Music Theory

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

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

The Left Hand in Piano Music: The Unsung Hero of the Keyboard

2025-08-26T13:22:38+01:00

When audiences watch a pianist perform, attention naturally falls upon the right hand as it spins out melodies in the treble register. Yet, the left hand is far from a mere accompanist. It anchors harmony, sculpts rhythm, and often carries expressive weight equal to, or greater than, the right. From the thunderous bass of Beethoven’s sonatas to the subtle, shifting colours of Debussy’s impressionism, the left hand has played a decisive role in shaping the piano’s voice. To overlook it is to miss half the story of pianism. Historical Context In the early eighteenth century, when the piano was still in [...]

The Left Hand in Piano Music: The Unsung Hero of the Keyboard2025-08-26T13:22:38+01:00

Understanding Chord Notation: A Practical Guide for Musicians

2025-08-08T10:02:50+01:00

In the world of music, chord notation serves as a universal shorthand, enabling musicians to communicate rich harmonic ideas quickly and efficiently. Rather than writing out every note on the stave, chord notation uses symbols to indicate entire groups of notes that form chords. Whether you are strumming an acoustic guitar, comping chords on a jazz piano, or arranging music for an ensemble, this compact language empowers you to move fluently through harmonic progressions, providing a powerful framework for performance and improvisation alike. My own experience, spanning more than a decade of teaching, performing, and arranging, has shown how vital chord [...]

Understanding Chord Notation: A Practical Guide for Musicians2025-08-08T10:02:50+01:00

The Circle of Fifths and How to Use It in Your Piano Practise

2025-05-13T16:31:22+01:00

The Circle of Fifths is one of the most powerful tools in music theory, and when applied to piano practise, it can sharpen your skills, deepen your understanding of music, and make learning pieces a much simpler and faster process. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced player, mastering the Circle of Fifths can transform your practise sessions from routine to revolutionary. Below I will explain what the Circle of Fifths is, and exactly how you can use it to level up your piano playing. What Is the Circle of Fifths? The Circle of Fifths is a diagram showing the relationships [...]

The Circle of Fifths and How to Use It in Your Piano Practise2025-05-13T16:31:22+01:00

Keys Full Of Passion: The Piano’s Role In The Romantic Period

2024-10-03T10:55:22+01:00

The Romantic Period was the start of dramatic music full of passion and life, with the piano playing a significant role during the era! After the French Revolution, artists used the atmosphere it created as inspiration for their works. People became more open and public about their objections, which radiated through musician’s compositions. Romanticism was mainly a reaction against political and social injustice. It was also a way of rebelling against the industrial revolution that replaced people’s jobs with machines. That probably explains why romantic music is so expressive and dramatic. Yet this was not the only reason for the [...]

Keys Full Of Passion: The Piano’s Role In The Romantic Period2024-10-03T10:55:22+01:00

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
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