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At the piano, where improvisation, composing, and listening come together—and where one musical thought can grow into something much larger.

At the piano, where improvisation, composing, and listening come together—and where one musical thought can grow into something much larger.

Why Compose When You Can Play the Piano?

composition lessons

May 84 min read

Jazz piano performance of It Might As Well Be Spring with expressive rubato and samba improvisation

Jazz piano performance of It Might As Well Be Spring with expressive rubato and samba improvisation

What Happens When a Song Begins One Way—and Becomes Something Else? (Jazz Piano from Rubato to Samba)

Tips for Better Piano Playing

Apr 273 min read

Composer at piano deciding what to write next in music composition

Composer at piano deciding what to write next in music composition

How Does a Composer Decide What to Write Next?

Apr 255 min read

Composer Diana Mascari with the Foundry Saxophone Quartet after their performance of “Finding a Peaceful Place Under the Clouds.”

Composer Diana Mascari with the Foundry Saxophone Quartet after their performance of “Finding a Peaceful Place Under the Clouds.”

The True Nature of Musical Collaboration

Motivation & Inspiration

Mar 104 min read

What Is a Tritone — and What Is a Tritone Substitute?

What Is a Tritone — and What Is a Tritone Substitute?

What Is a Tritone — and What Is a Tritone Substitute?

Feb 244 min read

Diana Mascari Composing with Pencil and Staff Paper at the Piano

Diana Mascari Composing with Pencil and Staff Paper at the Piano

Why Do Some Musical Pieces Have Multiple Movements?

Jan 275 min read

What Are Basic Jazz Chords — and How Can They Support Your Melodic Ideas?

What Are Basic Jazz Chords — and How Can They Support Your Melodic Ideas?

What Are Basic Jazz Chords — and How Can They Support Your Melodic Ideas?

Tips for Better Piano Playing

Dec 27, 20254 min read

Diana Mascari -Composing with Modes

Diana Mascari -Composing with Modes

What Are Musical Modes And How Can They Shape the Mood of Your Music?

composition lessons

Dec 6, 20254 min read

Diana Mascari at the piano, looking upward as she explores the atmospheric sound of the whole tone scale.

Diana Mascari at the piano, looking upward as she explores the atmospheric sound of the whole tone scale.

What Is the Whole Tone Scale, and How Can It Create a Unique Atmosphere in Your Music?

Nov 14, 20254 min read

Diana Mascari improvising at the piano

Diana Mascari improvising at the piano

How to Use Diminished Chords to Add Expression and Color to Your Music

Tips for Better Piano Playing

Nov 11, 20253 min read

Diana Mascari helping adult musicians learn to compose and explore instrument tone colors.

Diana Mascari helping adult musicians learn to compose and explore instrument tone colors.

How to Learn an Instrument’s Range and Tone Colors So You Can Compose for It

Nov 6, 20254 min read

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