adult piano lessons

Why Every Pianist Should Study Kind of Blue

2026-10-04T08:34:42+01:00

Photo credit: “Kind of Blue” album cover by Miles Davis. © Columbia Records. Source: Official Miles Davis website. Used for editorial commentary. There are albums that belong to a particular genre, and then there are albums that seem to transcend genre altogether. Miles Davis’s ‘Kind of Blue’, released in 1959, is one of the latter. Widely regarded as one of the most influential jazz recordings ever made, it has inspired generations of musicians with its remarkable combination of simplicity, freedom and sophistication. For pianists in particular, ‘Kind of Blue’ offers an extraordinary musical education. Its lessons extend far beyond [...]

Why Every Pianist Should Study Kind of Blue2026-10-04T08:34:42+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

How to Build Confidence When Performing in Front of Others

2026-08-03T13:20:28+01:00

Recently many students have reflected, “I can play those pieces perfectly at home, but it's awful when I play in front of you.” As a piano teacher, I hear this almost every week. Students often leave the lesson feeling frustrated, believing that they have suddenly becoame a worse pianist simply because someone was listening. In reality, this experience is not a sign that you cannot play the piece. Instead, it is a completely natural part of learning to perform. The first step towards building confidence is to change how we interpret these moments. Rather than seeing them as failures, we should [...]

How to Build Confidence When Performing in Front of Others2026-08-03T13:20:28+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

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

ABRSM vs Trinity College London: Which Music Exam Board Is Better?

2026-06-15T13:22:03+01:00

Deciding between exam boards is the first step to approaching a music diploma and taking your piano skills beyond playing “just for fun” – yet many students feel overwhelmed by the confusion surrounding which exam board to choose. While several other internationally accredited boards provide structured graded exams and diplomas, ABRSM and Trinity College London are the most globally recognised. Others like Rockschool, The Royal Conservatory of Music, Australian Music Examinations Board, etc. are also widely acknowledged, but may not offer the same level of international standardisation and global recognition. There is still ongoing debate among students over whether ABRSM or [...]

ABRSM vs Trinity College London: Which Music Exam Board Is Better?2026-06-15T13:22:03+01:00

Why Personalised Piano Lessons Matter More Than Ever

2026-05-15T11:37:47+01:00

These days, people want to make sure they receive the best possible education when learning something new — and piano is no exception. Traditional approaches often fail to meet the individual needs of adult students, while personalised piano lessons offer a more effective and enjoyable path. They are generally considered better for progress, skills development, and correcting bad habits. In today’s fast-paced world, tailored piano tuition matters more than ever because it respects time, goals, and individual learning styles. This article will explore the benefits and importance of personalised piano lessons. The Benefits of Personalised Piano Lessons Specifically Tailored to Your [...]

Why Personalised Piano Lessons Matter More Than Ever2026-05-15T11:37:47+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
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