Legacy Reference: This collection of videos was originally recorded for the 2018 LCM Step 1 syllabus. While this specific exam cycle has concluded, these performances remain an excellent technical benchmark for beginner students navigating their first musical milestones. The [...]
The Game of Thrones theme is one of those pieces that everyone recognises instantly — and one of the most requested I get from students. In this Game of Thrones piano tutorial, I cover the full opening theme from scratch: [...]
In this video, I’m performing my own arrangement of James Bay’s "Hold Back the River." My goal was to translate that driving, rhythmic energy from the guitar over to the piano without losing the song's soulful feel; if you are [...]
In music theory, we need a way to measure the distance between two notes, much like a measuring tape. That unit of measurement is tones and semitones (whole and half steps). Understanding these "musical rulers" is essential for anyone on [...]
Understanding how reading and writing music on the staff works is the first step to musical literacy. Think of the staff not just as a set of lines, but as a map where the vertical placing of a note tells [...]
In this Trumpet Tune piano lesson, we break down William Duncombe’s classic Grade 1 piece. This is a fantastic study in articulation and precision, requiring the student to imitate the crisp, bright sound of a trumpet on the keyboard. From [...]
Welcome back to my theory kitchen! Today, we are diving into a fundamental skill for music theory exams: mastering key signatures and tonic triads. Understanding the relationship between these two elements is essential for accurately identifying keys and building stable [...]
The Downton Abbey piano lesson is one of the most requested tutorials at my studio. John Lunn’s theme is a masterclass in atmosphere, using a haunting melody and a driving rhythmic pulse that sounds incredibly impressive on the piano. Teacher's [...]
We have all been there: you are practicing a piece, and you keep hitting the same wall. These piano practice tips are designed to help you stop "mindless stumbling" and start problem-solving like a professional. The Golden Rule: If you [...]
The piano drop and grip technique is a foundational exercise that I remember from my very first piano lessons. It is the most effective way to build a strong hand arch and learn to utilize arm weight. My first teacher [...]
