How to do crossed rhythms in Chopin’s Fantaisie-Impromptu
The crossed rhythms (4s against 3s) in Chopin’s Fantaisie-Impromptu are notoriously awkward. In this video, I describe some simple practice approaches to demystify the difficulties and generate the wonderful flowing, agitato effect.
The courage to transform
Music can give us strength as we dig deep in order to find the courage to transform. Metamorphosis might be painful but ultimately it is beautiful.
Grieg’s ‘Butterfly’ + ‘First Butterfly of Spring’ piano improvisation on Pianoteq’s Bechstein
The joy we feel at the sighting of a butterfly when the warm weather arrives after the long, dark cold of winter is a very special feeling. Music can bring us this joy whenever we need it!
How to get a free technique
In this video, I introduce the first and most important step to having a free technique, which is to feel the natural, flowing rhythm and groove of the music in your body.
‘Untouchable beauty’ piano improvisation on Pianoteq’s Steingraeber Intimate
My ‘Untouchable Beauty’ piano improvisation on Pianoteq’s Steingraeber Intimate. Nature is bigger than human beings. We arrogantly try to capture and control everything. Like trying to catch a butterfly, our exploits can easily cause harm or destruction. Some things are better left alone, in their natural state, untouchably beautiful!
‘Beautiful symmetry’ piano improvisation on Pianoteq’s Bechstein Cinematic
Musical tonality has a beautiful symmetry to its structure, especially when we see it within the piano keyboard. The shimmering patterns that this creates are like some of the most spectacular patterns in nature, such as we see when watching a butterfly slowly opening and closing its magnificent wings.
Defiant joy! Piano improvisation
This piece of improvising is exploring the rebellious feelings I have about success, achievement and other things the ego thinks it needs to be happy. The music itself is enough!
Pianoteq’s K2 Warm preset for my ‘Butterflies’ project
I’ve been thinking about using different Pianoteq presets in my current ‘Butterflies’ project and the K2 Warm preset has some really beautiful qualities.
‘Intrepid flight’ – a piece from the ‘Butterflies’ piano improvisation project
This piece is part of a project called Butterflies about fragility, resilience and beauty. This one describes a gentle rebellion against human arrogance!
The optimistic sound of the mixolydian mode of G
When I improvise in the mixolydian mode of G, I find it creates a feeling of no-nonsense optimism and groundedness that I really like to plug into, particularly during such uncertain times.