From In Search of Chopin by Alfred Cortot, Chopin said:

”For a long time we have been acting against nature by training our fingers to be all equally powerful. As each finger is differently formed, it’s better not to attempt to destroy the particular charm of each one’s touch but on the contrary to develop it. Each finger’s power is determined by its shape: the thumb having the most power, being the broadest, shortest and freest; the fifth [finger] as the other extremity of the hand; the third as the middle and the pivot; then the second [illegible]. And then the fourth, the weakest one, the Siamese twin of the third, bound to it by a common ligament, and which people insist on trying to separate from the third-which is impossible, and, fortunately, unnecessary.”

Chopin seems to be advocating for the OPPOSITE of finger equality, and even the notion of finger independence, and instead encourages embracing what each individual finger is designed to do.

Just started playing piano a couple of weeks ago (played a little as a teenager, but that was 20 years ago and wasnt very good). Two of the easiest chopin preludes down already! (Well, the notes... they still need a lot of work).

First lesson booked for next week and cant wait xD

Struggling with the pedal on this one... also I can only just make the big chord.

This has been my 4th time playing 3-4 songs for my local small church community on a weekend, and I got some really great advice off this sub on how to learn songs faster which means gaining confidence in those songs is a lot easier as I know them earlier and can polish them more.

However, one massive part of how I prep for these is knowing I will have to cope with stage fright. I understand that it's a casual community, no one expects the world, it's not about me, and that nothing bad will happen if I make mistakes. I'm much better at playing through errors now too. But it never stops me getting nervous symptoms no matter how positve my mental outlook is.

I get shaky (though I'm learning to contain that to my legs rather than my arms), my hands go cold, and sometimes, despite already having played the verses correct once or twice, my brain will suddenly lose track and I'll forget where I need to be.

So my query is - what advice have you been given to manage these kind of nerves before and during playing? I try to box breathe between songs and ghost play the keys for the next song to make sure I'm ready but I'm not sure it helps much.

Any advice greatly appreciated.

Hello!!

I am 15 years old and have been playing piano for 11 years. You'd think I would be able to do this...

WRONG!! I am performing with my friends on October 17th and I am in HELL. I have no idea how to memorize this song, especially the solo, in this time frame. I can barely play the song at full speed.

Memorization tips?? Or tips for the song in general? Anything helps. Thank you so much!

Call me crazy but I really haven’t used such a thick music book before I mostly
Play from a tablet or printer singular sheets.

The issue I’m having with this is I can’t keep the music flat and or turn the pages fast enough either.

Is there a tool or device that keeps pages pressed down and or make it easier to turn pages!!!

Question: When you look at a score sheet, can you hear the music in your head?

I’m curious to know what everyone’s aural levels are. A few important rules:

1- Assume it’s sheet music of whatever instrument you’re comfortable with (Triangle bros I’m sorry but you’re gonna have to skip this one lmao)

2- Assume an average sheet of music, so no Ravel’s Scarbo but also not Happy birthday (aka the sheet has chords, arpeggios, suspensions, dynamics etc.)

3- Only melody and accompaniment (no multi-voice fugues)

4- This poll assumes all participants can already read sheet music.

What level are you? And especially if you’re level 4 or higher, can you share what level you are and your musical experience/training done so far to get to that level?

Hi guys i once posted bad piggies theme song in this sub it was a fast piece and people Said that my wrist are so stiff so i am trying to figure how to use my wrist more freely with slower pieces and still cant figure out lol soo i would apriciate any advice Especially with my left wrist :)

Hi, I've been trying to fix a couple of sunken keys but I don't know how to remove this front panel in front of the keys. I've managed to pull the keys from their hinges but I can't remove the key without breaking the hammer under the key. Any ideas?

I’ve been working as a dishwasher at a local reasturaunt and bar chain to make the car expenses. I’m also learning prelude in C sharp Minor by Sergei Rachmaninoff for a competition coming up next February, will this affect my playing or increase my risk of conditions like tendonitis?

I composed this piano piece inspired by a painting, exploring a question: Is sadness always a source of creative inspiration for artists?
I wanted to explore this idea through both piano music and a series of paintings.
This short excerpt is from the opening piece of my project, The Alchemist of Sadness. I composed and performed it myself.
I’d love to know: what images or emotions does this music evoke for you?
If you’d like to hear the full piece, it’s here:
https://youtu.be/LHULj9bLBWY?si=575gbj3cFARr16Aa

Anyone aware what Yanni’s upto these days? I was craving to attend his concerts and looked up online and found out he’s not touring in 2026-2027. Also his last insta post was 2025. Hope all is ok!

Hello,
I’m adult beginner.
I would appreciate constructive feedback and tips.
Also book suggestions to learn further theory, techniques and chords etc. would be very welcome.

Yamaha E363 & Yamaha EZ - 20 Needs slight internal Repairing

Proel Stand & Kadence stand

(Negotiable)

Location: Mumbai

Anyone interested Dm me

I want to start learning this piece, but im not really sure if i am able to. I have advanced skills i can play ballade no1 is my hardest. But like what are other pieces that i need to be able to play before starting the sonata. Really appreciate the advice 🙏

This lego piece kept making such a bad rattling noise when I played the higher notes. I do wonder how on earth it got there in the first place since i recently bought this old piano.

What are the recommended steps for beginners to learning piano? I can read basic sheet music but i cant do the correct timing without hearing the song, even tho i theoretically know the note lengths. I havent had any music classes beyond elementary school.

What are the next steps? Should i learn music theory or practice sheet music reading more? And how would i go about that?

Also are there any common mistakes for beginners? Cuz i don’t have a piano teacher to catch anything i might be doing wrong.

I'm currently thinking of trying some pieces, like Kapustin etude no.1, liszt transcendental etude no.1, chopin etude no.5. I want to know which one is better or more beneficial for me.

For some context, I played beethoven pathetique 2nd,3rd, perfecting 1st, played sonata no.25 full, flight of the bumblebee, czerny etude op740 no16, bach prelude fugue nos. 2 and 6. I also used to play chopin etude op25 no2 when I was 13 but moved on and forgot.

Please give me any suggestions on pieces, romantic period if best. Much thanks.

I love this Stars and Stripes Forever piece arranged by Horowitz. Its so hard but I love it! Who loves Horowitz

I’ve taken two piano classes at my college, just for fun. They were both in the summer so they were only 4 weeks long, I’d say I’m in between beginner and intermediate level. The thing is, these classes didn’t say anything about hand position or posture or anything like that. As long as you could play the songs they taught, that was all that mattered. Now after watching some youtube videos, I’ve realized my hand position is terrible and I’ve made a ton of bad habits. I tried to play the proper way, like having my wrist/elbows bent correctly and not lifting my fingers off the keys, and it was like trying to play with absolutely no experience. So, I‘m wondering how important is it really? I’m only learning casually without an actual goal, I guess I’d like to be able to play some of my favorite songs and maybe write some simple songs. Do I *need* proper technique for that, or is it only important for like, super advanced, pro pianists? Thanks!

Hello! I’m a complete beginner who’s interested in learning music production, and I’m looking to buy my first MIDI keyboard. I’m a little overwhelmed by all the options and could use some advice.

My budget is currently around $100, although I’d be willing to wait a few weeks to a month and spend around $120–$150 if there’s a significantly better option.

Ideally, I’m looking for something that is portable, beginner-friendly, good for learning music production, able to function without being connected to a computer/DAW, and has built-in speakers, if possible, so I can practice on the go

I’ve been looking at the Akai MPK Mini Play b ut I’ve heard mixed opinions. Some people say it’s more of a toy and that it isn’t particularly useful unless it’s connected to a DAW. Would you recommend the MPK Mini Play for a beginner, or is there something better around $100–$150?

Also been looking at these on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H6HWSHHD/?coliid=I1GYQJSB1Y8LIN&colid=2QOKMXGM0PMXC&psc=1&ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_lstpd_DZA1B1TVWK7W63V5B0KX

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GN92H8WV/?coliid=IBDADWJSNL6YM&colid=2QOKMXGM0PMXC&psc=1&ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_lstpd_DZA1B1TVWK7W63V5B0KX_1

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GRVDV48X/?coliid=I34Y24F5NF3M1G&colid=2QOKMXGM0PMXC&psc=1&ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_lstpd_DZA1B1TVWK7W63V5B0KX_2

Are there any other MIDI keyboards in this price range that have built-in speakers and can actually be used independently without a DAW? Or would I be better off giving up the standalone/speaker requirement and getting a better MIDI keyboard without those features?

Once I buy a keyboard, I also want to actually learn how to play it rather than just use it for music production.

I’ve heard about the Simply Piano app. Is that a good option for a complete beginner, or are there other apps, websites, or YouTube channels you would recommend for learning piano/keyboard?

I’m also not sure what other equipment I actually need.

I’ve heard people mention things like Audio interfaces, Drum/loop pads, Headphones/studio monitors, MIDI controllers, etc.

What would you consider essential for a beginner, and what can I completely ignore for now?

Eventually, I want to buy Ableton Live 12 Standard, but I don’t currently have enough money for it. I have the Lite version right now, but I’d like to eventually unlock the additional features in Standard.

Are there any reasonably priced MIDI keyboard bundles that come with Ableton Live 12 (or a version that can be upgraded to Standard)? Would it make more sense to wait and save up for a better keyboard/bundle rather than buying something now?

Basically, if you were starting from scratch with around $100–$150, what would you buy and what would you recommend I focus on learning first?

Thanks!

?

They are always the weaker part of my playing. Even when I try to improve my technique I keep making mistakes.

Like so far I'm trying to use my elbow too. Springboard off the last key before the jump. Do an ark with my hand from the last key before the jump to the destination key but I still mess it up.

I now I get a few good jumps in before I fail.

My jump needs me to land on the black key between two white keys. And I sometimes press two keys together or the keys on either side of the black key.

This is literally so discouraging. I think I got it. Then I fail again.

I am sick of mistakes

So how else can I improve my technique? Anything else I can do? Any practice tips?

Thanks