Piano Advice

What to Do When You Hit a Learning Plateau on the Piano

2026-10-04T08:56:00+01:00

Learning the piano as an adult feels incredibly rewarding when you have the progress to show for it. But what about when you are not making progress at all? If you have been practising consistently, playing harder pieces that once seemed impossible, yet suddenly your playing has stopped improving, it might be a learning plateau. But just because your progress is not obvious does not mean you have reached your limit. Progress is not linear, and you may be improving in ways that are not immediately visible. So, what is the difference? Slow progress means your results [...]

What to Do When You Hit a Learning Plateau on the Piano2026-10-04T08:56:00+01:00

Can You Become a Serious Pianist Without Becoming a Professional?

2026-10-04T08:22:50+01:00

Maybe learning piano has been on your bucket list for a while, and you are finally willing to take it seriously – does that mean you need to become a professional? There is a general assumption that being serious about a sport, profession or even hobby automatically means pursuing it professionally. As if there needs to be credibility in claiming, “I have started to take it seriously.” Many adult pianists have careers, families and other commitments but still want to become accomplished musicians. It is as though there are two unofficial boxes people can categorise you into: playing piano casually as [...]

Can You Become a Serious Pianist Without Becoming a Professional?2026-10-04T08:22:50+01:00

How Adult Pianists Can Tell If They Are Actually Improving

2026-08-25T12:49:25+01:00

Have you ever wondered whether your piano playing is genuinely improving? Have you reached a learning plateau, or have your skills simply stopped developing? Learning the piano as an adult is incredibly rewarding, but it can also be frustrating, particularly when it feels as though you have little progress to show for your efforts. As you become more experienced, it often becomes increasingly difficult to recognise whether you are still improving. Before becoming discouraged, it is important to distinguish between two very different situations. The first is a learning plateau, which is a completely natural part of mastering any skill. During [...]

How Adult Pianists Can Tell If They Are Actually Improving2026-08-25T12:49:25+01:00

7 Qualities That Make a Pianist Sound Professional

2026-08-17T10:05:21+01:00

Have you ever listened to a piano performance so captivating that you could only dream of reaching that level? What is it that makes one pianist sound undeniably more professional than another? To state the obvious, the more skilled you become at the piano, the better you are likely to sound. However, even as your technical ability improves, your performances may still sound fundamentally the same, only with more complex notes and melodies. Developing technical skills alone is not enough. There are several crucial qualities that contribute to a polished, expressive and convincing performance. Professional playing is about far more than [...]

7 Qualities That Make a Pianist Sound Professional2026-08-17T10:05:21+01:00

Returning to the Piano After 10 Plus Years: What to Expect

2026-07-22T12:55:00+01:00

Returning to an instrument you once had such a passion for is definitely a humbling experience, but what can you expect? Many adults find themselves wanting to pick up playing the piano again, even if the last time they played the piano was many years ago. It can easily be overwhelming trying to continue where you left off, since you will probably have to start over again in some aspects. Does muscle memory still apply after more than 10 years away from the piano? The purpose of this article is to outline and discuss what you can typically expect when returning [...]

Returning to the Piano After 10 Plus Years: What to Expect2026-07-22T12:55:00+01:00

The Chordfather Returns: A Pianist’s Guide to Seventh Chords, Cadences, and Musical Forms

2026-06-08T14:37:37+01:00

If music were a language, harmony would be its grammar, cadence its punctuation, and form its storytelling structure. Pianists often spend years mastering scales and finger technique, yet many discover that understanding how music is built transforms the piano from a machine of notes into a vehicle of expression. From the emotional weight of a dominant seventh chord in a Beethoven sonata to the satisfying closure of a perfect cadence in a Chopin nocturne, harmony and structure shape the listener’s emotional journey. This article explores three foundational musical ideas found across piano repertoire: the types of seventh chords, the different cadences [...]

The Chordfather Returns: A Pianist’s Guide to Seventh Chords, Cadences, and Musical Forms2026-06-08T14:37:37+01:00

From Chopsticks to Chopin A Guide to Piano Learning Levels

2026-03-18T08:38:10+00:00

Let’s be honest: sitting down at a piano for the first time feels a bit like staring at the dashboard of a Boeing 747. There are 88 keys, three pedals, and a piece of sheet music that looks suspiciously like a swarm of angry bees. Without a plan, you aren’t "learning piano"—you’re just hitting furniture until it makes noise. At our institution, we believe that the difference between a frustrated quitter and a lifelong musician is the art of the goal. Whether you are a hobbyist or a budding virtuoso, your goals must evolve as your callouses do. Here is [...]

From Chopsticks to Chopin A Guide to Piano Learning Levels2026-03-18T08:38:10+00:00

The Lesson You Almost Skipped: Why Showing Up Changes Everything

2026-02-19T16:29:11+00:00

Recently, several of my beginner piano students have mentioned that they feel unprepared for their lesson, yet I gently encourage them to attend all the same. It is a conversation that happens more often than you might imagine. A student sends a message apologetically: “I didn’t practise enough this week. I don’t think I should come.” Behind those words is usually a mixture of guilt, embarrassment and a quiet fear of being judged. As a teacher, however, I see something very different. I see a crucial moment in their musical development. Especially as a beginner, attending your regular weekly lesson [...]

The Lesson You Almost Skipped: Why Showing Up Changes Everything2026-02-19T16:29:11+00:00

Why Pianists Must Be Trained to Think Not Just Play

2026-02-12T14:14:51+00:00

Sometimes we forget that there is more to piano than simply playing the notes. A common misconception among pianists is that piano training equals technical mastery. Of course, piano training is a fundamental building block, however, the value of technique has its limits. In the modern technological landscape, machines and artificial intelligence are increasingly capable of reproducing piano performances with remarkable technical accuracy. While many scholars and musicians acknowledge that technological advancement will continue to influence and reshape the music industry, there is broad agreement that it cannot replace the musician. Unlike human performers, artificial intelligence lacks the capacity for musical [...]

Why Pianists Must Be Trained to Think Not Just Play2026-02-12T14:14:51+00:00

How to Choose the Right Piano Course for You

2026-01-26T09:04:13+00:00

So you’ve decided to start playing the piano… but what happens next? For many beginners, the excitement of learning quickly turns into confusion. You sit down at the keys, ready to begin your musical journey, only to realise you have no idea what you’re doing. Should you dive into classical pieces, experiment with jazz, or maybe try playing some pop songs you already know and love? The truth is, most new pianists don’t even realise there are different types of piano courses to choose from until they’re sitting in front of a teacher who asks, “Which style would you like [...]

How to Choose the Right Piano Course for You2026-01-26T09:04:13+00:00
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