Intermediate

Tchaikovsky - La nouvelle poupée (No. 6 from Album pour enfants, Op. 39)

ABRSM Grade 4 - B3

This beautifully constructed miniature is based on just one rhythmic pattern in the left hand - each bar is made up of a two-note repeated chord and a rest. Above this, the right hand sings (in four-bar phrases) and dances (two-note slurs). The middle section features many accidentals in the frequent modulations, demanding full attention from the player. The New Doll will not suffer from being played completely without the pedal. Preview (please log-in or subscribe to see full video) ... Read >>

Alwyn - The Sea is Angry

This video provides a walk-through of William Alwyn's The Sea is Angry which is an excellent piece for intermediate pianists who want to play something that will expand their sound.... Read >>

Maykapar - Valse (No. 5 from Biriulki, op. 28)

Maykapar’s elegant waltz has plenty of colour and charm. The player can experiment with different types of pedalling to bring the music to life. 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, see page 9). Click here to view the index for our Guide to the Trinity College Piano Syllabus. Click here... Read >>

Burgmüller - 11. La Bergeronnette (The Wagtail) in C Major (from 25 Easy and Progressive Etudes, Op. 100)

La Bergeronnette (The Wagtail) depicts a genus of bird that constantly moves its tail; Burgmüller captures this flickering, fluttering movement by the prevailing rhythmic figure we hear right at the start – two semiquavers and a quaver under a slur. It is important that the first note of the slurred group is lightly stressed, and the last note released without an accent. Make sure to retain this strong-weak emphasis even in the crescendos (from bar 19, and from bar 26), where each three-note group is stronger than the previous one. The leggiero marking invites us to use a light touch... Read >>

JS Bach - Invention No. 4 in D Minor, BWV 775

One of the most beloved of Bach’s Inventions, this work is ideal for studying two-voiced counterpoint with equal challenges in each hand. In addition to melodic inversion, this lesson highlights how to apply three-dimensional solutions to scalar figures, detached arpeggios, and trills. Fred’s marked score provides detailed analysis of invertible counterpoint, harmony, sequence, and hemiola possibilities. Preview (please log-in or subscribe to see full video) Resources & links Click here to download a Fred's marked score for this work or Click here to... Read >>

Chaminade - Idylle (No. 1 from Album des enfants, deuxième série, Op. 126)

ABRSM Grade 4 - B2

Cecile Chaminade composed around 200 piano works that have become popular because they are manageable by intermediate-level pianists. This picturesque, contented piece paints a pastoral scene in which the melodic line is exclusively in the right hand, the left hand accompanying with broken chord patterns. We achieve the singing style not only by projecting the melody over the accompaniment, but also by shaping the line by phrasing, breathing, and intonation (taking a tiny bit of time over larger intervals). Preview (please log-in or subscribe to see full video) ... Read >>

Schubert - Minuet and Trio (D. 41 No. 21)

ABRSM Grade 4 – A3

An elegant minuet and trio with some pleasing chromatic touches, this pair of dances is full of interest as well as challenges in touch and articulation.... Read >>

C. Nielsen - Spilleværket (No. 6 from Humoreske-Bagateller, Op. 11)

ABRSM Grade 6 – A3

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 6 publication here. Open domain editions are also available here. You can listen to a recording of this piece and others from... Read >>

Diabelli - Moderato Cantabile (from Sonatina in F major, Op. 168 No. 1)

The first movement (Moderato) of Diabelli’s appealing Sonatina in F is a model of sonata form in miniature, an ideal way to teach form and structure to the intermediate pianist. The gently expressive first subject with its sighing appoggiaturas gives way to a skittish and playful second subject. In this video I demonstrate the art of finger pedalling in the left hand alberti patterns to create resonance by hand (instead of by foot, which would cloud the texture too much). I also show how to use deconstruction techniques in a tricky left hand passage to improve control and coordination. ... Read >>