Practising the Piano: Graham Fitch, World's Leading Piano Pedagogue & Icon of Piano Magazine

Practising the Piano: Graham Fitch, World's Leading Piano Pedagogue & Icon of Piano Magazine

Author: Yukimi Song February 12, 2025 Duration: 1:57:51

📣 This Episode is Brought to You by the New York Piano Group. Find Your Piano Community with the New York Piano Group! 🔗 Learn more

🎹 How can neuroscience and a student-centered approach reshape our practice and teaching the piano?

In this episode of The Piano Pod, Practising the Piano – Neuroscience, Technique, Musicality, and Performance Mastery for Pianists, I sit down with Graham Fitch—a pianist, educator, writer, and one of the leading figures in piano pedagogy.

What separates Graham is his extensive research in piano pedagogy and neuroscience, his empirical, results-driven approach, and his compassionate, student-centered teaching philosophy that transforms how pianists learn and perform.

Is Hanon still relevant? What about Czerny? How do neuroscience and modern practice techniques redefine piano pedagogy today?

In this episode, we discuss:

  • Why repetition alone won’t lead to mastery—and what actually works
  • How neuroscience helps train technique, memory, and musical expression
  • Creative strategies for effective practice that go beyond scales and exercises
  • Why a student-centered approach leads to better, more engaged learning
  • The importance of feedback and reflection in piano training
  • How to prepare for performance with confidence and expressive freedom
  • A deep dive into traditional and modern piano techniques—including Neuhaus, Hanon, Czerny, and more
  • Muscle memory alone isn’t enough—integrate aural and cognitive learning for mastery.

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Books & Courses Mentioned:

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💬 What are YOUR biggest takeaways from this episode? Drop a comment below, and let’s discuss!


Hosted by New York-based classical pianist and educator Yukimi Song, The Piano Pod serves as a genuine meeting point for anyone captivated by the keyboard. This isn't just a series of conversations about famous composers, though they certainly come up. Instead, Yukimi builds a global hub where the rich traditions of piano music intersect directly with contemporary innovation and practical education. Every other week, the podcast delves into the specific, often overlooked details that bring the music to life-from the technical choices of a concert pianist to the pedagogical insights of a master teacher, and even the perspectives of those designing the future of the instrument itself. Listeners become part of a broader connection, hearing stories and expertise that move beyond the concert hall. The discussions are intimate and revealing, focusing on the real work behind the artistry. You'll hear about the challenges of interpretation, the evolution of teaching methods, and how technology is reshaping what's possible. It’s a space where curiosity about the piano’s past, present, and future is the only prerequisite. For enthusiasts, students, and professionals alike, this podcast offers a consistent source of inspiration and a deeper understanding of the complex, fascinating ecosystem that exists around those eighty-eight keys.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

The Piano Pod - a global hub for innovation, education, and connection in classical piano music
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