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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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  • Staying Motivated: How to Keep Practicing When You Feel Stuck

    June 28, 2025
    Artist Growth, Career Development, Music and Emotion, Music Career, Music Education, Music Psychology, Musician Wellness, Performance, Pianist Mindset, Piano, Piano Inspiration, Piano Practice, Piano Technique, Practice Tips
    daily practice habits, how to keep practicing piano, how to stay motivated to practice music, music motivation, music practice rut, music progress tips, musician mindset, overcoming music burnout, piano practice motivation, practice tips for musicians

    We’ve all been there. You sit at your instrument, open your sheet music or pull up your practice app… and then just stare. Nothing flows. Nothing feels exciting. You play the same passage 47 times and it still sounds meh. You’re not alone – plateaus in practice are completely normal, whether you’re a beginner or

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  • Anime Music for Pianists: 10 Must-Learn Pieces from Your Favourite Shows

    June 21, 2025
    Anime Soundtracks, Film Music, Film Scores, Japanese Film Music, Joe Hisaishi, Music and Emotion, Music Storytelling, Performance, Piano, Piano Inspiration, Piano Practice, Pop Culture Music, Studio Ghibli
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    There’s something uniquely powerful about anime music. Whether it’s the soaring emotion of a Studio Ghibli theme or the pulse-raising energy of a shonen opening, anime scores are packed with unforgettable melodies, rich harmonies, and heart. As a pianist, playing anime music isn’t just fun – it’s deeply expressive, emotionally satisfying, and a great way

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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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  • How to Produce Your Own Piano Concert – A Step-by-Step Guide

    May 31, 2025
    Artist Growth, Branding, Career Development, Digital Marketing, Freelance Musician, Gig Booking, Independent Music, Marketing, Music Business, Music Career, Music Income, Music Industry, Music Promotion, Music Strategy, Networking, Performance, Pianist Mindset, Piano, Piano Inspiration, Pop Culture Music
    booking a concert venue, concert budgeting tips, concert planning for musicians, event planning for musicians, how to plan a music concert, independent musician guide, live performance planning, marketing a piano concert, music industry advice, performing live, piano concert setup, produce your own concert, self-funded concert, self-produced piano concert, selling tickets for a concert

    So, you want to produce your own piano concert? Whether you’re a seasoned performer or taking the leap for the first time, putting on your own show is both exciting and overwhelming. I’ve been there – learning everything from scratch, making plenty of mistakes, and eventually, turning my concerts into a successful part of my

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  • How I Lost $4,000 on My First Concert – And Why I Did It Again

    May 31, 2025
    Artist Growth, Branding, Career Development, Digital Marketing, Freelance Musician, Gig Booking, Independent Music, Marketing, Music and Emotion, Music Business, Music Career, Music Income, Music Industry, Music Promotion, Music Storytelling, Music Strategy, Performance, Pianist Mindset, Piano, Piano Inspiration, Pop Culture Music
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    Where It All Began: The Moment That Changed Everything In 2011, I attended a small piano recital at the Sydney Conservatorium, where a student performed an intimate concert of Final Fantasy music. I remember sitting there, shocked – not by the performance itself, but by the sheer fact that someone was playing non-classical music in

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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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  • 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 scores out

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  • 6 Tips to Overcome Stage Fright as a Pianist

    April 5, 2025
    Artist Growth, Career Development, Music and Emotion, Music Career, Music Education, Music Industry, Music Psychology, Music Storytelling, Music Strategy, Musician Wellness, Performance, Pianist Mindset, Piano, Practice Tips
    anxiety coping strategies for performers, best techniques for stage fright, building confidence as a pianist, calming nerves before a performance, how to deal with nerves before performing, how to feel comfortable on stage, how to overcome stage fright, how to perform piano with confidence, how to play piano without fear, musician mental preparation, overcoming music performance anxiety, performance anxiety for pianists, piano stage presence, stage anxiety solutions for musicians, stage fright tips for musicians

    Stage fright is something almost every musician experiences at some point. That nervous energy before a performance can be exhilarating, but when it turns into overwhelming anxiety, shaky hands, or a racing heart, it can feel impossible to focus on the music. As a pianist, you don’t have the luxury of hiding behind a microphone

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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! Let’s take

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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 in a

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  • The Business of Music: How to Market Yourself as a Performer

    March 8, 2025
    Artist Growth, Branding, Career Development, Digital Marketing, Freelance Musician, Gig Booking, Independent Music, Marketing, Music Business, Music Career, Music Income, Music Industry, Music Promotion, Music Strategy, Networking, Performance, Piano
    best ways to promote your music, building a fanbase as a musician, freelance musician tips, how to book gigs as a musician, how to build a music career, how to get more gigs, how to grow your music career, how to make money as a musician, how to market yourself as a musician, marketing for independent musicians, music business strategies, music career advice, music industry tips, musician branding tips, musician income streams, musician marketing tips, musician website tips, networking for musicians, performing artist marketing, social media for musicians

    Being a great musician is one thing—but getting your name out there, booking gigs, and building a career is a whole different challenge. In today’s world, marketing yourself as a performer is just as important as practicing your instrument. The good news? You don’t need a huge budget or a record deal to make an

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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. Here are

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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
    best memorization strategies for pianists, best ways to memorize piano pieces, effective piano learning methods, how to improve piano memory, how to learn a piano piece quickly and efficiently, how to learn piano music faster, how to memorize piano music, how to practice piano without a piano, memorizing sheet music efficiently, mental practice techniques for musicians, muscle memory for pianists, piano memorization techniques, piano performance tips, piano practice routine, piano practice tips for beginners, step-by-step guide to memorizing piano music

    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 efficiently and

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