Stephen Owen Music

Let Advent begin!

O come, O come Emmanuel As it has been the first week of Advent I decided that this week I would do an arrangement of one of my favourite festive tunes; O come, O come Emmanuel. I h...

While it's not exactly Thanksgiving Day here, a massive 'thank you' is due to one of my pupils for passing his ABRSM Grade 5 piano exam this week.
He passed it even though he was really ill over the weekend and still wasn't anything like 100% when he gave it a go on Monday morning. He insisted.
Well done and thanks for digging deep and doing your best (and don't forget that it's Christmas carols all the way to the big day from now on.)

Congratulations to a very talented year 4 pupil.
I don't recall too many 9 year olds getting a really good pass mark in an ABRSM Grade 3 piano exam. (Just 3 marks away from a merit.)
Really well done, you know who you are, and so glad that you enjoyed your pepperoni pizza to celebrate after in the Egyptian Rooms.
Thanks for all of the hard work.

It's Piano Day today. Why? Because it's the 88th day of the year and pianos usually have 88 keys. But why 88?

Why does a piano have 88 keys? A standard piano has 88 keys: 52 white and 36 black. But who decided this number would be the norm, and why?

Congratulations to my star pupil (he pays me to say that 😄) on passing his ABRSM Grade 4 practical, with merit. The hard work paid off. I knew you could do it!!!

Also, thank you to my oldest pupil, (I can't say how old. She pays me not to), who not only swapped her lesson time so that I could get to the exam, but also passed her own ABRSM Grade 4, this time the performance exam, recently.

Well done both of you 👏 👏 👏

Good advice for the New Year

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/15b8K4F82R/

10 Bad Habits to Stop Doing as a Piano Player in 2025

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1. Neglecting Proper Warm-Ups

Skipping warm-ups leads to tension and increases the risk of injury. Spend at least 5–10 minutes preparing your fingers, wrists, and mind before diving into complex pieces.

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2. Overusing the Sustain Pedal

Relying too much on the sustain pedal creates muddy, indistinct sound. Focus on clean finger legato and only use the pedal to enhance, not mask, your playing.

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3. Practicing Without a Goal

Mindless repetition wastes time. Instead, set clear objectives for each session, such as improving dynamics, mastering a difficult passage, or refining tempo consistency.

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4. Ignoring Posture and Hand Position

Poor posture or incorrect hand alignment can cause discomfort or long-term injury. Sit at the correct height, relax your shoulders, and ensure your wrists are aligned with your forearms.

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5. Rushing Through Difficult Sections

Trying to play challenging passages at full speed too soon leads to sloppy technique. Slow down and gradually increase tempo with precision and control.

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6. Avoiding Sight-Reading Practice

Neglecting sight-reading limits your ability to learn new pieces quickly. Dedicate a few minutes daily to reading new music without worrying about perfection.

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7. Ignoring Dynamics and Articulation

Playing everything at the same volume and touch results in lifeless music. Pay attention to the details of the score—dynamics, phrasing, and articulation bring music to life.

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8. Comparing Yourself to Others

Constantly measuring your progress against other players can demotivate you. Focus on your own journey and celebrate your unique voice as a musician.

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9. Practicing Too Long Without Breaks

Endless practice sessions without rest lead to mental fatigue and physical strain. Take breaks every 30–45 minutes to stay fresh and focused.

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10. Avoiding Feedback or Playing in Isolation

Shying away from critiques or playing only for yourself stunts growth. Share your progress with a teacher, mentor, or peers to gain valuable insights and develop confidence.

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By eliminating these bad habits, you’ll play more effectively, stay inspired, and protect your long-term health as a pianist.

Some alumni (that's posh for ex-pupils) from my old college are on University Challenge tonight. It wasn't called Leeds Trinity then. It was TASC back in those days.
I hope they get more right than I probably will.
I'll be watching.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/19emNhhR6H/

Show your support and tune in to BBC Two at 8:30pm this evening to watch Leeds Trinity alumni take on University Challenge! Representing team Leeds Trinity University we have:

👤 Harpz Kaur, DJ and presenter
👤 Mobeen Azhar, documentary film-maker
👤 Lauren Layfield, TV and radio presenter
👤 Dorothy Koomson, novelist and writer

Will they be victorious and come away Christmas Champions? Watch live or catch up later on BBC iPlayer.

We wish them the best of luck!

https://open.spotify.com/track/566T4zHWinbp4VX1Jr6V83?si=XNCpgqu3RgGWggH2ESuYiA

Here's a new release from one of my ex-pupils. Please give it a listen and like, etc. it would really be appreciated.

The Damned One Beth Jones · The Damned One · Song · 2024

Here's a piece of happy piano music to wish you a happy Piano Day 2024.
Piano Day celebrates all things Piano on the 88th day of each year.
But why the 88th day?
Answers in the comments please.

Maple Leaf Rag Week four of 'lockdown' and this week it's a piano rag. Some think that ragtime piano should be really fast. I'm glad to say that it really shouldn't be any ...

Congratulations to my favourite pupil (you know who you are 😄) on passing his ABRSM Grade 5 theory with Merit. I am so proud of the work you put into preparing for it and mostly for using that knowledge while learning new pieces.
Enjoy your half term break. You've deserved it.