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“The most perfect technique is that which is not noticed at all.” ~ Pablo Casals ~  Technique is a paradox. On one hand, if you do not have the technique to play a difficult passage, you cannot master the passage. On the other hand, if you focus on the musical elements and what you are trying to express, the technique to achieve the musicality will come naturally. Those are the two opposing and contradictory thoughts about technique among musicians. Is technique something to be

Are you considering entering your budding pianist into a piano competition? There are an array of competitions to choose from across the U.S., many offering the opportunity to compete against top performers from around the globe. All-Ages Piano Competitions Across the U.S.: Seattle International Piano Festival & Competition - Seattle, WA Competing in May (preliminary) and October 2015 (finals) at the Illsley Ball Nordstrom Recital Hall, pianists from all over the world are encouraged to f

Are you in search of some new piano practice warm-up routines? Below, piano teacher Liz T. shares some fun piano practice warm-ups you can try before your next practice... You wouldn't go for an hour-long run before properly warming up. So, why wouldn't you warm-up before an hour-long piano practice session or lesson? No matter what instrument you play,  it’s extremely important that you go through a series of warm-ups before you start playing. In this post, we will discuss

Lucy Lambriex / The Image Bank / Getty Images Looking for the best easy classical piano songs to learn for beginner pianists? You’ve come to the right place! While mastering the works of Mozart, Bach, and Beethoven might sound intimidating, there are a number of beginner piano songs that sit nicely within the classical repertoire. The simplicity of these pieces contributes to their beauty and brings a sense of space to the music. This is great news for beginners who don’t need to spend y

Are you interested in learning how to sight read on the piano? Want to be able to sit down at the keyboard and play a favorite piece by simply glancing at the sheet music? Piano sight reading is one of the most important skills to learn as a pianist. In this article, we’ll look at 9 sight reading tips for pianists. For more sight reading tips, check out this helpful video tutorial:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=byyAqEoRdmk What is Piano Sight Reading? Sight reading is the abili

Interested in taking beginner piano lessons, but worried you're too old or too busy? These are just two of the common reasons that might keep you from learning piano. Here, online piano teacher Crystal B. debunks a few of these common excuses and myths... Most everyone has thought about taking piano lessons at one point or another, but there are a few common myths have keep new students from taking the first step to actually getting started. Today, I’d like to address these five myths and he

Wondering about the average piano tuning cost, or how often you should tune a piano? You've come to the right place! Just as you go to the doctor for check-ups from time to time, your piano needs maintenance and care throughout its life. You may notice, especially if you have a keen ear, that your piano drops in pitch particularly during the summer and winter months. This is because your piano is mostly made of wood, and your wooden soundboard will contract when the weather is drier -- or the

Is your crazy schedule making it difficult for you to find time to practice piano? Below, piano teacher Julie P. shares five creative ways you can sneak piano practice into your busy schedule... You want to improve your piano playing skills, but your busy schedule doesn’t allow time for you to practice as much as you should. Between school, work, and extracurricular activities, your schedule fills up fast. Just because you have a busy schedule, however, doesn’t mean you can’t snea

Let's face it, even the most experienced pianists make mistakes. Below, piano teacher Julie P. shares the 5 most common piano technique mistakes that both beginner and experienced pianists often make... Your piano technique is everything when it comes to playing the instrument. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced player, there are probably some mistakes you're making that are holding you back.  In this blog post, we'll take a look at five of the most common piano technique

From piano basics to the more advanced techniques -- what are the best ways to instantly improve your playing? Take a look at these 20 helpful tips from Augustine, FL teacher Heather L...   Maybe you're a brand new piano beginner, ready to start your journey. Maybe you're a seasoned pianist who's found himself in a state of stagnated growth. Either way, you could use a boost for your skills. Here's a list of 20 ways to instantly improve: 1. Stretch before you play. So much pain, a