/  Musicianship
How to Play Blues Piano in 7 Days (Beginner-Friendly Guide)
If you’ve ever sat down at the piano and thought, “I wish I could play blues… but I have no idea where to start” — you’re not alone. Blues piano has this reputation of being complex, expressive, and a little mysterious. But here’s the truth: You don’t need years of experience to start sounding like […]

 /  Musicianship
The 2025 Pianote Awards: Celebrating the Pianists Who Defined the Year
The 2025 Pianote Awards celebrate the artists who shaped the sound, emotion, and creative evolution of the piano world in 2025. From genre-defining performers to composers with unmistakable voices to creators building massive communities online, this year’s winners reflect a global landscape where piano playing is more expressive, more visible, and more influential than ever. […]

 /  Musicianship
Jazz Piano for Beginners: Chords, Swing & the ii–V–I Explained
Jazz piano often looks complicated. You see strange chord symbols, extensions with numbers you’ve never used before, and rhythms that don’t feel quite like pop or classical music. It’s easy to assume jazz piano is about playing more notes or being wildly advanced. But here’s the secret: Jazz piano isn’t about playing more notes — […]

 /  Musicianship
Gifts for Piano Players: Holiday Gift Guide 2025
The holidays are just around the corner! With Black Friday deals happening, now is the time to shop gifts for piano players in your life. If you’re not a piano player, buying gifts for one can be intimidating. So, we hope this holiday gift guide will take the guesswork out of impressing the very lucky […]

 /  Musicianship
The Fastest Way to Learn Songs on Piano (Even If You’re a Beginner)
If you’ve ever wanted to learn a song quickly on the piano—without spending weeks glued to sheet music—let me introduce you to your new best friend: the lead sheet. Lead sheets give you just the essentials: melody, chords, and rhythm. That’s it. No pages of complicated notes. No overwhelming arrangements. Just the core ingredients you […]

 /  Musicianship
How To Play Cocktail Piano: Smooth Jazz Sounds for Beginners
Have you ever walked into a lounge or cocktail bar and thought: “Wow… I wish I could play like that”? That smooth, sophisticated piano style that feels effortless—like musical velvet? Good news: You can absolutely learn how to play cocktail-style piano. And in this guide, we’ll show you the exact jazz techniques to get started, […]

 /  Musicianship
R&B Piano 101: Chords, Groove & Timing with Eric Wortham
When you think of R&B piano, you think of lush, colorful chords, smooth grooves, and soulful emotion. But how do you actually play like that? In this lesson, renowned pianist Eric Wortham (who has performed with artists like Adele, Jill Scott, and Seal) breaks down the essentials of R&B piano so you can start sounding […]

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Gear Breakdown: GLASYS Hears APT (Bruno Mars and Rosé) For The First Time 
What happens when you hand a synth wizard a soulful performance from Bruno Mars and Rosé? You get musical alchemy. In this special Pianote episode, GLASYS (aka Gil Assayas) hears APT’s reimagining of “Best Part” for the first time—and as expected, he dives in with wide-eyed wonder and sharp musical instincts. But what gear did […]

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How to Play Like Oscar Peterson: 3 Signature Jazz Piano Techniques
Oscar Peterson is one of the most celebrated jazz pianists in history—renowned not only for his incredible speed and technique but for his expressive musicality and unmistakable style. In this lesson, Pianote Coach Jacob Dupre breaks down three essential elements of Oscar Peterson’s sound and shows you how to incorporate them into your own jazz […]

 /  Musicianship
Gear Breakdown: Kevin Castro Learns “Through The Fire And Flames” On The Spot
When Brandon Toews of Drumeo challenged Kevin Castro (Pianote) to learn DragonForce’s “Through The Fire And Flames” on the spot, no one expected what happened next. No sheet music. No prep time. Just raw talent, blistering tempo, and a wall of keys. Kevin didn’t just survive — he shredded. And his arsenal of synths, workstations, […]

 /  Musicianship
Cinematic Piano 101
Cinematic piano is one of the most powerful ways to add drama and emotion to your playing. Whether you’re inspired by composers like Hans Zimmer, John Williams, or Ludovico Einaudi, these techniques will help you craft breathtaking, film-worthy music. Today, we’re diving into essential cinematic piano techniques—chord voicings, motion, arpeggios, and more. Let’s explore how […]

 /  Musicianship
Announcing the Winners of the Pianote Awards!
It’s the moment you’ve been waiting for: your votes are in and we’re ready to announce the winners of the 2024 Pianote Awards! Thanks to you, we can acknowledge and showcase some of the most accomplished players in the piano community this year. From skilled virtuosos and teachers to inspiring and talented entertainers, we put […]