Jeremy Taylor

Can I sight read Grade 3 again? | The Sight Reading Series

Welcome back to the The Sight Reading Series. This time I'm doing some examples from a Grade 3 book. It's an old Grade 3 book, probably 20-30 years old, and it's hard. Embarrassingly hard!

Can I sight read Grade 2 again? | The Sight Reading Series

Welcome to a new series I'm starting called, drum roll..... The Sight Reading Series. It's basically me attempting to bring my sight reading up to a standard where I feel SUPER comfortable in the exam room. I felt like I needed a running jump to start the Grade 7 level stuff so I'm going waaaaay back to Grade 2 - and it's surprisingly difficult to get all the details first time. Enjoy!

ABRSM Grade 6 RESULTS | Piano Progress Week 155

Stay tuned for more videos as I embark on ABRSM Grade 7!

Final recording of Grade 6 Exam Pieces | Piano Progress Week 152

With just over a week until my Grade 6 exam, I thought I'd do a recording of all the pieces. I am still making a ton of mistakes in all of them, but they have all finally come together in the last month - particularly the Schubert which I have been struggling with since the beginning. Like most exam takers with a few weeks to go until the exam, I am sick to death of these pieces now lol... but deep down I still love them. Roll on Grade 7 (please!). ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Moonlight Sonata (sightread) | Piano Progress Week 148

Thank you to everyone who voted in the recent poll! I think it was pretty clear which piece would come out on top, although Schumann's Traumerei was leading at one point.. the incredible piece that it is. This isn't a first sightread through - more like a third or fourth - but I thought it would be a good indicator of where I'm at with it after a week or two. Once Grade 6 is out of the way (early July), I will take it to a few lessons and get some advice on voicing, shaping, pedal etc. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Gershwin - Prelude No 2 | Piano Progress Week 143

I decided to take a bit of a break over the last few weeks from solely doing Grade 6 prep, and have had some fun with this Gershwin Prelude on my own away from lessons! ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Schubert - Moments Musicaux No. 3 | Piano Progress Week 140

The piece I have chosen for my Grade 6 exam. Why did I have to pick one of the hardest pieces in List A?!? ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Second live piano practice session!

Join me for my second live piano practice session! ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Oscar Peterson - Jazz Exercise No.2 | Piano Progress Week 121

I always pick a jazz piece in the C list for ABRSM exams, and it's great to have an actual piece of jazz by a recognised jazz musician in the Grade 6 syllabus this year. I do find some of the other jazz pieces are a bit too... pedagogical, to put it mildly. I'm still wrapping my fingers around the runs in the middle section - quite obvious in this recording - but it's coming. Next up, I will be working on my A list piece - Schubert's Moment Musicaux No.3. Not easy! ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mendelssohn - Venetian Gondola Song (Op.19 No.6) | Piano Progress Week 118

One of my choices for the Grade 6 exam next year with ABRSM. I've been putting off recording on my new piano (I say new... it's a pretty old Kawai K15 that I've rented, so it's not exactly a Steinway!) but I'm still getting used to it and I wasn't sure what the audio was going to sound like recorded on my iPhone - but in the end I just thought let's get on with it! It's lovely to have a real piano to play on each day. I haven't missed my digital once! ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I FINALLY GOT A REAL PIANO!

After two+ years of owning a digital piano, I thought it was time to get a real acoustic piano. It had gotten to the point where, for me, a digital was hampering my practice. I'd get set very specific things to practice during my lessons only to find that trying to rehearse them on a digital piano was near impossible. Digitals are great; mine has served me well and taken me through FOUR ABRSM exams. Beyond Grade 5 however, it seems that most aspects of piano-learning require more and more use of real pianos. These aspects include touch and dynamic control which are (again, for me) very different on digitals... even the most expensive ones. I got myself a Kawai K15 (with a silent system for the late night practice!). ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chopin/Mendelssohn/OscarPeterson playthroughs + general update! | Piano Progress Week 112

I thought I'd have a play through of some of the pieces I'm currently working on, along with an update of current affairs re the piano! 00:00 Grade 6 Update 03:13 Chopin - Nocturne in Cm 07:19 Oscar Peterson - Jazz Exercise No. 2 09:04 Mendelssohn - Venetian Gondola Song ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Grade 6 Scales - Playthrough and Discussion | Piano Progress Week 108

Schumann - Bunteblätter (Op.99 No.4) | Piano Progress Week 107

Much like Prelude in C, this one was a short project. I have started some bigger pieces which are going to take a while before they're ready to record, but in the meantime I looked at this. I practiced it for a few hours, and tried to do as little takes as possible; I think this was about the 10th. It's not perfect, the voicing isn't great upon listening back, but - who cares! Enjoy the beauty of Robert Schumann's music. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ABRSM Grade 5 RESULTS | Piano Progress Week 105

In this video I talk through my recent practical piano exam - ABRSM Grade 5. Let me know in the comments how you got on with your recent exams! ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Grade 6 Book HAUL… | Piano Progress Week 104

To buy the books featured In this video, follow these affiliate links: Liszt - Consolations https://amzn.to/3ORO4gt Chopin - Mazurkas https://amzn.to/3OBJofc Chopin - Preludes https://amzn.to/3R14Dsd Satie - Gymnopedies https://amzn.to/3bJZFQN Satie - Gnossiennes https://amzn.to/3I8KnBc Burgmuller - Op. 109 https://amzn.to/3yxZNM7 Ghibli Best Stories https://amzn.to/3ueyeot Schubert - Moments Musicaux https://amzn.to/3R1cHJB Chopin - Nocturnes https://amzn.to/3yrCB0T Oscar Peterson - Jazz Exercises https://amzn.to/3OWf6TU ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

MERIT 127 - Grade 5 Exam Pieces | Piano Progress Week 103

All my Grade 5 pieces recorded at Blackheath Conservatoire. 00:00 Bach - Invention No. 8 in F 01:05 Mompou - La Barca 03:05 Denes Agay - Blue Waltz ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Denes Agay - Blue Waltz (ABRSM Grade 5 2023-2024 C4) | Adult Piano Progress

This is my C list piece for my upcoming Grade 5 exam with ABRSM. I find Blue Waltz sounds and feels very different when played on an acoustic rather than on my digital - which I've recorded this on - so my plan is to hire an acoustic for a few hours over the next couple of weeks before the exam to practice on! ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bach - Invention No. 8 (ABRSM Grade 5 2023-2024 A4) | Piano Progress Week 100

Not a perfect recording by any means, but the best I can do for now. Lots still to work on in the run up to the exam! ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Come and join our Piano Learners DISCORD!

Discord Invite link: https://discord.gg/mbsgpzye ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Piece choices for Grade 5 ABRSM exam | Piano Progress Week 98

This video details the pieces I have chosen for my ABRSM Grade 5 exam, which is coming up soon at the end of June. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Are ABRSM sight reading exams getting easier?

I answer, with examples, whether ABRSM Piano sight reading requirements have got easier since the 1980s. 00:00 Introduction 00:33 Hypothesis! 02:19 Example 1 05:49 Example 2 09:59 Example 3 12:41 Example 4 15:41 Conclusion ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Part 3: Supporting TOM JONES & THE MOODY BLUES (Interviewing my Dad!)

00:00 Joining "The Junco Partners" 01:12 Which famous acts did you support? 02:11 What was it like being in the band? 04:36 Was there any bad behaviour in the band? 06:44 Did you make any records? 07:35 Final thoughts on Piano 09:03 Some more boogie woogie! ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

practicing.. my first Beethoven Sonata!

First live piano practice session!

Join me for my first live piano practice session! ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bach - Prelude in C (BWV 846) | Piano Progress Week 93

This piece, Bach's Prelude in C from the Well Tempered Clavier, has been the most significant progress marker for me so far. This was one of the first pieces I attempted to play when I was just starting out (......!) and it took me AGES to piece it together, of course. Coming back to it after nearly two years, I was amazed to find I was able to sight read it to 90-95% accuracy. After an hour of playing it through (and negotiating the page turn) I made this recording. Progress on this instrument feels like it happens on a geological time scale - making those occasional moments when you can notice the progression extremely satisfying. I hope you enjoy listening to this piece as much as I enjoy playing it! ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

How is Grade 5 piano prep going?

Part 2: JAZZ BAND (Interviewing my Dad!)

00:00 Discovering Jazz 01:25 "The Dryades Street Jazz Men 03:59 Playing at a London Jazz club 05:49 The end of Trad Jazz 06:08 Dad plays more blues/boogie woogie...! ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Jeremy Taylor - Piano Progress Live Stream

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Part 1: ABRSM LESSONS & EXAMS (Interviewing my Dad!)

00:00 Intro 00:35 Lessons: First Teacher 02:14 ABRSM Exams 07:15 Recitals & Competitions 08:55 Lessons: Second Teacher 12:29 Dad plays the blues/boogie-woogie! ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Field - Nocturne No.5 (ABRSM Grade 5 1971-1972) | Piano Progress Week 90

I'm extremely pleased to be able to upload this video of me playing John Field's Nocturne No. 5 in Bb major... pleased because I can say with absolute certainty that, to date, this is the most difficult piece I have played! With constantly changing left hand arpeggio patterns, and a melodic right hand that appears with more and more decoration as the piece progresses, it has been a challenge. There's also a 4:3 polyrhythm in there for good measure. The left hand arpeggios are so consistent (and persistent!) throughout, that my left hand/arm ached as I practiced this... from sheer muscle use alone. I had to remind myself this was once a Grade 5 piece, not a Grade 6/7. Despite these hurdles, it has been super exciting to be able to tackle a Nocturne after listening to so many of Chopin's great ones. I look forward to doing many more in the future. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Scriabin - Prelude in Db, Op.11 No.15 (ABRSM Grade 5 1999-2000) | Piano Progress Week 90

A recent recording I made of Scriabin's Prelude in Db major, Opus 11 No. 15. This is a piece of many firsts: my first Scriabin piece, and also the first piece I've looked at in Db major... I think anyway! It's a beautiful piece - blissful and melancholic in equal measures. Phrasing came quite naturally when practicing this piece, but technically it was a challenge. I'm still struggling to get all notes of a chord to come down at exactly the same time (I can hear a few duff ones in this recording...) but it's something that will hopefully improve with time. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

practicing.. Scriabin’s Op. 11 No. 15

Bach - Invention No. 4 (ABRSM Grade 5 1995-1996) | Piano Progress Week 88

It felt like the right time to work through another Bach Invention - the previous one being No. 1 in C last year: https://youtu.be/XJFNb9hHrNA. I have enjoyed this one in D minor much more. There seems to be much more drama here because of the minor key, the ominous left hand trill and the low C# that the scale pattern hits each time. Enjoy! ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

practicing.. my first Nocturne

Sight Reading update + examples | Piano Progress Week 86

Another semi-disastrous practice session for my ABRSM Grade 5 exam coming up this Summer! ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

practicing.. Bach Invention 4 in Dm

Full piece https://youtu.be/zHznrCNC31A ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Gillock - New Orleans Nightfall (ABRSM Grade 5 2019-2020 C4) | Piano Progress Week 84

New Orleans Nightfall by William Gillock, an ABRSM Grade 5 piece from a few years ago. I luckily spent some time in New Orleans in 2016 so had a mental image in mind when i was practicing/playing… though I will say the French Quarter Is more like the fast bit of the piece not the slow! Not much more to say about this piece... it's an easy piece to love! ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mompou - La Barca (ABRSM Grade 5 2023-2024 B8) | Piano Progress Week 84

La Barca by Federico Mompou, from his collection "Impresiones íntimas". This piece immediately jumped out at me when listening to all the exam pieces for Grade 5, so I added it to my list. This is technically a lot harder than it sounds... lots of held notes, melody and accompaniment in the right hand, with a bass and tenor part in the left hand. There is also some pretty big chords - one in particular where I had to stretch both hands to reach a tenth in each... just at the limit of my hand span. I imagine I will either play this or Schumann's "Von fremden Ländern und Menschen" as my List B piece, but will decide much nearer the exam. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sibelius - Joueur de Harpe (ABRSM Grade 5 2019-2020 B3) | Piano Progress Week 82

I have finally got round to recording Sibelius' lovely piece Joueur de Harpe from the ABRSM Grade 5 syllabus for 2019/20. After having a lesson on this piece with my teacher, I worked on it for a while, but then put it away for a bit whilst I worked on the Beethoven Bagatelle and the Chopin Prelude. There has been the odd piece over the last year that I haven't recorded, and I didn't want this one to become one of those - as it always sounds really beautiful, even when not played perfectly. Objectively, I'm not sure all notes rang out as clear as I intended them to - but as always, this is the best I can get this piece.. for now! I look forward to returning to some of these lovely pieces in a few years time when, hopefully, my technique and musicality has improved. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chopin - Prelude in E minor, Op.28 No.4 (250 SUB SPECIAL) | Piano Progress Week 81

A recent recording I did of Chopin's E minor Prelude (Op. 28 No. 4). These subscriber special videos are three things, a) a thanks to those who have subscribed, obviously, b) an opportunity to challenge myself with a "stretch" piece, and c) a bit of fun. I'm usually quite strict with myself and only do pieces that are of the Grade I currently am working towards, but every now and again I like to challenge myself with something from the Grade above. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Scales + Arpeggios (ABRSM Grade 5 2023-2024) | Piano Progress Week 80

A gentle look at the ABRSM Grade 5 technical requirements for 2021-2022. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Beethoven - Bagatelle in Gm (ABRSM Grade 5 2023-24 A5) | Piano Progress Week 80

My recording (for now!) of this Bagatelle in G minor by Beethoven (Op. 119, No. 1). This is probably the most challenging piece I've played so far. As always it is a work in progress, but this is as good as I can get it for now. I will revisit this piece later in the year when it is time to start choosing exam pieces for Grade 5! ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Grade 5 practice... Sibelius, Gillock, Beethoven! | Piano Progress Week 80

Some candid, sweary, practice on some Grade 5 pieces I'm currently working on! 00:00 Sibelius - Joueur de Harpe 00:30 Gillock - New Orleans Nightfall 01:55 Beethoven - Bagatelle in G minor (Op. 119, No. 1) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1.5 Year Piano Progress Q&A!

a Q&A session where I answer some of your questions since I first started playing piano! 00:00 Introduction 00:29 Welcome 00:45 A Covid Christmas 01:24 How much do you practice per day? 02:35 Are theory exams worth it? 04:37 Why did you choose ABRSM? 06:26 Do you recommend the piano? 07:05 Are you learning with the Taubman technique? 08:17 How many pieces do you usually work on at once? 08:58 Is there a list that you look at to find songs at your level? 11:12 How long have you been doing sight reading practice? 13:47 Do you listen to the pieces you're practicing being played by other pianists? 15:00 How does studying the piano dovetail into your career on stage? 17:37 Have you started thinking about your selections yet? (re Grade 5) 19:49 Grade 5 discussion 23:04 What's next? ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Beethoven Op. 119, No. 1 (slow play through!) | Piano Progress Week 78

This Bagatelle in G minor by Beethoven (Op. 119, No. 1) is slowly starting to come together now after about 4 or 5 hours of practice. The second half of this piece is a real mind f*ck!... the hands are doing completely different things at the same time, and the things that they are doing are unusual and difficult, so the hand independence required for it (especially at the correct tempo eventually) needs to be well developed. Many more hours needed on this! ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

practicing.. Chopin Prelude in E Minor (Op. 28 No. 4) #shorts

Link to my full version: https://youtu.be/wfgMdCEnyug ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Beethoven Op. 119, No. 1 (two hours in) | Piano Progress Week 77

A recent practice session on Beethoven's Bagatelle in G minor (Op. 119, No. 1). This is after about two hours of practice. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Einaudi - Elegy for the Arctic (ABRSM Grade 5 2023-2024 C8) | Piano Progress Week 76

A recording I made of Einaudi's "Elegy for the Arctic" after about 5 or 6 hours of practice. I will certainly come back to it, but I've done all I can with it for now. It is quite a simply constructed piece, yet no less difficult because of it. It feels quite improvisatory in tone, so whilst I have paid attention to Einaudi's articulation markings, I haven't been too strict with the dynamic instructions... and have put my own stamp on bits of it instead. It's actually quite a nice piece if you want to familiarise yourself with the F minor key! ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sibelius - Joueur de Harpe (5 hours in) | Piano Progress Week 76

Slowly getting to grips with this Grade 5 piece, "Joueur de Harpe" by Sibelius! ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------