There’s something incredibly freeing about handing a hesitant improviser a black and white silent film and just watching what happens. Today, I’m chatting with pianist, teacher and composer Angeline Bell to wrap up our month on composition and improvisation, and she’s brought a piano’s worth of ideas with her. We talk through using silent films, lyrics, duet improvising and pop song rearranging as sparks for composition. Angeline also shares how she balances all of that creativity alongside exam prep and recital season.

• Angeline shared how catching COVID in 2022 sparked her shift into composing.
• How Squeezy the Squirrel led to her first publishing deal with Editions Musica Ferrum.
• She explained how nature walks and travel inspire her collection themes.
• How silent film clips spark composition by removing the music entirely.
• Tim highlighted why using percussion instruments beyond piano keeps ideas open-ended.
• She shared how silly lyrics and rhythm cards turn pets and hobbies into songs.
• Improvised duet accompaniments make beginner melodies sound full and professional.
• Why pop song chord progressions are an easy entry point into composing.
• She explained how students make a borrowed pop song their own.
• The importance of writing music by hand alongside notation software.
• Tim highlighted Angeline’s advice to play to each student’s individual strengths.

Links Mentioned

• Angeline’s website: angelinebellmusic.com
• Angeline’s YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/@angelinebellpianomusic
• TMPP 121: Using Memory Champion Techniques for Note Reading with Rowina Seidler
• Download Left Hand Piano Styles & Patterns here
• Find out more about TopMusicSheets here

Watch the Interview in YouTube

Today’s Guest

Angeline Bell is a Malaysian pianist, teacher and composer based in Crawley, West Sussex. She began composing in 2022 and has since published six collections with Editions Musica Ferrum, each with a companion album on Spotify and Apple Music. Her music now appears on the ABRSM, LCME, ANZCA and AGMS syllabuses, and she teaches from her home studio at Bell Piano School.

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