Piano Improvisation

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

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

A Pianist’s Guide to Intentional Growth in 2026

2026-01-21T14:12:45+00:00

I once heard the phrase: If you are not intentionally growing, you are not growing at all. At first, I was confused. I was under the impression that this was common knowledge. No one accidentally becomes a billionaire or a professional basketball player; success comes through consistent effort and hard work. Yet, over time, my eyes were opened to the deeper meaning behind what I had initially thought was obvious. Many people assume they are growing when, in reality, they are not. Everyone wants to improve at something, whether it is managing emotions, excelling in sport, progressing academically, or developing a [...]

A Pianist’s Guide to Intentional Growth in 20262026-01-21T14:12:45+00:00

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

How to Compose Your Own Piano Music

2024-07-23T17:19:08+01:00

The piano is an incredibly versatile instrument. For hundreds of years, it has been the primary instrument for composition, giving the composer the ability to play their creations in full on the spot. Writing your own piano music is a rewarding endeavour that allows you to express your creativity and emotions through an intricate and beautiful instrument. While the process might seem daunting at first, breaking it down into manageable steps can make it more approachable. Here I will guide you through the essential stages of composing piano music, from finding inspiration and understanding musical theory to developing your composition [...]

How to Compose Your Own Piano Music2024-07-23T17:19:08+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

Playing Piano by Ear or by Sight – Which is Best?

2023-01-27T09:49:44+00:00

Playing the piano by ear or by sight - which is best? There are often disputes between musicians as to which of these two ways of playing music is best. The ear players see their way as best, and the note-reading players say, “no, our way is best!” So what would be the best way for you to learn to play the piano or an instrument? Let's look at playing from music sheets and not playing by ear. A significant advantage of playing by sight is being able to read music pieces from the score - even if you have [...]

Playing Piano by Ear or by Sight – Which is Best?2023-01-27T09:49:44+00:00

Joy of improvising and 7 day challenge!

2022-01-19T21:33:36+00:00

Improvising on piano - Part 2 Hello music lovers! In part 1 of this article, I wrote about the importance of composing and improvising on piano. If you haven’t yet - check it out. We discussed the very beginnings of structured improvisation. It is easy and anyone can do it. It might not be the most comfortable at first but it is definitely beneficial, fun and progressively better the more we do it! I suggested that the first steps of structured improvisation could be through imitation of what we hear and variation of some of the components in that material. In [...]

Joy of improvising and 7 day challenge!2022-01-19T21:33:36+00:00

Importance of improvisation & composing in musical development

2022-01-19T21:41:20+00:00

Improvising on piano - Part 1 When we mention improvisation and composing to an averagely educated instrumentalist, both of these concepts sound scary, to say the least. The problem with music education is that it focuses on the bare minimum so to say: it provides music literacy and basic knowledge of playing a specific instrument. It takes a long time to become a healthy-sounding performer- so it is no wonder that this is the case. When we combine other activities in life; obligatory education, homework, commitments of all sorts - practising the piano every day seems plenty as it is. The [...]

Importance of improvisation & composing in musical development2022-01-19T21:41:20+00:00

The bridge between classical and jazz piano

2021-10-18T15:47:12+01:00

I am a classically trained pianist who was invited to perform at the Montreux Jazz Festival and decided to move to jazz soon after this unique experience. I was 23 years old and had finished my piano studies in Paris before travelling to Switzerland to hone my skills. I was preparing for a number of international piano competitions when I realised I had reached a plateau. Finding performing chances was difficult, and I wasn't sure which door to open next. I was still rehearsing various pieces of classical repertoire on a regular basis, but I didn't have anything to look forward [...]

The bridge between classical and jazz piano2021-10-18T15:47:12+01:00
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