5-Minute Piano Lessons

The proper priorities regarding chords and fakebooks can save time and improve your playing

Note: This essay is taken from my ebook concerning Advanced Chord and Fakebook Use. I felt it too important to limit it to that source.

Before we get into the nuts and bolts of what I consider Advanced chord and fakebook usage, I want to urge you to keep your priorities straight as you study. These priorities are stated in this essay’s title, at least as I’ve found them in 40+ years of successful piano performance. I truly believe it will be very worth your time to consider my reasoning before you embark upon the study of the rest of this ebook. (more…)

Understanding one’s preferences regarding art is always difficult

I’ve boiled it down like this. (more…)

A few basic instructions can make learning this music much more efficient

I presented in my previous post the basics of ragtime piano and said that understanding those basics was important to being able to play this music well.  I’m now going to use the concepts I presented earlier to help you teach your hands the “tricks” that make up ragtime. (more…)

As Always, Considerations of Technique Come First in Interpretation

The topic “the proper tempo” is a huge issue for any pianist, piano student, or piano hobbyist. I thought it worthwhile to put down what I know about the subject, based on 40 years of performing and 20+ years of teaching. (more…)

You Must not Only KNOW Your Chords but also What to DO with Them

Lots of piano teachers, both live and online, explain which notes make up which chords. This is fine and necessary but it’s only the first step -you must also know what to DO with these chords. Additionally, many of these “piano teachers” are basically professional players who shows you ways to use chords that are, frankly, just too hard for the amateur player. The pro makes it look easy, even tell you it is, although it’s not. There’s a need, then, for some basic things most every pianist can do successfully. (more…)

The Basics of Chord Use for the Piano Student

I  thought of calling these essays “EVERYTHING a Pianist Needs to Know About Using Chords.” but changed my mind because that would be a lie. Nobody, even the “greats” of the piano, knows everything about chords. Just when some pianist starts thinking he’s got it ALL down, along comes somebody new with a new idea. (more…)