Articles
A Quick Guide To What Piano Pedals Are Used For
The sustain, sostenuto, and soft pedals each serve unique functions that, when employed skillfully, can transform a piece of music and help unlock your full potential as a pianist. 
Best Compact Pianos For Pianists On The Go in 2024
Whether you're a traveling performer or a student shuttling between classes, having a compact piano that doesn't compromise on quality is essential. 
8 Ways to Improve Your Piano Students' Ear Training
Ear training is a fundamental aspect of becoming a well-rounded musician, allowing students to recognize and identify pitches, intervals, chords, and melodies by ear as well as helping them be more versatile at the piano. In this article, we will explore eight fun and effective ways to improve your piano students' ear training. 
How Group Piano Lessons Can Benefit Everyone
As a piano teacher, did you know you could increase your income and decrease your weekly hours? Read on to learn how group piano lessons can benefit everyone! 
Tips for Joining a Band as a Piano Player
I didn't know much when I joined my first band—and I did just fine—but here are a few tips for joining a band as a piano player I've learned that might help you. 
3 Ways To Help Your Struggling Piano Students
Pianists frequently feel stalled in their progression, but teachers have the power and responsibility to help them toward lifelong success and enjoyment at the piano. Here are 3 ways to help your struggling piano students. 
Piano Finger Positioning for Beginners: What To Know
Mastering the art of playing the piano can be immensely fulfilling, but it can also pose significant difficulties if proper technique is not established from the beginning. Here are a few tips for proper piano finger positioning for beginners. 
3 Fun Piano Games To Play With Your Students
Did you know that when you gamify abstract musical theory concepts, players receive instant feedback, have a longer attention span, and are more motivated to learn? 
10 Proven Strategies to Ignite Your Child's Passion for Piano
Playing the piano has numerous benefits for children, including improving cognitive skills, increasing creativity, and enhancing emotional expression. This article shares ten powerful strategies to motivate your child to play the piano and develop a lifelong love for music. 
How Playing the Piano Can Improve Cognition
Playing the piano isn't just a fun hobby; it can also improve cognitive function. Discover the benefits and how piano lesson programs like Piano Marvel can help. 
4 Composers Every Piano Teacher Should Know
Do you recognize any of these four composers that every piano teacher should know? They have shaped Western music and without them, our music today might be very different. 
10 Piano Lesson Myths and Misconceptions Debunked
With so much information out there it can be hard to know what's true and what's not. Josh Mills weighs in with his experience. 
Upcoming Pianists and Their Style of Playing
Playing the piano is a skill you can learn and perfect over time. Over the years, the music industry has seen more up-and-coming, talented pianists making their mark. In this post, we feature a few of these pianists to watch out for today and take a look at their background and playing style. 
4 Common Piano Sight-Reading Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Sight-reading piano music is much like learning how to read a new language. It takes a lot of practice but you will experience greater success by avoiding these 4 common piano sight-reading mistakes. 
Piano Marvel Tips for Practicing Piano Quietly at Home
Wondering how you can practice piano and not disturb anyone or be distracted by outside noise? We have some tips for practicing piano quietly at home. 
Audio vs. Midi for Piano: What’s the Difference?
As you begin your piano journey, you might wonder what the difference is between an audio signal and a MIDI signal when playing the piano. Find out more about the key differences here. 
Why the Piano Is One of the Best Instruments for Songwriting
Creating melodies is a beautiful form of self-expression and seeking out the best tools to help you with this can be very beneficial. The piano is one such tool, and a wonderful instrument for songwriting. 
My New Year's Resolution
This year I am going to be innovative and create a plan that will work. So let’s go through the process of strategizing a plan to meet my new goal for 2023. 
How To Help Your Students Have More Fun When Learning Piano
Being a piano instructor comes with the challenge of making your lessons enticing. Find out how you can help your students have more fun when learning piano. 
5 Easy Songs To Learn on Piano for Beginners
Learning to play a song on the piano can be an exciting challenge. To help you get started we have compiled a list of some of the easiest songs to learn on the piano for beginners. 
Ways Playing Piano Enhances Your Quality of Life
Playing the piano can be an incredibly satisfying experience, but would it surprise you to learn that playing piano can actually enhance your quality of life? 
Raising the Bar
In 2015 a study was launched with students enrolled in college piano classes to determine how well they could sight-read. The project consisted of administering the Standard Assessment of Sight Reading (SASR) to over 26,000 students in universities across the country. In October 2022, the Average SASR score for non-piano major college students was 429. 
The Ultimate Guide to Planning a Holiday Piano Recital
Music is a beautiful thing that brings us together and often enhances our celebrations. Give your students and their families another reason to celebrate by using this ultimate guide to plan an unforgettable holiday piano recital. 
What Is the Best Age for Someone To Learn Piano?
Have you been wanting to familiarize yourself with the ivory keys but worrying that it’s too late? Find out more about the best age for someone to learn piano. 
Things Instructors Should Include in a First Piano Lesson
The first lesson with any student can be a jumble of nerves and anxiety for everyone. While exciting, you never know what to expect. Here are things instructors should include in a first piano lesson. 
Bad Habits Beginner Piano Players Should Break
The truth is that learning to play the piano takes dedication and consistent practice, without which you likely won't see improvement. To guide you along and help you excel sooner, peruse these bad habits beginner piano players should break. 
The Importance of Posture When Playing Piano
Many things contribute to becoming a well-developed pianist, and a significant component is your posture. Keep reading for the importance of posture when playing piano. 
How To Help Your Students Learn To Sight Read Sheet Music
When you sight read, you must consider the rhythm, the notes, the key signature, hand-eye coordination, and stay in time all at once. What a brain workout! However, just because it can be difficult to teach and learn does not mean you should give up on it entirely—keep reading for our tips on how to help your students learn to sight read sheet music. 
The Benefits of Sight Reading When Playing Piano
Although it's a skill that instructors don't teach as much, sight reading is incredibly beneficial for accelerating your ability to read new music quickly. 
Reasons Children Should Learn Piano at School
School is where children can expand their minds and learn crucial things that will enrich their lives. Here are reasons why piano should be one of them. 
5 Effective Ways To Motivate Your Piano Students To Practice
Many will agree that the life of a music teacher is not always easy. Here are some effective ways to motivate your piano students to continue their practice. 
How to "Piano Marvel" in Under a Minute
The ultimate quick guide for piano teachers to setup and get started with Piano Marvel in their studio, group piano lessons, or piano classroom! 
Learn To Play Your Favorite Songs
Piano Marvel makes it easy to learn your favorite songs with the revolutionary “Learn Mode.” Learn a new song today and play it for your friends in no time. Here are some great tips for you as you take this very rewarding journey. 
Learning Piano on a MIDI Keyboard: What You Need To Know
A MIDI keyboard is a great way to start learning piano—there is so much variety, as you have options in terms of how many keys you want. 
Tips for Tracking Your Piano Students' Progress in Lessons
The sign of a good teacher shows when their students excel and surpass goals. Here are your go-to tips for tracking their piano progress in lessons. 
Getting Started: How To Learn the Piano on Your Own
The most exciting part about learning the piano on your own is that you can begin at any age, anytime. 
The Benefits of Learning Piano at a Young Age
Wondering whether piano lessons are right for your child? Here we present some of the benefits of learning piano at a young age. 
Tips for Designing a Piano Lesson Plan for Your Students
It can feel intimidating to create an interesting class your kids will enjoy. Here are some tips for designing a piano lesson plan for your students. 
Benefits of Piano Instruction Software for School Programs
Music is an essential aspect of creating happy experiences for students. Here are the key benefits of piano instruction software for school programs. 
Helpful Ways You Can Approach Learning a New Song on Piano
Nothing feels better than playing a new song from start to finish. To get there, here are helpful ways you can approach learning a new song on the piano. 
Tips for Using Software When Teaching Piano
As you search for the best music tools, check out these tips for using software when teaching piano. Provide your students with everything they need to excel. 
5 Different Methods for Teaching Piano in Class
Everyone learns in different ways. There are five methods for teaching piano in class. Read about the top methods to decide which one you will use. 
How Much Time Should You Spend Practicing Piano Daily?
Wondering how much time should you spend practicing piano daily? Read on for some suggestions to help you find the right balance. 
Piano Marvel: 8 Ways to Make Piano Practice Fun
Practicing remains one of the most important aspects of learning to play the piano. If you find yourself feeling bored or frustrated, it's time to change things up a bit. 
The Best Possible Piano Education-Group Piano
With the advent of new technologies, the traditional piano class has been flipped on its head. Today, not only can group piano offer equal education as private lessons, but if done right, it can offer superior education for all students and a more fulfilling and less stressful experience for instructors. 
7 Reasons You Should Learn Piano as an Adult
If you want to master a new skill, then check out these seven reasons you should learn piano as an adult. Make your next hobby an exciting one! 
Practical Tips for Teaching Piano to Adults
Use this informational guide to get a few practical tips for teaching piano to adults. By properly structuring your class, you’ll help every student thrive. 
The Best Type of Piano Music To Teach Young Children
Read up on some of the best types of piano music to teach young children. With the right songs, teaching kids the basics of piano will be a breeze. 
Work Smarter, Not Harder: Sharing the Responsibilities for Successful Piano Playing
The responsibility for student success in the private piano studio has traditionally been a shared experience between the teacher and the learner. It is up to current music professionals to secure the bridge between the teacher and the student by using the most effective music learning tools of our time, including Adaptive Music Learning/Teaching Applications (AMLTAs), such as Piano Marvel. 
How to Leap with Freedom in Chopin's Etude Op. 25 No. 3
Music is filled with fast-moving jumps of every size so handling leaps effectively is essential for a well-functioning technique. 
5 Things to Remember About Pedaling
I religiously followed the pedal marks in my music, and that was that. Or at least it was for many years until I took lessons as an adult where I found out some deeper knowledge that floored me. 
Piano Marvel: Perfect iPad App to Help You Excel in your Piano-Learning Skills?
Piano Marvel is one of the most praised platforms among piano players and this application claims that you can make piano learning fun and productive at the same time. Say goodbye to those traditional days when you had to face strict instructors to learn piano. Introduce yourself to a brand-new way of learning piano through Piano Marvel. 
5 Best Piano & Guitar Duets
When most people think of piano duets, they imagine a violin, cello, flute, or a brass instrument like a trumpet playing beside the piano but I know some great songs that can be played on the piano and guitar, too. 
How to Record Yourself Playing the Piano
Whether you're recording for YouTube or your loved ones, it's important that you provide an enjoyable viewer experience. By doing this, your digital audience will be able to enjoy your music. If this is something you'd like to take seriously, invest in a high-quality camera, an external mic, and a reliable lighting source. 
Fingering for Modes
Have you ever wanted to learn the modes for the piano but didn't know where to start when it came to fingerings? Here's a guide to helping you get started. 
5 Reasons Why Piano Teachers Should Consider Furthering Their Education (Maybe Taking Lessons Themselves)
Many teachers have been playing for a very long time, so they easily grow accustomed to their ways. After studying and playing for years, it may seem that they have already benefited from all of the things the piano can give them. Teaching and educating others about the piano is a rewarding job for them to share their knowledge and skill with their students. However, there is always room to improve upon a skill or craft. 
5 Reasons Why Playing Duets is a Great Piano Exercise
When you play simple songs on the piano, there is not a lot of depth to the sound. When the teacher adds a part -usually the lower bass part -the song begins to sing. At the same time, especially for the younger child, having the teacher nearby is very comforting. Playing duets requires different skills than playing solo. Here are some of them. 
Back To School Sale
The "Back To School Sale" is for annual subscriptions. Get 20% off! 
Music Video Production
Video is becoming increasingly more critical in the modern piano studio. There are many reasons for a teacher to develop and continue improving video production skills. 
4 Piano Tips for Beginners
A very popular musical instrument is the piano which is string-based and is acoustic. The keys pressed cause vibrations and the sweet sound as a result. So if you have a piano and you finally want to start learning or have bought one recently, then here are four tips for you. We also recommend using a piano teaching app and hiring a piano teacher. Piano Marvel is the best app for teaching piano because it was created by piano teachers for piano teachers and their students. 
The Top 5 Reasons To Select A Piano Learning App
Ideally, an application should benefit everyone regardless of their age or skill level, and most applications available on the market are designed keeping this thing in mind. The interactive guidelines and step-by-step tutorials have benefitted several users. Some applications for kids even guise musical notes as the characters of stories and offer games related to learning to enhance the interest of the young ones. Piano Marvel offers a lot in all of these areas and is a great app for learning to play the piano on your own or with a teacher. 
Patriotic Challenge 2021
See what's new in our Second Annual "Patriotic Challenge"! 
Piano Goals
Set a goal that stretches you but doesn’t require you to run a marathon.Someone who is not a runner would set a goal to run a mile or a 5k long before they decide to run a marathon. We must also set achievable goals for ourselves when learning piano. If you are excellent about practicing a few days a week, but not in a row, setting a goal for a 7-day practice streak in Piano Marvel would be an ideal place to start. 
Tips To Improve Your Sight Reading at the Piano
Aaron Garner describes some of his personal struggles with sight-reading as a kid and all the way through college. He shares some of the tips he has learned over his more than twenty five years of teaching students and working to improve his own sight-reading. After creating Piano Marvel, he and his team have invented some great sight-reading tools that have been game-changers! 
Piano Unstrung - Part 4: Air
We hope you have enjoyed the Piano Undone mini-series so far! Part Four: Air features the piece "Livin' On A Prayer" by Bon Jovi. This is a popular and lively song. However, it is also difficult for some to play. Aaron Garner has arranged some simpler versions that range from beginner to advanced levels. We have also just released Livin' On A Pray Games in the Piano Marvel app that allows early beginners to see how far they can get in the Livin' series. 
The Virtual Piano and Game Mode
The recently released Piano Marvel iPhone app includes a virtual piano keyboard, and Piano Marvel is officially releasing Game Mode in the app's music library as well. A song bundle for “Pirates of the Caribbean” called Pirate Games, was released in Game Mode on April 5th, when we released the first video of the Piano Unstrung series. It also served as the Song Of The Week. It has been an instant new favorite for Piano Marvel students around the world. Each of the four videos released in the Piano Unstrung Series has been accompanied by a song bundle for the SOW in Game Mode. The other three song bundles are called Bumblebee Games, River Games, and the soon-to-be-released Livin’ On A Pray Games. Students will see it in the Piano Marvel app on Monday, April 26th in the music library. 
Piano Unstrung - Part 3: Water
We hope you have enjoyed the Piano Undone mini-series so far! Part Three: Water features the piece "River Flows In You" by YIRUMA. This is a popular and beautiful piece. However, it is also difficult for some to play. Aaron Garner has arranged some simpler versions that range from beginner to advanced levels. We have also just released River Games in the Piano Marvel app that allows early beginners to see how far they can get in the River series. 
Piano Unstrung - Part 1: Pirates
We hope you enjoyed the first video of the Piano Undone mini-series! There is more to come and we can't wait to share the next three videos with you. Part 1: Pirates features the piece "Pirates of the Caribbean" by Hans Zimmer. This is an exciting and impressive piece. However, it can be difficult to play for many people. Aaron Garner has arranged some simplified versions of this piece and you can find them below. 
Piano Unstrung - Part 2: Fire
"Flight of the Bumblebee", by Nikolay Rimsky-Korsakov. This is a beautiful and impressive piece, however, it is also difficult to play. Aaron Garner has arranged a simpler version that he calls "Flight of the Bumblebee Rock." We have also just released Bumblebee Games in the Piano Marvel app that allows early beginners to see how far they can get in the Bumblebee series. Learn to play this song at various levels. 
5 Useful Tips to Teach Piano to Your Kids
Introducing your child to the beautiful world of music early on has many benefits for their growth. Research has shown that children who grow up learning instruments display better discipline, memory, attention, and technical skill than their peers. The Piano is an excellent choice for parents to start kids on due to its popularity and easy availability of lessons. The Piano serves as an excellent basis for all musicians to learn musicality basics such as scales, rhythm, and pitch. Many classical musicians get their start on the Piano, even if they switch to other instruments later. Piano skills can also transfer to other professions apart from being a pianist, such as a composer, vocal coach, or music therapist. 
Songs to Learn on Piano
Whether you’re beginning your piano journey or you’re an experienced pianist, choosing the right piano piece can be a daunting task. Sometimes you choose a piece, start learning, and realize it’s way too hard. Other times, you realize it’s just not as exciting as you thought it would be. Either way, you end up burning out and never finishing the piece. The key is to choose a piece that’s the right level, a relatively quick learn, and exciting and fun to play. Every week, we highlight at least one new piece in the Piano Marvel Library that has all of these factors as the Song of the Week. These are the songs that have all the ingredients for an easy to learn, fun piece that won’t let you burn out. 
When Should My Child Start Piano Lessons?
It’s one thing for a child to learn how to read English; it’s another to teach them how to read sheet music. To understand lessons and learn new songs, your child must be capable of comprehending symbols on a page. Learning music involves memorizing chords and their corresponding keys. They’ll also need to recognize patterns to identify recurring elements of various songs. Before your child begins piano lessons, they’ll need to develop basic reading comprehension. 
Christmas Songs Anyone Can Play on Piano
Christmas time is famous for its music. More music has been written for and about Christmas than any other holiday in the world. At Piano Marvel, we’ve been experimenting with this Christmas music thing for a while now. We realized something significant- people want easy Christmas music that they can learn quickly and play during the season. They also want to sound great while doing it. This year, we’ve made it a priority to add as many easy, fun Christmas songs to the software as possible that anyone can play on the piano, and we’re adding more every day. Even if you’ve never touched a piano before, you can learn Christmas songs extremely quickly using the learning paths designed for each piece by professional piano teachers. On average, those who learn a song with Piano Marvel learn 5 to 10 times faster than those who learn traditionally, so you can be sure of success. 
Should Everyone Learn to Write Music?
The average person who learns to play the piano still lacks the skill to write music. After decades of teaching music, I have come to believe that learning music is very much like learning a language. The majority of citizens in the United States have learned to both read and write, and music teachers can have the same success with their students in teaching them to not only read music but also to write music. But where do you start? 
What is Practice Mode?
Practice Mode splits up a song, piece, or exercise into bite-sized pieces called learning sections. Not only are they split up into phrases to be easier to learn, but they are also organized in a specific learning path that eases the process of putting those sections together and aids in quick and accurate memorization. 
AIM Technique: Now In Piano Marvel!
Piano Marvel is proud to announce AIM Technique for all UMTA teachers - FREE for all teachers and students! 
How To Master My Scales
So you say you want to master your piano scales, huh? Here's an article that will help you achieve that goal by using proven practice strategies from top pedagogues Aaron Garner and Dr. Josh Wright. 
The Benefits of Becoming a Certified Piano Marvel Teacher
Our certification course is designed to help teachers become completely capable and comfortable with every aspect of the program. Without taking the course, teachers often never reach Piano Marvel's full potential. We also use the course to make sure that we have exceptional teachers to send our users to when they are looking for a teacher. 
The Ultimate Sight Reading Test
Sight-reading ability has always been measured subjectively. What is the accurate measure of an excellent sight-reader? There is a wide range of sight-reading ability between individuals. Some can pick up a complicated piece of music without seeing it before and play it with very few mistakes with excellent rhythm. In contrast, others can barely play the melody in the right hand and pick out cords in the left hand that sound somewhat complimentary. Many fall somewhere in the middle of these two examples. There has never been a standardized sight-reading test, a way to consistently rank a pianist’s ability to sight-read other than by the opinion of an accomplished and practiced ear of a music professor. The question then is raised about whether other music professors would agree with the ranking. Does it even matter if there is an actual scale to measure sight-reading ability? Is it even possible to come up with a standardized ranking system? The Answer to both questions is yes! The test is call the SASR! 
Learn to Play Piano
“Please can I quit Piano Lessons!?” I was 13 years old; I knew if I persisted long enough, I would eventually come off conqueror! All it would take is a little more whining, a little more complaining, and I knew I would hit the right button with my mother. I had already pushed beyond the point of emotional distress. Just a little bit further. A few weeks later, my teacher had me perform in a recital. I played a very simplified version of Malaguena. I stood up at the end, and can you believe it, everyone was clapping! At that instant, I knew that I had what it takes to make it big with my piano career. I later told my mom, “I guess I want to become a concert pianist!” 
How to Teach Piano Online
If you’re a piano teacher, chances are you’ve recently undergone a transformation that you never expected to experience in your lifetime. For your entire career up to this point, you’ve done things much the same way your teacher taught you. But when the COVID-19 pandemic struck, suddenly your world was turned upside down and you had a decision to make- stop teaching for the foreseeable future or adapt to the “new normal” of online education. 
The Best of Both Worlds: Easy Piano Songs That Make You Sound Like a Pro
There are many different reasons one might choose a particular piece to learn on the piano. Many times, we find a song that we love to listen to and then seek to learn it so we can hear it whenever we like. Other times, we might choose a piece based on a request from a friend or family member, or as a surprise for someone or a special event. All are perfectly valid reasons, but one aspect not commonly considered is how to choose a piece that is easy to learn, yet sounds really impressive. Everyone should have a few pieces like this in their repertoire to pull out when called upon to play! 
Easy Piano Songs for Beginners
Starting any new skill or hobby can be exciting and overwhelming at the same time. Starting to learn the piano, for instance, may be overwhelming if you do not know where to start, or discouraging if you start with the wrong music. You most likely just want to feel (and sound!) accomplished quickly. 
The Best Piano Learning App
Michelle describes her personal struggles with learning to play the piano with traditional piano lessons and compares that to her experience with learning with the help of Piano Marvel. What a difference it made and has continued to make in her learning, even into adulthood! 
How to Gain Speed With Your Scales
Learn from the master, Mr. Aaron Garner, Scale Ninja! Read Aaron's recommendations about how to safely play the scales and work your way up to playing them slowly to Ninja fast! 
Teaching Piano Online
Aaron Garner, CEO of Piano Marvel and Master Piano Teacher shares what makes his online piano lessons engaging and fun. Learn how to leverage technology to provide the best instruction for your students. Piano Marvel, with it's hundreds of unique features, is one of the tools he uses to make his piano lessons what they are! 
Piano Online
During this time of uncertainty, it's a great time to start learning the piano online with Piano Marvel 
Learn Your Favorite Piano Songs
Are you looking for fun, easy piano songs to play that sound hard? Do you want to play classical pieces at your level or your new favorite song from the latest Disney movie? You can find them all on the PIano Marvel app! You can learn to play them quickly in "Practice Mode". It's the most fun way to learn piano! 
What Makes a Great Piano Learning App?
There are many piano teaching apps out there. This article discusses the main features you should look for. Piano Marvel has all of these features and more. 
What Does It Mean To "Learn Piano"?
Scales, Chords, Arpeggios, Theory, Sight-Reading... What does "learning the piano" really look like? 
Creating Student Videos
Learn why it is important to include video projects in today's piano studio. 
Setting SMART Goals for Piano
Setting SMART goals is the best way to ensure that you are successful in achieving your goals. Read this article to learn more about what SMART goals are, and get some tips on how to stick with it! 
Learn Easy Piano Songs in Piano Marvel
Piano Marvel makes it simple to finding easy piano songs to learn. The best part is that even though the easier songs contain fewer notes the accompaniment is more complicated and fun. It helps the begining piano student, young or old, feel like they are playing someting with more substance and it is more fun! 
Learn Piano Music Online
Learning to play the piano online is quickly becoming popular and for a good reason. The convenience of having access to almost limitless music, coupled with Piano Marvel's powerful piano learning platform, makes learning to play piano online the obvious choice! 
What Is My Piano Skill Level?
Beginner? Intermediate? Advanced? Have you ever wondered what skill level you were? Here's a nifty little guide that will help you figure that out.