Foundations in Piano Technique

Online Course and Workshop Programme

The Roskell Academy offers both an online course in the Foundations in Piano Technique as well as a supplementary interactive Workshop Programme starting in January 2027.

Foundations in Piano Technique Online Course

Based on Penelope Roskell’s award-winning book The Complete Pianist, this online course consists of 25 lessons which guide elementary pianists through all the main aspects of piano technique, helping them overcome technical challenges and progress quickly and confidently.

The course is suitable for:

• Teenage or adult beginners who wish to build strong technical foundations
• Ault returners who want to refresh their technique after coming back to the piano after a break
• More advanced pianists seeking to address specific issues that are holding them back
• Teachers of adult beginners and returners who wish to support their students who are exploring this method

Topics covered within the course include:

• A Whole-body Approach – Introduction; Sitting posture; Warming up; Hand position
• Well-coordinated movements: Understanding the basics; Becoming familiar with the keyboard; Developing freedom of movement at the piano; Playing with ease
• The fundamental techniques: Strengthening the hand and finger and developing finger control; Scales, broken chords and arpeggios; Playing chords; Coordinating the hands while playing hands together; Rounded movements and rotation
• Musicality: Creating a beautiful sound, in both detached and legato playing; Playing expressively; Making the piano sing; Creating lively rhythm and pulse
• Pedalling: How and when to use pedal to add richness to your playing.

The online course features:

• 25 high quality video lessons with multiple camera angles
• User- friendly navigation
• Downloadable worksheets with notes, exercises and pieces with backing tracks
• Additional examples, extensions and references for more advanced players

Click here for further information and purchase details.

Pianists receive a 20% discount on the Foundations in Piano Technique online course when purchasing it alongside Premium membership of the Roskell Academy. Click here for details

New Foundations in Piano Technique Workshop Programme (Starting January 2027)

In this programme, Roskell Academy Senior Instructor Inês Costa will lead ten monthly practical workshops over a one-year period. The programme is designed for adult beginner, intermediate, and returning pianists wishing to improve their playing. The curriculum is based on Penelope Roskell’s Foundations in Piano Technique online course, which is itself based on the principles from her book The Complete Pianist.

Participants in this programme will:

• Build solid, tension-free technical foundations from the ground up
• Overcome technical roadblocks and avoid strain or injury
• Gain practical experience and progress confidently using video lessons, downloadable worksheets, exercises, and repertoire with backing tracks

Participants will be assigned sections of the online course to watch in advance, then gather online each month to try out techniques, receive feedback, and share progress.

To ensure everyone receives the appropriate guidance, the programme will be limited to a small cohort of maximum 15 participants. Workshops will take place once a month on Tuesdays, 7.15–8.15pm.