Break Free from Sheet Music: Learn to Play the Piano Freely

Break Free from Sheet Music: Learn to Play the Piano Freely

Here at Piano Picnic, we believe in teaching adults to play the piano freely, without the constraints of traditional sheet music.

With our step-by-step curriculum of 2-minute lessons, even total beginners can quickly unlock their musical potential and embark on an exciting journey of self-discovery. Join us as we explore the vibrant world of Piano Picnic and learn to play it like you mean it!

How to improve your memory for learning piano.

How to improve your memory for learning piano.

Do you forget songs you've learned as soon as you stop playing them? Do you find it difficult to recognise motifs when playing by ear? Don't settle for poor memory! Discover how training to improve your memory can improve your skill as a pianist!

Your guide to understanding ear training.

Your guide to understanding ear training.

Ear training is a funny thing - most people seem to think it is about training our actual ears to do all the work. But it’s not really about the ears at all. In order to ‘play by ear’, we’re actually learning to play by brain! We are taking the information that our ears send us and deciphering that information in different ways.

What is perfect pitch?

What is perfect pitch?

Perfect pitch is a rare ability of a person to identify or re-create a given musical note without the benefit of a reference tone. It helps them to play fluently by ear almost without trying. So how do those of us who weren’t so blessed with this trait, learn to play by ear?

How do you develop musical ears?

How do you develop musical ears?

You’re already beautifully equipped to hear all the details you need to hear in order to play by ear, you simply need to know what it is your hearing! Here’s my journey to developing my musical ear and how you can do the same.

How do you learn to play by ear? – Your first step.

How do you learn to play by ear? – Your first step.

If you desire to play the piano by ear, your first step is to develop your musical ears to be active. Use these tips to strengthen the connection between your ear and your brain to listen like a musician and train you hearing to work better for you!

Am I too old to start playing piano? [Student story]

Am I too old to start playing piano? [Student story]

With so many pianists starting their journey in childhood, it can feel like as adult beginners that we’ve missed the boat already. Is learning something new best left to the young? I talk to one of my students, Mike Clarke–a retired engineer in Australia–about his experience.

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Finding your voice as a songwriter.

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Finding your voice as a songwriter.

Finding your voice is about learning to listen to the things that get your blood pumping - those are the things that create emotional reactions in you, and those are the things that will feel so incredible to express in a lyrical way.

What is a strong song and how do I write one?

What is a strong song and how do I write one?

The best way to learn how to write a song, is to learn what makes a ‘strong song’. This is essentially learning the rules of songwriting - as evidenced by the strong songs of history, so that you can choose which to follow and which to break.

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How to learn piano (and love every minute of it!)

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How to learn piano (and love every minute of it!)

Learning something new isn’t easy and even with an enthusiastic and encouraging teacher like myself, you still need to foster a decent amount of inner-motivation in order to put in the effort required to achieve your piano goals.

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15 reasons why every musician should write songs (even beginners!)

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15 reasons why every musician should write songs (even beginners!)

Let’s address some of the most common excuses for why pianists (& musicians in general) think they can’t, shouldn’t or won’t write their own original songs (and why they definitely should!)

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How songwriting will make you a better musician.

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How songwriting will make you a better musician.

Even if you’ve never even thought about writing your own songs - today we’re going to look at how the act of songwriting benefits you as a musician, in a way that few other processes can.

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How to flow effortlessly on the piano.

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How to flow effortlessly on the piano.

The ability to effortlessly flow across the piano keys without stopping is a technique that requires practise, patience and a couple secrets.

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How to have more fun playing piano!

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How to have more fun playing piano!

Are you enjoying what you’re playing? Are you getting that *𝖒𝖆𝖌𝖎𝖈* feeling that we all chase in our musical journey? Here’s how to purposefully find that feeling for yourself.

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5 Tips to Sound Like a Pro on Piano

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5 Tips to Sound Like a Pro on Piano

This is a much-requested topic from students who know how to play chords and scales, but struggle to sound confident and convincing. Discover the secrets to sounding cool, calm & collected gathered from 25+ years of performing experience!

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What is meditative or 'ambient' piano music?

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What is meditative or 'ambient' piano music?

What is meditative piano? Learn what it is, where it came from, what it sounds like and why it’s the perfect way to begin improvising on piano!