After almost 8 years of teaching the piano at Man Group plc in London it was clear that there was greater demand for lessons than my availability could cover…

How to approach learning the piano - to play by ear, to play from sheet music, to memorise? Here are examples of two pianists who have learnt in very different ways….

It always strikes me as ironical that we use the word “play” for something which we do with the utmost seriousness and even, at times, fear - of playing a wrong note, of displeasing a teacher…

… but I gave it up because I wasn’t any good…

”It makes my heart bleed when I hear this. While I support the pursuit of excellence, surely that shouldn’t be the only of measure of whether something is worth doing?

A few years ago I had the unexpected opportunity to replace the piano I’d had since I was a student, but which was sadly past its best, with a 2-year old Bösendorfer 170 grand. This was an instrument I wouldn’t have expected to own in my wildest dreams…