Opinion

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The Writings on the Score
As musicians our musical scores are very personal to us, and the markings and annotations we make on our scores can be deeply associated with memories – of significant teachers, special concerts and venues, colleagues and friends, and may even
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The Pianist’s Solitude
“The loneliness doesn’t worry me……I spend most of my life alone, even backstage…….I’m there completely alone. I like the time alone….” British pianist Stephen Hough, speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs programme
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Maturity
I have a theory that we should spend at least a quarter of a century living with our music, studying it, absorbing it, and then only perform it when we are in our 40s or 50s. Unfortunately, this is not
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“Less is More” – Marginal Gain Learning
“Marginal Gain Learning” (MGL) is a training concept employed by the British cycling team which has reaped brilliant rewards, as their success in both the London and Rio Olympics has demonstrated. The concept was developed by the team’s coach Dave
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The Musician as Entrepreneur
It’s very hard to carve a career as a musician, never more so in today’s fast-paced, highly competitive and image-driven world. The changes in the industry are unparalleled in history and therefore so are our roles. Today it’s not enough
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Rewiring turns “I Can’t” into “I Can”
Whenever we have a thought or physical sensation thousands of neurons are triggered and get together to form a neural network in the brain. “Experience-dependent neuroplasticity” is the scientific term for this activity of continual creation and grouping of neuron
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V is for Virtuoso
Going beyond the notes …a virtuoso was, originally, a highly accomplished musician, but by the nineteenth century the term had become restricted to performers, both vocal and instrumental, whose technical accomplishments were so pronounced as to dazzle the public. ‘Music
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Mysteries of the Sustain Pedal
“The more I play, the more I am convinced the pedal is the soul of the pianoforte!” Arthur Rubinstein “….abusing the pedal is only a means of covering up a lack of technique, and that making a lot of noise
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