How to Play Orchestral Reductions at the Piano

Learning to play orchestral reductions is a skill that pays back again and again. In this post, Nicole DiPaolo walks you through her process of approaching any orchestra score, with detailed tips to simplify the process and better interpret the music.

In this post, we’ll take you through the 10 best piano pieces to learn this summer, from impressions of the oceans to pieces that feel like an evening in Tuscany.

Renowned pianist Evan Shinners, also known as WTF Bach and the founder of The Bach Store, has just released the first 3 of what will be over 20 albums spanning all of J.S. Bach’s keyboard music. Here, Shinners shares his inspiration for the massive endeavor.

What is rubato? How do we play it on the piano, and how do expectations for rubato usage differ by style period? This post will take you in-depth through the implications of rubato across the piano repertoire.

tonebase just launched its brand new Practice Plan feature, revolutionizing the way we learn the piano online. Here, we’ll show you exactly how to assess your progress on the piano with this new comprehensive feature.

Join us in an exclusive interview with 2023 Chopin Competition on Period Instruments Finalist Piotr Pawlak, as we discuss piano competition preparation, improvisation, inspiration, and more.

Nothing sets the holiday scene more than some pleasant Christmas-themed pieces for the piano. In this post, we’ll introduce you to 10 pieces you can learn this month to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year.

Here, I’ll take you through major piano scales, minor scales, proper fingerings, and a whole bunch of other info that you’ll need to master your piano repertoire.

Here, we’ll take you through all 12 major piano scales, natural minor piano scales, harmonic minor piano scales, and melodic minor piano scales.

Pianist Lowry Yankwich shares an in-depth guide to piano pedals. In this post, you'll learn about the different piano pedals' names, function, use in different eras, and much more!

From seller options to common online scams, this article will prepare you to handle all of the ins and outs of selling a Steinway piano online.

How long should you practice piano? What specifically should you be practicing? In this post, I’ll address some of the most common questions that piano students have about what is needed for good piano practice.

Here, tonebase Head of Piano Ben Laude will define single and double rotation at the piano, and show you how to incorporate these into your practice routine.

Here, we’ll take you through everything you need to know to buy a Steinway piano.

Here are 10 ideas for how to make practice more enjoyable in 2024.

Juliana Han's baby has some advice for you, and it's going to help you become a better pianist!

Here, tonebase Head of Piano Ben Laude will dive into how to best strengthen your hands to advance your repertoire.

Here, tonebase Head of Piano Ben Laude will show you how to play complicated polyrhythms on the piano through the mastery of hand and finger independence.

Here, we will dive into how to properly address your piano hand placement with “in-and-out” movements.

Here, we will dive into 5 tips for playing piano with small hands so you can conquer your repertoire more efficiently.

In this blog post, we’ll share more about specific ways for you to approach the Scarlatti Sonata and master the techniques necessary to play with precision.

In this three part series we will look at different applications of practice and how to best structure your time to come away from each of them feeling accomplished.

Here, we’ll discuss what goes into a piano technique practice session and how to structure it to get the most out of your dedication.

In this blog post, we’ll share more about specific ways for you to approach Fantaisie Impromptu and master the techniques necessary to play with precision.

In this blog post, we’ll share more about specific ways for you to approach Ligeti’s Etude No. 4 - Fanfares.

Here, we’ll dive deeper into ways for you to practice and perfect your E minor scale on the piano.

Here, we’ll dive deeper into ways for you to practice and perfect your E major scale on the piano.

Here, we’ll dive deeper into ways for you to practice and perfect your A major scale on the piano.

Here, we’ll dive deeper into ways for you to practice and perfect your A major scale on the piano.

Here, we’ll dive deeper into ways for you to practice and perfect your D minor scale on the piano.

Here, we’ll dive deeper into ways for you to practice and perfect your D major scale on the piano.

Here, we’ll dive deeper into ways for you to practice and perfect your G minor scale on the piano.

Here, we’ll dive deeper into ways for you to practice and perfect your C minor scale on the piano.

Here, we’ll dive deeper into ways for you to practice and perfect your A major scale on the piano.

Mastering the C major scale on piano is a task every pianist will have to accomplish at some point in their journey, as much of our common repertoire is based on the components of this scale.

Here, we’ll discuss the top 3 most-effective ways to teach yourself piano, with or without formal piano lessons.

Have you ever wanted to try your hand at composing for piano? Here are 3 simple ways to get started.

What all do you need to get started teaching piano from home? Here's an ultimate guide covering everything from equipment, programs, and several tips and principles to get you started!

Thank you for your interest in joining the tonebase Ambassador Program!

Here are several tips on piano maintenance and care to preserve the sound and condition of your instrument for years to come.

Ben Laude (Head of Piano @ tonebase) is joined by his former Juilliard classmate and tonebase artist Juliana Han for a special Q&A on practicing the piano.

We recently had the opportunity to test out the PlayScore 2 sheet music scanning app and decided to share what it is, how it works, ways you can benefit from using it, and more!

Watch 50+ free lessons taught by the world's best pianists. Learn how to master new techniques, refine your interpretations, practice efficiently, and more!

Today, we will be exploring 4 common piano practice mistakes we all do without noticing and should actively try to do less of going forward!

Ben Laude reflects on themes heard in our latest podcast episode, which features the voices of great pianists with a direct connection to Brahms.

"The Brahms D Minor Piano Concerto is the product of a whole lot of struggle." Lowry Yankwich shares his thoughts on creating Episode 2 of our new podcast, the tonic, which features this "soul-shattering" piece.

Lowry Yankwich – creator of tonebase's new podcast "the tonic" – shares the importance of storytelling in Chopin's First Ballade.

To achieve secure memorization at the piano, you need to develop 4 types of musical memory: aural, visual, physical, and structural.

Should pianists memorize music? We are expected to do so from a young age, but many other instrumentalists aren’t. So why do we do it? Should we?

Learn the two truths that will set you free from unnecessary strain at the piano forever, plus a quick exercise to see forearm rotation at play.

Ben Laude, Head of Piano @ tonebase, shares an intimate glimpse behind the scenes of our latest production with the renowned performer and pedagogue Emanuel Ax. Watch for his tutorials coming soon to tonebase!

Here, I'll take you through three important evaluation questions to help you find the best piano teacher so your lessons can be as productive as possible.

How did piano masters such as Mozart, Chopin, and Brahms practice? In our pursuit of successful practice routines, we’ve compiled the piano practice tips and strategies of some of history’s most famous pianists and composers.

Pianist and professor Juliana Han helps you determine how long you should practice piano.

While playing scales can seem like an unnecessary chore, Juliana Han explains why they need to become part of your regular practice routine.

Juliana Han shares 3 areas of music theory that will massively impact your piano playing.

For those of us whose piano athleticism is more fit for recreational leagues, is it even worth cracking open the scores of more treacherous works — or should we just leave them to entertain our ears?

How do we find that default hand shape? Here’s an exercise that will show you your hands’ natural shape. Ready?

To improve your piano sight reading practice, like any other complex skill, you must practice it purposefully. Here's how to get started!

Did you know that if you are a pianist, you are also a superhero? Your superpowers include making 10 fingers fly across the keys in intricate patterns, singing with pieces of wood and iron, and interpreting swarms of tiny black dots.

How do you practice performing? The best way is to do it so often that getting on stage becomes the mental equivalent of walking into the office.

There are many reasons to digitize your piano sheet music library (read the full post for my top 10...) I’ll talk below about what most professionals consider the top tools and practices at the moment.

Here, we'll dive into the best approach to demystifying piano scale fingerings so you can play your repertoire with more precision.

Toilet paper … hand sanitizer … digital pianos? As the pandemic drags on, there’s been a run on all of the essentials. You gotta do what you gotta do, and pianists gotta practice!

Introducing a new keyboard musicianship series based on the training methods of great composers.

Piano warm-up routines can seem like talismanic magic. To help you optimize, here are 3 tips to consider when warming up at the piano.

Let’s talk about how to build a better practicing habit for your piano practice routine this year. I’m going to suggest one simple piece of advice. Ready? Do less.

Chords can be overwhelming, especially when dense and complex harmonies are involved. Here are three tips for tackling them, fast.

Check out our latest review on KeyboardKraze!

Have you been struggling with piano pedaling in your practice routine? This article will help you understand all you need to know about pedaling, from its function to stylistic considerations.

Here, we'll show you how to prepare for a recital and transform your preparation routine to set you up for success.