Piano Creativity by Garreth Brooke | Substack

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Resource Reviews

5:01

Review: Blitz! Rote Repertoire

Watch now | Turning rote into reading and remixing: a practical review for creative piano teachers

Feb 11 • Garreth Brooke

The Creative Piano Teacher's Essential Resource Library

The Best Teaching Tools for Improvisation, Composition, Repertoire, and More

Dec 26, 2025 • Garreth Brooke

My favourite Christmas creativity book

A progressive method book for Christmas carol lead sheets by Susan Staples Bell

Nov 21, 2025 • Garreth Brooke

This fundraiser collection is full of charming pieces and creative ideas for elementary and intermediate students

Nov 1, 2025 • Garreth Brooke

Sparking Creativity and Confidence with 'A Dozen A Day: Counting Rhythm'

A Joyful, Practical Resource for Building Rhythm Skills and Inspiring Student Composers

Jun 23, 2025 • Garreth Brooke

Creative Introductions: Free Repertoire-Based Creativity Resources

A Creative Introduction to 'Cheshire Cat'

Nikki Iles bluesy piece is on the LCM and RSL Classical Grade 2 syllabuses

May 17, 2025 • Garreth Brooke

A Creative Introduction to 'Pluto' by Pam Wedgwood

Creative ideas for this good-natured piece from LCM's Grade 1 syllabus that will inspire your students!

Mar 8, 2025 • Garreth Brooke

A Creative Introduction to 'The Sewing Machine' by Mel Bonis

A great fun piece from the Trinity Grade 2 syllabus

Feb 15, 2025 • Garreth Brooke

A Creative Introduction to 'Railroad Blues' by Ben Crosland

A wonderful introduction to improvising the 12 bar blues

Feb 1, 2025 • Garreth Brooke

A Creative Introduction to Silver Lining by Victoria Proudler

This lovely piece is part of ABRSM's Grade 1 syllabus

Jan 18, 2025 • Garreth Brooke

A Creative Introduction to "Fresh Air" by Andrew Eales

This charming piece features on many Grade 1 syllabuses

Oct 13, 2024 • Garreth Brooke

A Creative Introduction to "The Mort Bell" by Melanie Spanswick

This spooky piece comes from "Ghostly Piano Tales" published by Schott

Oct 7, 2024

A Creative Introduction to Whirlpool by Angeline Bell

It's a pleasure to feature this lovely piece from the popular composer's latest book, My Seaside Notebook

Sep 12, 2024 • Garreth Brooke

Your Questions Answered

Your questions answered #3

Finding confidence; finding inspiration; finding time; developing a creative practise routine

May 3, 2025 • Garreth Brooke

Your questions answered #2

Favourite improv starters? Reluctant teenagers?

Dec 7, 2024 • Garreth Brooke

Your questions answered #1

What method? What notation app? How to do creativity and repertoire in one lesson?

Nov 21, 2024 • Garreth Brooke

Interviews

5:10

Why is creativity important in piano lessons, Juan Cabeza Hernandez?

Watch now | It helps students become better performers, understand music better and fall in love with the great composers

Apr 26, 2025 • Garreth Brooke and Juan Cabeza Hernandez

31:24

Creativity and ABRSM's Grade 6 Theory Exam

Lona Kozik makes a compelling case for this little-known syllabus, which is great for budding composers

Mar 29, 2025 • Garreth Brooke

3:49

Why do you love the ABRSM Grade 6 Theory exam, Lona Kozik?

…and why is it great for budding composers?

Mar 22, 2025 • Garreth Brooke

1:47

The joy of music theory (yes, really!) with Lona Kozik

Watch now | "It's like listening in HD!"

Mar 20, 2025 • Garreth Brooke

2:29

What advice would you give teachers who are nervous improvisers, Juan Cabeza Hernanez?

Watch now | Juan has got some wise words for those of us who are just getting started with creativity

Mar 15, 2025 • Garreth Brooke and Juan Cabeza Hernandez

42:37

All about 'Piano Patterns in Harmony' with Juan Cabeza Hernandez

Watch now | Juan explains his groundbreaking creativity course

Feb 22, 2025 • Garreth Brooke and Juan Cabeza Hernandez

3:13

How the 'Piano Patterns in Harmony' curriculum inspires teenagers to explore

Watch now | Juan Cabeza Hernandez guides students from 'River Flows in You' to Bach's First Prelude

Feb 19, 2025 • Garreth Brooke and Juan Cabeza Hernandez

57:40

The joys of teaching creatively and collaboratively

Watch now | The complete interview with Jeni Warder of Keys Piano School

Nov 3, 2024 • Garreth Brooke

The power of a teaching community

Jeni Warder on working creatively with other teachers

Oct 29, 2024 • Garreth Brooke

Teaching creatively makes us better teachers

Jeni Warder on the power of taking a creative approach

Oct 16, 2024 • Garreth Brooke

We want to develop not just as musicians, but as people

Jeni Warder on the power of teaching creativity to change lives

Sep 28, 2024 • Garreth Brooke

31:15

The complete interview: Prof. Karen Schlimp on teaching creativity

Watch now (31 mins) | How to teach improvisation, principles of creative pedagogy, and Karen's favourite resources

Jun 21, 2024 • Garreth Brooke

Making time for creativity

6 ways to make time for creativity: #6 repertoire requests

Pop requests are particularly useful for creative teaching

Oct 21, 2024 • Garreth Brooke

6 ways to make time for creativity: #5 exams

There are more options out there than you might think!

Oct 9, 2024 • Garreth Brooke

6 ways to make time for creativity: #4 summer camps and weekend workshops

Flexible and fun, this approach can really boost your income!

Sep 30, 2024 • Garreth Brooke

6 ways to make time for creativity: #3 creative season

There is a time for everything… there is not time for everything all at once!

Sep 19, 2024 • Garreth Brooke

6 ways to make time for creativity: #2 keep your eyes peeled

Regular short, "unfinished" creative activities are crucial for cultivating student creativity

Sep 10, 2024 • Garreth Brooke

6 ways to make time for creativity: #1 be reactive

This one is a little controversial!

Sep 5, 2024 • Garreth Brooke

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