Music Theory

How to Play Piano by Ear: Developing Your Listening Skills

2024-09-04T16:58:23+01:00

Learning to play the piano by ear is a valuable skill that can enhance your musical abilities, allowing you to play songs without relying on sheet music.While some musicians are naturally gifted with the ability to pick up tunes by ear, this skill can be developed and honed with practice and dedication.In this article, we'll explore the steps and strategies you can use to start playing the piano by ear, helping you develop a deeper connection with music and increasing your overall musicianship.1. Understanding What It Means to Play by EarPlaying by ear involves listening to a piece of music and [...]

How to Play Piano by Ear: Developing Your Listening Skills2024-09-04T16:58:23+01:00

The Power of Piano and Pop

2024-08-07T10:36:48+01:00

Pop music. One of the most listened to genres, influencing the masses with its vibrant and distinct tunes. Statistics vs Pop Pop is an abbreviation for ‘popular’. It is a genre of music that was generated during the mid 1950s in the United Kingdom and United States. It is a contemporary form of music that appeals to a very wide audience. This genre is also commonly played through radios in public spaces, ideally targeting many listeners. In 2023, the top genres on the Billboard Streaming songs chart was hip hop/rap and pop. Both of these genres consisted out of 27% [...]

The Power of Piano and Pop2024-08-07T10:36:48+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

What Is Perfect Pitch?

2023-03-16T08:54:12+00:00

Most people have heard of the wonders of perfect pitch. But what exactly is it? Is it an innate ability? Can you learn it over time? Follow this article for an answer to all of your questions. Perfect pitch is considered a highly sought-after skill in the music industry, as it allows musicians to instantly identify and produce any musical note without the need for a reference. Musicians with perfect pitch are able to instantly recognise notes and chords, making it easier for them to compose, improvise, and transcribe music. They can also identify and correct pitch errors in their own [...]

What Is Perfect Pitch?2023-03-16T08:54:12+00:00

Most Common Mistakes When Learning The Piano As A Beginner

2022-11-23T20:14:00+00:00

Everyone has to start somewhere when learning an instrument and surprisingly a lot of beginners make the same mistakes at the beginning of their journey. As a piano teacher, here are the most common mistakes that I see being made. Have a look and see how many you do / have corrected. Surprisingly to most people, the first mistake is usually made before the starting line. Now this may leave you thinking ‘how can you make a mistake before even starting?’ Well, usually when I talk to my students on their first lesson I get told many times that they [...]

Most Common Mistakes When Learning The Piano As A Beginner2022-11-23T20:14:00+00:00

Why Scales?

2022-03-30T13:30:40+01:00

Scales can be seen as a tedious task by many people who choose to study the piano but without them your technique and knowledge will never reach its full potential and no one wants to be held back! I get asked frequently by students ‘why do I have to play scales?’ ‘What do they even do that benefit me?’ I usually struggle to find one short answer when this happens because there’s a whole list of reasons I could dive into…. And I do. The main reason for practicing your scales is to build up your finger technique. If you take [...]

Why Scales?2022-03-30T13:30:40+01:00

Jazz chords and knowing your intervals – for the adult beginner

2021-03-01T11:08:01+00:00

In this article, I will be discussing the 7th chords or jazz chords which are formed on any given major scale or key using the natural notes of the given scale. We will be working from the major scale on which western music is built. This structure is called the tonal center. There are 12 possible major or minor keys any particular song can be played in. This is because of the 12 notes on the piano keyboard. This means that anyone of these twelve notes will be the tonal centre or home base. How can we determine the home key? [...]

Jazz chords and knowing your intervals – for the adult beginner2021-03-01T11:08:01+00:00

Is it important to learn music theory as an adult beginner?

2021-03-01T11:07:14+00:00

Many people think that learning the theory of music is merely time-wasting and not really important. The fact is that learning and understanding music in its written form and knowing the basics concerning the theory behind it can only be to the advantage of a student. It can never be to your disadvantage. You might think that you only want to be able to play your instrument and make music. That you are not interested in studying the background or theory of music but rather in being able to play your instrument. But alas! To really enjoy and understand your music [...]

Is it important to learn music theory as an adult beginner?2021-03-01T11:07:14+00:00
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