r/piano

Just to give you an idea of my level, i’ve just finished performing in a competition (Where i did resoneably well) playing Rachmaninov’s op.23 no.5 among the famous op.17 no.4 by Chopin. I wanted to approach a late romantic composer and the first one that came to my mind is A.Skrjabin.
I’m looking for a work of his that falls neither in his very early Chopinian style of composing, nor in the complex and daring atonal late stage of his writing.
If it could be technically a step up or at least comparable to the mentioned pieces, it would be great.

I'm moving apartments and have a like new Yamaha B1 with Silent System. I really want to keep it nice and sell it for a little more than what I got it for. I'm a conductor and will be here about 3 years for sure, and probably won't pay to move it if I leave town. I thought about putting the piano on casters so I can move it into my bedroom when I have guests stay over, or if I rent out my apartment and keep my room locked.

Is it good for an upright piano to be on casters the whole time? I think all the Grand pianos (Flügel) I see at conservatory are on rolling casters? Does it warp the undercarriage of the piano at all? I really don't want to damage the console at all.

I started playing the piano when I was 7. I took lessons, worked at it, and reached what I would consider the edge between beginner and intermediate. However, I stopped playing after a few year. I’m trying to pick the piano back up, and while all of the muscle memory is still there, I don’t really know where to go from here. I have a solid grasp on scales and a few beginner esque pieces, but I don’t know how to improve from here. Can I get some advice?

Dear pianists of reddit,
can you maybe help me with a tattoo I wanted to get?

I am on the way to Rome and wanted to get me a tattoo. I am more or less obsessed with the Love Theme from Spartacus in its different variations and wanted to ask if anyone here could scribble me the three notes that basically make the beginning of the theme? I searched google but found different sheet music. I'd like it as simple as possible.

Would really appreciate the help and don't want to get this wrong.
EDIT:
Thank you to all the pianists here.

So I started to learn music theory on my own, like 11 months ago. Now I know a good amount about music to make some stuff in FL studio, and never used a physical instrument or using sheet music. Now I want to learn to use sheet music, and sight read them on piano. But it's so confusing on where to start, because some stuff feels like "This is too complex for me for now" and going backward feels like "It's too easy for me, and continuing here won't help me progress". I don't know where to start.

And this plateau is harder because I don't have a music teacher, not because of ego or anything, but because I literally can't get one. If I can get a music teacher that fits my budget, schedule, and everything, I'd do it in a heartbeat.

I'm plateauing quite hard on music right now, specifically in starting to sight read. I'm just asking how to start, so I can have a good "flow" of the progression, and getting out of plateau.

So if anyone here is also a self taught, or an experienced piano player, or knows more stuff about this, an advice or help would be appreciated.

I like to play in public classical pieces, but is obvious that most people walking by don’t really know much about those pieces or their difficulty and for them is probably background noise sometimes depending on the piece.

I want to get ideas of what kind of rather simpler pieces or songs one can play to get the people surprised or engaged with what they listening. I think people like to hear something familiar and that’s when they click with it, or some music that suddenly feels relaxing or calming meaningfully (I feel Chopin nocturnes have this effect even if they don’t know the pieces)

So what simple songs do you have in your repertoire to play along in public and create a nice atmosphere?

I have seen a few posts on public pianos lately and one of them seemed to imply the only reason you would do this is to impress people or get validation. It’s not why I play.

So I am interested to pick up a vibe of why people sit down at a public piano.

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Edited to add: I mean if the same sheet music were played on the exact same piano by different people. Folks are saying speed changes but don’t the notes tell you the speed?

I always thought music sounded different because the sheet music itself is varied/remixed or because different instruments are involved but I just found out that the same exact sheet music can sound different only played by the piano and im confused since I assumed the exact song played to the exact notes on the exact same instrument has one sound. Why doesnt it? Thank you

i would like to preface by saying that any more advanced players who want to add to this list, feel free to comment and i’ll edit and add it

also this is advice that not only i’ve learnt only the years, but i have also received from my teacher and also friends that are world wide known classical players that are less than a decade away from being one of the greats (i am far from being this but they are truly phenomenal musicians already playing worldwide so i take their advice as gospel).

do not start with complicated pieces “just bc you can”. i have seen so many new players “play” things like la campanella and while they’re hitting the notes, they’re doing a terribly job. you will not learn ANYTHING from learning a rly complicated piece too early, whereas if you learn something beginne friendly, you rly will. its okay to start on “simpler” pieces, and it’s more helpful. pls do not crawl your way through the hardest pieces bc it just gets you nowhere

first thing is to remember that playing well takes time. like years. every professional pianist has been at it for most of their life. just bc you can play the notes of moonlight sonata in your first few months does not mean you are good at it or can effectively play it. true technique takes years, it’s okay and it’s normal. and honestly trying to convince yourself you’re phenomenal early does more harm than good

next is PLAY SLOW!! idc if you “can” go faster, that’s not the point. if you want to truly be good, then you have to play slow. even the most advanced and professional players play ridiculously slow before massive concerts. play slow more than you think you should- feel every note under your hand, play deliberately.

practice hand position. your wrist should not be moving up and down when passing your thumb underneath. you should be able to freely move your fingers without it effecting your hand too much. this can take years to get for some people, that’s okay but it is vital. no flat fingers!

another is not necessary but rly helps- learn theory. like just get major scales stuck in your head. as soon as i did that, technique became easier. let keys/scales/chords fall under your hand naturally without thinking

something that helps specifically with classical- assign all parts to an orchestral instrument. big booming section- trombones, high and “twiddly” section- flutes. this rly helped me interpret my pieces as my own- hear a whole orchestra in your head

if something hurts- stop and take a day off. no amount of practice is more helpful than giving yourself a break if you do too much. nothing should be hurting, repetitive strain does more damage than you think

play something YOU like. i played for about 9 years and kinda didn’t rly like it until i found piano music i actually loved. i started to learn that on the side and suddenly excelled. my sight reading, my performance, my emotional expression etc. became so much better after i found things i rly enjoy playing. enjoying it will get you so much further than just “discipline”.

from u/affectionate_Key82 - LISTEN
listen to different interpretations of the same piece.
“The purpose is to compare and contrast the tone and dynamics demonstrated in the piece. Is it a light touch? Is it harsh? Is it somewhere in between? Usually, they just listen to music to vibe, but it's even better if they can vibe and study how instruments work at the same time. It motivates them to take the technique more seriously, which is the driving force of bringing the best acoustics out of the piano”

u/melancholypowerhour “Embrace being bad at it, and celebrate the little wins. It’s perfectly normal to be bad at something you’re just learning, cut yourself some slack and enjoy the journey of getting 1% better every day. Record yourself playing often (I try to record myself weekly) it’s very fun to watch back over time and see your progress. It’s also handy to watch and listen to your own playing, you’ll find it sounds different from and audience perspective VS when youre playing”

i’m definitely missing some things and i will add more- pls feel free to comment any extra advice and i will add it and credit your in

Hi! My girlfriend's birthday is coming up and she love love loves piano. She's been playing for years but she has never had an electric keyboard. I'm a drummer so I know nothing about piano but I do know someone with her experience would want something beyond the beginner level. the only thing is I don't have a lot of money to spend I'm looking at or below $300 if something like that is possible. We're also both in a band so something with MIDI would be super awesome! any help is appreciated!

I’ve really been struggling to play the melody in a way that it stands out. does anyone have any suggestions? ive got about two years of experience and really been trying to learn this. appreciate all the help!