Three Quick Things to Consider in Producing a Beautiful Tone at the Piano
As a pianist, we are generally tasked with taking the percussive qualities of the instrument and transforming them into a smooth, lyrical...
Staying Inspired to Practice
I am always asked by several non-musicians how do I get myself to practice so much? For me, my reasons come from necessity: I present...
Preparing Successfully for College Music Entrance Auditions
It's about that time of year! Classes are underway and audition season is gearing up. In anticipation for this stressful process, here...
How I Think I Sound vs. How I Really Sound. Some Thoughts on Bridging the Gap
When I was developing as a pianist throughout my high school years, I would always be surprised by my teacher's comments after...
Unearthing Rare Piano Music Gems in an Idyllic German Town
I recently stumbled across an article on Interlude about a unique summer music festival that centralizes on the performances of rare and...
5 Quick Tips to Memorize a Piano Piece Securely
For many musicians, memorizing a piece can be a frustrating experience because it is hard at times to gauge progress. We can spend...
What Do Dynamic Markings Really Tell Us?
Dynamic markings are not the composer's indication of volume, but rather, an expression of mood. This should be my new mantra because I...
5 Most Influential Classical Music Recordings
During my college years, I would get together with some friends to listen and compare our favorite recordings. I always found this to be...
Practicing Creatively At the Piano
As I mentioned in my last post, slow practice is very helpful in many situations to improve listening skills and raise overall awareness...
3 Benefits to Slow Practice
Slow practice should be fun, but why is it met with resistance when teachers discuss this with their students? Surely, anyone who has...