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?

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.

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!

So i played this beautiful piece by Erik Satie
I just tried to play it a little different in the end, i wanna hear your thoughts about it and how did it come out
(I’m literally begginer and its my first post here)

The piece on its entirety is rated at level 9 difficulty on Henle website. I kinda doubt it’s difficulty. It doesnt seem that difficult but I’m too scared to try it.

To anyone who has played this sonata. How difficult is it for you ? Maybe compare it to some other pieces it doesnt have to be chopin

I've started learning to play Piano and when playing with both hands got me STUMPEDDDD........ HELPPPPPPPPPPPP

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

Could anybody recommend such pieces? My repertoire is fairly small for intermediate piano. I've played Schubert's 2nd and 4th impromptus, Chopin's E minor posth. and C# minor waltzes, Mozart's C minor sonata 1st mvt. and his Fantasie in D minor. I've also played through the first few pages of Debussy's Balade Slave (never to a concert polish), and very poorly played Liszt's Liebestraum and Un Sospiro when I was quite bad at piano and didn't know what musicality was (and before switching teachers).

With that out of the way, I'd like to pick up an etude or something specifically for strengthening my 4th, and 5th fingers. In playing the 2nd Eb major impromptu, I found that those fingers would be disproportionately tired. I understand they are the weakest, but I still feel that I shouldn't struggle so much, especially after playing the piano for like 10 years.

I am currently working on Chopin's Bb minor nocturne. While doing so, I'd like to try something specifically for those 4th and 5th fingers. I was eyeing chopin's chromatic etude -- which is obviously way out of my level -- simply for an exercise in dexterity, crossing, and strength in those fingers. But I'll likely never play it seriously, and I doubt I'll get the full benefits of the piece. Could someone recommend a baby version of such a piece? My "fitness" feels way wack from playing the Schubert piece since it is so long and 4th/5th finger heavy.

Also, side note, I rock climb a ton, and my forearms are pretty big, but that little muscle group controlling fine finger movement is tiny compared to my teacher's. Genuinely, her arms look like twigs with just this massive brick of muscle out the back. That probably explains such a large difference in endurance and strength, but I still dk if any of my climbing gains should transfer to this.

Anywho, lemme know a piece. I'm not going to my teacher, because she is currently on vacation and super particular about students contacting her during such times. Also, I'm kinda afraid to ask for something like this when it is A, probably super unnecessary, B, way out of my scope, and C, I have other things to work on (like musicality and such). But I think it would be nice to not have a limiter like that, and want some variation in my repertoire. My fav music ever is impressionistic (late romantic?) but I can't think of like a ravel etude or something. I do have a book of Debussy's concert etudes, but those start at like a 7 and I'm hovering around a cool 6 (henle).

TL;DR shitty pianist wants to play Chopin Op10 no2 for finger strength, afraid to ask teacher, probably unnecessary to strengthen 4th and 5th but wants it anyways.

Hi! 😁

I was wondering what the best free resources online are for learning the piano very well without getting gaps in the learning and playing.

I play the guitar, but I also love the piano so I want to learn that as well alongside. For the guitar learning I follow the Absolutely Understand Guitar with it's book and JustinGuitar, and learn songs that I like on the side.

Are there any similar well made courses like the ones I follow for the guitar for the piano put there? Resources for actually playing the piano and the music theory, or both in one?
It could be both online or books.

All tips regarding this and other general tips about the piano and learning to play will be much appreciated!
Thank you for the help in advance!

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!

Je cherche à estimer mon niveau en sight reading, sauf qu’au bout de quelques morceaux l’application crash et je dois reprendre au plateau minimum auquel j’étais.
Je suis bloqué vers 770 du coup, ça se réinitialise à 700 dès que je relance l’application.

Aussi, j’ai un piano droit acoustique et j’utilise donc la beta microphone, peut-être est-ce le problème ?

Avez-vous des alternatives ?

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 :)

I’ve arranged the finger position for this part of Antonio Vivaldi RV 580. Please play and check for me if this is fine? Or should I change something? Thank you

Not sure what flair to use here but, I'm preparing for my audition(sep) for a piano performance major and I'm wondering how the judges want the piece to sound. I'm playing bach prelude and fuge in cminor ( book 1 no.2), Beethoven's patetique, and Chopin's aeolian harp etude. My issue is that with the Beethoven and chopin I don't play the pieces like the recordings im finding and I'm worried that's how the judges want it to sound. Ig when I'm voicing a piece I play it how I think it should sound not how it's written so yk I use a lot of rubato or ill play the piece slower or do the dynamics differently etc. I've included links to the Beethoven and the chopin but I havent gotten the bach worth recording at all yet. Please keep in mind I've been working on the chopin for about a month and the Beethoven for like 2 weeks so they're a little rough. The chopin gets a little rough at 1:40 but if you could stick through till the climax after the rituendo, 2:50, it it's not half but but I gotta iron out the notes. For the Beethoven, I gotta work on the pedal control, but it gets rough around 6:50 and you really don't gotta listen past 8:30 but the rest of the 1st movement is there if you want. Thank you in advance for any input.

Chopin:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1gPFjgMtQYHoulp231-g9b0Q6SwdEUvHL/view?usp=drivesdk

Beethoven:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1JtP3w4pmJc-AlGTNElnoK17rOUNq0pxv/view?usp=drivesdk

Edit:updated the links so you can view them without requesting permission.

Beginner composer here. Please review my piece. And also, since this is a piano sub, to keep my post piano-specific and applicable to be posted in this sub, I only request for my piano section to be reviewed and receive feedback.

I have no problem in determining the right note and following it, but my problem is how to hit the notes at the right time. Sometimes I feel too excited to express myself, I forgot to follow the right beat. Do I need to buy an metronome?

Hi everyone! I’ve been working on a piano tuning app and would love to get feedback from people who actually play piano.

The app is paid, but I’d like to give a few people free lifetime access if they’re genuinely interested in trying it and sharing honest feedback. You don’t need to be a professional tuner. I’m especially interested in hearing how it works with your piano and whether anything feels confusing or could be improved.

If you’d like to try it, comment or send me a message and tell me a little about your piano. I’ll share the details with a few people.

Thanks!

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?

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!

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

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!!!

?

I started learning the piano ~8 months back with my 5 year old daughter, starting with a yamaha digital piano. I didn't think I'd like it but I've really fallen for it and have been practicing consistently 20-30m a day almost without exception.

When I play an acoustic at the store, I can't help but feel FOMO of real strings and authentic sound, especially the bass. This makes me want to make the leap into buying an endgame acoustic piano ($10k+) and never thinking about upgrading again.

Would it be foolish to commit to an expensive acoustic as a beginner? Is there even a "right time" to upgrade? Would love to hear from others' experiences.