I have been learning piano for the last 1.5 yrs on a second hand piano which is now giving up on me. I want to upgrade to a decent digital piano that can serve me for at least 4-5 years.

My options are Yamaha CLP-735 & Kawai CN201. I have a dilemma because both the pianos are the same price here (~1700 USD). While I have been able to check out the Kawai in person, unfortunately there is no retail store with a display piece of CLP 735.

Kawai CN201 is definitely a massive upgrade on what I currently have but I also know that CLP 735 is actually a premium piano and more comparable to CN301/CA401 (out of my budget) which I liked more & are better than CN201. Does it make sense to go for a piano which is more premium on paper without actually trying on?

I'm only concerned with a good action that can help me up-skill & some decent speakers, dont care much about other features.

Would really appreciate if someone, who has tried both, can share their experience and advise.

Hi, I'm a self taught pianist for 1 year who has a competition soon. Please can anyone give me some advice on how to play the dynamics of nocturne op.9 no.1, and also some areas where people commonly get things wrong? I'd also be happy to hear your different interpretations of the piece.

There's an open house at Stanford (California) where you can try out a reduced width keyboard on Saturday.

https://music.stanford.edu/events/narrow-keyboard-open-house

"Thanks to a grant from the DS Standard Foundation, Stanford Keyboard Studies is researching performance outcomes on various keyboard sizes: the standard 6.5-inch octave, a 6.0-inch octave on a Yamaha C6, and a 5.5-inch octave on a Steinway B.

Our open house offers the public the chance to try these narrow keyboards, as they have the potential to benefit many pianists by reducing injury and enhancing performance possibilities for a wider range of hand sizes."

Hello brothers and sisters, after a long departure from doing sorcery, I am now back again stronger than ever. This video is probably one of my best productions and is made for your enjoyment:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKNKBG2_9h0

Thanks for your support.

Hey guys! I'm planning on entering a competition as a cello/piano duet. The piece requirements are: Under 6 minutes, romantic era composers only. What are some pieces you guys reccomend?

For reference some of the rejected pieces (some of these are for a concerto competition, so no time limit, I added for difficulty reference; a lot of these we were planning for the february comp but then decided on october)

Mendelssohn Cello Sonata no. 2, movement 1: rejected bc too long and I can't learn the piano part in 4 months

Mendelssohn Cello Sonata no. 2, movement 2: rejected bc cello part very difficult

Shostakovich Cello Concerto 1 movement 1: rejected bc too long

Haydn Cello Concerto in C: rejected because not romantic

Saint-Saens Cello Concerto no. 1 in A minor: cellist said it was too fast

I know these are very picky, sorry!

Thanks so much for your help!

Playing piano at church used to bring me joy, but now Its just pressure and self-doubt. I’d love some advice from church musicians or other Christians

I’ve been playing piano at church for ten years now. I’ve always felt that it was God calling me to do this, even though I sometimes have doubts. I learned to play on my own, so I’m entirely self-taught, and I’ve always wished I had someone to guide me. But unfortunately, I don’t have the money—or even the time—to do that.

Outside of church, I’ve never had the opportunity to play in a band, even though I’ve always wanted to. My studies and other responsibilities have made it hard to find the right opportunity.

In recent years, I’ve had some experiences that really impacted me musically, and I’ve lost a lot of confidence, to the point of wanting to quit music altogether.

One thing about being a church musician is that there are a lot of expectations placed on us. This often puts pressure on me, because I don’t want people to think I’m not good enough—but it’s exhausting. Plus, there are so many talented musicians in this environment, it’s hard not to compare yourself to others. I see myself as neither great nor bad; I just try to play what I’m asked and do my best. But today, I can’t really enjoy playing like I used to. I’ve even lost the simple joy of music itself.

There are only two musicians in my church: a drummer and me.

I’m not sure if I’ve explained the situation and my problem well enough, but I would appreciate any advice on dealing with frustration as a church musician, lacking confidence in my abilities, and struggling with comparing myself to others.

Your common self taught problem. Who learned from youtube. I can play ABRSM grade 6 pieces but can barely sight reading grade 1 pieces. I just started learning music theory and how to sight read after 2 years of playing piano pieces copying youtube synthesia videos. How will I improve my technique while improving my sight reading? Do I still learn pieces in my technique range using youtube while learning how to sight read?

I am looking to update my piano to either one of the above mentioned models. I havent been able to try both, but i have tried the clp 745 and ca701. My current piano is a kawai kdp120 for reference. Would I be satisfied with either?

Hello, I got a roland FP-30 with its original mount, I'm having trouble finding a good lamp for it. I have lighting issues in my room and I'd like something specific I could use just the piano.

I'd prefer not to drill any holes my my wall to attach it (i.e. an LED strip or somethig), but adhesives are totally fine.

Does anyone have any suggestions that maybe faced a similar issue?

Thank you very much!

I had started learning piano on a keyboard when I lived at my parents house and noise wasn't much of an issue. I bought an app for 1€ that recognized notes I played and showed me sheet music activities. I found this app helped me a lot.

I have recently moved and now live in a dorm room where I can't really just be playing a keyboard out loud, so I have headphones that plug in. It's a Yamaha 125B so it can't plug into a computer (that I know of) or any other device. What is another great way to learn sight reading for a self-taught beginner like me in your opinion? I found that interactive stuff helps a lot (like the app I used and sadly can't use anymore) but any recommendation would be super appreciated!

Me and my friends are playing Bohemian Rhapsody at a talent show in November next year. I’m on the piano which is exciting. I can’t read notes and I can’t reach octaves with my hands (I’m 16). Any tips on learning and playing the song? I’m using a (real) tutorial on Youtube so that’s fine with me.

Thank you

Hey y'all!

I’ve been working on a local Braj cultural song and am absolutely loving it, but I’m struggling to get the notes just right on the piano. I’ve been trying to figure it out by ear, but it’s been a bit tricky.

If anyone here knows how to play it on the piano, would you mind recording a video showing how to play it? I’d really appreciate any help! Please, I’m dying to get this right.

Here's the link to the song: https://youtu.be/fGqXqbQB5DA?si=xKEwa4PobfXPyH3d

Thank you so much in advance! 🙏✨

Advice for technique, voicing, phrasing, practicing method, performance recording for inspiration (cziffra's is my fav), etc. are welcome!

P. S. I'm in the getting up to performance tempo and polishing phase.

I have attended Sonata adult piano camp in Bennington Vermont several times. I love everything about it. Except that it takes me a long time to travel there from the west coast.

I have been reading about Icicle Creek adult piano retreats in Leavenworth, which would be much easier for me to attend.

I would love to hear from anybody — particularly intermediate players — who have attended both camps and can offer comparisons of the two experiences. Anybody out there?

Thanks!

I just finished a Chopin waltz in A minor B150 and I'm thinking a nocturne in e-flat major is next, Is it a right choice?

We're having a Christmas party and I, an intermediate pianist, would love to play Christmas carols that people can sing along with. I especially like it if the voices are divided into harmonies. What books of arrangements do you know?

• Sonata in A K331
• Sonata in F K332
• Sonata in C Minor K457

Hey everyone, I used to play piano about 5 years ago to a classical diploma level. I moved states and have been busy at university so stopped playing recently. I am looking to buy something to have in my apartment to get back into playing, I would be wanting to play mostly classical music. I am still a student so don't have a large budget. I have found a Rolan FP30 cheap secondhand and am just wondering if this would be recommended?

I’m an intermediate piano player and practice daily. Soon, I'll be away for a long time, only returning home every week or two. I want a very portable piano—like the kids’ toy but better. I like the PocketPiano, but it's not an option and also too expensive. The ones on AliExpress seem crappy, so I'm looking for a decent alternative for a good price.

Im pretty decent at playing the piano, of course not when you compare me to pros but I sound ok. One thing I always wanted to do was improvise and play what I feel for however long I wanted to. But I can’t and I don’t know how to start. I can think of melodies and stuff like that but it just doesn’t translate well on the piano. I play notes that don’t fight the scale, I have zero clue of chord progressions etc. basically I don’t know a single thing about music theory.

How do I start improvising well?

Hi all, I am looking to purchase my first keyboard after 3 years of experience on guitar. I am torn between 3 options.

-Roland FP-10 -Yamaha P-45 -Alesis Recital Pro

All have 88 keys and different features. Leaning more towards roland or alesis here because I feel like I can do more with them than with the Yamaha which is a bit too classic for me. Any personal opinions regarding which one would be best for me? Looking to play all sorts of music and often using the midi abilities of the keyboards as well. Thanks!