Hi everyone! I'm sure others who have done this agree. I've been playing piano for five years, and I passed the prescreening round at Mannes and Manhattan School of Music. I didn't apply to other conservatories, just universities. I will audition in person in about a month, but my practice is inconsistent.
I practiced for four focused hours yesterday, but I could only manage about twenty minutes today, worrying me. Do you have any advice on how to get through this month with practice? I'm worrying myself too much, and I will not be successful.

How many BPM would you say it sounds best at?

I've always loved the sound of piano and how easy (other people) say it is to learn, and I would really love to play songs on it. But there are some things that would probably stop me from doing so. Please look at the list and advise me if I should!

Why I want to

• It sounds flipping awesome
• I get to learn an instrument
• I can impress my friends and girls

Why I probably can't

• I've already tried learning an instrument before (violin) before and failed
• I don't have a keyboard nor an actual piano
• People I know who play the piano have been playing since childhood and are amazing but I can only start now
• I don't want my friends to think I'm lame for skipping hanging out to practice an instrument

Considering both sides I would still really love to play piano, and people say the best time was yesterday but the second best time is now. If you do end up responding (yay) then please share how fast you learned to play songs/recognize the keys and stuff. I don't know, just share your progression!

Thank you all!

I used the free version just now and i learned a song in 20 min I wanted to keep going but it asked me to pay its not that expensive but i was just wondering if it was worth it.

To summarize, I've been playing piano on my own for a year and a half without sheet music and with a somewhat random technique using Synthesia. Then, I’ve been taking lessons for two years. In my repertoire, I have several pieces like the Prelude in F minor by Bach, some of Bach's inventions (13, 8, and 4), Arabesque 1, some Chopin waltzes and his nocturne in c sharp minor, the mozart sonata facile and other pieces small etudes I’ve forgotten. I asked my teacher if it would be okay to learn 'Clair de Lune' by Debussy, but he implied that it’s quite difficult. He didn’t refuse me, but I interpreted that as a sign that he thinks it's still too early for me. He also thinks that the Waltz in C-sharp minor by Chopin or the Minute Waltz are still too advanced.

I totally understand his reasoning because there’s something I really dislike: spending too much time learning a piece that would be too difficult for me, when I could progress faster with simpler pieces. However, I've been following , a girl I saw on Instagram who started playing piano 3 years ago. straight with a teacher In her repertoire, she has pieces like Chopin’s Nocturne in C-sharp minor, Schubert’s Standchen, probably the beginning of the schubert impromptu in E flat major (I don't think she learnt the whole piece) and some pop songs or anime songs. And recently she jumped straight to Clair de Lune, for maybe 1 or 2 months and now she plays it with a surprisingly good quality. So i kinda feel jealous that her teacher probably gave her the green light to play this piece, while I'm still not recommended to play it yet. I know clair de lune even after 3 years is too early but I don't understand how the girl I've been following managed to play this piece, right after learning nocturne in c sharp minor, or other pieces she played, so it tempts me to learn too XD

I could definitely learn 'Clair de Lune because this piece is really tempting' on my own, but I don’t like the idea of learning a piece my teacher has advised against. Also, I know someone who started learning piano by themselves two years ago, and they jumped straight into the Waltz in C-sharp minor by Chopin, and they play it quite well. So now I’m wondering if my teacher is underestimating me or if he’s right to hold me back? On the other hand, I do have the green light to learn the cheerful Haydn's Sonata in D major,, and the Prelude in C minor from the first volume of Bach’s Well-Tempered Clavier.

So, do you think my teacher is right? Should I listen to him, or what’s going on?

Hey there!

I have a slight problem. About a couple of years ago I went through a really bad time struggling with burnout with piano. I was college trained, and my professor wanted me to go on, but I mentally could not.

There is a concerto competition coming up in the fall and my friend wants me to try to compete in it, and I have time since it is still the spring. He claims that these judges like "flashy" concerti, but I am having trouble looking for a concerto that is flashy (in the sense that it could appeal to the judges) and is realistic for someone who has been out of practice for a minute.

I understand that if I play a simple concerto or a slower concerto really well that it should wow the judges equally but just given the vibe of the size of the competition, I do not really trust the judges (I do not know them either.)

Thanks!

Hello pianists. I'm hoping to get some opinions from those who may know these instruments (and instrument families) well. I'm replacing an aging Clavinova CLP-665GP (the higher end, grand-piano model of that series) for a house of worship.

I don't need the large footprint of the grand and don't use onboard speakers. The first thought was just to get something like the newer Clavinova CLP-885 or the CLP-785. But I was wondering how that Clavinova series compares to to the CP88. There's obviously a big price difference, but how much of that is target market, speakers, cabinet, etc.?

The piano sounds and feel are at the top of the list, but I do sometimes use the Piano/EP/Bass split (which the current 665GP does well) and would like a half decent set of classical organs (which the current 665GP does NOT do well).

I understand the Clavinovas are designed to be a pretty replacement for a piano in a home and the CP88 is designed for a stage piano. Any opinions from those who have either or both instruments? Budget isn't really a big issue here and I'm happy to entertain other models or brands. Thanks for the input.

I've been playing piano for decades (at skilled amateur level, not professional level).

There are two pieces I can play from memory that I learned in my early teens - an easy version of the Ukrainian Bell Carol and an intermediate version of Pachelbel's Canon.

I've searched and searched - in my own files and online - but I can't find the sheet music for the versions I learned

My 15 year old son has been playing for a year. I want to write these pieces down both for him and for me.

My problem is I have no idea how. Sure, I have blank manuscript paper, and since the version of UBC that I remember was only 2 pages, I can probably write it over the course of several hours, a couple pencils, and several erasers, but PC is a bit more daunting. Plus that gives me just one copy that I'll have to REcopy to make neat, and it seems there must be an easier way.

I have literally no experience writing or transcribing music using software. Is there anything that's really user friendly? That will let me copy measures (since the LH in PC is identical for so much of the piece, as is the RH in UBC). Inexpensive is also a plus - I'm literally only going to use it to write what's in my head, it doesn't even need to play it back for me.

Already tried to download yamaha usb midi driver. but keep showing error 25001. The USB light don't turn on. anybody knows what can i do?

Many years ago I read a delightful book about a mid-life decision to learn piano, Piano Lessons, by Noah Adams. I find myself following in his footsteps, including last fall attending the Sonata Piano Camp in Old Bennington, VT, about which he writes with great warmth & humor. Sonata Sessions in the Fall and Spring are for adults; summer camps are held for kids from 7 - 17. Its claim to welcome all ability levels is absolutely true and its teachers are amazing. They also offer remote master classes and focused courses. Should you or any random child you know be looking for a fun and inspirational experience, consider Piano Camp.

Hello r/piano, I've planned to take the ARSM diploma sometime at the end of this year, but as I am a self-taught pianist I don't have a teacher that could provide feedback on my programme, so I'd like some feedback on what I've come up with so far:

• Ludwig van Beethoven – Rondo a Capriccio in G major, Op. 129, “Rage Over a Lost Penny”
• Frédéric Chopin – Étude Op. 25, No. 2 in F minor
• Maurice Ravel – Sonatine (complete)
• Claude Debussy – Suite bergamasque, L. 75: IV. Passepied
• Nikolai Kapustin – Variations, Op. 41 “Big Band Sounds”

Total ~ 28 mins of playtime. I know it’s missing more classical and Baroque pieces, but I’m not really a fan of that. I was hoping the first two pieces would serve as a good enough substitute for showcasing technical ability.

Any feedback is greatly appreciated, thank you!

I'm into Nils Frahm, Olafur Arnaldson, Peter Broderick. I like playing their music when I can't find score.

Problem is this type of music most of the time is too repetitive, dumbed-down. It's like everyone is trying to imitate the same song from Ludovico Einaudi (which I hate) over and over in different keys. Not even fun to play/practice sight-reading.

Am I looking the wrong way? Isn't there contemporary music for solo piano that's more rich than just repeating chords? I google "neoclassical" (not entirely sure of what this means) and most of the time is just it.

Example of cool neoclassical I found: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cjruIDi3eIM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OSbuGCYNMPE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DCG0MVfpR6Y

Example of the thing I don't want: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9R1vOdO0Gwk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iv0c7eKxPZI

There's an open mic near me, and I want to bring in a keyboard/digital piano to play. Something that's light and I can actually fit into my car without too much hassle.

However I haven't been able to find anything meant for transporting that doesn't have chintzy-feeling keys that never feel quite right.
Is there anything out there that's actually worth getting?

Do firmer actions help beginners develop better technique?

My mom told me a story that when I started as a small kid, my piano teacher visited our house to check that our piano had a firm action. It was a relatively young Yamaha grand and so it was not super light, and i guess she was satisfied. I grew up on it so I'm used to it this type of feel. Since playing other pianos, I've experienced much lighter actions and, generally, every digital I've touched has had what I consider to be a light action.

Fast forward to today and I'm watching videos of beginners ripping off sequences with technique that will not last them a lifetime. Most of its digital because it's much more affordable than an acoustic. I'm wondering if there's a connection and some wisdom here. Basically, a player will not last on a firmer action with poor technique because of fatigue and using the wrong muscles. To be sure, the same can happen on a light action, but I think it will go much quicker with a heavier touch.

Do you all think that a firmer action can help beginners develop better technique?

Hi, I played for 1-2 years and then stopped for almost 5 years. Now I've picked music up again but I am not sure if I am jumping in difficulty too much.

As a challenge the first song I've tried to learn was the Interstellar soundtrack, and I managed to learn most of it, and the part I've not learned is because of a lack of motivation.

Now after I am happy with that, I started learning Merry go round of life, which is soon much harder. I think I can learn it giving enough time, but is it worth it?

I am thinking maybe I should step back and learn something easier, but at the same time I belive I am able to learn it.

So what should I do?

Edit: Arrangements are: Interstellar: Lorien Orion MGROL: Torby Brand

TLDR: I Don't know if I should keep learning a very hard song even if I belive I can do it or step back on something easier

Thanks

Hi. This is my first post from South Korea. I am amateur, love classical music, and have some experience with the piano.

For two years, I studied some Beethoven's piano sonatas-No.3, No.8, No.11, No.21, No.23, and No.26.

After these years, I finally realised that I need to practice to make good sounds!

So I'm currently studying Chopin's Etudes, and I've finished Op.10 No.1, No.4 and No.12.

At the same time, I just thought it would be a good idea to study some Bach's music, as some of it is for preparation of Beethoven's fuga in some sonatas, and the other is to find good sounds, especially for charming-bell like sounds in Baroque music.

First I tried to study Well-tempered Klavier, but it was hard for me, so I decided to study Inventions and Sinfonias.

---

So, this is my question.

I am using Barenrieter's urtext score from IMSLP now, but this is too clean to study alone!

Yes, it is urtext, I know, but I need some other score to help my study.

I know I have to collect lots of scores and compare them, but for an amateur it is so expensive and time-consuming.

Could you recommend any publishers?

Thank you for reading this post, and sorry if there is any poor English.

Some suggestions for the moment Musicaux No 4 OP 16 Rachmaninoff? Some tips? in slower tempo is good but... If I play it in the usual tempo it doesn't go out anymore

im always paranoid about their identity. is it normal to always ask for a video call for verification purpose? i tend to get fathers asking for piano lessons for their daughters. idw to meet someone like ted bundy

I've been practicing on an upright piano for the past two years, and now I need to buy a digital piano. I'll mostly be using headphones, so built-in speakers aren't important to me.

Are there big differences among digital pianos in terms of touch and feel? Specifically, do more expensive models (e.g., $500 vs $3,500) have a significantly better touch that closely resembles an upright piano?

I'd love recommendations for the best digital pianos that feel as close to an acoustic upright as possible. Thanks!