Your trusted resource for piano inspiration, education, and reviews.
At Pianist's Compass, we're here to guide pianists of all levels - from beginners taking their first steps to experienced musicians seeking fresh insights.
Some of the best pianists in the world started playing in the Church. The world of professional gospel musicians is incredibly demanding, but even the best had to start somewhere. Here are some of the best gospel songs, spirituals, and hymns for beginner pianists.
Major and minor scales are the backbone of modern western tonal music. We use these scales to form melodies and build diatonic chords and progressions. Understanding major and minor scales will help develop the skills you need for composition and performance.
Have you ever wondered how the pros can play along with any song they hear? Well, it takes some practice, but you might be surprised to hear that you don’t need to be a prodigy, a virtuoso, or have perfect pitch.
Chords are the building blocks of music and composition, and like many elements of music, chords aren’t as scary or complex as they may seem. There are many chord types, each with a distinct harmonic character, and the thought of learning them all can be a little daunting. But, with a few...
Music brings people together, and there’s no better time than Christmas to get friends or family around the piano for a sing-song. Christmas songs are lots of fun; the only downside is that once you play one, people will ask for another and another. So, you have to be prepared.
Kawai’s CA501 digital piano is a step above the entry-level of the flagship Concert Artist series. At almost $1000 more than the cheaper CA401, it’s an expensive step. In this review, I’ll determine if the CA501 lives up to the Concert Artist name and is worth the extra investment.
The circle of fifths is like a Swiss army knife for music theory; this simple tool unlocks a world of musical knowledge. Despite its potential, the circle of fifths is often ignored or presumed to be some complex puzzle that’s more hassle than it’s worth. Fortunately, that...
Playing piano at any level is a lot of fun, and it’s usually fun for the people you share your musical gift and enthusiasm with, too. But, sometimes, you need a quiet space for your music, and sometimes, your audience (willing or not) needs some quiet time. The solution is some great...
As a beginner, jazz music often sounds like a different language, like the musicians have notes that the rest of us don’t. But it’s not as scary as it first seems; like other genres, we can play jazz music using common patterns and progressions.
There are jazz standards that every pianist should know for various reasons. In addition to being fantastic tunes, they each help you explore and understand different elements of music, such as rhythm, harmony, and melody. These tunes will teach you more than any theory book and provide enough...
