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.
In this article, I’m comparing two of the most popular beginner-friendly stage pianos on the market: the Yamaha P-225 and Roland’s FP-30X. These two instruments are priced similarly and target the same type of buyers, so I’m putting them head-to-head to see which one comes out on...
Learning how to play piano is an extremely rewarding endeavor, but it can be challenging to fit lessons around your schedule and budget. If you can’t commit to regular piano lessons, it doesn’t mean you should give up; it means you have to find another way to learn.
Learning pentatonic and blues scales is a milestone moment for piano students. It’s not a complicated concept, but it’s a significant step in composition and improvisation. Countless melodies and piano solos are rooted in these scales, and you don’t have to be a pro to make them...
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...
