Ludwig van Beethoven. The name conjures images of a wild-haired genius, deaf yet composing some of the most powerful music ever written. While you might know his famous "Für Elise" or the iconic opening of his Fifth Symphony, there's so much more to discover about this revolutionary composer, and his story holds surprising relevance for students today.

He was a German composer and pianist whose enduring legacy lies primarily in his extensive collection of instructional piano pieces, designed specifically to guide students through the early and intermediate stages of their musical development.

As music students, we often find ourselves exploring a treasure trove of pieces that challenge both our technical skills and emotional depth. One piece that consistently captivates pianists is "Le Candeur" by Friedrich Burgmüller, featured in his renowned Opus 100 collection.

In the dynamic world of music, harmony is the essential framework that supports both composition and performance. Among the various forms of harmony, 4 part harmony shines brightly, offering richness and depth.

A gavotte is a French dance form that originated in the 16th century and became popular in the Baroque era (roughly 1600-1750). It is characterized by its moderate tempo, often in 2/2 or 4/4 time, and its distinctive rhythmic pattern that typically begins on the second beat of the measure. This gives it a graceful, often light, and sometimes stately feel.

Ellmenreich's Spinning Song is not merely a charming character piece, but a foundational pedagogical tool that develops crucial piano skills such as dexterity, finger independence, and rhythmic consistency, essential for intermediate-level students. Albert Ellmenreich (1816–1905) was a German composer and actor.

The tarantella is one of Italy's most celebrated and lively folk dances, deeply woven into the nation's cultural fabric. Today it is widely recognised as a festive and lighthearted performance, particularly at weddings, its origins are ancient and remarkably peculiar, stemming from a belief in a "spider bite" cure.

A key signature is the sharp signs next to the clef. In this case we have F sharp, C sharp, G sharp, D sharp, A sharp, E sharp & B sharp (played as the note C) . If you need help here please see the key signatures blog. The tonic triad is the 1st , 3rd and 5th note of the scale. When there is no key signature this triad requires an sharp sign in front of the C, E and G to make an C sharp, E sharp and a G sharp.

A key signature is the sharp signs next to the clef. In this case we have F sharp, C sharp, G sharp, D sharp, A sharp and E sharp. If you need help here please see the key signatures blog. The tonic triad is the 1st , 3rd and 5th note of the scale. When there is no key signature this triad requires an sharp sign in front of the F, A and C to make an F sharp, A sharp and a C sharp. This is the first triad with all the notes raised a semitone.

A key signature is the sharp signs next to the clef. In this case we have F sharp, C sharp, G sharp, D sharp and A sharp. If you need help here please see the key signatures blog. The tonic triad is the 1st , 3rd and 5th note of the scale. When there is no key signature this triad requires an sharp sign in front of the F and D to make an F sharp and a D sharp. It does not need a C sharp, G sharp or a A sharp as there is no C, G or A in the triad to raise by a semit

A triad is constructed of the first, third and fifth notes of the major scale E major 1. Understand the Theory A key signature is the sharp signs next to the clef. In this case we have F sharp, C sharp, G sharp and D sharp. If you need help here please see the key signatures blog. The tonic triad is the 1st , 3rd and 5th note of the scale. When there is no key signature this triad requires an sharp sign in front of the G to make it a G sharp. It does not need a F sharp, C sh