Ear Training – NATALYA PLAYS PIANO

The 365 Days of Practice Challenge: Why I Started, What I’ve Learned (So Far), and Whether You Should Try It Too

January 15, 2026

Artist Growth, Career Development, Ear Training, Freelance Musician, Music and Emotion, Music Career, Music Education, Music Industry, Music Psychology, Music Storytelling, Music Strategy, Musician Wellness, Musicianship, Performance, Pianist Mindset, Piano, Piano Exercises, Piano Inspiration, Piano Practice, Piano Technique, Piano Warm-Ups, Practice Tips, Uncategorized

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At the start of this year, I set myself a challenge that felt both exciting and slightly unhinged:365 days of piano practice. No skips. No excuses. As a classically trained pianist, practice has always been part of my life, but this challenge isn’t about perfection, repertoire goals, or hitting a certain number of hours. It’s
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Jazz Harmony for Classical Players: What You Actually Need to Know

January 12, 2026

Accompanist Guide, Artist Growth, Aural Skills, Collaborative Pianist, Ear Training, Ensemble Playing, Freelance Musician, Independent Music, Music Analysis, Music and Emotion, Music Career, Music Composition, Music Education, Music Industry, Music Science, Music Storytelling, Music Theory, Musicianship, Performance, Pianist Mindset, Piano, Piano Accompaniment, Piano Exercises, Piano Inspiration, Piano Practice, Piano Technique, Practice Tips, Uncategorized

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As a classically trained pianist, jazz improvisation has never really been my forte.I grew up reading everything on the page, interpreting what was written, polishing details – not being handed a chord symbol and told to “just play”. For a long time, jazz harmony felt like a completely different language, one that everyone else seemed
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How to Read Lead Sheets and Fake Books: A Pianist’s Guide

June 14, 2025

Accompanist Guide, Artist Growth, Aural Skills, Collaborative Pianist, Ear Training, Ensemble Playing, Music Analysis, Music and Emotion, Music Education, Music Industry, Music Storytelling, Music Theory, Musicianship, Performance, Piano, Piano Accompaniment, Piano Exercises, Piano Inspiration, Piano Practice, Piano Technique, Practice Tips

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Whether you’re sight-reading for a last-minute gig, jamming with a singer, or performing pop songs at a wedding, lead sheets and fake books are a lifesaver for pianists who want flexibility, freedom, and speed. But if you’re used to fully-notated classical scores, lead sheets can look… a little bare. Just a melody? A few chord
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Musicality explained: A Beginner’s Guide to Expression

June 7, 2025

Artist Growth, Aural Skills, Career Development, Collaborative Pianist, Ear Training, Music Analysis, Music and Emotion, Music Career, Music Education, Music Psychology, Music Science, Music Storytelling, Music Strategy, Music Theory, Musicianship, Performance, Pianist Mindset, Piano, Piano Inspiration, Piano Practice, Piano Technique, Practice Tips

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“But how do I play it musically?” If you’ve ever asked your teacher that question – or been that teacher – you know how slippery musicality can feel. It’s not just about playing the right notes, or even playing them well. It’s about making music speak – telling a story through sound, communicating emotion through
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Perfect Pitch: What It Is, Can You Develop It, and Do You Need It?

May 24, 2025

Aural Skills, Ear Training, Music Education, Music Theory, Musicianship, Piano Technique

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For as long as I can remember, I’ve had perfect pitch – but for much of my early life, I didn’t realize it was anything unusual. I just assumed that everyone could identify notes instantly, recognize keys without a reference, and pick out melodies without too much effort. As a child, I would sit at
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Learn Music by Ear: 6 Steps to Recognizing Chords & Melodies Like a Pro

May 10, 2025

Aural Skills, Ear Training, Music Analysis, Music Education, Music Theory, Musicianship, Piano, Piano Exercises, Piano Practice, Piano Technique, Practice Tips

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Have you ever listened to a song and wished you could immediately play it by ear? Training your ears to recognize chords and melodies is one of the most valuable skills a musician can develop. Whether you’re a pianist, singer, or instrumentalist, having a strong ear makes learning music faster and more intuitive. But how
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