Musical artistry often becomes important after a certain point in learning. You already know the notes. You already have the basic technique. You can play the piece from beginning to end. And yet, something feels unfinished. The music sounds correct, but it does not quite feel alive yet. Musical artistry begins in that space. It is not about learning more notes or playing faster. It is not about adding difficulty. Musical artistry is about what happens after the mechanics ar

Improvisation is often misunderstood as something wild, flashy, or reserved for advanced musicians. In reality, it is one of the most natural musical skills we have. This post is adapted from Season 4, Episode 8 of the Learn Piano: A Personal Practice podcast and is written especially for adult learners who want to explore creativity at the piano in a grounded, approachable way. In the previous episode, we explored playing by ear and how listening leads the hands. Improvisati

Playing by ear is one of those musical skills that often feels mysterious. Some people seem to have it naturally. They hear a song on the radio, walk over to the piano, and play it without hesitation. No sheet music. No analysis. Just sound moving directly from their ears to their hands. I am always fascinated by students who may not be reading notes very well yet but can come into their lesson and immediately play back melodies they have heard. It is a powerful reminder that

Sight reading is one of the most empowering skills a pianist can develop. It asks you to read music you have never seen before and play it in real time. This post is adapted from Season 4, Episode 6 of the Learn Piano: A Personal Practice podcast and is written especially for adult learners who want a clear, supportive way to strengthen their sight-reading practice. Sight reading is not about perfection. It is about perception. It trains your eyes, ears, and hands to communic

Understanding the musical building blocks that shape fluent piano playing Recognition is one of the most powerful musicianship skills a pianist can develop. It allows you to instantly identify the sounds, patterns, and structures that appear in music. When you can recognize an interval by ear, a chord by shape, a meter by feel, or a style by its character, everything becomes easier: reading, memory, interpretation, improvisation, and even expression. This article explores the

Rhythm dictation is one of the most effective skills a pianist can practice. Learning to hear a rhythm, write it down, and play it back builds true musical independence. It strengthens recognition skills, improves sight-reading, and prepares you for improvisation, lead-sheet playing, and transcription. Why Rhythm Dictation Matters Rhythm is not just something you clap through during lessons. It is something you capture and recreate. When you listen to a rhythm and translate i

Understanding and developing the inner ear for piano fluency Audiation is one of the most fascinating and practical musicianship skills a pianist can develop. It is the ability to hear music in your mind even when no external sound is present. For many people, audiation is already familiar in everyday life, even if they have never named it before. If you have ever had a song stuck in your head for hours, or if you can sing the chorus of your favorite tune without turning anyt

Building musicianship through intentional listening Listening is one of the most overlooked tools in piano learning, yet it is one of the most transformative. For adult learners, listening to the masters functions as a powerful way to build musical fluency. It strengthens the ear, enriches musical imagination, and helps create confident, expressive playing. This article explains why listening matters, how to do it effectively, and how it can support your personal piano practi

The Role of Patience in Learning Piano Patience is a cornerstone of growth when it comes to mastering any new skill, especially the...

If you're having trouble staying disciplined with your piano practice, it may help to discover your why . Why do you want to learn piano?...

In this blog, I want to dive into something crucial for every pianist: making piano practice a priority. If it’s not at the top of your...

As we step into a brand new year, there’s no better time to reflect on your piano journey and set meaningful goals for the year ahead....

Creating a Productive Piano Practice Routine for Your Piano Student As the school year begins, establishing a consistent piano practice...

Try out summer online piano lessons! www.cynthiaalistudios.com The Benefits of Taking Online Summer Piano Lessons Summer is a time for...

Piano books are always a good idea! Great Gifts for Children Taking Piano Lessons Hal Leonard has so many fun piano books with pop songs,...

Holidays are a great time to play piano for family members. Holiday gatherings give a great opportunity for piano students to play their...

Piano Recitals have so many benefits besides learning the piano piece and performing. Photo by Clare Tallamy on Unsplash Here are some of...

This blog is how to help you set up your child's piano room to be most conducive for learning piano. Here are some tips that will help...

Yearly Reflection, Present Moment and Looking Forward First take a moment to REFLECT on what have you learned this year. Here are some...

One of the first things you want to find on the piano is Middle C. Middle C is the most important note to learn on the piano because it...