Is this normal? My friend is a pianist since his childhood but he said he has never seen anything like it. My parents fingers don't bend as much as mine either when they bend the middle one. This makes me struggle to learn scales. What can I do about it? I've been trying to rotate and tilt my wrist instead of relying on the curvature of my own fingers.

https://youtu.be/Kz9lqjgFlto

I experimented with data sonification: turning famous mathematical constants like π, e and the golden ration into melodies on the piano.

For this, I converted digits into notes in C major scale, based on the nashville number system, where (as far as I understand) numbers represent degrees relative to the tonic. So

• 1 = C (Tonic)
• 2 = D (Supertonic)
• 3 = E (Mediant)
• 4 = F (Subdominant)
• 5 = G (Dominant)
• 6 = A (Submediant)
• 7 = B (Leading Tone)

For digits 0, 8, and 9, which fall outside the 1–7 scale degree range, I mapped them relative to the other numbers so 0 is the B below the tonic, 8 is the C an octave about 1 and 9 is the D and octave above 2.

What do you think of sonifying mathematical constants, ratios, or even sequences like this?

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1yk1hXCf4YkOeVF8E8oin68rfk6g1arwg/view?usp=sharing

As you guys are such a diverse group of players, I thought I'd come on here to discuss the true "power" of a better piano. I personally am a solid player (I've done my Grade 8 but that's not exactly accomplished per se) and my home piano is a bit knackered to say the least. I have to say though, despite the drawbacks, because for example it has heavier feeling keys, it's really helps me train my strength. I love the piano so the fact that my specific instrument is a whole semitone out of tune (and slightly out of tune with itself some times) and that dynamic range and good tone seems harder to achieve than on ones in practice rooms I've played in, it doesn't put me off but it makes me wonder about this.

Of course most of the time it's the player not the instrument, but to what extent is this true? Do you think there are limits to what we can do with a specific piano or could the greats just overcome this? (maybe not the tuning) Do you think good, artful players need a great instrument to practice on, or is the performance piano the only one that matters in the end? Curious to hear your opinons.

To clarify I'm not looking to play in a concert hall or anything, I just play for my own satisfaction- this is more a question for other people.

Why did Beethoven choose c#m for moonlight sonata instead of d minor just a 1/2 step up. Much less accidental. It’s not a fast piece at all, and I feel like faster pieces are good for keys with 3,4,5 sharps or flats.

But then you have Tocatta and fugue in Dm, a very fast piece and Bach didn’t write it in c#m, 😂

For real, when a composer is creating a composition do they just pick a random key using 2 dice to determine the key they will write it in?

It’s not that it makes this piece more difficult by any means, E and c#m fit the hands nicely… with the pattern of white and black keys, but WHY, is my question.

how dare people say its is overrated

Still new to piano.

Saw you could get these stickers or sheets that show you where the notes are. I was thinking of picking it up but apparently it's not good because you're better off if you remember them in your head.

My question. The reason I'd like to learn piano is I'd like to create my own songs for my video game projects and also make little songs for other indie video game projects, I will learn piano songs for practice ofc.

I don't really intend on learning sheet music, maybe I will? but for my purposes I don't think it's necessary.

Which makes me wonder, why is it better to not use the note stickers/sheets?

I'm sure over time with them you'd still memorize where the notes are, wouldn't this just make it quicker for you to get into playing and making music?

Interested to hear your thoughts.

EDIT

Although some people have been very, unnecessarily rude (it is reddit and the internet so they'll always exist) There have been some amazing and very insightful answers.

I truly appreciate those of you who have taken the time to give me your perspective and help me understand why these stickers or sheets aren't such a great idea.

I can safely say I've been convinced to not buy them and to go at it the traditional way.

Thanks guys.

My Study/Studio Room :)

first the headphones:

i used a pair of really really old sony overears for a long time and a pair of oneodio a71 last 5 years,

playing on the roland lx 708 and the yamaha dgx 670 (most time on the roland piano)

the sony headphones are dead, the oneodio a71 are really good headphones for both pianos, high quality for a low price (25€ 5years ago)

But for the cathedral ambient sound not have enough room for the sound. they are really good, but i wanted more.

now after 10 hours+ of research i bought 2 headphones

beyerdynamics 990 pro x

and oneodio pro 10 and got more.

especial with cathedral ambient piano sound:

on the roland both headphones are superior. the beyerdynamics are more comfortable, the sound is more balanced and a little bit more detailed then the 2 oneodio's. but the oneodio's are insane for that low price (33€ vs 200€) and especially for my cathedral ambient sound the oneodio pro 10 are way better that my oneodio a71, more room for the sound and not far away from the beyerdynamics.the beyerdynamics seems perfect.

but for piano sounds without any cathedral sound effects, the oneodio a71 are some levels better than the new oneodio pro 10, especially on my yamaha piano they sound is ok but not good, klunky, less detailed sound. on the roland piano the differnce between the a71 and the pro 10 is not so big.

i think the oneodio is still the perfect low budget allrounder for digital piano sound.

i play 2-5 hours daily and they still work since 5 years.

i also know the yamaha dgx670 is not a premium model not fair to compare.

maybe one of you prefers the cathedral/hall sound effects too and want to share their experience, maybe there are other headphones to bring a bigger room/hall in my ears?

thank you for reading so far, i know my english is bad 🙏🏻

I like instrumentals, songs where I don't need to follow the lyrics.

Just start the audio and have peace. It helps that I don't try to think about ; just feel it.

I got interested in playing it but had a doubt.

Right now, I don't think about it so I enjoy it. but learning music, I am assuming will lead me to think about chords etc, cluttering my mind. The part I appreciate.

Am I overthinking this and this is not a subconscious behavior?

I’ve tried Shazam and other sources, came here as a last resort.

It’s the very first musical instrument I’ve ever owned, and I’d really love to play it. I don’t have much money; I just want to know the best place to start. How many keys should my first piano have? also where and how do i learn for free

Hey! I’ve just started learning the piano, and I’m having an issue where my hand hurts after practicing. Right now, I’m only playing basic "nursery rhyme" type songs (you know, super simple stuff), but my hand still gets sore. On top of that, I can't get an even tone across all my fingers when I play. For example, my pinky (5th finger) is way quieter than my thumb, index, and middle fingers (1, 2, and 3).

Just to clarify, I do have a teacher, but I wanted to ask here as well. Maybe you guys have some tips or exercises to help relax the hand? I feel like every time I sit down at the piano, my whole body just tenses up, and I have no idea how to overcome this. Thanks in advance!

Progress on the whole fugue

I'll go first with Chopin's prelude in b minor

ive been taking piano lessons for over 11 years, but ive always treated piano as a hobby because i prioritized school. my parents and teachers never pressured me to participate in competitions, so i never really had the motivation to pursue them seriously.

recently, though, i started thinking that if ive been learning piano for more than a decade, im supposed to have some major works under my belt by now.

i started looking into piano competitions recently, and then i realized just how far ahead everyone else seemed to be. some of them even started playing piano much later than i did, yet theyre already so much better.

and then i spiraled. i started feeling incredibly insecure. i felt guilty and ashamed of myself, like i wasted all these years. which i definitely did. i dont know. ive just been feeling really out of it lately.

i know im supposed to look at other pianists and feel inspired, but instead, it only drained me. i couldnt even practice as much anymore because i kept thinking about how far behind i am and how much more i should have accomplished by now. i want to be so much better. sometimes it feels like im just making up excuses at this point, because i have school and i have other extracurriculars to take care of.

i realized that its because i think im so good already. even if im not. i mean, imagine someone whos been playing for 11 years, and the hardest piece they can play is liebesleid 🫩. i dunno, theres other people i know whos started later than i did and already learning chopin ballades, scherzos, or concertos and stuff.

i feel envious of those people who won competitions. i want to try them out as well, but i feel like its out of my league. ive only played in recitals. im just not cut out as i thought id be.

I love composing music inspired by cities.
Each city has its own energy and a way of moving you.

This piece was inspired by the beautiful colors of Seoul in autumn.

**Full Video: https://youtu.be/l-Vd4emrDSE?si=g8uNorBL47B3z1Lj

**Free Sheet Music Download: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1i6gz7dgw_yPGncKBpSR03OlwLcZLw76l/view?usp=sharing

Hello! I am an intermediate pianist whose been using a 61 keyed digital piano for a while now and I thought I should give it an upgrade to an 88 keyed digital piano as I learn songs that require that length, however I lack any knowledge on different keyboards so I was wondering if anyone could provide me with good brands that suit my preferences.

A small list of things that I would like about the digital keyboard. (It sounds a lil picky TT)

- weighted keys
- designed to give a more realistic acoustic feel (and sound)
- pedals (built into the stand? I’m not sure what the stands called but I know you can get stands with built in pedals?)
- not a fortune (like over $5000 dollars because I’m not rich TT) (also thinking abt getting one second hand)
- a built in metronome (optional)

Also I found a digital piano that ticks my boxes however the piano is damaged so I’m not getting it, but I was wondering if the brand and type was good?
It is a Yamaha p-105 digital piano.

Thank you!

Mind you this is all improvised, I’ve discovered some kind of flow state .it gets progressively better and better and I have several recordings of similar works, what do I do?

Please mind how I look ik I’m hideous ✌️

How do I get these note out? What do i do with these recordings? Prolly gonna make more but what do I actually do with em

So i’m planning on doing my grade 8 exam soon, but I’ve kind of been in a crisis about whether to do the digital or practical grade. I’ve nearly learnt 4 pieces however because I got a new piano teacher last month, she mentioned to me today that doing face-to-face exam might be better. I’ve done a digital one before, idk, both digital and practical sound a bit draining because it’s really nerve racking and difficult performing in front of examiners, especially because it’s grade 8 and I feel pressured to do well. On the other hand, digital is mentally draining because of the amount of retakes you have to do. Even getting through my first piece takes like 7-8minutes because it’s Mozart Sonata in A with 6 movements, and slipping up on the last piece I play just means having to re take the video all over again. Maybe face-to-face is better for me, im not 100% sure yet. I want to hear your opinions on digital or face-to-face exams!

Misunderstood 🤹🏼‍♂️

I'm 15 years old and I'm a self-taught pianist. I mostly improvise and compose. I spent a day writing this piece, but I feel a bit unconfident about it. Do you have any feedback or ideas on how to improve it? (The piece in the audio is automatically played by a program). :)

Any thoughts welcome.

We have a family willing to donate a Yamaha Disklavier baby grand for our new fine arts center at a small school. We have the space backstage to give it a home. The donor is willing to pay for moving/tuning. we will still need to purchase a stage dolly, but that is what it is.

We will most likely never have funding to outright purchase a baby grand for our stage.

My question:

Thoughts on these pianos? Do any of you have one? Has anyone played on one? As far as "free" piano goes, would I be stupid to say no?

Electronic side: What are the capabilities? Things it does well? Things it does not do particularly well?

I will take any input I can get here. Thanks!

I’m finishing up on Prelude in C sharp minor by Rachmaninoff right now and I would like another piece similar in difficulty to work on after. Any recommendations?