So many of the great composers of all time from Mozart to Chopin dazzled audiences with improvised music. Because of the reverence for the legacy of scores the great composers left us, it creates the incorrect impression that everything they did was
Today we’re going to explore a potentially controversial subject which is the shortcomings of class piano. First, there is some value to class piano which should be acknowledged. It’s a way to get people acquainted with the piano which can mo
You can explore the sound of a piano by playing the keys like a percussion instrument creating abstract sounds if you haven’t developed any kind of harmonic language yet. This is how I started my exploration into improvisation as a young child. Over time, you will find chords and patterns you can utilize in future improvisations making them less abstract. That’s how my improvisations have evolved over the years. However, I still love to play atonal improvisations!
This is another freeform improvisation in which I let this gorgeous Steinway concert grand guide the exploration of tonal colors. It turned out to be based on the pentatonic scale which is a fancy way of saying, “black keys”. You can lear
In this video, I’m going to demonstrate why every pianist will eventually outgrow any upright piano. If you are serious about playing the piano, you will eventually need a grand piano or at least a baby grand. How can this be? There are many differ
Why can’t more pianos be made in the United States? At first, you may think it’s because they are too expensive. Of course, Steinway, Mason & Hamlin and Charles Walter are top-tier pianos with premium prices. But couldn’t a mid-range p
Today I’m going to tell you how to make your piano stay in tune. There is nothing like a freshly tuned piano! This adds richness, beauty and purity to the sound. Once your piano tuner leaves and you get a chance to play it, it’s so refreshing. Bu
You may have noticed that the feel on some pianos is heavier than on other pianos. But did you know that the keys on any piano are different weight across the keyboard? All pianos have gradually heavier feel the lower you play on the keyboard! There
Today we are going to discover what is the most difficult scale to play on the piano. By the end of this article and video, you will be surprised at the answer! When you are first learning scales, just figuring out the notes can be a daunting task. Y
Arpeggios are simply broken chords. Scales and arpeggios form the foundation of technique, not just for the piano, but for virtually all musical instruments. I’ve talked about how to practice scales and arpeggios in the past. Today, I’m going to