When it comes to how pianists acquire their technique, the 19th century tradition of practising specially written exercises and studies (etudes) perseveres to this day. Yet many top players claim they

The accessibility, affordability and portability of synthesizers in the late 70s had a profound effect on popular music, particularly in the UK, where the likes of Ultravox!, Gary Numan and OMD reshap

From lifting your mood to blurring the limits of fatigue, music doesn’t just soundtrack your workouts – it changes the way you move. Here's how rhythm, tempo and melody might be shaping your performance in ways you don’t even realise

Patterns, says Clare Hammond. Learning a new piece, especially if you’re committing it to memory, and the clock is against you, is all about finding patterns. ‘If you can find patterns in a piece of m

Improvisation. For many pianists, the very word can feel intimidating. We see a jazz player fly across the keys and assume they are simply making it up. But improvisation is not a random act. It is ro

From Motown magic and gritty garage rock to pulsing techno, discover the sounds that make Detroit one of the world’s most influential music cities.