Adding the Human Touch - Playing Your Piano Music With Emotion
We’ve done the bulk of the work! You can play the exercise from your book. Perhaps a study piece. Or maybe you’ve been working on an...
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Jack Mitchell Smith
- Aug 31
- 14 min
How to Learn a Piece of Piano Music - from Scratch!
Here are some tips and tricks to help you choose and learn a piece of piano music - from scratch!
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Jack Mitchell Smith
- Aug 24
- 6 min
Five Gimmicks to Avoid When Learning Piano
Not everything designed to help you is a bonus. Don't be tempted to try and progress your learning using one of these!
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Jack Mitchell Smith
- Aug 14
- 7 min
Using Pentascales to Understand Major and Minor Music
Train your ear to hear the differences between major and minor tonality using simple pentascales as a starting point!
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Jack Mitchell Smith
- Aug 7
- 13 min
How to Develop an Octave Stretch on Piano - Exercises for Smaller Hands
If you are looking for exercises to develop your stretch on piano, look no further. Here are a fair few designed to gradually increase your
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Jack Mitchell Smith
- Jul 31
- 7 min
Finding the ‘Sweet Spot’ in Piano Playing - Reading Music vs. Looking vs. Instinct
It's important to get the balance right between reading music, listening to what you play and knowing where your hands are.
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Jack Mitchell Smith
- Jul 24
- 7 min
The Power of the Wrist in Piano Playing
Improve your fluidity playing piano by practising some simple wrist exercises. The wrist is key to getting a good flow in music!
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Jack Mitchell Smith
- Jul 10
- 8 min
One Year of Teaching Piano - A Retrospect
It's been just over a year since I started teaching piano. I can't believe how far I've come as, not only a teacher, but as a pianist.
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Jack Mitchell Smith
- Jul 3
- 8 min
Strengthening Your Pulse On Piano - Basic Exercises to Help You Improve
Master your piano pulse with these tailor-made exercises! Strengthen your rhythm and improve your pulse on piano with these fundamental tips
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Jack Mitchell Smith
- Jun 12
- 7 min
"Balancing Act: The Fine Line Between Listening and Performing Whilst Playing Piano"
Discover the delicate balance between listening and performing piano. Learn how active listening can elevate your playing and enhance your m
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Jack Mitchell Smith
- May 29
- 9 min
"The Ultimate Guide to Finding Chords on the Piano: Tips and Techniques"
Discover how to find any major or minor chords on piano and start applying them to your music today!
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Jack Mitchell Smith
- May 22
- 4 min
Unfolding the Intrigue: The Extraordinary Tale of a Folding Piano
There is still much snootiness about whether or not you need a real piano to learn. Here's a story to challenge that narrative...
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Jack Mitchell Smith
- May 15
- 8 min
"Unlocking the Secrets: How to Perfect Your Piano Sight Reading Skills"
To be a natural at sight reading, it takes as much practice as the piano itself! There are, however, some tips and tricks up my sleeve...
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Jack Mitchell Smith
- May 8
- 9 min
Exercises to Improve Voice Performance on Piano
Playing a piece with multiple voices well is what separates a good pianist from a great one. Try these exercises to develop your skill!
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Jack Mitchell Smith
- May 1
- 7 min
"How to Master Piano Practice and Performance: Five Essential Tips for Success"
It's all personal, of course, but here I explore 5 things I need at my disposal when practising piano!
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Jack Mitchell Smith
- Apr 24
- 6 min
Setting up Your Piano Room
Do you have a piano? Maybe you'd like to consider one? Getting the most from your piano extends far beyond the instrument itself!...
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Jack Mitchell Smith
- Apr 17
- 8 min
Score vs. Memory - Learning and Performing
The age old debate of whether or not we need to commit our music to memory is explored. It certainly has its pros...let's discuss!
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Jack Mitchell Smith
- Apr 10
- 9 min
Unlocking the Secrets of Minor Scales: A Step-by-Step Guide for Musicians
In this blog I explore the three common forms of minor scale that you will need to understand and perform as a pianist.
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Jack Mitchell Smith
- Apr 3
- 12 min
Mastering Piano Notes: A Guide to Navigating the Keyboard
Today I go back to basics and explore how we can identify and learn notes. But I also advance this and explore how all notes other names!
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Jack Mitchell Smith
- Mar 27
- 8 min
"The Mental Toll of Perfection: Understanding the Guilt of Musicians"
Do you need to practice? Yes. Are you in the mood to practice? No? Is that just tough luck or should we take heed? I investigate...
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