Piano League
Learn
Lessons, advice and practice tools from leading pianists and teachers.
Enrico Elisi on why your fingers shouldn’t outrun your foot
The TCU piano professor on pedal, staccato, orchestral thinking and why the beginning is the hardest part.
Expert AdviceYong Hi Moon: melodies are multiplication, not addition
The Peabody piano professor on listening to your own sound, moving less and playing only what the composer wrote.
Expert AdviceMichael Lewin on why Liszt invented impressionism
The Boston Conservatory piano chair on touch, color, opera in Mozart and the orchestra hidden in Bach.
Expert AdviceJiayan Sun on why Beethoven shouldn’t sound like a metronome
The Smith College pianist on rubato, opera in Mozart and the pleading quality of repeated notes.
Expert AdviceYi-heng Yang on playing a prelude like an improvisation
The Juilliard pianist and fortepianist on spontaneity, soft color and committing to a character.
Expert AdviceRan Dank on why water has no angles
The Eastman piano professor on Ravel, careful listening in loud passages and slow practice.
Expert AdviceGerardo Teissonnière on finishing every phrase to the last note
The Cleveland Institute of Music teacher on elegance, beautiful sound at speed and virtuosity that serves the music.
Expert AdviceInesa Sinkevych on singing while you practice
The Manhattan School of Music pianist on rubato, contemplation and not repeating yourself.
Expert AdviceAlan Woo on why silence can be the most dramatic moment
The University of Georgia pianist on silences, crescendos, direction and playing con brio.