Heart of the Piano Podcast
Heart of the Piano Podcast features passionate, irreverent and opinionated conversations about the piano world. It covers interviews with musicians and industry figures, piano-related news, playing tips and reviews. Each episode offers a personal take on topics that matter to pianists and piano enthusiasts alike.
Episodes
E46: ABRSM 2027–2028 Piano Syllabus Review: concerns about the future of classical music education
I’ve spent the last four weeks carefully examining the ABRSM 2027–2028 Piano Syllabus. Listen to find out what’s changed, what I think of the repertoire choices, and why this syllabus raises important questions about the future direction of ABRSM piano exams. Should students be able to take an ABRSM piano exam with only one classical piece? What does an ABRSM grade now represent? And what role sho
E45: A Grand Unified Theory of Scales and Arpeggios (Part 1)
The Heart of the Piano podcast is back! In this return episode, I dive deep into my ‘Grand Unified Theory’ of scales & arpeggios. This is a radical masterclass that breaks down the biomechanics of technique into basic ‘building blocks’ which every student can combine in unique and personal ways- and also addresses the hidden psychological barriers in adult students which prevent the acquisition of
E44: New AI Revolution- Unbelievably Human, Hilarious Conversations with Legendary Composers!
In this episode, I dive into the mind-blowing world of ChatGPT’s brand new voice AI feature, where I have hilarious, shockingly human-like conversations with some of history’s greatest composers! These experimental chats are not only educational but packed with unexpected humor and personality.
Join me as I explore the incredible capabilities of this revolutionary technology. If you’ve ever
E43: Why We Need To Be Able To Talk About Race And Gender In Classical Music: a Cautionary Tale
An exploration of the challenging but crucial conversations surrounding diversity and representation in classical music education, framed through a personal cautionary experience. Drawing from recent events in the industry, topics discussed include:
– The importance of open dialogue about race and gender in music
– Challenges in representing diverse composers in educational materials
&
E42: ABRSM 2025-2026 Syllabus Review Part 2- the individual grades
Please check the shownotes for timings (at HeartOfThePiano.com) if you just want to listen to the review for one particular grade
E41: ABRSM 2025-2026 Syllabus Review Part 1- embracing diversity or a subtle erosion of classical tradition?
In this thought-provoking first part of a two-part review, I explore the new books and discuss how ABRSM are navigating the complex landscape of music education in a changing world. Join me as I delve into the challenges and opportunities presented by this new syllabus, which is sure to spark lively debate within the piano community. Part two will review the individual grades.
E39: Interview with Tim Topham: legend of the piano education community!
Tim Topham is a legend in the piano education world, his podcast "The Integrated Music Teaching Podcast" is a who's who of the most interesting & creative piano educators. It was a huge honour to chat to Tim about his new book which advocates and provides a framework for delaying reading music with beginner piano students.
This episode is not just for piano teachers though, I'm sure everybody wil
E38: Trinity 2023 Piano Syllabus Review Part 2- the individual grades with audio clips from the official recordings
Check the shownotes for timings if you just want to listen to the review for one particular grade
E37: Decolonising Piano Education… the radical new Trinity Piano Syllabus- and unpacking the many cans of unleashed worms
The most radical and indispensable piano syllabus ever! This will either be incredibly exciting for piano teachers & students- or highly controversial. Either way, it’s a must-own. In this episode I discuss some of the many controversial issues that this new syllabus raises, and give you a detailed verdict on these new books. Part two will review the individual grades.
E35: Tension & Release- we discuss the #5 psychological skill you need to practise at the piano to be deeply musical
Cheryl is back for a masterclass on how awareness of musical tension and release can make huge changes to our playing, and demonstrates that we absolutely need to learn to learn to feel it in the body before we can successfully apply it to our piano playing
E34: We discuss the 4 most important psychological skills you need to practise at the piano to be deeply musical
My friend Cheryl is back to chat about and get a deeper understanding of the practical ways in which we can become truly great pianists by bringing the psychological skills I've demonstrated in recent episodes into our learning and practising
E33: Comprehensive Review of Pop Performer! by ABRSM
An epic review (with music audio clips) of ABRSM's hotly anticipated foray into pop music!
I'm holding ABRSM to a high standard so I'm quite critical, but I do also look for what there is to enjoy in these books. Listen to this episode to find out if you should buy them for yourself or recommend them for your students!
E32: The #4 psychological skill you need to practise at the piano to be deeply musical
This fourth skill is immensely practical, maybe some of you might think it's a stretch to call it a 'psychological skill', but I notice that it's totally normal for most of my students to have issues with putting this into practice as- like in meditation- we have to practise choosing where to place our awareness in any given moment
E31: The #3 psychological skill you need to practise at the piano to be deeply musical
The third in a series looking at the most essential mental habits to practise at the piano that will give you the quickest and most profound progress. These are the things I refer to constantly when I'm teaching, and covers aspects of musicianship that almost all teachers consider unteachable- considered to be innate qualities in talented students. But I can show you how to develop this natural mu
E30: Review of Nikki Iles & Friends, Jazz Pieces For Piano
A must-listen review (with music audio clips) of 3 books of jazz piano sheet music from Nikki Iles & Friends published by ABRSM covering from initial grade up to grade 8 and beyond. A detailed look at highlights and 'weak' pieces with audio clips from each book starts at 36:30
E29: The #2 psychological skill you need to practise at the piano to be deeply musical
The second in a series looking at the most essential mental habits to practise at the piano that will give you the quickest and most profound progress. These are the things I refer to constantly when I'm teaching, and covers aspects of musicianship that almost all teachers consider unteachable- considered to be innate qualities in talented students. But I can show you how to develop this natural m
E28: Self-Determination Theory For Pianists- how it can unlock & improve your musicality, and help you deal with performance anxiety
A lively and passionate discussion where we introduce the ideas and research behind Self-Determination Theory, which could help you make giant leaps with your music. Some core topics covered in this episode include intrinsic & extrinsic motivation, autonomy, how rewards actually make us perform worse, ego & needing approval from others and ourselves, and how we can practise & cultivate intrinsic
E27: ABRSM Piano Syllabus 2023 & 2024- Review
Can ABRSM bounce back from their last syllabus I was highly critical of?
Listen to this episode for a comprehensive review of the new set of books, including audio clips of many of the new pieces.
I also discuss some of the recent controversial issues regarding their operational and business challenges
E26: The #1 psychological skill you need to practise at the piano to be deeply musical
The first in a series looking at the most essential mental habits to practise at the piano that will give you the quickest and most profound progress. These are the things I refer to constantly when I'm teaching, and covers aspects of musicianship that almost all teachers consider unteachable- considered to be innate qualities in talented students. But I can show you how to develop this natural mu
E25: Interview with Matt Herskowitz- phenomenal classical and jazz virtuoso pianist with deep soul
Matt Herskowitz is quite simply one of the most skilful, versatile, and soulful pianists on the planet.
Matt shines in many genres, but it's his outstanding work jazzing up classical music in particular that was the reason I absolutely had to chat with him for the podcast!
I include many generous audio clips of Matt's playing during the interview to give you a taste of what I love about his playin
E24: Brain Lateralisation Episode 3- Hands-on coaching at the piano
A practical masterclass demonstrating how an understanding of the two brain hemispheres can help us deal with performance anxiety, and help us identify and deal with obstacles to our natural musicianship when learning and practising a new piece.
E23: Brain Lateralisation Episode 2- How to start applying these concepts to our piano playing
A further introduction into how an understanding of the two brain hemispheres can help us with aspects of musicianship that are normally considered 'unteachable'!
E22: Brain Lateralisation Episode 1- Techniques For Deep Musicality
An introduction into how an understanding of the two brain hemispheres can help us with aspects of musicianship that are normally considered 'unteachable'!
E21: Leeds International Piano Competition (‘The Leeds’) 2021 Review
Not only just a review of the 2021 Leeds International Piano Competition, but also a wider examination of the issues brought up by competition in music, the role of music in communities, interviews with some of my favourite competitors including the winner Alim Beisembayev, audio clips from the unofficially linked Leeds Pub Piano Competition event, discussion with the competitors about how they de
E20: LCM (London College of Music) 2021 Piano Syllabus- Review
After a long wait, LCM have published a brand new piano syllabus- which covers exams from Pre-Preparatory level to Grade 8. Find out how it compares to ABRSM, Trinity, and Rockschool Classical's recent new syllabuses.
E19: Rockschool Rock/Pop Piano Syllabus- Review
Listen to see why I'm so enthusiastic about Rockschool's Rock/Pop Piano grades for piano! Following on from my previous review, I also give more information for those considering the new Rockschool Classical grades.
E18: Rockschool New Classical Piano Syllabus 2021- Review
Rockschool has recently released an exciting new set of classical piano grades! Listen to this review to find out their strengths and weaknesses, including my strong misgivings.
E17: Why I’m moving my students from ABRSM to Trinity- reviews of their new 2021 piano syllabuses
The Heart of the Piano Podcast is back with a review of the new piano syllabuses from ABRSM and Trinity, which take you from an Initial Grade to Grade 8. Listen to the podcast to discover some reasons why me and many other piano teachers are now defecting from ABRSM to Trinity!
E16: Interview with Karl Lutchmayer- British-Indian Concert Pianist, Steinway Artist, Academic, and Rock Keyboardist!
An absorbing, enlightening and entertaining conversation with Karl Luthmayer- musical raconteur, international concert pianist, academic, rock star keyboardist and theremin player in a prog-rock band!
As well as chatting about Karl's career and piano playing, we discuss his fascinating research on facial expressiveness in piano performers, the history and aesthetics of piano concert arrangements,
E14: Interview with Karen Bulmer of the Music, Mind, and Movement Podcast
I was so excited about interviewing Karen Bulmer that it only very recently occurred to me after recording the interview that Karen is not actually a pianist! But every musician will get so much from listening to this episode, and I think particularly us pianists who often have to juggle so many things happening at once in our music will really benefit from so much of the conversation between me a
E13: Interview with Adam Gatehouse, Artistic Director of the Leeds International Piano Competition
The Leeds International Piano Competition is one of the top 3 most important and prestigious piano competitions in the world, with previous finalists such as Murray Perahia, Mitsuko Uchida, András Schiff... and dozens more names that anybody familiar with classical pianists will recognise instantly as being in the top row of the best, most important, and most successful artists in the business.
T
E12: Interview with Olga Georgievskaya, Russian Concert Pianist
Olga is not only a superb pianist- her CD shows off her deep soulful & expressive playing with a highly refined ear for counterpoint, layers and structure- but her concert transcription of the Vitali Chaconne for solo piano is an absolute masterpiece, and she has also done a PhD on polyphony in Rachmaninov... I absolutely had to interview her!
I'm afraid my enthusiasm for details about bells and t
E10: Interview with Erica Worth, editor of Pianist Magazine
Erica is the editor of UK-based Pianist Magazine, an internationally renowned magazine for people who love to play the piano. It features interviews with top concert pianists, full-length features on current issues, how-to piano lessons, CD and sheet music reviews, Questions and Answers, teaching tips and concert highlights.
I thought, who better to chat with than the editor of one of the world's
E09: Interview with Melvin Besbrode of Besbrode Pianos- one of the biggest piano stores in the UK
This time, my friend Andy Cole did the interviewing, chatting with Melvin Besbrode, owner of one of the biggest piano stores in the UK- situated in Leeds.
It's well worth listening to even if you're not buying a piano- very interesting topics are covered such as the monumental popularity of the piano in China & Asia, and little-known reasons how the piano came to be such an important part of the c
E08: Interview with Ben Richards, organiser of piano meetups across the UK
Ben Richards organises 8(!) regular piano meetup groups all across the UK.
We talk about what makes his groups particularly fun and inviting for amateurs and beginners (although advanced players also play), some of the history of piano groups and the piano, and the various benefits and attractions of taking part.
We also talk about the inevitable nerves and performance anxiety that we all feel, an
Guided Visualisation- Getting Motivated!
A free guided visualisation to help people get passionate and motivated to practise their piano and achieve their goals!
This guided visualisation is strongly influenced by the book 'Rethinking Positive Thinking: Inside the New Science of Motivation', which suggests strong evidence-led strategies for using visualisation in ways that are most likely to bring about successful goal achievement.
You s
Guided Piano Meditation- Listening and Posture
A free guided audio meditation to use while practising the piano- this meditation uses a slightly more selective selection of techniques from the previous meditation, 'Further Down the Road'. However, the plan is to make many guided meditations that will guide people over a longer period of time to gradually and gently build up these techniques, and go into more depth on each one.
You should have
Guided Piano Meditation- Further Down the Road
A free guided audio meditation to use while sat at the piano- this meditation gives a taster of many different techniques that can be used to deepen piano practice. However, the plan is to make many guided meditations that will guide people over a longer period of time to gradually and gently build up these techniques, and go into more depth on each one.
It's better to use speakers (or just use th
Guided Piano Meditation- Introduction to Meditating at the Piano
A free guided audio meditation to use while sat at the piano- this meditation explores the ability to really listen to your piano- one of the most important skills for any pianist.
It's better to use speakers (or just use the speaker on your phone or computer) and not use headphones for this meditation so you can hear your piano clearly.
Risks: people with unresolved trauma, psychotic disorders, m
E05 part 2: Interview with Benjamin Frith
Continuation of the interview with Benjamin Frith, British classical pianist with strong links to the Leeds International Piano Competition- having been a competitor at 'The Leeds' twice, and a student with Dame Fanny Waterman since an early age.
He won several big awards early in his career, and his recordings are highly regarded- five of his discs are represented in the Gramophone Best CD Guide
E05 part 1: Interview with Benjamin Frith
Benjamin Frith is a British classical pianist with strong links to the Leeds International Piano Competition- having been a competitor at 'The Leeds' twice, and a student with Dame Fanny Waterman since an early age. He won several big awards early in his career, and his recordings are highly regarded- five of his discs are represented in the Gramophone Best CD Guide and his disc of Schumann’s Davi
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