rearranges how we think about time, attention, and what music...
Practise Paper #2: New Year's Reflections
‘Improvisation’ by Kandinsky One of the hardest things about learning an instrument has surprisingly little to do with notes, technique, or “playing well.”...
Studio Update: New Term Starts This Monday!
From The Cold Yeare (1614) Hi folks, A very quick note to say that next term, Carnival, is already upon us! This will run for six weeks, 5 January to 15...
Happy New Year!
Fellow pianists and students, Just a short note to wish you all a very happy New Year, and to say a sincere thank you for the dedication, conversations, and...
Opportunity: Part-Time Music Teacher
Hi folks, I’m just sharing this job ad I’ve put out. If you know anyone who is interested, please do pass along! Opportunity: Part-Time Music Teacher...
Studio Notice: Lesson Notes
Hi everyone, Just a very quick note to let those of you who had lessons between Thursday 11 December and Saturday 13 December know that you won’t be...
Monthly Musical Miscellany – December 2025
Well didn’t the last couple of months rush by? In this month’s MMM: a few important practical updates as we head towards the end of the year, along with a...
Monthly Musical Miscellany – November 2025
Hello all! A few updates as we move into the end of the year — admin, new music, a few Youtube recommendations, and (naturally) some unsolicited thoughts...
The Sunday Listen: 'Monk's Dream' (Live in Concert, 1989) by McCoy Tyner Trio
During one of my recent YouTube deep dives I got to revisit this absolutely barnstorming live performance by the late, great McCoy Tyner and his trio, and...
Monthly Musical Miscellany – October 2025
Hi folks, I’m on half-term break at the moment, so this month’s miscellany will need to be short and sweet. Happy practising! Will Opening times 2025 & 2026...
Studio Notice: Half Term / Halloween Closure
Hi everyone! Just a quick note to let you know that I’ll be away from Tuesday 28 October 2025, until Monday 3 November 2025. Normal lessons resume from...
The Sunday Listen: Sonata No. 7 in B flat Major, 3rd movement by Prokofiev
If the idea of sticking your head inside a Soviet cement mixer sounds like a fun, you might be with me on this one… The ‘Precipitato’ is perhaps Prokofiev’s...