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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

1 day ago4 min read

Jazz piano performance of Green Dolphin Street with expressive improvisation

Jazz piano performance of Green Dolphin Street with expressive improvisation

Green Dolphin Street: When Music Becomes Something More

Tips for Better Piano Playing

May 14 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

What Happens When You Turn a Jazz Standard into a Samba?

What Happens When You Turn a Jazz Standard into a Samba?

What Happens When You Turn a Jazz Standard into a Samba?

Tips for Better Piano Playing

Apr 144 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

Some songs never stop giving back.

Some songs never stop giving back.

What Makes a Song Worth Playing for Fifty Years?

Tips for Better Piano Playing

Mar 64 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

How the Blues Scale Adds Warmth, Color, and Expression to Your Music

How the Blues Scale Adds Warmth, Color, and Expression to Your Music

How the Blues Scale Adds Warmth, Color, and Expression to Your Music

Tips for Better Piano Playing

Dec 2, 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 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

Choosing comfortable fingering builds the muscle memory that brings your music to life.

Choosing comfortable fingering builds the muscle memory that brings your music to life.

How Do You Know What Fingering to Use When Playing a Song?

Tips for Better Piano Playing

Oct 27, 20255 min read

Discover how notation software empowers adult learners to compose, experiment, and grow as musicians.

Discover how notation software empowers adult learners to compose, experiment, and grow as musicians.

Awakening Your Inner Composer: How Notation Software Brings Piano Ideas to Life

Oct 20, 20256 min read

Bring new life to beloved Christmas songs with creative piano styles by Diana Mascari

Bring new life to beloved Christmas songs with creative piano styles by Diana Mascari

How to Breathe Vitality into Holiday Hits

Tips for Better Piano Playing

Oct 16, 20254 min read

Jazzing Up Jingle Bells with Shuffle Bass

Jazzing Up Jingle Bells with Shuffle Bass

Jazzing Up Jingle Bells with Shuffle Bass

Oct 13, 20255 min read

Celebrating Thanksgiving with Simple Gifts and More

Celebrating Thanksgiving with Simple Gifts and More

Celebrating Thanksgiving with Simple Gifts and More

Tips for Better Piano Playing

Sep 27, 20254 min read

What Is the Pentatonic Scale and How Can It Help You Improvise or Compose?

What Is the Pentatonic Scale and How Can It Help You Improvise or Compose?

What Is the Pentatonic Scale and How Can It Help You Improvise or Compose?

Tips for Better Piano Playing

Sep 16, 20257 min read

What Is Composition? Why Adults Can Start Creating Music Now

What Is Composition? Why Adults Can Start Creating Music Now

What Is Composition? Why Adults Can Start Creating Music Now

Tips for Better Piano Playing

Sep 4, 20255 min read

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