Piano Guidance
Photo by Steve Johnson Pexels Logo Photo: Steve Johnson

What to play on piano when bored?

These 7 Great Songs Make Piano Practice Fun Again Sara Bareilles – Love Song. A fun blast from the 2000s past, “Love Song” is a fun and catchy tune with a deceivingly easy piano part. ... Coldplay – Clocks. ... OneRepublic – Counting Stars. ... The Beatles – Hey Jude. ... Avicii – Waiting for Love. ... Alicia Keys – Fallin' ... Wiz Khalifa ft.

Should we eat chewing gum?
Should we eat chewing gum?

Although chewing gum is designed to be chewed and not swallowed, it generally isn't harmful if swallowed. Folklore suggests that swallowed gum sits...

Read More »
Can you learn Japanese in 6 months?
Can you learn Japanese in 6 months?

You Can Learn Japanese to a Good Level After Just a Few Months. Chris Broad (Abroad in Japan) shows that it's possible to survive in Japanese with...

Read More »

The hardest part of learning a new instrument is mastering the basic techniques that are required for more advanced pieces. Even though they are essential, practicing fundamentals can stop being fun fast, as repetition can seem pointless and more importantly, boring. But understanding techniques such as staccatos and arpeggios, and concepts such as triplets and odd time signatures can take you from a beginner to an expert in no time flat an essentially make piano practice fun! Not to fear! The following songs are easy to learn, fun to play, and more importantly, are a good way to reinforce important fundamentals without driving you to tears!

Sara Bareilles – Love Song

A fun blast from the 2000s past, “Love Song” is a fun and catchy tune with a deceivingly easy piano part. The song is heavy on staccatos, or short, defined notes that give it a bouncy feeling. Staccatos are great ways to make parts of songs pack more punch, just like Beethoven’s fifth symphony!

Coldplay – Clocks

Another pop classic from 2004, “Clocks” is a great song to introduce yourself to triplets and the basics of arpeggios. These groups of notes that are played together, but separate from other notes are another key fundamental of music.Triplets are a great way to make a basic four-beat time signature sound unique and cool.

OneRepublic – Counting Stars

Another great song to master arpeggios, “Counting Stars” is a terrific, energetic piece that features some awesome riffs and nice changes of pace. The song is also a great way to practice playing different beats on both hands since the left is playing a steady beat all the way through.

The Beatles – Hey Jude

Every musician should know at least ONE Beatles song. “Hey Jude” is a simple track to learn, and doesn’t change much throughout, which is a great way to practice maintaining a steady beat the whole way through a piece of music. The building climax is also a great way to practice playing piano at different volume levels (piano, forte, and so on).

Avicii – Waiting for Love

For those more electronically inclined, Avicii’s “Waiting For Love” is another fantastic song to help master those tricky staccatos. The song’s easy piano structure makes it a quick learn, and you get to impress your friends with your piano-DJ abilities!

Alicia Keys – Fallin’

A phenomenal song for someone looking to master arpeggios, the piece’s wavy piano riff is entirely made of arpeggios, a great way to practice basic skills. It is also easy to learn and has very few different chords and notes.

Wiz Khalifa ft. Charlie Puth – See You Again

A cool song with a catchy piano-driven chorus, the simple piano riff of “See You Again” is a great way to familiarize yourself with multi-finger chords, and the simple chord progression makes it easy to catch on quickly. It’s also a fantastic way to start practicing using your left hand to accompany melodies. These awesome songs are easy to play and put the “fun” in learning fundamentals! Want to learn how to play songs like these? Check out JoyTunes.com for more info!

Is 61 keys or 88 keys better?
Is 61 keys or 88 keys better?

A 61 key piano only has 5 octaves which are not always enough for some repertoire. This may require musicians to transpose and adjust the sheet...

Read More »
How do pianists know where the keys are?
How do pianists know where the keys are?

Finding the notes by tactile feeling: the five black keys raised above the white keys provide an opportunity to “feel” the layout of the keys...

Read More »

What's the highest grade in piano?

Basically, these schools divide piano music (or whatever instrument you're learning) into difficulty levels ranging from preparatory (RCM) or grade 1 (ABRSM) up to grade 10 (grade 8 for ABRSM). Beyond that point are the diploma levels.

Linked above are full videos and blog posts detailing these three music schools. Basically, these schools divide piano music (or whatever instrument you're learning) into difficulty levels ranging from preparatory (RCM) or grade 1 (ABRSM) up to grade 10 (grade 8 for ABRSM). Beyond that point are the diploma levels. These schools not only give a list of music appropriate for each level, they also have an examination system in place so that you can test your skills and get certificates. I encourage my students to take exams, but even if they choose not to, I still use these systems as a way to gauge what level a student is at, and what music is appropriate for them to learn at their level.

What pop songs should I play on piano?
What pop songs should I play on piano?

18 Easy Piano Pop Songs That Are Perfect for Beginner Pianists 1 1. Sia – Titanium. 2 2. Alicia Keys – If I Ain't Got You. 3 3. Vanessa Carlton – A...

Read More »
What does a C7 sound like?
What does a C7 sound like?

The C7 chord is comprised of C, E, G and Bb notes. That seventh, flat note takes the C chord from its bright, airy sound to the slightly more...

Read More »
Are 30 minute piano lessons enough?
Are 30 minute piano lessons enough?

As an adult, a 30-minute music lesson would be enough for you if you practice regularly and learn as a hobby. But if you think you want to choose a...

Read More »
Can you fall asleep during the Julia method?
Can you fall asleep during the Julia method?

Since the Julia method does not require a person to go into a deep sleep while going through its steps, it is best to avoid meditations that might...

Read More »