Piano Blog by Skoove – Piano Practice Tips You know a smash hit when you hear it. Smash hits are the songs you hear on the radio that make you want to sing at the top of your lungs. They are the songs everyone at the party knows. And they inspire countless people to begin … Continue reading Play the smash hits from each decade →

Piano Blog by Skoove – Piano Practice Tips Music would be boring and lifeless without dynamics. Dynamics in music give motion, direction, and intention and fill a piece of music with emotion and meaning. Dynamics in music refer to changes in volume, tempo or speed, and feeling.  Dynamics are generally marked with a combination of … Continue reading Dynamic markings in music →

Piano Blog by Skoove – Piano Practice Tips Jazz theory refers to a particular area of music theory that relates to the chord progression, scales, melodies, and rhythms primarily used in jazz music. It uses the same tools as more traditional music theory, but can be applied in a generally more free-form way to analyze … Continue reading What in the world is jazz theory? →

Piano Blog by Skoove – Piano Practice Tips Finding the appropriate music for your skills level and interest is a key part to progressing on the piano as an adult student. However, it can be difficult to find the proper music to practice when you are just starting out. Some music may seem too easy … Continue reading Adult piano students need adult strategies →

Piano Blog by Skoove – Piano Practice Tips The augmented chord is one of the least understood chords among beginning piano students. It is frequently used by composers and songwriters to elicit feelings of otherworldliness, dream-states, surreality, and ethereal feelings.  Despite their seemingly scary reputation, augmented chords are not terribly difficult to understand and incorporate … Continue reading The ethereal augmented chord →

Piano Blog by Skoove – Piano Practice Tips Many of the most famous musical stars of the last century are self-taught musicians. Oftentimes, self-taught musicians exhibit a higher degree of “implicit understanding.” That is, they are able to play and perform music on their instruments often without fully understanding the music theory behind it.(1) Additionally, … Continue reading You too can become a self-taught musician →

Piano Blog by Skoove – Piano Practice Tips The diminished chord is one of the most enigmatic and often misunderstood sounds in music theory. To many people, it sounds quite dissonant and unattractive. However, the diminished chord is a very useful and beautiful harmony when used properly.  The diminished chord is inside of many larger … Continue reading The enigmatic diminished chord →