Legacy Reference: This collection of videos was originally recorded for the 2018 LCM Step 2 syllabus. While this specific exam cycle has concluded, these performances remain an excellent technical benchmark for students advancing through the preliminary stages of piano [...]
Figured bass is essentially an older way of notating chords, commonly used for writing a continuo part. Where modern notation might use a chord symbol like "C Major," figured bass focuses on the most important element: the bass line. Everything [...]
From 2016 to the beginning of 2020 I worked as a piano and music theory teacher in Togher Music Project in Cork. The project's goal was to provide classes for people with an aptitude for music who had been unemployed [...]
In music theory, symbols and notes are just ink on a page until they become sound. To develop true musicianship, we must develop the skills required to turn the visual input of the printed notes into the sounds which they [...]
Triplets are one of those topics that look intimidating on paper but make complete sense the moment you hear them. In this video I explain ABRSM Grade 2 triplets from scratch — what they are, why they exist, and exactly [...]
In this lesson, we progress to ABRSM Grade 2 Theory Time Signatures, exploring how rhythm is constructed when using different beat units. While in Grade 1 only crotchets/quarter notes are used as a "denominator" unit of measure for the beat, [...]
In this lesson, we break down the essentials of rhythm for ABRSM Music Theory Grade 1. Understanding the relationship between the pulse, the notation, and the bar / measure is the foundation of all music literacy. We look at how [...]
In this lesson, we explore an easy piano cover of Run by Snow Patrol. Originally a pop ballad, this arrangement is stripped back for late beginners and arranged for solo piano. The focus is on keeping the song instantly recognizable, [...]
In this lesson we look at an easy piano cover of Chasing Cars by Snow Patrol. This arrangement is designed for late beginners who want to capture the atmosphere of the original without getting lost in overly complex notation — [...]
The Little Prelude in C Major (BWV 939) is a nice little piece which focuses on broken chords and the delicate execution of ornaments. In this post I provide two videos: a performance and a breakdown with practice tips. Part [...]