Learn Piano your way with a TakeLessons expert

Do you want to take your piano practice to the next level? Below, piano teacher Julie P. shares tips on how to use a piano metronome to help improve your playing... If you’re serious about improving your piano playing, you might want to consider using a piano metronome during your practice sessions. Metronomes are great for developing a strong internal beat and testing yourself on how accurately you play your music. Not sure what exactly a metronome is, or how to use it? Below is

  Piano music doesn't have to be all classical, all the time! Here's what you need to know about getting started with jazz piano chord progressions, courtesy of St. Augustine, FL teacher Heather L... If you're interested in learning how to play jazz piano after starting off as a classical pianist, one of the first things you need to master are chord progressions. In this blog post, we'll take a look at some of the most common jazz piano chord progressions and how you can use them in y

What are piano cadences, and how are they used? Learn the ins and outs in this guest post by Manassas, VA teacher Carol K...   When I first decided to tackle the word “cadence,” I thought to myself – “What exactly do I think of when I hear that word?” For me, the word implies an ending, or rhythmic inflection of sound, like the modulation of the voice in reading or speaking. This article will examine, in greater detail, what a cadence means to musicians, the types of caden

Proper piano posture: the words alone are enough to make any pianist wince, straighten up, and make every effort to maintain it, at least for a few minutes. You may not realize that when you’re playing the piano, your posture is a key factor in your technique and whether or not you feel at ease practicing the instrument. Because practicing is a repetitive activity, it’s important to do it well. Otherwise, you risk reinforcing bad habits through repetition. If you struggle with ma

Some of the best piano bar songs are requested at dueling piano bars. Haven’t heard of dueling piano songs yet? Keep reading! The “dueling pianos” style of entertainment (which traces back as far as the 1890s) has experienced a recent resurgence in popularity in many big cities. These establishments are typically characterized by having two grand (or baby grand) pianos placed opposite each other with two talented musicians performing and accepting audience requests for favorite songs. Be

After hearing a new piece of music, listeners often ask, “How’d you come up with that?”  However, this question often implies, “Why did you write that?”  The "why" is not answered easily. Creativity comes from a mysterious place.  Neuroscientists have shown that creative thinkers tend to be “right-brained”  processors (and synthesizers) of information. However, the impetus to compose includes a myriad of both internal and external factors, and often, these factors are elu

Piano is considered an umbrella instrument, meaning, teaching kids to play piano helps them understand music more thoroughly, no matter what instrument they want to play later on. Even most singers first learn the basics of music theory and notation on the piano. Piano lessons at an early age lay out the basics of music-making in black and white (quite literally!). The great news is that you don't need to know anything about playing piano to inspire your children to want to learn. Below are a ha

As a beginner learning to play the piano, you might feel overwhelmed by all of the new information -- major scales, minor scales, and triads, oh my! How do you remember it all? Start with piano major scales by using these 3 easy tricks from St. Augustine, FL piano teacher Heather L... Are you wondering how to learn piano scales fast? It can be tough to see which keys belong in that specific order. ("Where's the black key, again?") When you can visualize piano scales, it’s easier to learn an

Imgorthand / E+ / Getty Images Starting your own piano studio is a great way to use your skills as a teacher and indulge in the joy of making music. Whether focusing on private or group lessons, having a home-based practice provides excellent opportunities for independence, creativity and flexibility.  As both an instructor and mentor you will grow personally and professionally by being able to customize the learning experience for each student that comes through your doors. This guide o

Are you getting ready for a piano level test? You’re not alone. From grade school to college and beyond, many of us need to take piano level tests.  Whether it’s for a class or for your own personal progress, there are certain steps you can take to ensure success on the big day. Here is a timeline of what you should do leading up to your piano level test – get ready to rock out!  How Many Levels Are There in Piano? Learning piano is a deep and rewarding passion for many music