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  • Best Podcasts for Pianists, Creatives, and Music Lovers

    August 11, 2025
    Artist Growth, Career Development, Film Music, Film Scores, Freelance Musician, Independent Music, Music Analysis, Music and Emotion, Music Business, Music Career, Music Education, Music Income, Music Industry, Music Promotion, Music Psychology, Music Science, Music Storytelling, Music Strategy, Music Theory, Musician Wellness, Musicianship, Networking, Performance, Pianist Mindset, Piano, Piano Inspiration, Pop Culture Music, Practice Tips
    best music podcasts, classical music podcasts, composer podcasts, creative inspiration podcasts, creative podcasts for musicians, film score podcasts, indie musician tips, motivation for musicians, music business podcasts, music education podcasts, podcasts for creatives, podcasts for pianists, soundtrack podcasts

    I’m a huge fan of podcasts. I’ve got one for every mood, topic and occasion. Whether I’m cooking dinner, driving to a gig, or going for a walk – I love to learn new things and get inspired. Over the years, I’ve found a handful of podcasts that keep me motivated as a pianist, feed

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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
    expressive piano playing, how to improve musicality, how to play piano musically, music expression skills, music performance tips, musical expression, musicality for pianists, piano artistry, piano emotional playing, piano interpretation tips, piano performance tips

    “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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  • Do-Re-Mi vs. C-D-E-F-G vs. Nashville Numbers: Pros, Cons & How to Choose

    May 17, 2025
    Music Analysis, Music Education, Musicianship, Piano Technique
    advantages of solfège, best way to learn music notes, Do Re Mi vs C D E F G, how to read music by ear, how to transpose music easily, learn to play by ear faster, Nashville chord chart method, Nashville Number System explained, solfège vs letter names, which note system is best for musicians

    If you’ve ever studied music, you’ve likely encountered different ways to name and understand notes and chords. Some musicians swear by the Do-Re-Mi system (Solfège), others stick to letter names (C-D-E-F-G-A-B), and some rely on the Nashville Number System, especially in contemporary and pop music settings. Each system has its strengths and weaknesses, and the

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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
    best ear training methods, ear training exercises, ear training for pianists, how to hear chord progressions, how to identify melodies faster, how to improve musical ear, how to play by ear piano, how to recognize chords by ear, how to train your ears for music, solfège for ear training

    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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  • Top 10 Film Scores Every Pianist Should Learn

    May 3, 2025
    Film Music, Film Scores, Joe Hisaishi, Music Analysis, Music and Emotion, Music Education, Music Storytelling, Performance, Piano, Piano Inspiration, Pop Culture Music, Studio Ghibli
    advanced piano movie themes, best cinematic music for pianists, best film music for pianists, easy movie music for piano, famous piano film scores, Hans Zimmer piano pieces, movie soundtrack piano arrangements, top movie themes to play on piano

    Film music has an incredible ability to tell stories, evoke deep emotions, and transport us to different worlds – all without a single word. As pianists, we get the unique opportunity to bring these cinematic moments to life through expressive melodies, lush harmonies, and dynamic storytelling at the keyboard. But with so many iconic film

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  • Why Studio Ghibli Music Resonates with So Many People

    March 29, 2025
    Anime Soundtracks, Film Music, Film Scores, Japanese Film Music, Joe Hisaishi, Music Analysis, Music and Emotion, Music Composition, Music Education, Music Storytelling, Piano Inspiration, Pop Culture Music, Studio Ghibli
    best anime film music, best studio ghibli soundtracks, ghibli music emotional impact, how ghibli music tells a story, how music enhances ghibli films, joe hisaishi compositions, joe hisaishi film music, most beautiful ghibli music, spirited away soundtrack breakdown, studio ghibli music, studio ghibli music analysis, studio ghibli music nostalgia, the magic of joe hisaishi, why ghibli music is emotional, why we love joe hisaishi

    There’s something truly magical about Studio Ghibli films. Whether it’s the breathtaking animation, heartwarming storytelling, or unforgettable characters, these films have a way of staying with us long after the credits roll. But one of the most powerful elements that makes Ghibli movies so special? The music. As a huge fan of Studio Ghibli and

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