Jazz music gives musicians a great deal of freedom; everyone can play in their own style and in a way that reflects their personality, interacting with others freely and in ever-changing ways. However, the absence of strict rules presents a major obstacle for those wishing to study jazz piano, who often find themselves somewhat disoriented.Continue readingHow to learn jazz piano: a structured and effective study plan
Tag: piano
In this article, I’d like to introduce you to my project “Blindpiano”, an educational website designed to help blind students learn to play the piano. The idea came about following a conversation with a blind student who had purchased some of my courses. Talking to him helped me understand how best to structure my teaching…Continue readingPiano lessons for the blind: the BlindPiano project
Masha and the Bear is a popular animated series that began in 2009, recounting the adventures of a little girl named Masha and her faithful companion Bear. It is an entertaining and original series. Bear often acts like Masha’s father, but sometimes the roles are reversed and it is Masha who takes care of him.Continue readingPiano lessons for kids: let’s learn with Masha and the Bear
Is it possible to start playing the piano as an adult? I am often asked this question by adults who would like to start playing the piano but fear that it is too difficult, or even impossible. Watch the video and find out if it really is that difficult for an adult to start playing…Continue readingIs it possible to start playing the piano as an adult?
I have selected one hundred unforgettable jazz pieces that have made the history of this music. The aim of this list is to suggest a few listens to those who do not know jazz music at all, or have only listened to some of it and are curious about new periods or genres. I have…Continue readingAn Introduction to Jazz: One Hundred Tunes to Discover Jazz
Hanon yes or no? Is it useful to study the 60 exercises of Hanon, The Virtuoso Pianist? In this lesson we will see when is the right time to start Hanon and how to study it correctly, avoiding wasting time but also working wrongly and risking injury.Continue readingHanon, The Virtuoso Pianist. When and how to study it
[Monday Notes no. 119] James P. Johnson was one of the greatest pianists of the 1920s, also famous for his composition The Charleston, which contributed to the spread of the dance of the same name. James P. Johnson’s music marks the transition between ragtime and stride piano, the earliest form of jazz piano. Let us…Continue readingJames P. Johnson, The Carolina Shout. From ragtime to stride piano
[Monday’s Notes No. 108] Oscar Peterson was one of the greatest jazz piano virtuosos. His long solos are legendary, as are his fast and perfect lines. Under his skilled hands, the piano keyboard often becomes hot, but not in the interpretation of this splendid ballad, In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning.Continue readingOscar Peterson, In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning
[Monday Notes no. 107] Great musicians have the ability to be inspired and stimulated by their peers. This is certainly the case with Miles Davis, who chose Joe Zawinul’s song In A Silent Way as the title for his eponymous album, a masterpiece recorded in 1969.Continue readingIn A Silent Way, a Joe Zawinul piece that Miles Davis made his own
[Monday Notes no. 106] Estate is the only Italian piece to have permanently entered the repertoire of jazz standards, to the point of being included in one of the famous Real Books, the sheet music collections dedicated to jazz music. The piece was written by Bruno Martino, the most famous international performers were Joao Gilberto,…Continue readingMichel Petrucciani, Estate. A piece by Bruno Martino in the jazz repertoire