lessons

A collection of 115 posts

tips

10 Tips for Singing and Playing an Instrument at the Same Time

So you know how to play an instrument, and you know how to sing. But doing them at the same time can get tricky. Suddenly, your guitar picking isn’t as clean, or your left and right hands are out of sync on the piano, or you can’t do

tips

How to Get Started Playing Ukulele

If you need more music in your life, and you probably do, get a ukulele or dust off the one sitting on your shelf and start playing! Playing the ukulele is so fun and satisfying, and it’s simpler than you think. If you’re trained in another area of

tips

Practice, Practice, Practice: How to Keep Yourself Motivated While Learning an Instrument

Learn how to keep yourself motivated while learning a new instrument or just practicing on one you’ve mastered. No matter the skill level, practice is vital.

OMG

3 Secret Skills Musicians (Probably) Didn’t Even Know They Had

When you think of the skills that musicians have, you might think of something like excellent eye-hand coordination, a natural ability to hear and reproduce pitch, or the confidence to perform in front of large crowds. After all, these are skills musicians regularly use to hone their craft. But

tips

What Do the 3 Pedals on a Piano Do?

One of the first questions people ask when they’re new to the piano is, “What do the pedals do?” It’s a great question!

Music Theory

Note Beaming and Grouping in Music Theory

Not only are we going to cover how to beam notes together, but we’re going to dive into how to group those beamed notes and rhythms depending on the time signature!

Music Theory

What Are Neapolitan Chords in Music Theory?

Read our guide on neapolitan chords in music theory, what they mean, functions, contexts, and samples to help you better understand and apply them.

tips

20 Piano Classics Every Student Should Learn

If you're looking for some piano classics to learn or to help a student learn, you'll want to check out this list of 20 popular piano pieces that every pianist should have on their bucket list!

Music Theory

An Introductory Guide to Secondary Dominant Chords: Definition and Application

Read our guide on secondary dominant chords detailing theory and applications in your musical journey. Add to your musical toolbelt today.

tips

11 Reasons Students Quit Piano Lessons: How Parents and Teachers Can Help

Students come and go from piano lessons all the time. Sometimes it’s just time for the student to move on because priorities have shifted, or because they feel like they have accomplished what they wanted from piano lessons. Unfortunately, there are many scenarios where a student leaves their piano

tips

11 Tips for Playing Piano Duets

Playing piano duets is so much fun! It’s exciting to put two different parts of music together to make one cohesive piece. Duets create a rich and fulfilling sound on the piano because you can maximize the full range of the piano. Plus, it’s a wonderful experience to

easter

50+ Powerful Worship Songs for Easter

Though Easter comes only once a year, many of the songs we sing on Easter Sunday are sung year-round. We’ve put together a list of over 50 of our favorite Easter songs for you to enjoy on Easter Sunday and every day!

Music Theory

4 Ways to Identify Major and Minor Keys

Here are four methods to help you figure out if you're in a major or minor key!

Music Theory

Roman Numeral Analysis in Music

If you ever find yourself in a music theory course, you will inevitably come across Roman numeral analysis. Check out this article to learn more!

tips

Piano Posture: Stay Injury Free with These Tips

Without the right piano posture, we can strain our bodies to the point of pain. Being mindful of posture can alleviate and prevent years of discomfort.

tips

The Power of Pop Music in Piano Lessons

The Power of Pop Music in Piano Lessons by Jennifer Eklund In the piano teaching world, pop music is often referred to as the dessert portion of a student’s musical menu, with more traditional pieces from the Western classical canon holding more nutritional value. I often hear teachers in

Music Theory

The Basics of Music Intervals: Train Your Ear with These Easy Songs

We'll help you train your ear with songs like "The Jaws Theme," "Greensleeves," and more.

Music Theory

Key Signature Guide: Memorization Tips & Charts

In our key signature guide, learn these easy memorization tips for major and minor keys, as well as key signature charts for reference.

tips

Music Promotion 101: How to Promote Your Music on Social Media

Marketing your music in today’s world of content overload can seem incredibly intimidating. How can you stand out? Better yet, how can you make a living? The truth is, there is a lot you can do, and it will be up to you to choose just how much or how little you want to take on. […]

tips

Expand Your Vocal Range with These 10 Simple Tips

We’ve put together 10 tips to help you improve and expand your vocal range while still protecting those precious vocal cords!

tips

10 Essential Tips for Piano Accompanists

As a pianist, collaborating with other musicians is a fantastic experience. It will improve your piano playing skills immensely, and it will expose you to new music and new techniques. Not to mention, it’s a lot of fun to work with other musicians towards a common goal. In many

OMG

10 Easy Sad Songs to Play on Piano

Sadness doesn’t have to be detrimental to the person experiencing it. In fact, playing sad piano songs can be quite cathartic and oddly pleasurable.

tips

Playing by Ear: 5 Reasons Why Reading Sheet Music Is Still Important

Musicians who play by ear are rarer than you’d think. While singers only ever sing one note at a time, instrumentalists must figure out chords and complex rhythms, which requires a very gifted ear. Of course, a few chosen musicians are blessed with perfect pitch, which makes figuring out

tips

Is It Too Late to Learn (Or Relearn) the Piano?

Have you always wanted to play the piano? Or, did you take lessons as a kid and wish you had stuck with it? Many of us are mesmerized by watching a pianist’s graceful hands whisk around the keys. The sound of the piano is universally loved because of its

tips

8 Tips for Getting Started as a Freelance Musician

In this article, we’re going to give you eight tips to help get you started as a freelance musician.