Black Friday Deals for Pianists of All Levels
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classical piano
Piano Course Review: ProPractice by Dr. Josh Wright
In this post, I review Dr. Josh Wright’s full ProPractice Piano Course that currently includes 4 levels divided into 2 parts each, technique and repertoire. If you’re only interested in the repertoire section of one level, you can purchase just that section alone here. I purchased the full course, so this post will cover the …
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Chopin Waltz in A-Flat Major, Op. 69 No. 1: Analysis and Interpretation
The Chopin Waltz in A-flat Major, Op. 69 No. 1, is one of his most remembered works. The piece contains both a compelling backstory and haunting musical content. This post provides a brief history of how this waltz came to be a marker of a depressing moment in Chopin’s life and then interpretive performance suggestions …
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Playing Piano in the Style of Mozart
Since the 18th century, Mozart’s music has inspired deep analysis and discussion for both performers and music analysts. I won’t go into too much detail, but if you found this post, you’re interested in how to “correctly” play Mozart’s music on the piano. In this post, I first provide a brief description of the long-discussed …
The Selection: How to Pick Piano Repertoire to Increase Momentum and Avoid Frustration
Finding new piano sheet music is one of the most exciting parts of being a pianist. I love visiting old book stores that have a sheet music section, as I’ve found treasures from composers I’ve never heard of. Learning to pick piano music that is at the right level for you (not boringly easy and …
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The Sound of Rain: Chopin’s Raindrop Prelude for Listeners, Performers, and Composers
170 years after his death, Chopin still captivates audiences with his music. His set of preludes that cover all 24 major and minor keys are a great starting place to learn how to analyze his work, as it can be dense. This post looks at the qualities that make us feel the melancholy of the …
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Debussy’s Arabesque No. 1: Creating Magic:
Debussy’s Arabesque No. 1, like the rest of his music, creates magic wherever it goes. His music frequently draws new students to the piano with the desire of playing his most famous pieces, like Clair de lune and Arabesque No. 1. This post looks at how Debussy composed this music and what that has to do …
5 Ways to Find Joy While Practicing an Instrument
As musicians, we spend a lot of time by ourselves in the practice room trying to acquire skills on our own, albeit with a little guidance from our teachers. It’s pretty easy to practice when we first start out on an instrument. As the honeymoon phase comes to an end, however, we frequently find ourselves …
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Ravel: Rigaudon from Le Tombeau de Couperin
You made it to the weekend! I wanted to share one of my favorite pieces as a fun way to start the weekend. The “Rigaudon” from Ravel’s Le Tombeau de Couperin is one of the pieces that made me fall in love with piano, and it’s just a fun piece to both listen to and play …
Mozart: Rondo in D Major, K.485
This song will forever remain one of my favorite pieces to play and listen to. In this recording, Horowitz beautifully captures the lightness and wit that Mozart is known for. In fact, this piece itself is a bit of a musical joke. A Rondo is a form that repeats a theme, in this piece, the …