piano wisdom

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

The fear of failure is the primary reason why adults do not begin learning to play the piano.

2021-10-11T14:26:52+01:00

When I meet new people in different contexts, I am frequently asked what I do for a living. People are often amazed and envious when I tell them I am a pianist. “I wish I could play a musical instrument!” I frequently hear. It's amazing to meet so many people who want to play the piano but don't take the necessary steps to make their desire a reality! I am always astounded when individuals tell me how much they want to do something but do nothing to make it happen. I understand that it is not always simple to make our [...]

The fear of failure is the primary reason why adults do not begin learning to play the piano.2021-10-11T14:26:52+01:00

This race against the clock will kill your piano playing

2021-10-01T10:32:14+01:00

Some adults begin their piano studies with the intention of completing it quickly. They do not begin because they are enthusiastic about playing the piano and want to incorporate this wonderful activity into their lives. They begin piano lessons as soon as possible in order to achieve their goal and cross it off their bucket list. I have met a few adults with this mindset who told me right away that they were going to give it a year. They wanted to quickly master piano playing so they could move on to something else. It had to be done as we [...]

This race against the clock will kill your piano playing2021-10-01T10:32:14+01:00

Dont’ follow the crowd – Succeed at piano playing

2021-09-16T13:12:38+01:00

I'm always perplexed by most adults' attitudes toward piano playing. Most adults begin and then stop after a few weeks. I don't understand why they embark on such a wonderful journey and then abandon ship at the first hurdle. I've been teaching piano for over 20 years and I've noticed a consistent pattern: 9 out of 10 adults stop taking piano lessons after 6 months. Some of them stop even earlier. It happens not only with my students, but also with people who take classes with my colleagues. Adults appear to have a misunderstanding about piano playing. When they begin their [...]

Dont’ follow the crowd – Succeed at piano playing2021-09-16T13:12:38+01:00

The importance of discipline and consistency in piano playing

2021-09-07T14:03:05+01:00

Consistency is key. You might have heard or read this sentence several times. You surely understand its meaning and you surely agree with it. You might or might not apply it in your daily life but did you know that these essential principles which are discipline and consistency apply to piano playing too? Throughout my career as a piano teacher, I have met several men and women who were extremely disciplined in some aspects of their life. I did not specifically discuss the subject with them but I could see that they were successful and that a good amount of effort [...]

The importance of discipline and consistency in piano playing2021-09-07T14:03:05+01:00

How can I learn piano while having a demanding job?

2021-09-06T18:48:12+01:00

Many adults sadly do not get into piano playing, despite their burning desire to learn how to play their favourite instrument, or never get back to it after a long break. Others give up after a few months because they think that they are too busy at work to justify their piano lessons. Throughout my career I have met a large number of adults who never made their dream come true due to some wrong beliefs. As others succeeded greatly and manage to run both a successful career as TV producer, banker or lawyer and brilliant piano studies, I wanted to [...]

How can I learn piano while having a demanding job?2021-09-06T18:48:12+01:00

Sound as a central part of music making – Part 2

2021-07-19T14:41:28+01:00

Dear pianists! In the previous article we have covered how to start developing your sense of sound and aware sound production. I also shared some practical tips that personally helped me and some of my colleagues. Please do consider this article inseparable to part one! Just to refresh the previous topic - practical tips included the following: recording yourself, mindfulness, visualisation, among many other advice. In part 2 I would like to focus on the physicality of piano playing - specifically in relation to sound production, more than any other correlation (articulation, stylistic approach, or technical issues... those topics will be [...]

Sound as a central part of music making – Part 22021-07-19T14:41:28+01:00

Interview with virtuoso pianist Ljubica Stojanovic

2021-03-01T10:44:53+00:00

How and when did you develop your passion for the piano? It was early on in my life, it started since I know of myself. My father is a pianist and my older sister is violinist, music was surrounding us since we were born. We would go to sleep listening to classical music tapes and were in general encouraged to play songs or music that we heard. The piano was the central piece in our living room and I considered it a fun toy. I loved music straightaway and would always dream awake while listening. It felt like one of the [...]

Interview with virtuoso pianist Ljubica Stojanovic2021-03-01T10:44:53+00:00

How to adapt to a different piano for each performance

2021-03-01T10:44:41+00:00

Having to adapt to a different piano at each performance can sometimes be quite a tricky exercise. There are basically two standard acoustic pianos, namely the upright piano and the grand piano. There is quite a significant difference between them, let alone having to play on any given piano except for the one you are used to playing on. The upright piano has vertical strings and is more seen as the ‘household’ piano used for training children or plainly for a practice instrument. The action is that of hammers hitting against the vertically strung strings within an upright wooden body. The [...]

How to adapt to a different piano for each performance2021-03-01T10:44:41+00:00

Can you teach yourself piano?

2023-12-15T09:21:55+00:00

Yes, it is absolutely possible, especially today with Google and YouTube's accessibility where one can find everything you need in written format and on video which makes learning easy. This information is easily accessible and one can learn wherever you are, on the tube, in a coffee shop or in the privacy of your own room at any time available. No booked time slots needed, nor monies to pay for a teacher or travelling to go for piano lessons. One can quite easily find the “right” teacher on YouTube e.g. for learning e.g. Monk’s “Straight No Chaser” as quite a few [...]

Can you teach yourself piano?2023-12-15T09:21:55+00:00

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