Piano Roadmap

This news has been everywhere, but just in case you missed it...a NEW Chopin waltz was discovered! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UafAJjlXaPw

Here's the sheet music:https://www.moderndescartes.com/static/chopin_waltz_posthumous2024.pdf

Are you going to learn it? 😃

Lost Chopin waltz discovered almost 200 years after it was written | BBC News A new piece of music believed to be by the Polish composer Frederic Chopin has been discovered.The unknown waltz was unearthed in the vault of the Morgan Lib...

I’m going to try to post weekly recap updates of what has been freshly added to the members-only portion of www.PianoRoadmap.com.

These threads are also a great place to ask any questions about the membership, anything piano, or make requests for future lessons.

Happy weekend!! 🍂🍁☀️

I decided to do a complete recording of my piece, Contemplation. I hope you enjoy!

Contemplation: A Piano Solo by Susan De Kam I wrote "Contemplation" for a film project many years ago. I like to think of this piano solo as a meditation over a simple chord progression, and I hope it ...

🎹 Posture Check Time! 🎵

We learn correct piano posture on day one, but then, sneaky bad habits creep in and decide to stick around for the long haul. 😅

Before you dive into your practice session, let's do a quick 3-point posture check together! 🧐

I decided to share a piece I wrote 😬 "Contemplation" was written many years ago for a film project. It's at about an early intermediate level. Very simple, and understated, but always felt special to me ❤️

Purchase the sheet music on my website: https://www.pianoroadmap.com/music-scores

Listen to an excerpt: https://www.pianoroadmap.com/blog/contemplation-susan-de-kam

Contemplation - Susan De Kam I wrote this piece back when I was composing for film, and it’s very simple on purpose. Sometimes, it feels good to just play something uncomplicated. 

Consolation, from Romantic Inspirations - Robert D. Vandall
Early Intermediate-Intermediate (2.5)

Robert D. Vandall is one of my favorite composers at this early intermediate-intermediate level. His pieces are always beautiful sounding, without being too difficult.

This piece comes from the collection Romantic Inspirations. The 12 pieces are all inspired by pieces and composers from the Romantic Era (Schumann, Chopin, Liszt, etc.). Any guesses who was the inspiration for this piece? Let me know below!

Consolation, from Romantic Inspirations - Robert D. Vandall Robert D. Vandall is one of my favorite composers at this early intermediate-intermediate level. His pieces are always beautiful sounding, without being too difficult. 

Did you know I play the organ as well? This is a great memory from 2011. Is ORGAN roadmap the next big thing? 😆😆😆🤭

Meyerson concert organ to star in 'Pipedreams' recital Ask an organist almost anywhere in the world to name the world's top 10 concert-hall organs, and the instrument in Dallas' Meyerson Symphony Center probably...

🎹 The Truth About "Just for Fun" 🎵

Ever found yourself saying, "It's just for fun," when things get tough with a new hobby? But let's be real, when you're not improving, where's the fun in that?

"Fun" isn't just about coasting; it's about the joy of progress and effort paying off. Sure, extreme effort can kill the vibe, but so can extreme passiveness.

So, while 5 minutes a day might sound convenient, will it get you to that point of playing freely? Probably not. It's about finding balance.

Remember, "fun" happens when you see improvement, feel the music, and play effortlessly—thanks to hard work and consistency.

Keep pushing, keep playing, and let's make this journey fun together! 🎹💪

I can help! Visit my YouTube channel or my website for more details - www.pianoroadmap.com or www.YouTube.com/pianoroadmap

Happy Weekend, fellow pianists! If you have a moment, please comment below, but only if you are a member of the Faber Follow-Along. Thank you! 😊

This *very scientific* chart shows you that it's NEVER TOO LATE to begin learning piano. You cannot argue with the chart.

Check out my piano course, the Faber Follow-Along (follows the Faber Adult Method Book 1, page by page + awesome supplementary material) at www.pianoroadmap.com!

Little Lavender, from Shoukei - Naoko Ikeda
Late Beginner
Purchase the SCORE here: https://www.sheetmusicplus.com/en/product/shoukei-6373277.html?aff_id=753781

I recently watched “The Boy and the Heron,” with music by Joe Hisaishi, which put me on a hunt to find more Japanese composers. I was so pleased to find Naoko Ikeda, who resides in the city of Sapporo in Japan. Her music is inspired by classical, jazz, and pop, as well as the well-known pedagogue and composer William Gillock.

Her suite, Shoukei, is inspired by a perfect summer’s day (I could use a little summer around here!). “Little Lavender” is the first piece in the suite and is a gentle and innocent walk through a field of lavender.

This is challenging (but doable) for late beginners. The most noteworthy hurdles are legato pedaling, the RH melody and LH accompaniment balance, hand independence in the B section, and some double notes. The remaining pieces in the suite are more challenging and better suited for early intermediate pianists.

If you click on a link and make a purchase, I receive a small commission, and I appreciate your support!

piano

https://www.pianoroadmap.com/blog/little-lavender-from-shoukei-naoko-ikeda

Shoukei by Naoko Ikeda - Piano - Sheet Music Buy Shoukei sheet music by Naoko Ikeda at Sheet Music Plus. Find Piano sheet music that you like.

5 steps to begin your piano journey 🎹 - “The best time to [begin learning piano] was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.” - Chinese Proverb, altered to suit my needs 😆

1️⃣ Get an instrument with at least 61 keys (full 88 with weighted keys is better, acoustic piano is best)
2️⃣ Write out your goals - for example, an ultimate piece you’d like to play, to teach your children, or to write your own songs
3️⃣ Decide your learning path according to your goals, time, and resources - Private teacher? Group classes? Youtube? Method book? Piano course? Both a method book AND a piano course (😊😊😊 hey, I have one of those! Check out my website for more details: www.pianoroadmap.com or link in bio)
4️⃣ Make your practice plan - IMPORTANT! Decide now how long you’ll practice and how many days per week. You can always reassess and make a new practice plan down the road. Also, WHAT will you practice? Pro tip: make your goals mediocre at first and focus heavily on consistency.
5️⃣ Implement! Remember, learning a new skill requires curiosity, the ability to reassess and refocus, and a love of the process.

Why not begin TODAY? 😃🎹🎵

This is my latest purchase, and I love every piece in this collection. EVERY. SINGLE. PIECE. I picked two to record here: Nocturne by Agnieszka Lasko and Nocturne Pregando by Marlowe Carruth. Which one is your favorite?

The back of the book says that “the anthology is a result of the worldwide search for talented but not-yet-published women composers.”

This could be a wonderful transition for an intermediate player who wants to soon dive into Chopin’s Nocturnes, but is not quite ready.

See my blog link below to listen to the recording and for a link to purchase.

22 Nocturnes for Chopin by women composers This is my latest purchase, and I love every piece in this collection. EVERY. SINGLE. PIECE. I picked two to record here: Nocturne by Agnieszka Lasko and Nocturne Pregando by Marlowe Carruth. Which one is your favorite?

Here's a recommendation for early intermediate pianists! You can purchase the score here: https://www.sheetmusicplus.com/en/product/blue-mood-waltz-19854537.html?aff_id=753781

Listen to a recording on my website (click below).

Things that might prove to be challenging:
- lots of ledger line notes in the RH
- a flowing RH with several hand position changes
- a challenging middle section and coda with crossing hands
- stylistically nailing the "blue mood"

Blue Mood Waltz Try this elegant and fun waltz by Glenda Austin. It's flowing, moderately fast, with short chances for espressivo playing. It’s great for early intermediate to intermediate players. The RH part looks tricky with the ledger lines, but it repeats itself quite a bit. If you can read music and you ca...

My Faber Follow-Along Piano Course to Book 1 has reached 200 students! 🎉🥳 And more piano courses (Book 2 + individual & smaller courses) are on their way. If you're unsure of what this piano course is about, there's a long blurb below. If you're in a rush, go to my website, www.pianoroadmap.com and find details there. Make sure to use code INTRO2024 at check out to receive your first month for only $25!

*** About the Faber Follow-Along Piano Course:
This course is a comprehensive experience that goes hand in hand with the Faber Book 1. Many adults use this method book as a self-learning tool, but I find that it's easy to get "caught" towards the middle stage when the pieces get more complicated. Learning anything without feedback or a guide is difficult. I go through every page in the book, covering quiz answers, lessons to learn, and tips on each exercise and piece, as well as supplementary material that isn't included in the book, but compliments it well (ear training, technique, music theory, music listening, and supplementary pieces). I've taught many in-person students with this metho book, and I used their frequent questions and challenges as my guide in making this course.

This course is meant to be followed on a daily basis (5 active days, then 1 video over the weekend), but you can go at your own pace. Each day ends with an assignment and practice suggestions so you always know what to work on. There are 195 days of video lessons, totaling more than 22 hours. There's a 7-day money-back guarantee (just email me), and you can cancel at any time. Use code INTRO2024 at check out and receive your first month for just $25. ***

Wondering what to play next? Check out my latest recommendation for intermediate pianists! I'll be adding many more for all levels. 🎹❤️

Arabesque Sentimentale - William Gillock (Intermediate) Wondering what to play next? Here's a beautiful intermediate piano piece with harp-like broken chords with cross-handed movements (fun!). 

MORE isn't necessarily better!

Pick a practice goal that will leave you wanting more at the end so you're excited to return to the piano tomorrow.

Your consistency will pay off in huge ways!

Look what happened over the weekend...5k subscribers! I’m so thrilled to see Piano Roadmap continue to grow and it's difficult to express how much it means to me when I hear people comment that it ACTUALLY HELPS them. So, thank you!

We’re busy waiting. 9 more sleeps until the new piano arrives! Should I name it? 🤔

On PATREON: this tier will be available starting on April 30, 2022! Buy your Faber Adult All-In-One Book 1 book and join us on Patreon/PianoRoadmap. You'll have videos to follow every M-F that works with the Faber book to provide a complete piano lesson experience with practice suggestions. We'll work through the entire book together. Private piano lessons can cost $120-280 per month. Gain access to these videos for only $20/month. Message me for more details!

To celebrate St. Patty's Day, why not learn "Danny Boy" (aka Londonderry Air)? 🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀 I found a very nice piano arrangement: https://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtd.asp?ppn=MN0056004&gclid=Cj0KCQjwuMuRBhCJARIsAHXdnqPTWP9X1Ejkq5QV4n-gN7WNWS6Wb4fI1-Ce6zu44uPGS9RWHViCZ0caAhIfEALw_wcB

Fred Weatherly "Danny Boy" Sheet Music (Piano Solo) in D Major (transposable) - Download & Print Print and download Danny Boy sheet music composed by Fred Weatherly arranged for Piano. Instrumental Solo in D Major (transposable).

This is obviously not a piano post, but this new hobby of mine is reminding me of what it's like to try something *completely* new as an adult. It's intimidating. It's honestly kind of scary. But it's also fun! And rewarding and humbling. You don't have to be a pro in order to enjoy something.

So, to all the adults trying something new, especially if it's learning the piano 🎹❤️, congrats on being brave and I hope you have a rewarding and fun journey!

THE IMPORTANCE OF SMALL STEPS

It can be tempting to go all out, 110% when we set a new goal.

*I'm going to read 1 book a week.
*I'm going to lose 30 pounds this month.
*I'm going to practice piano every day for 3 hours.

In rare cases, this can work, but most times we just burn out after a few days or weeks.

While small steps might not feel impressive, they help us build strong habits. And these small steps add up.

What small steps can you take TODAY that will bring you closer to your piano goals?