Piano Exercises – 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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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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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

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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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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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