ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Reuben

About Reuben

Reuben is a freelance jazz multi-instrumentalist. Having initially trained in classical piano and cello, he moved to London 10 years ago to study jazz, and now performs regularly around the country in a host of bands, including funk band John Motors.

The Best Exercises to Improve Your Jazz Piano Playing

2026-05-13T08:50:31+01:00

Jazz piano can take years to develop fluency on. A combination of perseverance and varied approach is essential to gain the skills you need to become an expressive improviser. Regular practice in different formats is also required, giving you healthy doses of individual improvement and experience in group situations. Here are the best ways to individually practice and improve your jazz piano skills. Scales Scales are an important part of learning any pitched instrument, both for the purposes of technique and key-based language. It is essential to know the scales related to any key you are playing in. A good [...]

The Best Exercises to Improve Your Jazz Piano Playing2026-05-13T08:50:31+01:00

Film Scores that Every Pianist Should Know

2026-05-06T08:03:04+01:00

Film music has a unique ability to live beyond the screen. A great score can instantly recall a scene, a character, or an emotion years after the credits have rolled. For pianists, film music offers something especially rewarding: melodies that audiences recognise, harmonies rich with colour, and arrangements that range from beautifully simple to thrillingly virtuosic. Whether you are an intermediate player seeking engaging repertoire, or an advanced pianist wanting dramatic concert pieces, film scores provide a treasure trove of material. Here are some of the film scores that every pianist should know. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-Zcc-OvzA8 The Piano – Michael Nyman It would [...]

Film Scores that Every Pianist Should Know2026-05-06T08:03:04+01:00

The Best Keyboard Brands for Beginners

2026-04-13T10:59:33+01:00

Starting your journey into playing the piano can feel overwhelming, especially with so many keyboard brands and models available. However, focusing on trusted brands with beginner-friendly features, good sound quality, and reliable build makes the process far simpler. In this guide, I’ll explore the best keyboard brands for beginners, what makes them stand out, and how to choose the right one for your needs. What Makes a Keyboard Brand Good for Beginners? Before diving into specific brands, it’s important to understand what beginners should look for. A good beginner keyboard typically offers ease of use, affordability, quality sound, helpful learning features, [...]

The Best Keyboard Brands for Beginners2026-04-13T10:59:33+01:00

The Greatest Blues Pianists in History

2026-04-13T11:01:01+01:00

The blues is one of the most emotionally direct and influential forms of music ever created, and the piano has played a central role in shaping its sound. From smoky juke joints in the American South to sophisticated jazz clubs in Chicago and New York, blues pianists have defined rhythm, harmony, and storytelling at the keyboard. What makes a blues pianist “great” isn’t just technical skill—it’s feel, groove, individuality, and the ability to translate life’s struggles and joys into sound. Here is my list of some of the greatest blues pianists in history, whose playing not only defined the genre [...]

The Greatest Blues Pianists in History2026-04-13T11:01:01+01:00

Why Every Jazz Pianist Should Study Bill Evans

2026-03-10T13:57:52+00:00

Few musicians have shaped the language of jazz piano as profoundly as Bill Evans. Emerging in the late 1950s, Evans transformed the role of the jazz pianist through lyrical touch and emotional harmony, as well as having great influence with his collaborative approach to ensemble playing. His influence extends far beyond his own recordings, and permeates modern jazz piano vocabulary, continuing to shape how pianists think about harmony, rhythm, and musical interaction. He is also considered one of the most influential pianists in developing modern solo piano language. For these reasons, every jazz pianist, regardless of style or experience, should study [...]

Why Every Jazz Pianist Should Study Bill Evans2026-03-10T13:57:52+00:00

Five Modern Jazz Pianists You Should Listen To

2026-02-12T08:56:59+00:00

In the last hundred years, jazz has undergone multiple revolutions on the piano, from stride right through to experimental fusions. In this time, a wide range of styles have been employed, drawing on influences from around the musical world. As a result, there are many jazz pianists today who are masters of the genre, and who can offer students a huge amount of inspiration. Here are five pianists I consider essential listening, and whose gigs I would recommend going to should the chance arise. Photo credit : "Robert Glasper - Leverkusener Jazztage 2016-AL5550" by Andreas Lawen, Fotandi. Licensed under CC BY-SA [...]

Five Modern Jazz Pianists You Should Listen To2026-02-12T08:56:59+00:00

5 Essential Piano Solos to Transcribe: 12-Bar Major Blues

2026-01-27T13:24:07+00:00

The 12-bar blues has been the most central and essential form used since the dawn of jazz. The short and harmonically simple nature of the form, combined with its potential for manipulation, makes it the ultimate vehicle for improvisation. Every great jazz pianist has recorded versions of a 12-bar blues, making it a very good way of bottling up an artist’s individual sound. The short form also allows for bitesize transcription, removing the potential necessity for hours of work. With all of this in mind, here are 5 solos that I would recommend for any pianist to transcribe. https://youtu.be/XSjWOTbL5ew?si=kh7ysfdFpaUKGesF Wynton Kelly [...]

5 Essential Piano Solos to Transcribe: 12-Bar Major Blues2026-01-27T13:24:07+00:00

5 Essential Piano Solos to Transcribe: Rhythm Changes

2026-01-21T14:18:19+00:00

Transcription is an essential element of developing improvisational language in jazz. Throughout the history of jazz, emulating the sounds of artists you admire has been the fastest way of developing the sound you wish for, and in the 21st century this has become easier than ever. There are now countless albums on streaming services, thousands of bootleg recordings hidden on the web, and hundreds of concert videos of every artist on sites such as YouTube. Because of this, you can take any artist you like and transcribe their work on the spot without having to buy their music or attend their [...]

5 Essential Piano Solos to Transcribe: Rhythm Changes2026-01-21T14:18:19+00:00

Five Christmas Jazz Albums for Pianists

2025-12-17T11:45:41+00:00

December is the best month to be a pianist. Whether it’s carols, chart-toppers or jazz classics, there is a wealth of repertoire available for pianists of all levels to play. For jazz pianists, the Christmas period allows us to apply everything we have learned throughout the year to a familiar set of tunes. Many jazz artists throughout the years have taken the time to make Christmas albums, and these collections of musically simple tunes present very honest reflections of the artist. I’ve found many of these albums inspiring, and when not studying the contents they also make for excellent easy listening. [...]

Five Christmas Jazz Albums for Pianists2025-12-17T11:45:41+00:00

Preparing for ABRSM Exams

2025-09-22T15:58:10+01:00

A brief guide to the practical grade exams The Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music is the primary practical music examination board in the UK. For decades it has provided examinations and qualifications for aspiring musicians on a huge range of instruments. Taking an ABRSM exam presents a helpful challenge for students, necessitating the development of skills in prepared performance, sight reading, and music theory. It also provides a clear and obvious milestone for a student’s improvement. These exams can however prove daunting for the uninitiated, as performing in general can be a lot of pressure for a [...]

Preparing for ABRSM Exams2025-09-22T15:58:10+01:00
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