Piano Playing Questions

What is the name of the technique? 
I was listening to Osborne's the man from Madrid and I was wondering about the first 10 seconds there's a piano run-like technique, I was wondering what …

Question about Fur Elise  
The attached photo shows a measure from Fur Elise. The time signature of the piece is 3/8. So each beat gets an eighth note. In the photo, I see that …

How to voice melody in chords? 
How to voice melody in tight impressionist chords? In the third waltz of Ravel's Valses Nobles et Sentimentales, there's a short, absolutely beautiful …

Lessons: Could You Help Me Out? 
I have a question for you. I have been playing music on my own, and I am trying this new piece of music, but some of the stuff I don't understand. I was …

Key signatures and naturals 
If a piece of music has a key signature of D major (#C and #F) - does that mean that all instances of C and F are played sharp wherever they appear on …

Scale Speed - What Speed Should I Be Able to Play? 
Hello! I am an older intermediate piano student. What speed do you recommend that I would be able to play a scale evenly before moving on to the next …

How do I play this? 
I'm not sure how I would go about playing the left hand for measures 11-15. I'm aware that the slashes mean that you repeat the last measure, but when …

Will Different chords for same song go with same melody? 
There's this song in Bangla, my language, that I'm trying to play with. Now I have Chords and Melody for a simpler version of the music: And …

Recommendation of Organized Piano and Theory Book 
Hello, can you please recommend a book that contains everything on piano and music theory, please. I need a book (or book series) that contains all in …

I’m practicing bass clef notes for the first time. 
Hello, so on this piece I’m trying to figure out which hand should play the melody and which hand should play the chords. However, I know that the left …

Hanon for Beginners 
Good day to you, I'm an older (60yrs young) person starting off with piano lessons. What is the best way to easily move up and down as you are practicing …

Right Hand Cross Over and One-Note Extension in Little Spring Song 
In John Thompson’s First Grade book in the piece titled "Little Spring Song" (p. 34-35) I don’t understand the RH over toward the end. I also don’t understand …

How to play this measure? 
Hello, I am a beginner pianist and I have a question about how to play this measure. This piece is 4/4 in F minor. Since the note values add up to 5 beats …

How To Know The Piano Keyboard Without Looking 
Success with the new changes!! What are the best exercises for knowing the piano keyboard without looking? Can you suggest drills that will help me memorize …

How to overcome one's weakness 
Hello. I am Suzanne. As stated above ... I have gone thru a lot. Most recent is having bad asthma attacks. But I am OK ... I am now on meds and hope …

Piano Major Scales 
Hi, I was recently working on some major scales on the piano. Does every key on the piano have it's own major scale? Ex, C, C#, Cb, D#, Db, E, E#, Eb...etc …

Pedaling in Piano Sonata op. 49 no 1 Not rated yet
Hey, I have a question: and it is how should I use the pedal when I play the "piano sonata op 49-1st movement"? I don't know if I am supposed to lift …

Playing lead-sheets vs three staff music sheets Not rated yet
I’m a retired 70 year old who recently took up the piano three years ago. Initial instructor three years ago got me into playing lead-sheets —- chords …

What Piano Should I Buy? Not rated yet
l play piano for 10 years and now l want to change my piano. l want to choose a piano between GB1k and U1, could you please help me? Maria's Answer: …

Thank you for your dedication Not rated yet
Having reviewed your web pages on major scale fingering and other related subjects, I just wish to thank you for your dedication to helping those who wish …

Not Looking at the Keys When Jumping 2 or 3 Octaves Not rated yet
I need to know the proper way to not look at the keys. My teacher always let me look and I think it was a mistake. When jumping 2 or 3 octaves she said …

Moving from One Chord to Another Not rated yet
My teacher has given me these three right hand chords to play with a blues walking bass line that goes from C-F-C-G-F-C. He has written the chords …

Bassline and Melody in Piano Pieces Not rated yet
I have just read an interesting article about the Piano Practice Chart for Adults. My question is about Polishing the Parts. I didn't understand this step. …

Electronic Piano Keyboard Lessons Not rated yet
I am interested in lessons, etc, for an electronic keyboard (Casio LK230). I am a true beginner---74-years-old and NO experience whatsoever. But always …

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The Best Way to Practice Czerny op 599 Not rated yet
Dear Maria, Hi, thanks for this useful website. I have been taking piano lessons for nearly 2 years. I have finished Beyer and now I am practicing …

How to Perform Musical Expression Like a Professional Pianist Not rated yet
I know that (usually) the expressive part of classical piano playing is left up to the player with maybe some light guidance from their teacher at some …

What Piano Method Should I Choose? Not rated yet
I play guitar, bass, drums, and have a small recording studio, for working on original compositions. I am currently self-studying Harmony & Theory by …

Starting Piano Lessons? Not rated yet
Hello, I'm seriously considering starting piano lessons. I'm 63 years old and pretty much sold, so far, on the Kawai CE 220. I'll be primarily …

Playing Consecutive Sets of 2 Piano Keys Not rated yet
Hi. I'm learning a song that requires me to play 3 sets of 2 keys for the melody. Would it be better for me to play these with just 2 fingers and jump …

How to Find the Scale of Any Melody Not rated yet
I have hard time to find the scale; I know how to find a melody but can not find the scale. Do you have any easy way, or any tips? I am a beginner piano …

Piano Scales - How to Find The Scale of a Melody Not rated yet
Hi Dear, I would like to know how to find out the scale of a melody, and how to match chords with any melody. Thank you. I am a beginner piano player. …

Lesson Structure Not rated yet
I would appreciate knowing what the most effective way to structure a piano lesson and the practice is. Is it better to introduce many pieces every …

Whether Chords Could be Played with Single or Two Fingers? Not rated yet
I am learning the keyboard now. However, I remember my teacher saying that it is a good practice to play chords with all 3 fingers, even though the left/ACMP …

Chords and Scales Not rated yet
Does the root note of the first chord you play determine the scale of the piece? Maria's answer: No. A piece can start with any chord. But a tonal …

Progressing from one chord to another Not rated yet
Moving from chord to chord, what is the method, or rule of thumb for different chords? Ray Maria's Answer: The simple rule of thumb (!) when moving …

Technical Exercises Not rated yet
Hi, I am currently learning the piano, I don't have a problem with the rhythms, dynamics, or playing the pieces musically as this is my second instrument. …

Is It Necessary to Learn Piano Chords? Not rated yet
I only now discovered your website. I am 59 and like to improve my piano playing skills. Want to know - is it really necessary to learn chords? Thanks. …

What Does it Feel Like When the Piano is Played Correctly? Not rated yet
I would like to hear your explanation of how it feels when the piano is played correctly and really well. How does the body feel from head to toe? …