Introduction
Welcome,
Here you'll find video content to help with your study of Trinity's Initial piano syllabus. This is ideal material for the first steps in piano playing, whether you choose to sit an exam or not. You'll also be able to ask me anything. Simply use the comments section at the foot of each 'lesson' and I'll get back to you.
There are a lot of pieces here - I've recorded nearly 50 of the 56 on the syllabus! There's no need to study all of them, but it's good to have a choice. Start out with pieces that appeal, but try to tackle some that don't too. I think this is especially true if you're an older beginner. As adults we tend to have pre-determined ideas about what we like and don't like. Try to break them ...or at least ruffle them up a bit.
I mentioned 56 pieces. There are 21 in the 2023, Extended Edition book and a further 21 in the 2021, Extended Edition book, which are still valid. So that's 42 pieces so far. Then there are a further 14 pieces dotted around in various publications.
You'll also find materials here covering other aspects of musicianship, the exercises (you have 12 to choose from), scales, broken triads and aural tests.
You'll come across backings tracks and some scores too (for pieces that are in the public domain). You are welcome to download these for your own use. Please be aware that backing tracks cannot be used in an exam, but will be great fun in preparing for one! There's nothing like being part of a band.
So this is a library of resources, many of which are available on YouTube, but I hope you'll be able to access them more easily here and now, you've got access to me too if you have any questions. This library will continue to grow as I answer your questions, whether through video or written answers.
If you are thinking of sitting an exam, you have various options - a live face-to-face exam or a recorded digital assessment. Whichever you go for, I wish you well. This link will take you to the piano page on Trinity College London's website where you can download the syllabuses and repertoire lists and find out more details.
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