Learn to play
beautifully

From the Italian sonare meaning simply “to sound,” the sonata has undergone enough changes throughout music history to fill several encyclopedic volumes, as some scholars have indeed given us. Fortunately for us, however, sonata form nearly always refers to a single-movement structure used throughou...

Question: Some time ago, I read your interesting article about ‘Sonata Form’ simplified.

What’s the relationship between sonata and symphony, both regarding form and other aspects?

– Achilles (Malta)

Albert’s reply: This is a great question, and one that confuses many music students and music...

Question: Hi, I am wondering how to get better at playing pieces in different keys. Different keys have different chords, which have different fingerings. For example, I am good at playing songs at the key of B-flat but a hard time playing in A.

Albert’s reply: To improve playing in different k...

Question: Hello Albert,

About theory, what book would you suggest to purchase please? I need a book which will carry me through to the highest level. Most books one finds on the internet are just basic and actually purchasing off the net, one takes a chance with the wrong book.

Actually there is

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Question: Which minor scale… natural, harmonic, or melodic, should I be practicing on when playing the major scale, then to its relative minor scale?

– Richard (North Carolina, USA)

Albert’s reply: While we need to know all three forms of the minor scale, if you only practice one it should be ...

Question: Hi Albert,

I’m just beginning to play. Is there such a thing as a paper/cardboard thing you put on the keyboard with the notes on it?

Thanks,

– Gigi

Albert’s reply: You remind me of the time my brother scratched the note names on the piano when we were kids!

Fortunately, labeling ...

Question: My idea of teaching music theory through piano was always burning in my mind… at last I think I found the right place to learn more.

I am interested especially in harmony, including the right selection of chords, chord progressions, etc.

Kind regards,

– Achilles (Malta)

Albert’s re...

Question: Hi, I just wanted to ask some short questions:

1. Explain the following time signatures and tell where the accents fall in each: 2/4, 3/4, 4/4.

2. What are accents and what effect do they have?

– Courtney

Albert’s reply: Courtney, these are really one and the same question. Y...

Question: I’ve often read that to play the piano properly, you must be proficient in key identification (knowing what the key is, based on the number of sharps or flats it has). As long as I play the music as written, why is it necessary for me to know what key it’s in? I’ve tried memorizing all t

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Here are all the major scales for piano, with all proper fingerings, for free download! Simply right-click the download icons or links and select “Save” to download the major piano scales worksheet.

Major Scales for Piano

Most piano students struggle with learning their scales, but this need not b...

Question: I am 67 years old and returned to piano less than a year ago. My teacher is a world class pianist who doesn’t have much time for me. But then too I don’t feel I need lessons every week as I practice 2–4 hours every day on the Bach invention and Beethoven sonata she gave me. I have terrib

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Which to Learn?

Question: I was about to memorize the number and types of intervals in the scales.

Then I noticed this distinction between keys and scales.

Any key (major or minor) comprises just 7 notes.

But a scale comprises 8 notes – we repeat the tonic note to make up an octave when playin

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