Intermediate Piano

TImothy Barratt leads this relaxed course designed for pianists who want to dig deep into their technical, stylistic, and performance skills.

Working through a masterclass format, you'll join a kind and generous group setting and have the opportunity to work on your own playing while also exploring and sharing ideas and learning from others. Timothy offers you gentle encouragement, technical assistance and practice methods throughout, so you able to improve your stylistic awareness, technique and confidence during and beyond the course. 

There will also be the opportunity to join a piano ensemble session, playing carefully chosen repertoire with fellow participants. 

The course will include: 

• Developing a sense of style in a variety of musical genres.
• Projection of musical detail in order to produce a convincing performance.
• Tackling technical issues with methods for practice.
• Coping with performance nerves.
• General discussion on style, structure and repertoire.

By the end of this course you will be able to play with greater confidence and technical ease, understand the stylistic elements of different styles and gain confidence in playing to a supportive audience of fellow participants.

The course is taught in masterclass format, with you receiving individual tuition in a relaxed group setting. You are encouraged to attend all sessions regardless of whether you are playing and to contribute to supportive feedback. 

There will also be optional opportunities for you to play in duets and piano ensemble. 

This course is designed for pianists who are playing at the Improver level, around Grades 4-6. Please see our Ability Levels Explained for further details. 

You will need to choose and prepare two to three pieces of your own choice to work on during the course.  Preparation at home of your chosen pieces is important so you are able to get greatest benefit from the course

Please bring copies of your chosen repertoire and along with a soft pencil and, if you wish, a notebook to record any notes. Your are also welcome bring some duets for informal music-making with fellow participants.

The Benslow Music Library contains an extensive collection of piano music which may be borrowed during the course or in advance by Benslow Music Members. Additionally, IMSLP is a vast online resource of music which can be downloaded.