ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Sonja Joubert

About Sonja Joubert

Sonja Joubert is a master pianist classically trained by the late master Mr Josias Van Der Merwe and the late Adolph Hallis. She is also an excellent piano teacher with over 40 years of teaching experience specialising in both jazz and classical piano.

Major and Minor Scales and The Seven Modes Explained

2026-01-19T17:15:26+00:00

The music that we learn or listen to is usually built on a specific scale or key. Normally it will be in a major or a minor key. Most beginner students will be familiar with the major scale and also the minor scale. In the western culture our ears are naturally tuned to the major scale sound or the well known Do-Re-Me-Fa system or Tonic solfa system, as it's called. This was popularised by the song called ‘Doe a dear a female dear’ from the classic movie ‘The Sound of Music’. The major scale has a set series of wholetones and [...]

Major and Minor Scales and The Seven Modes Explained2026-01-19T17:15:26+00:00

The Difference Between Legato, Staccato, and Portamento in Piano Playing

2026-01-18T09:53:28+00:00

Most students, when starting to play the piano, have no idea about legato playing or staccato playing. When a student starts to learn, all these concepts are new. Legato playing is a very fundamental and important part of piano playing and you have to have a good grip on what legato really is, how it sounds and how to execute it. Staccato is in a sense the opposite of legato playing and is clearly indicated with small dots placed on top of notes on your score. is playing notes with a very short sound. The note is not kept down. You [...]

The Difference Between Legato, Staccato, and Portamento in Piano Playing2026-01-18T09:53:28+00:00

From Sonata to Symphony

2026-01-16T13:45:24+00:00

Composers composed music called a Sonata or Symphony mostly during the Classical period, which was roughly from 1750 to 1810. Composers like Beethoven, Mozart and Haydn mostly started composing music called the Sonata before moving on to the bigger work called a Symphony. The greatest difference between them being composing for a single instrument versus a whole orchestra! Let’s Look at the Sonata, Then Move on to the Symphony! The Sonata was a piece of music composed with a specific structure, which made it evident to be called a Sonata. It was mostly composed for a single [...]

From Sonata to Symphony2026-01-16T13:45:24+00:00

Understanding Major and Minor Scales and Modes

2026-01-19T09:29:15+00:00

The music that we learn or listen to is usually built on a specific scale or key. Normally it will be in a major or a minor key. Most beginner students will be familiar with the major scale and also the minor scale. In the western culture our ears are naturally tuned to the major scale sound or the well known Do-Re-Me-Fa system or Tonic solfa system, as it's called. This was popularised by the song called ‘Doe a dear a female dear’ from the classic movie ‘The Sound of Music’. The major scale has a set series of wholetones and [...]

Understanding Major and Minor Scales and Modes2026-01-19T09:29:15+00:00

Ten Restaurants with Live Music in London You Shouldn’t Miss!

2025-12-28T12:10:26+00:00

London’s dining scene has long been celebrated for its diversity, but what makes it especially eclectic is the number of restaurants and supper-clubs that pair excellent food with live music! From intimate jazz dens to raucous blues rooms and singalong piano bars, these venues transform a meal into an immersive night out. Below is a hors d’oeuvre of ten London restaurants and supper-clubs that consistently top lists and win praise for the way they combine cuisine, atmosphere and live performance. In a city where evenings are as important as afternoons, restaurants with live music offer the best of both worlds: a [...]

Ten Restaurants with Live Music in London You Shouldn’t Miss!2025-12-28T12:10:26+00:00

Phrasing in Piano Playing and How to Beautifully Play the Two-Note Phrase

2025-10-27T12:23:23+00:00

Phrasing in piano sheet music is indicated by a long curving line over a group of notes. These notes normally form a melodic line that one can compare with a sentence you speak. For example, let's think about someone asking you a question and then you answer it. Maybe you are asked: ‘How are you doing today?’ The five words here will all be grouped under one phrase mark. Then the answer to the question would probably be something like: ‘I am very well today, thank you’ forming another phrase. Why Are There Phrases Marked in My Sheet Music? As in [...]

Phrasing in Piano Playing and How to Beautifully Play the Two-Note Phrase2025-10-27T12:23:23+00:00

How Can I Keep Myself Motivated While Learning to Play the Piano?

2025-10-27T10:08:08+00:00

Have a Clear Picture in Mind I think the most important thing is to have a clear picture in mind when you think of your playing the piano. How do you see yourself? If you can visualise a picture or even have a physical picture to motivate yourself it helps when you feel that things are going slow or not moving. ‘I Feel as Though I Am Not Going Forward!’ When learning to play piano there are many periods that you may feel there is not much movement. This is usually not so at all, but for you as the [...]

How Can I Keep Myself Motivated While Learning to Play the Piano?2025-10-27T10:08:08+00:00

It’s Time to Learn Some Beautiful Christmas Songs on Your Piano!

2024-12-22T20:50:07+00:00

Every single year Christmas suddenly arrives at our doorstep, especially if you are living in the UK where people tend to work right up to the day before Christmas! In countries like South Africa, where I originally came from, the schools and universities close at the beginning of December with a lovely hot summer holiday ahead. This means that there are literally 3 or 4 weeks before Christmas arrives, giving you ample time to prepare for Christmas, learn the relevant songs and prepare presents, food etc. Christmas is the cherry on the cake, so to speak, in this lovely holiday time, [...]

It’s Time to Learn Some Beautiful Christmas Songs on Your Piano!2024-12-22T20:50:07+00:00

How do I Approach a New Piano Piece for the First Time?

2024-04-11T22:07:23+01:00

Most students, when receiving a new piece to learn, will immediately try to play it from the first notes of the written music, being eager to hear and play the melody. However, there are a few factors to take into account before even reading the very first note. Important factors like the key it's written in and the time—whether a waltz time or maybe 6/8 or the normal four beats in a bar.So, What is the Best Approach to Your New Piece?The most important aspects before playing a single note will be the key signature and time signature, but factors like [...]

How do I Approach a New Piano Piece for the First Time?2024-04-11T22:07:23+01:00

Syncopation

2024-06-24T16:49:38+01:00

What is Syncopation? In music, syncopation involves a variety of rhythms played together to make a piece of music, thereby making part or all of a tune or piece of music off-beat. More simply, syncopation is described as "a disturbance or interruption of the regular flow of rhythm": it is the "placement of rhythmic stresses or accents where they wouldn't normally occur." - Wikipedia One of the most common forms of playing off the beat in piano music is a rhythmic concept called syncopation. To understand syncopation, you have to know about downbeats and upbeats. Start tapping your foot to [...]

Syncopation2024-06-24T16:49:38+01:00
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