Elementary

Schumann - The Merry Farmer (No. 10 from Album for the Young, Op. 68)

ABRSM Grade 4 – B2

Schumann’s piano music is a joy to play – it is full of inspiration, fantastic contrasts in mood and character as well as beautiful melodies and breathtakingly beautiful harmonies. This series of articles provides notes outlining how to approach learning The Merry Farmer, Returning from Work from the Album for... Read >>

Elgar (arr. Jones) - Salut d’amour (Op.12)

ABRSM Grade 3 – B1

Elgar’s famous violin melody is transcribed for piano by Richard Jones in a setting that requires careful balance between the two hands, as well as control of tone in the left hand. Use of the pedal is essential. Resources & links Piano Exam Pieces 2021 & 2021, Grade 3 is available from the ABRSM online shop here. The syllabus upon which these Practising the Piano Online Academy materials are based is © by The Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music and is reproduced... Read >>

Mel Bonis - Douce amis (from Album pour les tout-petits, Op. 103)

ABRSM Grade 3 – B2

Preview (please log-in or subscribe to see full video) Resources & links This piece is available for individual purchase as a digital download here or in print as part of the Piano Exam Pieces 2025 & 2026 Grade 3 publication here. Open domain editions are also available here. You can listen to a recording of this piece and others from this grade on Spotify using this link. ... Read >>

Trad. (arr. Önaç) - What shall we do with the drunken sailor?

ABRSM Initial Grade – A2

The melody of this traditional sea shanty in the dorian mode is clearly presented with some accompanimental material in the left hand. David A. T. Önaç’s clever arrangement presents some useful technical challenges, such as passing a line smoothly from one hand to the other, and changes in touch from staccato to legato. Preview (please log-in or subscribe to see full video) Resources & links This piece is available for digital download individually from the ABRSM shop here or in print as part of the... Read >>

Head - The Quiet Wood

ABRSM Grade 1 – B3

This piece has an interesting structure that will interest enquiring minds. The opening six-bar phrase returns twice more, both times with slight variations on the original. See if you can describe these differences. A four-bar middle phrase gives the piece an overall A A’ B A’’ design. Sing the melodic line to discover high and low points of the phrase, and where it needs to breathe. Preview (please log-in or subscribe to see full video) Resources & links This piece... Read >>

Handel - Gavotte in G, HWV 491

ABRSM Grade 3 – A3

A model of symmetry and tightly organised musical structure, Handel’s Gavotte in G gives the player scope for developing sensitivity of touch and articulation in both hands. Resources & links Piano Exam Pieces 2021 & 2021, Grade 3 is available from the ABRSM online shop here. The syllabus upon which these Practising the Piano Online Academy materials are based is © by The Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music and is reproduced by permission of the copyright owner. The Practising the Piano Online... Read >>

Daniel Gottlob Türk - Arioso

In the expressive style, with sighing appoggiaturas and chromatic touches, this piece requires a singing right hand with lots of shaping and nuances. Resources & links Click here to purchase sheet music form the Trinity College online store (external link). Click here to view open domain editions for these works (external link). Click here to view the index for our Guide to the Trinity College Piano Syllabus. Click here to view a... Read >>

Pam Wedgwood - The Detective (No. 6 from Up-Grade! Piano Grades 1–2)

ABRSM Grade 1 – C3

The Detective encourages the player to come up with a vivid storyline for what might be happening in this piece. Imagine the scene, the characters involved and what they are doing. What is the outcome? The use of emojis drawn or stuck on the score at strategic points can assist with this narrative.... Read >>

Attwood - Allegro (1st mvt from Sonatina No.1 in G)

ABRSM Grade 2 – A1

Thomas Attwood was a student of Mozart, and we find many hallmarks of the master’s style in this melodious Allegro. The player will need to attend to expressive phrase shaping, articulation and balance between the hands. Resources & links Piano Exam Pieces 2021 & 2021, Grade 2 is available from the ABRSM online shop here. The syllabus upon which these Practising the Piano Online Academy materials are based is © by The Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music and is reproduced by... Read >>