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  • 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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  • Why Video Game Music Resonates With So Many People

    December 29, 2025
    Music Analysis, Music and Emotion, Music Composition, Music Education, Music Psychology, Music Science, Music Storytelling, Music Theory, Musicianship, Piano, Piano Inspiration, Pop Culture Music, video game music
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    The Composers and Themes That Made Gaming Soundtracks Iconic Video game music has become one of the most emotionally powerful genres of instrumental music today. From sweeping fantasy scores to quiet, reflective themes, game soundtracks stay with us long after we stop playing. But why does video game music connect so deeply with so many

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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
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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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  • 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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  • The Science of Memorizing Music: How Your Brain Stores Piano Pieces

    March 22, 2025
    Artist Growth, Music Education, Music Strategy, Musicianship, Performance, Piano, Piano Exercises, Piano Practice, Practice Tips
    best way to memorize music, brain science of music learning, effective practice strategies for musicians, how the brain memorizes music, how to memorize piano music, how to practice piano efficiently, how to remember piano pieces long term, how to strengthen memory for music, improving musical memory, learning piano pieces faster, memorization techniques for pianists, muscle memory for pianists, music memory training, piano memorization tips, techniques for memorizing sheet music

    Have you ever wondered why some pieces stick in your memory for years while others seem to disappear overnight? Memorizing music isn’t just about repetition – it’s a fascinating process involving different parts of your brain working together. Understanding how your brain stores, retrieves, and strengthens musical memories can make learning and memorization much easier!

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  • How to Play with a Singer or Ensemble: 7 Tips for Collaborative Pianists

    March 15, 2025
    Accompanist Guide, Artist Growth, Collaborative Pianist, Ensemble Playing, Freelance Musician, Independent Music, Music Career, Music Education, Music Industry, Music Strategy, Musicianship, Performance, Piano, Piano Accompaniment
    best practices for collaborative pianists, collaborative piano tips, ensemble piano playing tips, ensemble rehearsal tips, how to accompany a singer on piano, how to balance piano in an ensemble, how to follow a singer on piano, how to improve piano accompaniment, how to play piano in a band, how to support a singer on piano, music collaboration techniques, pianist accompaniment techniques, piano collaboration tips, piano performance tips, playing piano in a group, playing piano with a singer, playing piano with other musicians, tips for accompanying vocalists, working with a singer as a pianist, working with an orchestra as a pianist

    Playing piano solo is one thing, but playing with a singer, a band, or an ensemble is a whole different skill set. As a collaborative pianist, you’re not just playing the notes – you’re supporting, adapting, and communicating with other musicians in real time. Whether you’re accompanying a vocalist, working with an orchestra, or playing

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  • 5 Essential Warm-Ups for Pianists to Improve Technique & Flexibility

    March 1, 2025
    Music Education, Musicianship, Performance, Piano, Piano Exercises, Piano Practice, Piano Technique, Piano Warm-Ups, Practice Tips
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    Warming up before playing the piano is like stretching before a workout – it helps prevent injury, improves flexibility, and sets you up for a great practice session. Whether you’re getting ready for a concert, a rehearsal, or just a casual play-through of your favorite pieces, a few simple warm-ups can make a big difference.

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  • How to Memorize Piano Music in 6 Easy Steps

    March 20, 2019
    Music Education, Musicianship, Performance, Piano, Piano Exercises, Piano Practice, Piano Technique, Piano Warm-Ups, Practice Tips
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    Learning a new piece of music can feel overwhelming – especially if you’re trying to memorize it. But don’t worry! Breaking the process into smaller, manageable steps makes it much easier (and even fun). Whether you’re tackling a classical masterpiece, a pop song, or a video game soundtrack, here’s how you can memorize piano music

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