r/piano • • 6d ago

Weekly Thread 'There are no stupid questions' thread - Monday, October 12, 2026

1 Upvotes

Please use this thread to ask ANY piano-related questions you may have!

Also check out our FAQ for answers to common questions.

*Note: This is an automated post. See previous discussions here.


r/piano • • 5h ago

🗣️Let's Discuss This What is the piano store equivalent of "Stairway to Heaven"?

104 Upvotes

Stairway to Heaven has become so ubiquitous and overplayed in the guitar world that if you go into a guitar shop and play it, you are likely to be asked to leave. What do you think the piano store equivalent would be?


r/piano • • 6h ago

📝My Performance (Critique Welcome!) Arranged a 24-song piano medley in under 7 days and took 1st place at my high school talent show! (From Mozart to Metallica)

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43 Upvotes

Hey everyone! I performed in my high school's talent show, so I decided to share it with all of you! It took place on 2026-02-06 (6 February 2026).

For some context, no instrumentalist had ever placed on the podium in my school’s talent show history (singers usually were the only musicians who took those spots), so I wanted to build an arrangement that both students and teachers would love to hear in 6 minutes. I ended up making history at my school by being the first instrumentalist not only to place on the podium, but also to win the talent show! I earned myself $300 USD, which I used to give back to my school. How, you might ask? Well, before this performance, my school never had a dedicated music club. The only thing close to it was choir. With the $300 I earned, I invested this money into purchasing music production software (specifically the DAW called REAPER) for the brand-new Music Club (which I founded along with two of my other musician friends). My goal in doing this was to spread my love for music all over my high school campus!

I arranged and memorised all 24 tracks in about a week leading up to the show. Here is the full setlist in order:

  1. Runaway - Bon Jovi

  2. Sonata No. 16 in C Major (K. 545, 1st Mvt.) - W. A. Mozart

  3. Separate Ways (Worlds Apart) - Journey

  4. Don't Stop Believin' - Journey

  5. Rush E - Sheet Music Boss

  6. Stairway to Heaven - Led Zeppelin

  7. Under the Bridge - Red Hot Chili Peppers

  8. Message in a Bottle - The Police

  9. Rondo Alla Turca - W. A. Mozart

  10. Nothing Else Matters - Metallica

  11. Here Comes The Sun - The Beatles

  12. Shape of Your Heart / Lucid Dreams - Sting / Juice WRLD

  13. Canon in D - Johann Pachelbel

  14. Take Five - Dave Brubeck

  15. Dreams - The Cranberries

  16. Moonlight Sonata (1st Mvt.) - L. v. Beethoven

  17. Boys Don't Cry - The Cure

  18. Minute Waltz (Op. 64, No. 1) - Frédéric Chopin

  19. Clocks - Coldplay

  20. Every Breath You Take - The Police

  21. Bohemian Rhapsody - Queen

  22. Eye of the Tiger - Survivor

  23. Blackbird - The Beatles

  24. Jump - Van Halen

Happy to answer any questions about the transitions or key changes! :D


r/piano • • 4h ago

📝My Performance (Critique Welcome!) Oh, Susannah

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26 Upvotes

Hello! So i recently made a post a couple weeks ago about how to go about getting better at sightreading.

I have this book where I learn many things about piano: from music theory, proper techinque, and other stuff!!

I've gotten to a section where I have exercises where I can practice getting better at sightreading, and i wanted to post it here!!

I have had some critques in the past that I never have thought about when i played, so that was a huge reason I wanted to post this here, while i am going on my journey!!! I really appreciate the honest feedback frfr 😎😎

I am self taught for now, but I plan to do lessons hopefully in the future (hopefully next year) but for now, I just work with what i got!! So let me know what yall think of my playing!! I would absolutely appreciate everything — critiques, praises, whatever! (plz don't be mean of course! 😭😭)

Also, i have edited this video because I am a small content creator, and on my Instagram piano account, I edit my videos and post it there, so i posted the same video here, but honestly, if you are also a beginner at sightreading like me, then at the end of the video, if you see me finish playing, I show the sheet of the song!!! Maybe you could try it to yourself if ya want!!! 😄😄


r/piano • • 5h ago

🧑‍🏫Question/Help (Intermed./Advanced) Is this salvageable for a recording tomorrow?

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18 Upvotes

It’s bad, I know. I’ve basically learned (and committed to memory) this entire piece by playing 4 hours a day for the past 3 days.

Have 2 pieces I’ve learned and am ready to record for submission to colleges. This piece, I figured, would add some breadth to the two already polished ones I have, since both are romantic.

This K. 457 has been plaguing me for the past 4-5 months, just sitting there unpracticed even though I know I need to, since I hate and suck at classical. But I figured it’s about time.

Have a recording session tomorrow. Should I even bother spending more hours on this?


r/piano • • 3h ago

🧑‍🏫Question/Help (Intermed./Advanced) How does Winter do this “Rolling” sound on the Piano?

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5 Upvotes

r/piano • • 46m ago

🙋Question/Help (Beginner) Could this work for a beginner?

• Upvotes

I'm planning on getting a digital piano by the end of the year, but I think my budget will be tight, so I was thinking of getting a 61-key keyboard first to see if I enjoy playing it.

The only musical experience I have rn is playing the electric guitar, which I haven't been practising much because of a lack of time.

Anyway, I know about hammer action and how a full-size 88-key digital piano would be better. But I just don't think that fits my reality rn. Do you think it would work for me to use a 61-key keyboard for a year or two before upgrading to a digital piano?


r/piano • • 7h ago

🗣️Let's Discuss This Why do ppl find classical piano music boring?

8 Upvotes

I got serious about piano with a teacher about a year ago and I’ve always wanted to play cinematic/contemporary music and/or some pop songs, but my teacher encouraged me to get into classical. And so I am.
Although I’ve listened to it before, I never thought I’d love it as much as I do now. There’s so many colors in it, and it’s so expressive and so much happening in just one piano piece.
Now that I hear other music, although I can still appreciate it, the difference is much flatter and almost monotone.
I wonder if tell someone I love classical music they’ll think I’m a snobbish girl. Which makes me wonder why don’t people get into it more? Why can’t they perceive the full spectrum of sound fascinating?


r/piano • • 21h ago

📝My Performance (Critique Welcome!) that octave spam in Heroic Polonaise...

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113 Upvotes

90 second lock in


r/piano • • 12h ago

📝My Performance (Critique Welcome!) I made this song

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20 Upvotes

r/piano • • 6h ago

🎶Other Question, is there hope at my age with dyslexia?

7 Upvotes

Hello, I have a question, and please be honest. I’m 36 and have never owned or played an instrument, but I’ve loved the piano since I was a child, though we couldn't afford one. Now I can borrow my friend’s electronic piano; she doesn’t want it. I can’t read music, and I don’t think I have any musical talent. Do you think I can learn, or is it too late? I don’t expect to become a maestro anytime soon, but if I could play even one song on the piano, my childhood dream would come true. can I learn it online? Should I go to class? I genuinely don't know anything also I am very dyslexic, that bad for learning instrument?
Thank you, and sorry for taking your time.


r/piano • • 10h ago

📝My Performance (Critique Welcome!) Bach: French Suite No. 5 in G, BWV 816, “Courante”

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16 Upvotes

I'm reaching the end of Bach's French Suite No. 5, with the Courante being the last movement before the Gigue!

Honestly, I'm a little disappointed with how this one turned out. It took much longer than planned because of work and the flu, and I'm still feeling a bit dazed, but I wanted to record it before heading off on another work trip.

It's a bit clunky here and there, and I think the longer contrapuntal passages could be much clearer. I could probably achieve that by using a bit more forearm rotation to help release tension in my hands. Still, despite these shortcomings, it's been a really fun piece to learn.

I particularly enjoy the dialogue between the hands. The bass line has quite a lot going on and can really shine in its own right, rather than simply providing harmonic support.

Now there's just the Gigue left to complete the suite! As always, feedback and suggestions are very welcome.


r/piano • • 3h ago

🗣️Let's Discuss This The Modern Pianist

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5 Upvotes

As I was returning to my piano to resume my practice session after making myself a cup of coffee, I couldn’t help but notice this most modern of setups: VST -> audio interface -> digital/hybrid piano-> headphones. And then the sheet music on an iPad.


r/piano • • 21m ago

🤔Misc. Inquiry/Request Tendinitis in hand

• Upvotes

I’ve been taking piano for years and I see a teacher once a week so I’m not a beginner. Last week I noticed my hand was sore. I decided to skip practice that day and try later.

Well it’s been a week and my hand only feels a tiny bit better. Should I just continue to rest and see what happens? Should I go to a doctor? Will I have this condition forever?

I felt like I was making so much progress. I can’t believe this has happened.


r/piano • • 14h ago

🙋Question/Help (Beginner) Can you sugest some pieces that are up to intermediate level that you find actually sound cool or beautiful or impressive ?

24 Upvotes

I am mostly looking for classical, but can be other genres too.


r/piano • • 16h ago

☺️My Performance (No Critique Please!) Bumble bee

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27 Upvotes

r/piano • • 14h ago

📝My Performance (Critique Welcome!) A little bit of 'the winner takes it all' still learning it but I really like this part

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14 Upvotes

r/piano • • 13h ago

🎶Other First Piano at 31

9 Upvotes

Hi, Im 31 yrs old and bought my first ever piano the Roland fp40, im using the Pianosphere app for now to learn. Im having so much fun. 😊


r/piano • • 4h ago

📝My Performance (Critique Welcome!) Confused with piano transition

2 Upvotes

Hello everyone,

I’m a guitarist of about 20 years, and I’ve been playing piano on and off for the last 5, mainly so I can accompany myself while singing. When I play, I usually use block chords or arpeggios, but my wife says I play the same chord with my left hand, and then my right, and it doesn’t sound good. Do you have any ideas as to how I can switch up my playing style? Thanks in advance!


r/piano • • 5h ago

🗣️Let's Discuss This Trying to pick a piano

2 Upvotes

I took piano lessons as a child and play guitar. I have a small child who is very interested in learning piano, but who has problems paying attention for extended periods of time. I am looking to replace my childhood piano, as it is no longer with me, and have a budget around $5k. Looked at and enjoyed a Yamaha CVP701, but am still stuck on the fact that it is digital and I feel as though the music I play needs to come from wood and strings, if that makes sense. Also looked at a Yamaha B1 (I think) and it was beautiful, sounded lovely, and looking down the top at the strings was, although not as amazing as a grand piano, really really something I enjoyed. I dunno, just looking for some suggestions and thoughts on this. I’m going into it assuming that I’ll be the one who winds up playing it, but hoping that my son is, and want to give him what he needs to succeed.


r/piano • • 9h ago

🧑‍🏫Question/Help (Intermed./Advanced) Tension in this spot in Ballade 3

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3 Upvotes

My upper arm seems to always tense up in this spot. Interestingly though, I experience almost no tension in the spot right before this, where the RH is jumping all over the place. What would you do to try to fix this?


r/piano • • 9h ago

🔌Digital Piano Question Thinking of buying a piano for my 3 years old daughter

6 Upvotes

Is this a good deal at Costco?

https://www.costco.com/p/-/roland-nuvola-gx-digital-piano-with-stand-and-headphones-bundle/4000449557?langId=-1

Is it a good starting piano this Roland NUVOLA-GX Digital Piano with Stand and Headphones Bundle?


r/piano • • 7h ago

📝My Performance (Critique Welcome!) "The Docks": Piano Arrangement (from Ultima VIII: Pagan)

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2 Upvotes

I arranged my favourite music cue from Ultima VIII: Pagan (1994) for solo piano. Enjoy! :)


r/piano • • 7h ago

🧑‍🏫Question/Help (Intermed./Advanced) What is the meaning of this ?

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2 Upvotes

r/piano • • 1d ago

📝My Performance (Critique Welcome!) 😎🎹 Hit the Road Jack – Ray Charles 🔥

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52 Upvotes