Parents & families · RCM
What is RCM—and does every piano student need it?
A practical introduction to the Royal Conservatory system, what its exams involve, and when the structure can be helpful.
Read the article →Teaching ideas · Studio notes · Tutorials
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Form & analysis · RCM Level 9
Chopin Nocturne Op. 9 No. 2: Analysis & Teaching Tips
Ornamented returns, singing tone, rubato, pedalling, harmony, and practical landmarks for teaching Chopin's famous nocturne.
Read the article →Sonata form · RCM Level 8
Mozart K. 545 First Movement: Analysis & Teaching Tips
A clear sonata-form map, the surprising F-major recapitulation, and practical help with Alberti bass, scales, ornaments, and memory.
Read the article →Character study · RCM Level 4 Etude
Burgmüller Ballade: Analysis & Teaching Tips
A vivid C-minor–C-major–C-minor map, repeated-note technique, quick character changes, transitions, and storytelling ideas.
Read the article →Form & analysis · Late intermediate
Moonlight Sonata First Movement: Analysis & Teaching Tips
Form, harmony, layered voicing, modern pedalling, alla breve pulse, and the long emotional arc behind Beethoven's famous opening.
Read the article →Harmony & analysis · RCM Level 7
Chopin Prelude in E Minor: Analysis & Teaching Tips
The chromatic bass, changing inner voices, delayed climax, rubato, pedalling, and practical landmarks that make this prelude teachable.
Read the article →Form & analysis · RCM Level 7
Für Elise: Analysis & Teaching Tips
Beethoven's little rondo, mapped section by section—plus the teaching tips for the spots students actually get stuck.
Read the article →Form & analysis · RCM Level 3
Minuet in G Major: Analysis & Teaching Tips
The simple binary form of an early favourite, a note on who really wrote it, and the tips that give it dance character.
Read the article →Form & analysis · RCM Level 3
Burgmüller's Arabesque: Analysis & Tips
A rounded binary form and a study in light, even sixteenths—mapped out, with the tips that keep the passagework clean.
Read the article →Form & analysis · RCM Level 3
Clementi Sonatina, Op. 36 No. 1: Analysis
The clearest textbook sonata form a student will meet—mapped in colour, with how I use it to teach the form itself.
Read the article →Form & analysis · RCM Level 8
Solfeggio: Analysis & Teaching Tips
C.P.E. Bach's moto perpetuo, mapped by key and hand—with the tips for seamless hand-to-hand sixteenth notes.
Read the article →Exam prep · Logistics
How to Book an RCM Exam
Sessions and deadlines, how registration works, and the theory co-requisite rule that catches families out.
Read the article →Exam prep · Music history
Preparing for a Level 9 History Exam
The order I teach the eras in, an eight-week countdown, and the study tools I use to get students exam-ready.
Read the article →Music history · RCM Level 9
Baroque Era Flashcards for RCM History 9
The flashcard set I use for the required Baroque terms and dates, with overview worksheets and a video walkthrough of the era.
Read the article →Music history · Study workbook
Music History Overview Workbook for RCM
All four eras in one book, paired with era comparison charts and a video walkthrough—how I teach RCM music history as a whole.
Read the article →Music theory · Note reading
Steps vs Skips: A Free Note-Reading Worksheet
Teaching students to read melodic movement by shape instead of naming every note—what's in the free worksheet and how I use it.
Read the article →Music theory · Rhythm
Teaching Note Values with Free Worksheets
Four worksheets—pie chart, deconstruction, colouring, and tied & dotted notes—for building rhythm understanding that holds up.
Read the article →Music theory · Key signatures
Key Signatures & the Circle of Fifths
How I use a circle of fifths poster and a key signatures worksheet together so students learn keys by pattern, not memorisation.
Read the article →Music theory · Beginners
First Note-Reading Worksheets for Beginners
Tracing, writing, and note matching—the three worksheets I reach for in the earliest lessons, and the order I use them in.
Read the article →Piano technique · Ear training
Musical Interval Flashcards for Ear Training
Colour-coded cards that tie each interval to a sound and a feeling—and how I use them to build interval recognition by ear.
Read the article →Piano technique · RCM levels
RCM Piano Technique Charts (Levels 1–10)
Trackers that make technical progress visible, with a learn–review–master system—and how I use them from first scales to exam prep.
Read the article →Printable games · Note reading
Musical Snakes & Ladders: A Note-Reading Game
A board game where every square is a note to name and play—and how I use its two boards to grow with a beginner.
Read the article →Music history · Composers
The Bach Family Tree: A Free Printable Chart
One family, several composers, and a lot of shared names—untangled on one page, with the ways I use it in history lessons.
Read the article →Parents & families · RCM
What Is RCM—And Does Every Piano Student Need It?
A plain-language introduction to the Royal Conservatory system, what its exams involve, and when the structure can be helpful.
Read the article →Printable games · Note values
Music Note Sudoku: A Free Printable Piano Game
A logic puzzle that quietly drills note values—what's in the free printable and the ways I use it with students and early finishers.
Read the article →Printable games · Note reading
Musical Go Fish: A Free Note-Reading Game
A card game that turns note names, staff notes, and keys into matched pairs—and how I adjust it for primer through intermediate students.
Read the article →Teaching · Music history
Teaching the Musical Eras with Comic Strips
Why drawing the story a piece tells makes the eras stick—plus two free comic-strip printables for Symphonie fantastique and Vivaldi's Spring.
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Teaching tips · Music theory
Teaching Note Reading: The Landmark Method
Why landmarks and interval patterns can build more independent readers than relying on mnemonics alone—plus a free printable.
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Beginner piano · Games
Valentine's Day Music Lesson Activities
Note naming, rhythm, music terms, colouring, and low-prep activities for adding a seasonal change of pace to lessons.
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Practice tools · Summer lessons
A Summer Practice Challenge Students Can Finish
Flexible goals, meaningful choices, simple tracking, and a free printable for keeping students playing through changing summer schedules.
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