Piano technique

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

Why All Jazz Pianists Should Study Art Tatum

2026-07-13T11:08:49+01:00

Photo credit: “Tatum in 1946–1948” by William P. Gottlieb. Courtesy of the Library of Congress, William P. Gottlieb Collection, digital ID gottlieb.08301. Few musicians have transformed the landscape of jazz piano quite like Art Tatum. Revered by fellow pianists and admired by musicians across every genre, Tatum possessed a level of technical brilliance and musical imagination that continues to astonish listeners decades after his recordings were made. While many pianists naturally gravitate towards figures such as Bill Evans, McCoy Tyner or Herbie Hancock, every serious jazz pianist should spend time studying Art Tatum. His influence reaches far beyond dazzling virtuosity; [...]

Why All Jazz Pianists Should Study Art Tatum2026-07-13T11:08:49+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

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

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

Phrasing in Piano Playing and How to Beautifully Play the Two-Note Phrase

2025-10-27T12:23:23+00:00

Phrasing in piano sheet music is indicated by a long curving line over a group of notes. These notes normally form a melodic line that one can compare with a sentence you speak. For example, let's think about someone asking you a question and then you answer it. Maybe you are asked: ‘How are you doing today?’ The five words here will all be grouped under one phrase mark. Then the answer to the question would probably be something like: ‘I am very well today, thank you’ forming another phrase. Why Are There Phrases Marked in My Sheet Music? As in [...]

Phrasing in Piano Playing and How to Beautifully Play the Two-Note Phrase2025-10-27T12:23:23+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

What No One Tells You About Learning Piano

2025-04-02T10:38:50+01:00

“Piano is one of the easiest instruments to learn.” Every pianist has heard this before.Even though piano is a beginner friendly instrument, the more you advance the more you realise how difficult it really is. Most people will only tell you about the easy things, yet are reluctant to talk about the hard parts. The phrase implies that piano is not a hard instrument to tackle, but could not be farther from the truth for more advanced pianists. What the phrase actually means is that learning piano is easier than other instruments due to the fact that when you press a [...]

What No One Tells You About Learning Piano2025-04-02T10:38:50+01:00
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