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Composer Diana Mascari using notation software for a composition

Composer Diana Mascari using notation software for a composition

What Does It Take to Bring a Creative Project to Life?

Motivation & Inspiration

1 day ago4 min read

Composer and pianist Diana Mascari at the piano studying a musical score

Composer and pianist Diana Mascari at the piano studying a musical score

What Types of Listening Help Pianists and Composers?

Sep 155 min read

Composer exploring ideas for a new composition

Composer exploring ideas for a new composition

How Do You Start a Musical Composition?

composition lessons

May 305 min read

Diana Mascari playing jazz piano

Diana Mascari playing jazz piano

How Do Jazz Piano and Composition Inspire Each Other?

May 294 min read

Diana Mascari performing piano music

Diana Mascari performing piano music

How Can I Share the Music I Play or Compose with Others?

Tips for Better Piano Playing

May 196 min read

Solo piano performance in a relaxed setting

Solo piano performance in a relaxed setting

What Are the Advantages of Playing Solo Piano as Background Music?

Tips for Better Piano Playing

May 166 min read

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 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

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

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 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

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

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