Ask Piano Questions: Piano Lessons on Demand!

G-Sharp or A Flat? 
Well, you know the flat/sharp 'black notes? I am confused about what to call the ones that have three in a row. Would I call the middle one: G Sharp or …

Legendary Pianists  
what's the difference between all the legendary pianists like Richter, Horowitz, Pollini and like normal pianists who are decent(?) artists, but can't …

Two Treble Clefs in Piano Sheet Music 
Hi, I came across some sheet music that has two treble clefs in the opening of the song, and then changes to two treble clefs and a bass. How do I play …

Price of my Maeari baby grand piano? 
I have a 15 year old Maerai baby grand piano. Black lacquer, excellent condition. I want to sell it and wonder how much it is worth. ANSWER Hi, …

Kawai/Zimmering Piano 
The inside decal of the 6' grand says it's Kawai; the front decal (above the keyboard) says it's Zimmering. I have not found the serial # yet. Did Kawai …

Can Brahms 51 Exercises for piano damage my hands permanently? 
My new piano teacher has assigned me to play various exercises from the Brahms 51 exercises book. I find while playing them that parts of my hand hurt, …

Scholarship Letter for Music Lessons 
We can't continue piano lessons for our two daughters due to funds but can qualify to have a longer class at the our current rate if we submit a Scholarship …

Upright Baby Grand Piano 
Can you kindly tell me how much an antique (more than 100 years old) but rebuilt upright baby grand piano would cost or how much a person should sell one …

Which Piano Chords Should I Know? 
What are the basic chords I need to know please? ANSWER Hi, Casey-- You can start by learning the major and minor chords that have white keys …

What Does L.H. Mean? (Piano Music) 
Under my treble clef music (for right hand) it says L.H. Does that stand for left hand? I can't think of any other thing for it to stand for. But that …

Two Bass Clef Lines in Piano Sheet Music 
I am learning the piano on my own and have come across some sheet music that has one treble clef line and two bass clef lines. I'm confused. Which lines …

How Can I Learn to Play Legato? 
hello, i've been playing piano for some years now but recently started training professionally.. i've been told i play as if everything is slightly staccato(also …

About scales, arpeggios and hanon exercises for piano 
Hi, My name is SN Kpadyu. I am learning keyboard and will say intermediate level. I would like to know if there are instructional videos (complete) …

Piano Charts 
Where can I find piano charts for the following songs: At Last by Etta James You're Still the One by Shania Twain Forever Young by Rod Stewart Always …

Why Two Treble Clef Lines on Piano Sheet Music? 
I am just starting up piano again I played for years and now I have forgotten a few things. the sheet music for "If I aint got you" by Alicia Keys On the …

Chords for "Family Guy" Theme Song 
What are the piano chords for family guy theme song? . thxs ANSWER Hi, Nikki-- You can find the chords here: Family Guy Lynne

Joining My First Band 
I am in a band for the first time in my life and I'm finding things very hard to play with the rest of the band. i've been playing piano for 4 years …

How to Play Piano Scales  
O.k. I hope I can explain this right. I looked at your piano scales all twelve major scales, the one that looks like sheet music. O.k the letters on …

Playing Piano with Both Hands 
I have a question about playing the piano. I know my chords pretty good with my right hand but not sure what to play with my left hand. I've been playing …

Piano Accompaniment  
hi there, your site is very helpful thank you. What tips do you give for left hand easy accompaniment? thank you Answer Hello-- Glad you …

Double Note Stems 
On some music, the pick up note will have a note stem going up as well as down on the same note. Why does it do this? ANSWER Notes that have …

Piano Proficiency Level 
At what level for example would you or should you be able to play something like Franz Liszt's Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2 or George Malcolm's harpsichord …

Cycling through sounds live on a workstation 
I am looking into high level workstations (korg m3/roland xf8). iv been told that when switching sounds or 'combis' it takes a second to get from one program …

What is the Best Music Recording and Editing Software? 
Is there any possible way that I can use my computer and a midi controller (such as the M Audio Keystation 88)to do everything that a really good workstation …

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Arpeggio Lines in Piano Music 
What are the differences in the arpeggios with squiggley lines next to them? Some go all the way up both signatures and others only one hand. Are there …

Does a Flat, Sharp, or Natural Sign Last the Whole Measure? 
In a measure, if the flat, sharp, or neutral symbol is for just a note, is it just for that note in the measure, or for every letter? This might be confusing …

What keyboard should I purchase? 
Hello. I am a 15 years old piano fan. I think I will purchase a keyboard soon, but I should tell you that I never touched a grand piano before. I messed …

Where to strike the white keys Not rated yet
The white keys are longer than the black keys. When playing the white keys, does it matter where on the white keys the user strikes the keys? Can you strike …

Am I Too Old To Learn Piano? Not rated yet
Hello. I am 17 years old and just starting to learn how to play piano on a keyboard. I have seen on multiple sites online that it is too late for me to …

Can Someone explain the cadence  Not rated yet
Hello! I am a beginner in the piano I am wondering if someone can explain the cadence sequence that occurs between :06 and :013 in the clip attached. My …

Ties & Non-Adjacent Notes Not rated yet
Hello, My name is Nathan, and I am novice piano player working my way through Clair de lune by Claude Debussy. I am currently at measure 47, and I need …

Playing Ornaments Not rated yet
Hi. I just started Sonata in D Major by Samuel Arnold as summer homework. I am not very good with trills. Is there someone I could purchase the sheet music …

Weak RH 4th finger Not rated yet
I have a piece I have been practicing that requires a quick grace note from my RH 4th finger rolling up to the 5th finger and back. It never seems quite …

Student struggling to co-ordinate note reading and rhythm Not rated yet
I have a student and she can read notes perfectly and clap the rhythm perfectly, but when you put the two together she can't hold the rhythm so well. …

Treble and bass clef notes Not rated yet
I am a former clarinetist. I’m teaching ? Myself piano. I don’t know how to tell the bass clef notes from the treble clef, as clarinet is in Bb and is …

Dotted notes synchronization Not rated yet
I have been having this problem for a while now, and only avoided pieces with notes like this, but I want to tackle the problem now, so let me get to the …

Chord Notation Meaning B/E Not rated yet
I have a Chord symbol on my music "B/E" what does this mean? please. ANSWER Hi, Eric-- It means that the chord is B Major and the bass plays …

Practice Not Looking at Piano Keys Not rated yet
How do i learn to play the piano faster without having to look at the keys and keep my eyes straight on the music sheet? I tend to peep on the keys and …

Learning to Play Keyboard  Not rated yet
I am 77 years old and don't want to go through the rigors of learning to read music, its theory etc. My wife gave me a brand new electronic keyboard which …

Where to Start Learning To Play Piano Not rated yet
I finally retired from the military and I find myself with much time on my hands. I am 45 and I always wanted to learn to play the piano. My wife bought …

Piano Slurs for Right and Left Hands Not rated yet
When you have a slur over the right hand notes, and not over/under the left hand notes, do both hands roll off the slur, or does just the right hand roll …

Where Can I find Piano Lessons? Not rated yet
i am so glad i started this how do i go to my second lesson? ANSWER Hi, Behrooz-- Welcome to the world of piano! You did not mention what …

Fingerings for Piano Arpeggios Not rated yet
Hi, how can i play the random arpeggios with both hands? Kindly show the different fingering. thank you ANSWER Hi, Johnny-- …

How Can I Develop My Piano Technique? Not rated yet
I understand basic keyboard harmony. What exercises develop the facility for moving across the piano and moving from note to note and chord to chord …

Using Chord Inversions?  Not rated yet
I understand how to get to the first, and second inversions, but I am hung up on the actual use of them. Is there a method or practice drill I can use …

Minor Piano Chords: When Should I Use Them? Not rated yet
Please I know how to play but can't use minor chords.I want to know how to use them in songs. ANSWER Hi, Shadrach-- The use of minor chords …

Mechanical Action Sounds of Piano  Not rated yet
Is it normal to hear the mechanical action sounds such as hammers moving on a upright piano while playing? ANSWER Hi, Albert-- In general, no, …

Does a Piano Get More Valubale With Age? Not rated yet
Does a Piano get more valuable with age? ANSWER In general, no. Most pianos depreciate in value with age. A few brands, like Steinway, may appreciate …

Piano Sheet Music--a natural sign before a flat sign Not rated yet
What do you play if there is a neutral in front of a flat on piano sheet music? ANSWER Hi, Carla-- The only time this notation occurs is when …

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How Can I Tell What Key a Song is In? Not rated yet
How do I look at a piece of music and know the key it is written in? ANSWER The "Key Signature" indication is located after the clef sign and before …

Where is Middle C on a 36 Key Keyboard? Not rated yet
On a 36 key keyboard is the middle c 3rd or 4th c from the right? ANSWER Hi, bowtieride-- It should be the 3rd from the right. Why not check …

Best Keyboard for Band Not rated yet
I am a keyboardist just joining my first band. right now i have a kid's keyboard that works fine, but isn't stage worthy (Yamaya PSR 282). I need a keyboard …

Can Sheet Music Be Outdated ? Not rated yet
I just started my daughter with piano lessons. I purchased an old piano, only to find the entire bench was full of classic music. All kinds of old songs …

Left Hand Triad Inversions Not rated yet
Hi, What is the standard LEFT HAND Inversion fingering for the Flat Key major triads? Thank You! - Peter ANSWER Hi, Peter-- Please …

Becoming a Pianist--What and How to Practice? Not rated yet
I'm 28. I've been learning to play the piano for the last 2 years. I'm not good but I'd love to become a good pianist. What should i do? How many hours …

What Are the Black Keys on a Piano Called? Not rated yet
What are the black keys called? ANSWER Hi, Jack-- The black keys are referred to as "Sharps" or "Flats", depending on your reference point. …

Reading high upper treble staff ledger notes Not rated yet
Hello: I am trying to locate the name of piano notes that are written with three to five lines above the treble staff. A chart would be helpful. I would …

Playing Chinese Music on the Piano Not rated yet
How do you play Chinese music on the keyboard? ANSWER You can simulate a "Chinese" sound by playing only on the black keys. Save Up to 95% …

Piano Hand Positions  Not rated yet
Okay so I'm just learning piano. I play songs using my right hand (thumb, index, and pinky) for chords and for the bass notes I use my left hand. Is this …

Piano Minor Chords as Fills Not rated yet
Can you please tell me which are the minor chords to be used as fillings while playing a song in any scale? ANSWER Hi, Alicia-- The use of minor …

What Music Genre is this Song? Not rated yet
Lynne, Can you kindly listen to the song at the following link for me: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TBZaDL0Lj3g it's my FAVORITE Filipino Song** Ang …

Why do I have to Practice Some Songs and Not Others? Not rated yet
I took piano lessons (as an adult) off and on for over 10 years, usually completing book three in different method books. Also, played Sonatinas, and pieces …

Stem Directions in Piano Music Not rated yet
Why on the left hand when you play C (down from Middle C) is it written with the stem up and all the other notes, stem down? Thanks. ANSWER Stems …

Same Note on both Bass and Treble Clef--how to play? Not rated yet
If the bottom line has the same note as the top line and are playing at the same time what do you do? ANSWER Hi, Sara-- Just play the note with …

Henry F. Miller baby grand piano Not rated yet
I am looking for an acoustic baby for my 8 year old son and I have just got an offer of 7,839 dollars for a brand new Henry F. Miller 4' 10" Baby Grand …

Piano chords--How to change chords easily? Not rated yet
Please show me how to easily and effectively use my left hand fingers for changing the chords. ANSWER Hi, Lancy-- You will benefit from learning …

Arpeggio--Legato or Staccato? Not rated yet
I've been told that arpeggios must always be legato. But my teacher says that my hands "gallop" across the keys and the notes don't sound smooth. Should …

Do I Need an Exam Model Piano? Not rated yet
Do i HAVE TO buy an exam model piano if I'm thinking of taking grades? ANSWER Hi, J-- To my knowledge, there are no requirements as to the model …

Sleepyhead by Passion Pit. Not rated yet
I need help with this song. It's called Sleepyhead by Passion Pit. If I perform the song well I might get a scholarship which I desperately need. Mostly …

Relative Minor Chords Not rated yet
How are relative minor chords made? ANSWER Hi, Malgiya-- The relative minor chord is based on the 6th note in the major scale. For example, …

Piano--playing in what key? Not rated yet
Hello, How do I know what key in piano I am playing in? Barbara ANSWER Hi, Barbara-- I depends on whether you are reading music or you …

F# C# Ab Eb Bb Where are they on the piano? Not rated yet
please i need to know where they are on the keys ANSWER F# is the black key to the right of F C# is the black key to the right of C Ab is …

The "Shake" in Piano Music Not rated yet
How does one play notes which are slurred together, but have three bars between them, but two bars don't reach the sides like a 32nd note would? Do you …

Having Trouble Learning to Read Piano Music Not rated yet
I've been playing piano for about 6-7 months, and am 16. I love piano, and I love playing it. I've learned that I have quite the ear which is good and …

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What Does L.H. Over Mean? (Piano Music) Not rated yet
I am a beginner piano player and in my sheet music, it says LH Over on top of the treble clef. What does that mean? The picture is one i made on Paint …

Black Eyed Peas - Where Is The Love--Sheet Music Not rated yet
Would you be ever so kind as to tell me where I can find piano sheet music if it exists, for Black Eyed Peas - Where Is The Love I've tried looking but …

Time Signatures Not rated yet
What does it mean when you are reading sheet music, and there is a 3 over a 4....or a 4 over a 4, right next to the treble and bass clef symbol? ANSWER …

Is there any E# chord\note ? Not rated yet
does E# note\chord occur ?? ANSWER Hi, Umar-- Yes there is an E# note. It is also called "F". The E# name occurs when the music is in the keys …

MIDI on computer to Keyboard Not rated yet
What equipment do i need to edit/layer/and or sample sounds on a computer (or other device) and send them back to my keyboard. I have a small, basic Yamaha …

Are these Music Lessons Really Free? Not rated yet
hi my name is sami. and i like to you i love music so much i need to learn about it but i don't know how to read music note i try to find so many tutorial …

Yamaha Clavinova Digital Piano--Expression Pedal  Not rated yet
I have a Yamaha Clavinova Digital Piano CLP-120. I'm wondering, is my digital piano compatible with any kind of expression pedal? Thanks in advance. …

How much is my piano worth? Not rated yet
Hi! My name is Bryan, I am 15 years old. I have been playing piano since I was 3, and on my 3rd birthday, my grandparents bought me my first piano. …

Value of a "Cottage Gem" Upright Piano Not rated yet
I have owned an upright piano for about 10yrs. I bought it used from a family who already owned it for almost 90yrs. The only thing written on the inside …

How to Play Piano When Singing Not rated yet
I can't read sheet music, and don't really want to have to learn. But I do sing, and can play the piano well....if someone teaches me the song (not sure …

Regulation and Softening Hammers of Piano Not rated yet
Is it a good idea to get this done to a piano that is 4 years old? Will this significantly improve the sound? ANSWER Regulation, like tuning, is …

E Natural Minor Scale Not rated yet
What does the E natural minor scale look like? ANSWER Hi, Nathan-- The E natural minor scale: E F# G A B C D E For more information about …

Chord Progressions Not rated yet
How do chords relate to each other? ANSWER Hi, Moses-- Please visit: Music Chord Progressions There you will find a detailed explanation …

Piano Chord Inversions Not rated yet
What are the 4 inversions for the C E and D scale? ANSWER Hi, Tina-- Do you mean CHORD inversions? There are no inversions for SCALES. You …

How to Play Trills Not rated yet
How do I play a flatted trill? ANSWER Hi, Peggy-- I am not sure what you mean. Is ONE of the notes flat? In that case you just play the two …

Can I Become a Professional Pianist? Not rated yet
Can you earn a living playing the piano in front of public? How can you get recognized? I can play Beethoven piano Sonata Pathetique and I have only done …

Can I Become a Professional Pianist? Not rated yet
Can you earn a living playing the piano in front of public? How can you get recognized? I can play Beethoven piano Sonata Pathetique and I have only done …

Natural and Sharp Symbols on Same Note Not rated yet
What does it mean when the Natural and sharp symbols are for one note? ANSWER When a note has been a double sharp or double flat and the composer …

Keyboard Terms Not rated yet
I bought a keyboard at a recycle/thrift shop however it didn't come with a user's manual. I've attached a PIC of the keyboard. Though the keyboard …

Piano Tuning--How Often? Not rated yet
How often should I tune my piano? ANSWER Once a year is normally sufficient if the piano remains in one location. It is a good idea to wait …

Key Signature At Start of Piano Sheet Music Not rated yet
What does that ## mean at the start of a piano sheet. i know if its after a note, it means that note's sharp. but at the start? like sometime it can be …

Piano Chord Inversions for Extended Chords Not rated yet
Do you have ant tips for memorizing extended chord alterations? ANSWER Hi, Adassa-- I can tell you how my students learn the inversions of extended …

Piano Fingering Issue Not rated yet
The fingering given on the second bar of the attached picture for the right hand seems odd (right thumb must go under the second finger on the G to get …

Piano Fingering Problem Not rated yet
How would one finger the L.H. in the second bar of the attached picture? ANSWER For my hand size I would use: 2 1 3 2 1 2 3 4 for each of …

Weighted Keys vs Hammer Action Not rated yet
Are "Scaled Hammer Action" keyboards as good as "Weighted" keyboards on electric pianos? (my son is just starting piano lessons and I keep hearing weighted …

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Primary Chords Not rated yet
In my piano book they are teaching the primary chords as I, IV and V7. I am still not really understanding the concept of these chords so I've been researching …

WHAT KEY AM I PLAYING IN? Not rated yet
I WRITE A LOT OF INVOLVED CHORD PROGRESSIONS FOR ORIGINAL JAZZ COMPOSITIONS. HOW CAN I TELL WHAT KEY THE SONGS ARE IN THAT I AM WRITING? ANSWER …

Chords with a Slash Not rated yet
What notes are F#m/A? ANSWER The "/" just indicates the left hand bass note for piano, or the bass note. F#m/A would be F# A C# with A in the …

Piano Ledger Line Notes Not rated yet
Hello, I am just starting back up with piano after a 3 year break, and I have forgotten some things about reading sheet music. What does it mean when there …

What does two Treble Clefs on one staff mean? Not rated yet
ANSWER It means that both hands are played in treble clef. In other words, read the left hand notes as though they were written for your right hand. …

How Can I Learn to Play Piano by Ear? Not rated yet
I want to learn to play by ear. Is there a particular way to learn? ANSWER Hi, Mary-- If you already play piano, then there are definitely some …

What are Sharps and Flats? Not rated yet
OK so i really don't understand the flat and sharps stuff like that. May you please give me more info? ANSWER Hi, Jessie-- A SHARP is 1/2 …

How Can You Use the 7th Chord in Jazz? Not rated yet
In African rhythm how can you arrange your chords using 7th? ANSWER Hi, Aderemi-- The RHYTHM actually does not really affect the use of the …

Transitioning Between Songs Not rated yet
Is there an easy way to transition using chords, between songs going from one key to another? ANSWER Hi, Barbara-- The easiest way is to determine …

How Do I know What Key a Person is Singing In? Not rated yet
How can I recognize the note on which someone is singing if he/she has started singing before I get to the piano? I mean to get the key without start searching …

Fingering For Blues Scales on Piano Not rated yet
I have confusion about left and right hand fingering for the blues scales for the left hand in the key of c ( this rule should hold for all keys though) …

Best Way to Learn Piano--Reading Music or Chord Playing? Not rated yet
What is best to learn to play piano, chords or to read music? ANSWER Hi, Don-- Actually, you need to do BOTH. My students learn note reading …

Which chords go together? Not rated yet
I've been taking lessons for almost 2 years. I cant understand what chords sound good together or what chord comes after the next. ANSWER Hi, Angela-- …

Chord Inversions for Piano Not rated yet
I was given chords by my piano teacher to practice at home and told to use chord inversion for the following chords C7, C7, C7,Gm7 C7, F7,F7,C7,Em7 …

Minor Chords in a Chord Progression Not rated yet
How do i know when to play a minor chord while playing a song. Is it when the vocalist come down in tune to up cos am a little confused. ANSWER …

What is a Musical Scale? Not rated yet
ANSWER A scale is a series of notes which are arranged in a pattern of specific intervals. To learn more about scales: (This page is about piano …

Music Question--Does a Sharp last for the Whole Measure? Not rated yet
I haven't played the piano since I was a child. I just bought a piece of music and am trying to remember... If a piece is in the key of C and a sharp …

What are Piano Scales? Not rated yet
Okay. Please tell me what piano scales are!! I just started learning them, but forgot how. I know this sounds dumb but please, HELP!!!!! Thanks a TON …

What is this chord progression? Not rated yet
What's the chord progression for the last two chords in the image? It ends with a I and I'm having trouble figuring out what that second last chord is. …

Making Large Jumps on the Piano  Not rated yet
Hi,I am having trouble making large leaps across the piano, especially when playing a fast piece. I am trying to play Franz Liszt's Liebestraum no.3 …

Lowest pitched piano wire Not rated yet
The lowest pitched note on a piano is which of the following: long and thin wire long and thick wire long and tight wire Thanks for your help! …

TRITONES, PROGRESSIONS, CHORDS Not rated yet
PLEASE I LEARNED THE PIANO ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO AND I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW MORE ABOUT IT.BECAUSE I CAN SEE THERE ARE SO MANY THINGS I DON'T KNOW.PLEASE …

Chord Progressions and Sharps/Flats Not rated yet
Am so confused about the basic steps to forming a chord progression in any song. I also heard that sharp means forward movement whilst flat on the …

Beginner Having Trouble Reading Piano Music Not rated yet
Hi! Sorry for the long mail but I really need some guidance. I am a 15 year old beginner at playing the piano. I have been trying to teach myself the …

How to play the Melody of a Song (If You Know the Chords) Not rated yet
If I'm just given chords to play, how do I play the melody of the song? I've learned how to play piano since I was 10, and have always played with sheet …

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Brackett Piano Value Not rated yet
What is the value of a Brackett piano built in Boston and patented on October 20, 1885? Hi, Stan-- I really don't know anything about this brand. …

Piano Slurs  Not rated yet
Thank you Lynne for all your info. about the 2-note slurs. I would like to know if lots of slurs consisting of 2 quavers followed by a crotchet are accented …

Accents in 2- Note Slurs Not rated yet
When a 2-note slur is over the bar line which note is accented? Dolly ANSWER Hi Dolly-- The FIRST note of a slur is always accented. This …

How To Play Piano Turns in Octaves Not rated yet
How do you play a turn in octaves? ANSWER The general rule for playing octave passages is that the 4th finger plays the black keys, 5th finger …

Free Piano Music Scores  Not rated yet
Hi Lynne, Though I live/work in Misawa, Japan I have found a piano teacher who speaks English and I was wondering if you can recommend a website …

Playing Piano with Six Fingers (Ravel did OK with 5) Not rated yet
I had a stroke as an infant and my rt hand can strum a guitar and maybe do a simple lead or hold down the shift key. For piano where would I look to make …

What does this symbol mean? Not rated yet
(See Picture) In the first notes E-G there is something that looks like a note head to the right of the note stem. What does this mean, and how is it …

Help! Stuck in a Canon! Not rated yet
This isn't specifically for piano, but more for musical composition in general. Every now and then I try my hand at writing a piece of music, and I have …