The Pianists' Workshop: Technique



Overview

This practical class is an opportunity to explore the piano's vast repertoire and to improve your piano technique. The format of the class is a lively mixture of talks and workshops, in which all students have regular opportunities to play in a relaxed, friendly and very supportive atmosphere.

This term's talks will cover some of the basic principles of piano technique. In the workshop sessions students will be helped with the selection of fingerings, the identification and resolution of technical problems and the choice of appropriate technical exercises. The emphasis of this aspect of the course is to give students the knowledge and experience to make best use of their practice time. In the workshop sessions we will also consider the interpretation appropriate to each composer.

This class is open to players of all levels.

Programme details

Course starts: 1 Oct 2025

Week 1: Repertoire workshop - Special topic: The basic principles of piano playing.

Week 2: Repertoire workshop.

Week 3: Repertoire workshop - Special topic: The basic principles of fingering.

Week 4: Repertoire workshop.

Week 5: Repertoire workshop - Special topic: Case studies in fingering.

Week 6: Repertoire workshop.

Week 7: Repertoire workshop - Special topic: Negotiating big leaps.

Week 8: Repertoire workshop.

Week 9: Repertoire workshop - Special topic: Practice technique.

Week 10: Performance week.

Digital Certification

Digital badge

Upon successful completion of this course, you will be issued with an official digital badge from the Department for Continuing Education, University of Oxford. After the course, you will receive an email with a link and instructions on how to download your digital badge. You will be able to add your badge to your email signature and share it on social media if you choose to do so. In order to be issued with your badge, you will need to have attended at least 80% of the course.

Fees

Description Costs
Course Fee £300.00

Funding

If you are in receipt of a UK state benefit, you are a full-time student in the UK or a student on a low income, you may be eligible for a reduction of 50% of tuition fees. Please see the below link for full details:

Concessionary fees for short courses

 

Tutor

Mr Jonathan Darnborough

Jonathan Darnborough is Director of Studies in Music and Departmental Lecturer in Music at Oxford University Department for Continuing Education.  He is a composer and pianist and has worked in continuing education throughout his career.

Course aims

  • To understand the basic principles of piano technique
  • To understand the basic principles that underlie the selection of fingerings
  • To know how to make the most effective use of practice time

Teaching methods

A mixture of lecture and workshop. The tutor will outline each topic with live demonstrations from the keyboard. Students will play pieces or extracts from pieces to the class and work on these with the tutor. In all classes the score of the music being worked on will be projected on to one screen and live video from a webcam over the piano keyboard will be projected on to another.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course students will be expected to:

  • understand how basic piano technique is developed;
  • apply that technical understanding to specific pieces of piano music;
  • know how to make the most effective use of practice time

Assessment methods

This course is non-accredited, so there are no assessments.

Application

Please use the 'Book now' button on this page. Alternatively, please complete an Enrolment form for short courses | Oxford University Department for Continuing Education

Level and demands

This class is open to players of all levels.

The Department's Weekly Classes are taught at first year undergraduate level.

Terms & conditions for applicants and students

Information on financial support