Summertime: The Song Everyone Loves to Hear
There are songs we enjoy, songs we admire, and then there are songs that seem to belong to everyone. Songs that slip under the skin,…
Public Pianos and the Romance of Train Travel
This year marks a very special anniversary. It’s 200 years since the first passengers boarded a train. Back in 1825, the Stockton and Darlington Railway…
When Animals Meet the Piano
It is said that music is the universal language. But what happens when the players are not human at all? From cats padding across keys…
When The Piano Played The Picture: A Salute To Silent‑Era Cinema Pianists
Step back to an era before dialogue crackled from speakers—when cinemas around the world hired live pianists to breathe emotional life into silent images flickering…
The Frozen Piano: Music At The End Of The Earth
Walk into a hut on the edge of Antarctica’s Ross Island, and you will find a keyboard-phantom. It sits in the cold, battered by more…
Moonlight Sonata: Beethoven’s Midnight Masterpiece
Some pieces of music seem to exist outside of time. They sound just as fresh today as when they were first written, and they seem…
The Best Jazz Piano Books for Beginners and Intermediate Players
Want to Learn Jazz Piano? Start with These Tried-and-Tested Books If you’re searching for the best way to learn jazz piano—whether you’re a complete beginner…
How to Get Better at Piano Fast: The Power of Repetitive Practice
If you want to learn piano or just get better, there’s one golden rule you need to remember: The quickest way to improve your piano…
Keyboard or Piano? What’s Best for You?
When it comes to choosing between a digital keyboard and an acoustic piano, it’s not just about budget or space. It’s about how you want…
We’ll Always Have Paris – How a Piano Shaped the Heart of Casablanca
Part Two of “Play It Again, Sam? The Real Story Behind Casablanca’s Most Iconic Song” Curious about the famous line? Read the companion post: “Play…
Play It Again, Sam? The Real Story Behind Casablanca’s Most Iconic Song
You’ve heard the line. Everyone has. “Play it again, Sam.” Except—it was never said in the movie. Not once. Still, Casablanca boasts one of the…
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The Piano Has Been Drinking
In 1976, the gravel-voiced American singer-songwriter Tom Waits unveiled one of his strangest and most memorable songs: The Piano Has Been Drinking (Not Me). It…
Who Has Inspired the Most Songs? The Surprising Answer
For pianists who want to combine their playing with singing, the repertoire is practically endless. Tens of thousands of songs, across a wide range of…
Women at the Piano: Talent, Barriers, and Breakthroughs
For centuries the piano has been a testing ground for brilliance. Its 88 keys offered endless possibilities, but not always equal opportunities. Many women pianists…
George Michael, John Lennon’s Imagine Piano, and the Journey of Peace
Some pianos hold more than melodies; they hold history. Few capture this as powerfully as the modest walnut-finished Steinway upright on which John Lennon composed…
The Great Piano Hoax: Joyce Hatto, William Barrington-Coupe, and the Biggest Fraud in Classical Music
In the long history of the piano, there have been prodigies, virtuosos, and visionaries. But there has also been one of the strangest scandals the…
The Brill Building : How Carole King’s Piano Helped Shape Pop History
Carole King’s Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow is now regarded as a classic, forever tied to her piano, her voice, and her moving performance…
Erik Satie: The Eccentric Genius Who Changed Music Forever
A Composer You Already Know If you’ve ever heard the haunting, dreamlike notes of Gymnopédie No.1, you’ve already met Erik Satie — whether you realised…
Beginner Keyboard Setup: What to Buy (and How to Set It Up Right)
The Short Answer: Minimum Spec Checklist Keys: At least 61 full-size keys (88 is best; 76 is a solid compromise). Touch Sensitivity: Non‑negotiable. If it…
Why Your Brain Loves Rewards (And What That Means for Practice, Learning & Motivation)
Why Some People Don’t Get Chills From Music (And Why That Matters for Learning) Most of us have had that moment where a song hits…
The Magic of Singer-Pianists – When the Voice Meets the Keys
There’s something special about a person who can sit at a piano, open their mouth, and suddenly the whole room stops talking. It’s not about…
Keys to the Game: How the Piano Found Its Place in Super Bowl History
Every February, the Super Bowl explodes onto screens with music, fireworks, and football drama. And while guitars, dancers, and fireworks grab headlines, the piano has…
Psychological Flexibility: The Invisible Pedal in Piano Learning – with Practical Exercises
Some people think learning the piano is all about talent, patience, and a few hours of practice each week. I’d argue it’s more about… psychological…
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