The world of classical music has long been a realm dominated by male composers, with their contributions celebrated and preserved for centuries. However, within the history of piano literature, there exists a hidden treasure trove of works by talented and innovative women composers whose contributions have often been unjustly overlooked. In this article, we will examine the historical roles of women composers in piano literature, shining a spotlight on the remarkable achievements of figures like Clara Schumann, Fanny Mendelssohn, and Amy Beach, whose compositions deserve the recognition they ..read more

About Xinyue Xinyue, a renowned classical piano teacher at London Piano Institute, brings over a decade of experience, remarkable skills, and awards to inspire students. Stefan Joubert: When did you start playing the piano and why? Xinyue: I started playing the piano at the age of 4. My parents quickly noticed my fascination with the piano. They saw that I had an ear for music and an unusual sense of rhythm for my age. They decided to nurture my budding talent by enrolling me in piano lessons. Stefan Joubert: What is your worst memory as a piano student? Xinyue: It was a warm summer eveni ..read more

In a Nutshell: “Watermelon Man” is a jazz standard by Herbie Hancock from his 1962 debut album, “Takin’ Off.” The original version featured Freddie Hubbard and Dexter Gordon in a grooving hard bop style. Mongo Santamaría’s Latin pop rendition reached No. 10 on the pop chart and was Grammy Hall of Fame inducted. Hancock later reworked it with funk influences for his 1973 album “Head Hunters.” The song’s structure is a sixteen-bar blues drawing from R&B, soul jazz, and bebop. Over two hundred artists have recorded the song, including David Bowie’s band and live renditions at Montreux Jazz F ..read more

All music has what is commonly known as rhythm and beat. Beat and rhythm are two distinct concepts, and one should not be confused with the other. Musicgateway states it as follows: “Beat is the underlying pulse of a piece of music, while rhythm is the pattern of notes and accents that create the musical texture.” source In a big band, these concepts are sometimes nuanced by a specific section of the band, e.g., the rhythm section and the percussion, but all the instruments will be contributing to the beat and rhythm to a smaller or larger degree. It is much more difficult to do so where th ..read more

Preparing for your piano exam is more than just knowing your pieces and your scales but also working through the ear training syllabus and sight-reading. Many times ear training and sight reading get overlooked in preparation because of the vast amount of work that you have to prepare for your music exam. When I studied for piano exams, the former mentioned was in most cases left for the last month or two. Fortunately, most students studying music will have a good ear to be able to recognise intervals, chords, etc., and you could get away with only practicing it the last two months to be secu ..read more

Fourth Anniversary Four years have passed since I started piano lessons – it is hard to believe that time flies so fast. My classes with Stefan Joubert at S & C Music have been excellent and life-changing really. He is a great teacher with the right blend of enthusiasm, standards and experience to help you grow as a player. The thing I love about S & C is that the lessons are designed for adult learners, and the teachers understand how adults learn and are sympathetic to the realities of learning as an older human. After four years, I now consider Stefan a friend as well as a tutor. L ..read more

In a Nutshell: Composer: Maurice Ravel Performer: Samson François Composition Year: 1908 Instrument: Solo Piano About the Piece: “Gaspard de la Nuit” by Ravel, as interpreted by Samson François, is a captivating piano suite composed in 1908. François’ performance showcases the suite’s intricate storytelling and Ravel’s poetic musical language. It comprises three movements, each inspired by Aloysius Bertrand’s poems: Ondine: François skillfully captures the enchanting allure of the water nymph Undine in this dreamy movement. He navigates the delicate piano passages with finesse, painting a v ..read more

About Xinyue Xinyue, a renowned classical piano teacher at London Piano Institute, brings over a decade of experience, remarkable skills, and awards to inspire students. Stefan Joubert: What is the most difficult piece you have ever played so far and why? Xinyue: The most difficult piano piece I have tried to play so far, it would be Sergei Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 3 in D minor. This concerto is notorious for its technical demands and requires exceptional skill, strength, and endurance. The intricate fingerings, rapid passages, and extensive use of octaves make it an incredibly ..read more

Interpretation and expression lie at the heart of piano playing. Beyond the technical mastery of the instrument, it is the pianist’s ability to convey emotion, tell a story, and breathe life into the music that captivates audiences. In this article, we will explore the significance of interpretation and expression in piano playing, discussing the techniques and approaches that pianists employ to create a truly mesmerizing musical experience. The Power of Interpretation: Interpretation is the process of understanding and conveying the composer’s intentions through personal insight and creativ ..read more

About Laura Laura Bevan is a piano teacher at the London Piano Institute. She has been playing the piano since she was seven years old and since then has studied at the Conservatoire in Leeds, gaining a degree in classical and Popular music. Stefan Joubert: Laura Bevan: My favourite pianist is Yuja Wang for reasons other than her technical capabilities. Yuja Wang is my favourite pianist because she doesn’t listen to what is expected of her. The fact she wears what she likes despite it being deemed as ‘inappropriate’ for a classical musician is inspiring and shows that she is more than an ..read more