60 vital tips for all pianists
60 short, effective pieces of advice for players of any age and level
Armed with these 60 vital tips below, you could fuel your piano practice for the next 2 MONTHS. So, take 1 tip per day, incorporate it into your playing, and you may just notice yourself improving as a player!
Here are 60 short, effective pieces of advice for all pianists out there, no matter what style or level you play.
1.
Practice a varied repertoire - songs, classical, boogie & jazz standards - write your own pieces & keep encores handy - always ready to perform! #piano #Pianist #pianotips #pianoteacher
— Kent Pianist & Tutor (@KentPiano) August 8, 2018
2.
Chord too big for the left hand? Leave out repeated notes or/and transfer the top to your right. #PianistTips #MusicianAdvice
— #MusicianProblems (@_MusicProblems) August 15, 2013
3.
NEVER apologize for messing up a musical number.You just keep your head held high & proceed like you never made a mistake #MusicianAdvice
— Abish S. (@MckingBrdSngs) July 26, 2015
4.
#MusicianAdvice When trying to memorize, sing in your head the whole piece and imagine playing it. This will make your memory secure.
— #MusicianProblems (@_MusicProblems) October 10, 2013
5.
Be on time. Period. #musicianadvice
— Christina Wilson (@halfblackbird) September 29, 2012
6.
#MusicianAdvice Start supporting one another...
— Xavier Riley (@DjXavierRiley) December 21, 2010
7.
This about sums it up. #keepPracticing #practice #piano #pianoadvice #musicianslife pic.twitter.com/IcPNo2vvd9
— Robin Spielberg (@robinspielberg) October 26, 2017
8.
'When you're playing staccato, you have to imagine the keys are really hot' #pianoadvice #yourewelcome
— Alison Atkinson-Phillip (@Dralia_p) September 14, 2015
9.
"Play it like — how shall I say? — you have guts." #pianoadvice #guts
— Kerry Wall (@kerrywall) June 10, 2016
10.
Piano Tip: don't only focus on your right hand. Bring out those bass lines! #PianoAdvice
— Ron Drotos (@rondrotos) March 19, 2015
Speaking of focusing more on your left-hand... issue 104 of Pianist includes two magnificent 'How To Play' lessons, including the gorgeous Scriabin Prelude Op 9 No 1. Take a look!
11.
Keep the old in high regard, but approach the new with a warm heart. Do not be prejudiced against unknown names. - Schumann #PianoAdvice
— කැරලිකාර (@ShawnaSay) July 17, 2012
12.
Pro tip: Double check to make sure that you aren’t supposed to be playing an octave higher.
— music.iLuv (@the_musiciluv) July 11, 2018
🙃#WednesdayWisdom #pianolife #musiciluv #musictips #musicilove #musician #octavehigher #musicianlife #musicjoke #funny #music #pianotips #pianotips #pianoteacher
13.
Playing #piano is your own experience, your thoughts, your wisdom. If you don't live it, it won't come out.
— Piano Mentor (@PianoMentor) September 17, 2018
14.
🎹Start your practice in the middle of a piece or try out the ending - not always from bar 1!! Even diligence 😉#piano #pianotips #guitarist #musician
— Kent Pianist & Tutor (@KentPiano) July 7, 2018
15.
#PianoTips a well adjusted sustain pedal makes all the difference in control for a player. Have your piano technician check at next tuning
— Piano Trends Music (@pianotrends) July 18, 2013
16.
Count as you play during practice according to the time signature. #pianotips
— Rice Music House (@RiceMusicHouse) March 28, 2013
17.
Memorize hands separately, especially the left hand. It is often difficult to get the Left Hand back on track. #pianotips
— Rice Music House (@RiceMusicHouse) March 5, 2013
18.
#piano #pianotips Relieve post exam stress by playing your fave songs & writing music for yourself! Start with a chord & lead from there 🎹
— Kent Pianist & Tutor (@KentPiano) July 10, 2018
19.
RT @PianoTips_: You can be LIKE somebody, but don't BE that somebody. Be yourself. #music #pianotips
— Calvin Limuel (林德耀) (@CalvinLimuel13) March 7, 2012
20.
#pianoadvice pic.twitter.com/rEe2gs8D28
— Thornton Pianos (@thorntonpianos) July 4, 2014
21.
"I think you need to have a few drinks before" #pianoadvice #spanishmusic
— Maggie Hinchliffe (@maggiesaurus_) June 13, 2017
22.
Prince to Beyonce: "Learn the piano and the sky is the limit."#Prince1yearanniversary #princeadvice #pianoadvice https://t.co/7UY7xoCW9B
— A-1 Piano (@seapianorental) April 20, 2017
23.
Learning how to play 'portamento' will help you to excell in your playing. #pianolessons #piano-yoga #pianoadvice
— Piano-Yoga® (@pianoyoga) August 20, 2015
24.
Only if the form is first clear to you with the spirit then reveal itself. - Robert Schumann #PianoAdvice
— කැරලිකාර (@ShawnaSay) July 17, 2012
25.
See a better musician? This is an opportunity to learn, not mope about how you'll never reach that level. #MusicianAdvice
— #MusicianProblems (@_MusicProblems) August 16, 2013
26.
They say you have your whole life to release your first album #musicianadvice #wisewords #inspiration #music #album
— Andy Nantais (@andynantais) August 6, 2014
27.
How to find the right chords? Try this! Identify melodic note played on down beat & play bass note @1,3 or 5 intervals (+1octave) BELOW melodic note w/LH pinky. Roll notes@1-5-8 to 10 intervals ABOVE bass note. Jazz it up w/7-9 #pianotips #pianohelphttps://t.co/FkSbhVTyKx
— AJ (@aj32317) July 20, 2018
28.
#TuesdayTip #musicadvice
— Arrows Music Lessons (@arrowsmusic925) August 7, 2018
...Practicing while counting out loud can prove be an invaluable tool in helping you develop a stronger internal clock and memorize difficult passages with more rhythmic precision... pic.twitter.com/8d2Rm74hxL
Now, for some Pianist tips...
29.
#TipTuesday Arch your fingers (like below) when playing the piano to see an increase in your playing speed!
— Pianist magazine (@pianistmagazine) June 26, 2018
Learn more here: https://t.co/OC1eVnp4oX pic.twitter.com/myVbS4inDR
Updated link to the article above
30.
#TipTuesday Put some time aside to play a genre that you wouldn't normally play. Widening your repertoire and your skill set can only benefit you. So today, why not swap Mozart for some @aliciakeys?
— Pianist magazine (@pianistmagazine) June 5, 2018
A bit of ABBA, anyone? Pianist magazine issue 102 includes exclusive ABBA Gold scores.
31.
#TipTuesday Play without taking a picture and uploading it to Facebook...😆
— Pianist magazine (@pianistmagazine) June 12, 2018
More hilarious score notations await you -> https://t.co/NNNEYhg0bq pic.twitter.com/EkvxGOcZcc
Updated link to the article above
32.
#TipTuesday If you're in the midst of preparing for a piano exam, remember that the examiner is your friend and not your enemy! It may be their job to 'judge' your performance, but ultimately they get joy out of seeing students excel. They're not evil😉 https://t.co/ldqJQZFnmg
— Pianist magazine (@pianistmagazine) June 19, 2018
Updated link to the article above
33.
#TipTuesday When practising left-hand arpeggios, particularly C, use your fourth finger on the second, fifth, ninth, and twelfth notes, as this is the natural positioning of your hands.
— Pianist magazine (@pianistmagazine) July 3, 2018
More tips here: https://t.co/b1sHlvF3Uo
Updated link to the article above
34.
#TipTuesday "Trust yourself. If you keep coming back to an idea, it probably means it's worth carrying on developing it." - @EmilieLF1 🔥
— Pianist magazine (@pianistmagazine) July 17, 2018
Read more: https://t.co/wXKqnFEwZ2
Updated link to the article above
35.
#TipTuesday "You don’t always need to fill the space...I want every single note that I play to mean something." - @NadeshikoReeA
— Pianist magazine (@pianistmagazine) July 24, 2018
Such a simple yet crucial aspect of improvising and composing! Read more: https://t.co/V228OLJaVV
36.
#TipTuesday Put some time aside, away from practise, to listen thoroughly to a recording of the piece you are learning. Try and follow the piece with your hand movements.
— Pianist magazine (@pianistmagazine) July 10, 2018
How can we successfully learn a song when we don't know how it sounds? pic.twitter.com/tmuPLyKTEd
37.
#TipTuesday One wrong note is okay. But always make sure you are playing with passion! pic.twitter.com/dQSKDqy8sJ
— Pianist magazine (@pianistmagazine) August 7, 2018
38.
Are you practising piano today? Here are 5 tips on how to stay focused🤓
— Pianist magazine (@pianistmagazine) August 4, 2018
More insight ➡️ https://t.co/oh3nYVtox6 pic.twitter.com/c1RvyKP5Xy
Updated link to the article above
39.
#MondayMotivation Space. Is. Important.
— Pianist magazine (@pianistmagazine) July 30, 2018
Via @musicnotes pic.twitter.com/kQYXmIXfID
40.
#MondayMotivation courtesy of @CrossEyedPiano 🎶 pic.twitter.com/CKR2Hof0yu
— Pianist magazine (@pianistmagazine) July 2, 2018
3 pieces that will help you develop 9 different techniques during today's practise
41.
#MondayMotivation 🔥🔥🔥
— Pianist magazine (@pianistmagazine) July 23, 2018
This is a huge truth!
Credits: @musicnotes pic.twitter.com/r4mGTSuBQE
42.
#MondayMotivation Keep pushing today 🔥
— Pianist magazine (@pianistmagazine) August 6, 2018
via @musicnotes pic.twitter.com/75ltxaAz7z
43.
#MondayMotivation Nothing is more crucial than this when it comes to practising 🔥🔥🔥
— Pianist magazine (@pianistmagazine) July 16, 2018
via @musicnotes pic.twitter.com/0GeEZRIt8Z
44.
#MondayMotivation No matter what level you are, you've already succeeded by simply starting something that is very difficult. 👏
— Pianist magazine (@pianistmagazine) August 13, 2018
via @GoodVibeSound pic.twitter.com/FhR84SUCl9
45.
#MondayMotivation Space. Is. Important.
— Pianist magazine (@pianistmagazine) July 30, 2018
Via @musicnotes pic.twitter.com/kQYXmIXfID
46.
Some #MondayMotivation for you from @pianistmagazine: 5 tips on how to stay focused during practice 📚🙇https://t.co/sbynzScH12 pic.twitter.com/hBIZlFgoXT
— Casio Music (@CasioMusicUK) July 23, 2018
Updated link to the article above
47.
#MondayMotivation 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/k7M9S7vRaV
— Pianist magazine (@pianistmagazine) June 11, 2018
48.
#MondayMotivation 👇👇👇 pic.twitter.com/MJIG4XJvzn
— Pianist magazine (@pianistmagazine) June 4, 2018
49.
#MondayMotivation from the incredible @lang_lang 👏 pic.twitter.com/AZPsELSgnT
— Pianist magazine (@pianistmagazine) May 21, 2018
50.
#MondayMotivation "Life Is Like A Piano..." @SteinwayLA @ListenMusicMag @SteinwayAndSons @pianistmagazine @WhyNotEntertain @foxnewslatino pic.twitter.com/rUGrCIT23Z
— Esteban Alvarez (@1EstebanAlvarez) January 23, 2017
5 unconventional ways to play the piano - get creative!
51.
The 10 Best Piano Practice Tips to Remember - Tip 1: Set a Clear Goal. If you sit down at the piano and say, 'I’m going to play for a bit', you aren’t going to to learn anything. Instead, set a goal. #Piano #PianoTips #TeachMusic #IMS #IndependentMusicSolutions
— IMS (@IMS_MusicEdu) June 29, 2018
52.
The 10 Best Piano Practice Tips to Remember - Tip 2: Warm Up. Boring! We get it. It’s a tedious way to start, but without it, you put yourself at risk of carpal tunnel and tendinitis. #Piano #PianoTips #TeachMusic #IMS #IndependentMusicSolutions
— IMS (@IMS_MusicEdu) June 30, 2018
53.
The 10 Best Piano Practice Tips to Remember - Tip 3: Set Aside Time for Fundamentals. Make sure at least 15 minutes of your practice time is set aside for things like scales, accuracy, and timing. You only gain technical skills by repetition. #Piano #PianoTips #TeachMusic #IMS
— IMS (@IMS_MusicEdu) July 1, 2018
54.
The 10 Best Piano Practice Tips to Remember - Tip 4: Slow Down. The trick to learning hard songs is learning them at half-speed and then slowly speeding up. Slow down to whatever speed you can play it perfectly. #Piano #PianoTips #TeachMusic #IMS #IndependentMusicSolutions
— IMS (@IMS_MusicEdu) July 2, 2018
55.
The 10 Best Piano Practice Tips to Remember - Tip 5: Use A Metronome & Slow Down Again.
— IMS (@IMS_MusicEdu) July 3, 2018
If you can’t play a song in time, then you can’t play the song. 'Flight of the Bumblebee' is played at about 500bpm. But do not start trying to learn the song at 500bpm. Start at 50bpm. #Piano
56.
The 10 Best Piano Practice Tips to Remember - Tip 6: In Case You Didn’t Hear it, Slow Down
— IMS (@IMS_MusicEdu) July 4, 2018
We can’t stress this piano practice tip enough. Good musicians learn how to practice a fast song at a tenth of its speed, and then gradually speed it back up. #Piano #PianoTips #TeachMusic
57.
The 10 Best Piano Practice Tips to Remember - Tip 7: Listen. Name your top 10 fav pianists. If you don’t have the list, you haven’t listened to enough pianists. You have to know what 'great' sounds like, to sound great yourself. #Piano #PianoTips #TeachMusic #IMS
— IMS (@IMS_MusicEdu) July 5, 2018
58.
The 10 Best Piano Practice Tips to Remember - Tip 8: Imitate, then Innovate. After you listen, try to copy the piano solos you love, & then try to make them better. This is where you find out who you are & what is special about your piano playing. #Piano #PianoTips #TeachMusic
— IMS (@IMS_MusicEdu) July 6, 2018
59.
The 10 Best Piano Practice Tips to Remember - Tip 9: Take A Break. You’ve warmed up, spent 15 mins on fundamentals, learned how to play 'Jupiter', & now you are on to 'Mars'. You spent 20 mins listening & copying Fats Waller solos. What do you do next? You stop & breathe. #Piano
— IMS (@IMS_MusicEdu) July 7, 2018
60.
The 10 Best Piano Practice Tips to Remember - Tip 10: Start and End With Fun. Make sure you play something you love when you start to practice and something you love when you are done, preferably something you are great at playing. This will keep your confidence up! #PianoTips
— IMS (@IMS_MusicEdu) July 8, 2018
Itching to play? Our brand new issue includes 40 pieces of FREE sheet music, ready for you to enjoy. Take a look here.