Piano Playing

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

How to Play Softer in Piano Playing

2026-06-29T06:58:57+01:00

Recently, many students have asked me the same question: “Why is it so difficult to play softly on an acoustic piano?” Interestingly, most of these students have spent years practising mainly on digital pianos. Their fingers are agile, their rhythm is stable, and they can produce clear sound quite easily. Yet when they sit at an acoustic piano — especially during lessons, examinations or performances — the sound suddenly becomes louder, harder and more tense than they expect. Soft Playing Is Not Weak Playing Playing softly is one of the most misunderstood skills in piano playing. Many people assume that softness [...]

How to Play Softer in Piano Playing2026-06-29T06:58:57+01:00

Why Consistency Matters More Than Talent in Piano

2026-07-05T13:31:36+01:00

“Hard work beats talent when talent fails to work hard,” a quote by Kevin Durant. Growing up, I was told that you will never be able to be as good as someone possessing the natural talent and ability for a skill. And although it might be true to an extent, I started using it to justify not trying new things or whenever I fail in something. Bad grades? It must be because I am not naturally smart. Terrible pianist? It is probably because I do not have the talent for it. These thoughts tend to lower your standards and expectations of [...]

Why Consistency Matters More Than Talent in Piano2026-07-05T13:31:36+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

The Best Exercises to Improve Your Jazz Piano Playing

2026-05-13T08:50:31+01:00

Jazz piano can take years to develop fluency on. A combination of perseverance and varied approach is essential to gain the skills you need to become an expressive improviser. Regular practice in different formats is also required, giving you healthy doses of individual improvement and experience in group situations. Here are the best ways to individually practice and improve your jazz piano skills. Scales Scales are an important part of learning any pitched instrument, both for the purposes of technique and key-based language. It is essential to know the scales related to any key you are playing in. A good [...]

The Best Exercises to Improve Your Jazz Piano Playing2026-05-13T08:50:31+01:00

Film Scores that Every Pianist Should Know

2026-05-06T08:03:04+01:00

Film music has a unique ability to live beyond the screen. A great score can instantly recall a scene, a character, or an emotion years after the credits have rolled. For pianists, film music offers something especially rewarding: melodies that audiences recognise, harmonies rich with colour, and arrangements that range from beautifully simple to thrillingly virtuosic. Whether you are an intermediate player seeking engaging repertoire, or an advanced pianist wanting dramatic concert pieces, film scores provide a treasure trove of material. Here are some of the film scores that every pianist should know. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-Zcc-OvzA8 The Piano – Michael Nyman It would [...]

Film Scores that Every Pianist Should Know2026-05-06T08:03:04+01:00
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