What If Composing Music Could Transform the Way You Play Piano?
- Diana Mascari
- Jun 12, 2021
- 5 min read
Updated: Jun 3
Yes, You Can Compose—Even If You Don’t Know Where to Start
A few years ago, one of my piano students—just 8 years old at the time—sat down and proudly played a piece she had composed herself. No formal training in composition, no fancy software. Just a handful of notes from her beginner books and a spark of curiosity.
She took what she knew, played around with it, and then carefully drew her own staff paper to notate what she heard. Her little piece was tuneful, rhythmically steady, and full of personality—because she wrote what she could already play and understand. It was simple, and it was beautiful.
With a little encouragement (and some staff paper her mom found on Amazon), she kept going. The next week? Four new compositions, each one unique.
Like many creative pursuits, her interest ebbed and flowed. But a few years later, after receiving an iPad, she rediscovered her love for composing. I introduced her to a beginner-friendly music app, and within days she was building songs again—this time with playback, the ability to edit, and even the confidence to add other instruments, like flute.
You Don't Have to Be Prodigy to Compose Music
Now, before you assume she’s a prodigy—let me assure you, she’s a regular kid. Some weeks she’s more interested in playing outside than practicing. And even when she does practice regularly, composing doesn’t always happen. But the seeds were planted early, and they’ve taken root.
Every now and then, she surprises me with a new piece—thoughtful, original, and entirely her own. Not every week. Not on a schedule. But always genuine.
And here’s the beautiful part: even though composition isn’t her constant focus, it’s deepened her musical understanding in ways that go far beyond her lesson books. She listens more closely. She thinks more creatively. She knows music—not just how to play it, but how it works. That’s the quiet magic of exploring composition: it doesn’t have to be perfect or prolific to be meaningful. It just has to begin.
So if You’ve Ever Wondered, “Could I Write Music?”—the Answer Is Yes.
The lesson? You don’t need to be a genius, know advanced theory, or even write for a full orchestra to start composing. You just need curiosity, a few notes you enjoy playing, and a willingness to explore.
Start simple. Start small. Just start.
What Does My Student’s Creativity Have to Do with You?
Actually, quite a lot.
Here are four reasons why her story matters—especially if you’ve ever wondered whether you could compose:
You’ve probably already started.
If you’ve ever played around on the piano and stumbled on a group of notes that felt catchy—or if a melody keeps playing in your head—you’re already halfway there. That musical idea is yours. Don’t ignore it.
Writing music sharpens your thinking.
Whether you jot it down on staff paper or enter it into music software, the act of writing your ideas out helps clarify them. It’s like writing a short story: the process brings your thoughts into focus and gives them shape.
You’ll start asking better questions.
Composing naturally leads you to explore: “What chord fits here?” “How do I make this sound more expressive?” That curiosity sends you searching—and in the process, you’ll learn more about music than you ever expected.
You already have what it takes.
If you love music and play the piano, you have everything you need to begin composing something meaningful. In fact, around 95% of music performed in the U.S. is created or played by amateurs—people who do it simply for the joy of it. And often, the quality of their music is every bit as rich and heartfelt as that of professionals. So, why not give it a try?
To find out more about composition lessons, click the button below:
Why Take Composition Lessons from Diana Mascari
Over the past 47 years, I’ve taught piano to hundreds of students and performed extensively as a jazz pianist. For the last 19 years, I’ve also composed classical music for orchestra, chorus, and a wide range of chamber ensembles. My formal training—including two Master of Music degrees from New England Conservatory and doctoral studies at Boston University—gave me a solid foundation. But it’s through the daily act of composing, exploring, and teaching that my understanding of music has truly deepened.
Maybe you have musical ideas you’ve been quietly carrying—snippets of melody, harmonies you love, or a desire to create something original.
Or maybe you just need a bit of guidance or inspiration to get started.
One great way to begin is by choosing a piece you love—whether it’s classical, jazz, pop, or a show tune. Together, we’ll study its structure and style, and then use it as a springboard for creating your own music.
As you compose, you’ll naturally grow as a pianist, too. You’ll begin to understand:
Musical form and structure
Chord progressions, key relationships, and harmonic patterns
Articulation, dynamics, phrasing, and tempo
How melodies are shaped and developed
The role of motives and the art of voice leading
Character, color, and mood in musical expression
You don’t need to be an expert—just curious and open to learning.
If you’re ready to explore composition, I’d love to help you get started.
Get in touch and let’s bring your musical ideas to life.
About Diana Mascari-Piano and Composition Teacher for Adults
Diana Mascari-Piano & Composition Teacher for Adults
Diana Mascari has taught piano to hundreds of students for more than 47 years. She is dedicated to enriching her students’ lives by supporting their individual musicality.
She has developed a teaching system called the Transformational Approach to Piano. It offers her students colorful musical insights that broaden their experience beyond traditional methods.
Diana holds two Masters of Music degrees from New England Conservatory, taught keyboard harmony to music majors at Boston University, and was the music director of a multicultural Presbyterian Church for four decades.
Diana has performed as a solo jazz pianist as well as with her ensembles at many colleges and jazz clubs throughout New England. Many of these performances featured Diana's jazz compositions.
As a composer, she has explored the intersection of jazz and classical music. Her compositions reflect her deep appreciation for musical structure, enhanced by the spontaneity and emotion of jazz. Each piece has a timeless sense and is designed to move and inspire. Her works have been performed in Europe, Japan and the Eastern United States.
Diana’s vibrant personality infuses her teaching, performing and composing as she inspires piano students to achieve their musical goals.
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