Why Technique Matters – Even for Adult Beginners
If you're an adult learning the piano—whether you're diving into classical pieces or playing your favourite pop songs—it's easy to overlook technique in favour of just getting the notes right. But how we play matters just as much as what we play. Good technique leads to greater control, better sound, and, perhaps most importantly, a more enjoyable and pain-free playing experience.
That’s why I was so pleased to speak with Penelope Roskell about her Essential Piano Technique series. These books, which combine healthy technique with musical expression, offer something truly valuable to learners at every level—and especially to those starting (or restarting) their piano journey. Click on the image below or click here to watch the interview.
An Interview with a Leading Voice in Piano Pedagogy
Penelope Roskell is Professor of Piano and Piano Pedagogy at Trinity Laban Conservatoire in London and Chair of EPTA UK. Her experience as a performer, teacher, and author places her at the forefront of healthy piano technique advocacy. Following the success of her acclaimed book The Complete Pianist (which is widely used by advanced players and teachers), she responded to a growing demand for resources suited to earlier stages of learning by developing the Essential Piano Technique series.
A Fresh Approach to Foundational Technique
These books fill a much-needed gap: they bring expert-level insight into piano technique down to the very first stages of learning. Level Two, which I’ve been studying recently, focuses on sophisticated and expressive technique, but the repertoire itself remains accessible—upto around Grade 1 to 2 standard in the UK exam system. This means adult beginners can start developing essential movements and habits from the earliest stages of their piano playing.
Technique Within Music, Not Apart From It
Penelope explains that one of her main aims is to embed technique within music-making, not separate from it. Each unit in the book begins with physical warm-ups away from the piano, followed by technical exercises at the keyboard, and then a short musical piece—much of it expertly composed by Aaron Burrows—that incorporates the specific technique being taught. This flow from movement to music is one of the series' defining strengths.
Clear Explanations and Memorable Images
One of the most refreshing aspects of Level Two is the clarity of its diagrams and explanations. The language is vivid and memorable—analogies like "parachuting onto the first note" and exercises such as the "spinning wheel" help demystify complex movements. Rounded wrist motions, lateral movement, and finger independence are all introduced gradually and revisited with enough revision to support those who may be new to the ideas.
Healthy Technique as a Path to Musical Freedom
The book not only focuses on coordination, balance, and sound production but does so with the constant reminder that healthy technique leads to musical freedom. As someone who has personally dealt with repetitive strain injury during my playing career, I deeply appreciated Penelope's openness in the interview about her own journey. After injuring her thumb while practising Liszt's Second Piano Concerto, she found little external help and began a process of investigation and experimentation that ultimately shaped her philosophy of teaching and playing. Her resilience and curiosity mirror my own motivation for creating Hey Presto! Piano Method Book—though this blog is very much about Penelope’s work, not mine.
Techniques for All Levels, Rooted in Experience
What impressed me most is that the methods Penelope uses in these beginner-friendly books are distilled from those she uses with advanced conservatoire students. They are not watered-down or oversimplified; rather, they are universal principles adapted with care for learners of all levels. As she puts it, there's nothing "babyish" about early technique—when taught correctly, these movements are simply the natural way the body wants to play.
A Flexible Companion for Learners and Teachers
The Essential Piano Technique series is highly flexible. It can stand alone or work alongside existing method books as a valuable technical supplement. It’s equally suitable for those learning with a teacher and for self-taught students, thanks to the wealth of supporting materials, including video demonstrations and detailed written guidance.
Whether you're a teacher looking to support your students with clearer movement-based technique or an adult learner reassessing your foundational skills, I believe Level Two is a book worth having on your piano. I'm looking forward to continuing through the series myself and exploring more of Penelope's well-structured, insightful approach.
BUY ESSENTIAL PIANO TECHNIQUE LEVEL 2 - 
You can find out more about Penelope and her work by clicking here or by visiting her website on https://www.roskellacademy.com/
Information on Penelope's 'Foundations in Piano Technique online course' can be found by clicking here
For a list of teachers who are experienced in teaching this method. There is a list of them here on the Roskell Academy website.
Coming Soon: Penelope’s Top 3 Tips for Beginners
In the interview, Penelope also shared her top three tips for piano beginners, which I’ll be sharing in a separate post soon. For now, I wholeheartedly recommend taking a closer look at this exceptional series, and I thank Penelope again for joining me for such an engaging conversation.
Continue Your Learning Journey If you're an adult piano beginner looking for friendly guidance and structured support, you're warmly invited to join my Adult Piano Beginners Facebook Group. It's a space for learners of all styles—classical, pop, jazz, or anything in between.
You can also explore my Hey Presto! Piano Method, created especially for adults and older beginners, and access step-by-step video lessons through my online course. Whether you’re self-teaching or working with a teacher, you’ll find ideas, tips, and resources to help you progress with confidence.
👉 Learn more at www.adultpianobeginners.com
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