10 Piano Skills to Master in 2024

[@jazerleepiano]

🕘 Timestamps 0:00 Intro 0:20 Skill 1 0:40 Skill 2 1:23 *Special HCB SALE* 1:36 Skill 3 2:06 Skill 4 2:33 Skill 5 3:20 Skill 6 4:03 Skill 7 4:27 Skill 8 5:21 Skill 9 5:35 Skill 10

[@ThisWorldisCorrupt00]

What is the name of the music you used to demonstrate skill 5 please?

[@Silas-um7mi]

You could include skill 10 in some of the (preferably mastered) parts of the Hanon book. Also, as a beginner pianist myself (2 years in), this feels like the path to mastery. Man, just sight reading alone would be awesome, I can only identify about a third of the notes immediately and have to use those as anchor points to get to the others, which takes to much time.

[@ThisWorldisCorrupt00]

If anyones interested I found the song. It's called one summers day from the anime spirited away.

[@goodno288]

@@ThisWorldisCorrupt00thank you i came to the comments to find the name of the song because i recognized it but couldn't remember where it was from lol

[@araamber559]

how can i get the hanon book?tq

[@donnaking4353]

I’m 80 years old and and have been playing for 3 years so I’m working on all of them. I’m learning to play chord rhythm by ear , both country and jazz, as well as reading classical music. Learning and memorizing chords has helped by sight reading, just need more practice.

[@orrinkom3829]

Thank you for your inspiring comment. Made my whole day.

[@davidthegamer7682]

Wow massive respect you gave me a big motovation thank you sir❤

[@lawrencetaylor4101]

Merci, from a 67 year old whose played less than 2. My Mom started at 65 also and played for over 20 years. Bonne continuation.

[@ironkilling9626]

Just quit its not worth it in the end

[@historybuilder6644]

@@ironkilling9626that’s not true. It depends on your passion and practice ethics.

[@kathyyeager6055]

Your pointer on never allowing yourself to play wrong notes...and playing correctly 7 times has made me much better

[@SmileyBlue69]

That was also a game changer for me.

[@TaoistDragon]

And likewise. It has helped speed up my learning of pieces by like 10 fold.

[@jamesgilbert6363]

73 years old, learning for personal enjoyment. Lack decipline and focus. Working on scales.

[@b-jscott]

I love your explicit lessons. I’m an oldie (75) picking up the piano again after oh so many years. Thank you 😀

[@justanotherguardcoach]

Currently working on Scales and Arpeggios, Hand Independence, Finger Independence, Octaves, and Voicing! Working on the First Movement of Beethovens Moonlight Sonata is teaching me sooooo much about all of these things and many more!

[@TaoistDragon]

I recently learned a trick that old time piano players used for voicing. They would have their left wrist up a little higher while they played so that it would be softer. It really highlights a big part of piano playing that is over looked, which is arm weight.

[@DansChessLounge]

Jazer is an amazing piano player. The tips are just bonus, I really watch his videos for the wow factor. As for myself, I just started playing 6 months ago and I’m working on a left hand independence course through Pianote.

[@mcrumph]

I am an old man (in my 62d year) & have been playing for four months. Understanding that this is a process, I have been concentrating on scales & arpeggios & I am progressing quite well (strangely enough my left [non-dominant] hand seems to pick things up faster), having learned all the Major keys & am currently digesting the Minor keys. I am pleased with my sight reading progression (I am reading book on the History of Western Music & read all the music as well as the words). The biggest problem I have is dynamics: it seems I have a very hard time divorcing the force I hit the keys with each hand, my left hand always has problems playing softly while my right is more forceful. Also combining the left & right is very difficult. I practice each hand separately, but when I try to combine them, things fall apart. Also, it would be great if you could address playing notes that have different lengths, for instance, playing a measure that varies between a C & E in 8th notes while, with the same hand, playing D, F, & G in 16th notes. Even though I am more interested in playing Jazz, I have learned more from your lessons than any other YT video (I have bought both Hannon & Czerny books). & yes, I am subscribed & like all your videos. Keep up the great work, & I will do my best to move along. Pace doesn't really matter as long as I do see some progress.

[@sahniap]

Why you think you are old. Age is just a number. I am 65 and starting to learn piano

[@hollymelville462]

My teacher has me practicing scales 4 octaves, Hanon exercise #1 going through the different keys. We always do sight reading, and I always memorize my recital pieces. This year I would like to master playing the right hand louder than the left - I struggle with it.

[@user-gr4nx3te4z]

70 year old just started lessons and struggling with hand independence 😝. Don’t know if i will ever get this but your videos do help. Thank you

[@hollymelville462]

You will get it! I struggled with this at first, then it clicked. It still takes work with each piece, but way easier now. Enjoy this new adventure. ❤

[@Simon-qn5wm]

I am having the same coordination problems. I have signed up to Jazer's bootcamp course & it is really helping.

[@tcuster55]

Not to far behind you and yes it's a struggle. The one thing I found that helps is the metronome. There is just something about that mechanical tick

[@rogutamusic]

40-year-old, here. Just started learning piano in March. I've noticed when I'm consistent, things click within about a week. When I'm not,they still clock, but take a bit longer.

[@MLadder23]

What are you playing during the pedaling technique?

[@Velnox]

The thing I want to improve most during 2024 is finger i dependence, especially the 4th one. Even with the hanon, I find it much slower to developp than any other skill, like octaves for example. I've been playing for 2½ years and can play without too much trouble the end of Hungarian rhapsody no 6 (the octave filled section) pretty well but I still struggle to play a Chopin waltz without having my fingers stock together when I'm about to finish

[@andallthatjaz836]

Jazer as a beginner I cannot tell you how much your videos help me! Do you have any plans on doing a video on pedalling? It feels like a skill completely out of my reach and I would love you to explain how it works and how to use it

[@streyycat667]

Working on all of these. Struggling most with sight reading & octaves. I would include music analysis(theory) with sight-reading and would love more content on this, i.e. applying chord analysis etc. to help sight-reading. For those of us with small hands, is there any benefit in doing some of the octave exercises as, say 6ths instead? Or is it only about the actual octave stretch, which as you point out is v. common in music? Thanks for the video!

[@Old_meg]

I’m an amateur myself but, I think since the goal with octaves is precision then if you’re intention is to hit sixths it will still help. Cause you’re still doing a stretch and you’re still making sure you’re hitting the right spacing. Although you should work on the octaves still just to see if your hands can get there (I get it I’m a tiny handed player as well)

[@tiredbee]

I have never seen someone tells us like Jazer Lee as highlighting the importance of the structure and steps in learning piano skills. Thank you Jazer Lee for your clarity and free tutorials.All the best

[@mercedessarabia8501]

Great advice for a beginner. Thank you, Jazer Lee.

[@lenbennett530]

I’d love to know more about voicing level 10. I have great difficulty playing soft in the left hand whilst raising the volume in the right hand. Do you have a lesson video on this topic? Thanks

[@GlitchExilityYT]

It’s funny you played Chopin waltz in c# minor, I just finished learning that piece 😂. Thank you, this video helped me 😊

[@iflex1963]

Ok...got all that work done last night....what is next years assignments?

[@pawezwarycz2152]

A little bit of everything but mostly hand coordination and dynamics,but also trying to recognize functions in the piece of music,thanks

[@qormi1000]

I could listen to your piano playing all day long. Thank you.

[@rafiisnaen4789]

Please add for early, late & advanced 🙏🙏🙏

[@drlorishemek]

I could listen to you play piano all day! ❤

[@fernandoseixas6915]

Jazer, this may sound silly but is there a way to practice piano without a piano? I ask this because I travel and sometimes I don't have a piano when I have free time. And I feel guilty if I don't practice regardless of the fact that I cant anyway.

[@josephnwakelu2894]

Currently working on hand coordination and independence and finger independence

[@pcavesnana]

I enjoy your teaching skills. I am reinspired to play piano again after hearing the song Golden Hour by Jvke. I am relearning as a 70 yr. old novice after decades of not playing. But there was a time I could play Claire de Lune

[@drazzrok1576]

A tutorial about how to pedal right would be cool. Specialy with sheets. When do i know to play with or without pedal. Not every sheet shows this info

[@ericmitchell9331]

To some extent, I'm working on most or all of these. But right now, I'm memorizing some pieces I've been working on, so I'd say memorization. My technique is to break the piece into sections and memorize each section separately. And I rarely start at the beginning of the piece, I typically start with the section giving me the most problems, and focus on getting that section right and memorized, then move on to another one.

[@williamschickling6702]

Just discovered your videos and am really liking them. But I thought I should add a cautionary note regarding the Alfred book. I started learning to play on my own and started using this book for scales. I then started taking lessons and my teacher pointed out that my fingering was wrong for some keys. I found out that it was because the book provides different fingering for single octaves vs. multiple octaves. My teacher advised that the single octave fingering is unnecessary and should be ignored.

[@mikehess4494]

Thank you for the informative video. I'm working on scales and arpeggios. I have learned over the years everything I do is never for private enjoyment it is to entertain other people such as reading, eating, playing piano, sleeping ect. So I practice activities as if I'm on a stage or will be because that is the only purpose of any activity is to entertain others..Having the correct tools and knowing what you are doing is necessary for a great performance..

[@tiffcat1100]

I hope you live for you too & not only for others. How does eating & sleeping entertain others? ❄️

[@mikehess4494]

@@tiffcat1100 Excellent question. If the way you are eating and sleeping is boring to watch find out how to make it more entertaining and practice that. Sets, costumes and dialog are important as an actor. The world is a stage. Give it your best performance.

[@tiffcat1100]

@@mikehess4494 I hate being seen. I’m the opposite of an actor. My grandmother should most definitely have been involved with theatre/acting somehow but was forbidden by her father (Edwardian days) & had to become an apprentice milliner instead. She lived to 103, always looked immaculate, lots of make up (& Leichners make up remover bought from a stage shop in Bournemouth) & was thrown over a horse backwards in the 1909 National Welsh Pageant in Cardiff aged 15 (as Queen of the Fairies) by the Chief Ruffian (Constable of Glamorgan)! Ps She was offered a place in the Cardiff theatre school or whatever its title was but her father said NO!

[@mikehess4494]

@@tiffcat1100 The performance life is something you grow into...Find your performance style that is fun and entertaining for you and your audience. This is the way.

[@neopolitan6musicclasses930]

My you be blessed you are doing avery good job i have learned much from you thanks alot

[@rheograham1870]

All of 'em! ^_^ Thanks very much for taking the time to keep this channel going. I'm 36 and working on RCM Grade 1, currently still on the 1st Hanon exercise

[@NinaSoyfer]

This is great thanks so much for the resource. It will make my life easier giving it to students 😊

[@wotnot4632]

This video is so well made, informative, and entertaining thanks man!

[@mwesigwalukwagoseezi3536]

6 months of learning piano here. Currently learning hand independence. But it's wrecking my mind

[@i9mm2]

Amazing!!!!

[@elaarj8029]

Practicing Hannon exercise number 2 at the moment 😊

[@fwangmutgabriel8401]

Pls how can I get the Hannon book . Pls help

[@tiffcat1100]

I had a quick scan on Amazon & there are various Hanon exercise books including for beginners. EBay prob has them too

[@annet5858]

My biggest focus rn is finger independence and fixing bad habits but also improving my sightreading skill.

[@gamefanique]

All ten. I aspire to play like you do but I've got a looooooong way to go.

[@whoopsieism]

Thanks for your tips. You are an inspiration.

[@pasadenaphil8804]

I'm just getting back into piano after 50 years so The I'm starting with the first two skills1and once I get a feel for where I am, I plan to participate in your workshops and courses once I get the basics down and hit a wall. Hard to believe but after all these years, I still have my Honan and Thpmpson practice books from when I took lessons in grammar school. They are a bit god-eared but... I take it as a good omen.

[@blazebsgaming7086]

Its been 2 months since im practicing piano (self taught).could you recommend me some pieces which are not too difficult but also not too easy and can help me improve

[@augustuskingfire204]

Im 6 months in and I found what helped me is picking up a piano book with lots of short songs to get started sight reading. (I started with Alfred’s basic adult book 1) but 3 months into that book i learned Chopins prelude op.28 no.4 for a recital and it really helped me with pedaling.

[@user-tm7io3ti5f]

Currently learning to play Maxence Cyrin, Where is My Mind? I can't read music yet so I'm learning from KZbin videos. Im so happy with my progress so far but I'm really struggling with the pedal. I really want to work on this. I will be working through all of these skills though.

[@tobywearnes269]

I failed all the basics. But now I play for leisure from Elton john to John lennon. Learnt thru the hard way but it’s all worth it. If could turn back time, I’ll learn these fundamental again.

[@user-M.O.]

I started when lockdown started but I feel I did not improve a lot. Glad I managed to learn to play being rather old. I am working on my scales aperggios and other lingo. I have been neglecteing it so far. Well I ignored the whole theory thing other than reading music. So I wasted years because now I freeze with difficult keys, those with loads of flats or sharps. I got issues with chord. Always I seem to stop when I encounter a chord. Broken chords are ok. I will follow the list because I tend to use too much pedal,. Kinda forget I got the pedal on. I guess it is not too late and might recover the wasted time . I want to master all steps ..

[@tiffcat1100]

I bought the adult piano teaching book (Palmer was it, or was that the scales?) which seems mellow & nice, not patronising or blinding with science 😊

[@Forealness]

Thanks!

[@jazerleepiano]

And thank you as well! I do appreciate it!

[@wenmoves]

So, I feel like I'm working on several of these currently. Maybe not recommendable but as an adult beginner in conservatory demand is high to get good fast. Also, I kinda disagree with the part about pedalling. I've done some pedal work in the past but my current pieces with irregular pedalling patterns have me on the struggle bus for real! This whole video was very helpful nonetheless! Thank you Jazer!

[@thienngo2953]

really helpful. Thank u

[@wedemeyerr]

We definitely need an upload of the full recording of chopin waltz 😊

[@diggidyyo622]

Currently learning scales/chords and appregios. Also trying my hand at sight reading and getting better at octaves.

[@xthetansiblingsx5405]

Great tips! I have never started hanon books. I'm now starting my G8, every grade is very different and can already tell even from G7 to G8, the jump is wide! I hope I can pass too. As an working adult and juggle with piano is tough, 1 hour practice is not enough but instead, I'd say 1hr = 2bars. Just on technique and skills alone. I don't know if I am slow but I know I can do it

[@MKhomeostasis]

You are an expert teacher, generous with your time and knowledge.. ❤

[@Johnnywanton]

For those interested in the Hanon exercises, may I suggest the Hanon-Faber book instead of the regular Hanon book. It comes with instructions on how to properly perform the exercises.

[@josa720]

A terrific list and guide, and one I will look at closely this year. My #1 Piano Goal for 2024 is to practice two hours a day (with room for more). Two hours of focused, productive practice every day, with consistent evidence of progress (even if the progress is a tiny bit a day). This is a skill set that is rarely spoken about and I would welcome a video on it. The ability to measure your practice in hours a day is that x-factor that explains why some accomplish their goals and others quit. If one can practice hours a day, everything else should and will fall into place.

[@missmoo7663]

Thank you for the wonderful video!!! So, is there a way for you to go over how your hand is supposed to look on the piano? And tips to not have your pinky finger not straight up like we are drinking tea when playing? 🤣 Hopefully that question makes sense. 🙂

[@user-od7nb8ey1c]

Love this accuracy rule .. I’ve been doing this … it’s very rewarding in the end

[@patrickadunn]

Does anybody know what the music is at the very end of the video?

[@marclafontaine6996]

Working on many of those all the time - scales, arpeggios, several Hanon and more sight reading - Cheers!

[@lisadixon5886]

Can you please add a list of all the pieces you played excerpts from? Thank you!

[@utlohmton7064]

I would really love if you can do a video about wrist tension and pain, i record myself and I noticed that my pinky curved alot and some notes cause my wrist pain and it’s uncomfortable

[@PJ-nh2dc]

Thank you for the great tips! I’m 27 and a self taught player for almost three years with lots of on and off in between, but I’m making sure I stay consistent with my practice this year. I’m working on almost all of them except octaves, so I’ll have to sprinkle that into my practice

[@jdalexander69]

Octaves for me. I watched your Interstellar tutorial and have been practicing that lately and I'm struggling with the octave jumps for the right hand, which I realized I haven't used before because I usually do octaves with the left hand.

[@dontletmewatchthis]

Just got the Alfred’s scale book the week before last on a whim, guess my intuition was right! Now to find the Hanson one…

[@philipsandberg8844]

I've been working on Hanon and some scales. Satie gets my pedals working. Linus and Lucy challenges my hand coordination, which so far has been maddening to achieve - I keep trying anyway. Thanks Jazer, good stuff, you've been helpful.

[@luisbalderas-ariza2644]

Thank you. Working in all of them. I am taking also your hand coordination exercises. Very nice. One recommendation, from a beginner point of view. If you do not mind, is to make the very last exercise of each level an exercise in which we switch between each execise of that level. For example. Start with 2.1 then without stopping move to 2.2 then 2.3, and so on.

[@bobhammock9771]

More tutorials on voicing!!

[@williamschickling6702]

My biggest problem is sightreading. I played horn in highschool and college, so making the transition from treble clef on a single staff to treble and bass clef on the master staff has been a challenge. I recently read a review of computer apps dedicated to improving sightreading, some utilizing the midi interface to monitor what is being played (I have a digital keyboard with midi). Do you recommend using such apps, or one or two in particular?

[@lefthookouchmcarm4520]

I think the only way to get better is just do it. Stumble through it. You'll eventually memorize patterns and locations on both staffs.

[@williamschickling6702]

@@lefthookouchmcarm4520 That's what I'm currently doing - working my way through lesson books as my sightreading practice, incorporating a bit of new material in each session.

[@charlesmccormick2625]

Very well presented! I am not classically trained, but am not too far away from any of these objectives! All workable with focused effort; I will pursue such!

[@cjanebell]

Dynamics and voicing are always on my mind. Thanks, Jazer!

[@mendyviola]

I’m 53 years old and have played viola for 45 years and started piano 2 years ago. I’m basically working on all of them on piano. #4 on rhythm control I’m really good at, unless it’s compound rhythms on different hands. Memorization for me is a struggle no matter the instrument or simple every day thing. That’s just an age problem. Don’t ask me what I had for breakfast, I don’t remember.

[@kerawelt2008]

You are a terrific teacher !

[@patriciaguillaume7353]

I have played scales arpeggios hanon etc and they do help alot. Jazer's presentation is always interesting. I am really more into popular music now and i want to keep in practice.

[@lizlafranchie5312]

I would like some more structured sight reading exercises is there a website you would recommend

[@Whatserface1234]

What do you do if youre a grown adult with a one octave hand range? Octaves are so hard for me!!

[@kevinwilliams7021]

Great techniques explained. I wish you can do an in depth tutorial on pedaling. I struggle with that the most

[@rwcoach]

Just started play piano. You are my hero :-) Thanx for your work

[@tomyvrosales3535]

Thank you for this insight… I am doing scale and coincidentally i use the same boo, I do hanon 1-9, read slowly and I memorize as I practice… I really liked your video.

[@marykeppen3373]

Thankyou. I have begun the Hanon. I also want to be able to play with more hand independence! I'm going to refer to this video quite often and appreciate all of these important tips.

[@lawrencetaylor4101]

Great lesson, and I'm already doing most of them. Your warmup exercises became my daily routine and I'm working on my dynamics with them. Merci for all you're doing.

[@ENikolaev]

Only ever known to memorize pieces. Started learning #1, then octaves, then both, and then piano/more dynamics training. Feel I’ve gotten pretty far in only 4 years (started 2020 so less than 4

[@sharingmatters]

Great video, as always! Thank you. Well-structured skills. I work on all of them as I have played for 3 months.

[@shaunreich]

What's that part from at 2:50 ? It sounded like something Ghibli... Or a video game soundtrack melody

[@MrDaky78]

Chopin - Waltz Op. 64 No. 2

[@user-bv2xn1mo9i]

“One summer’s day” from the anime Spirited Away

[@bertmung]

I'm working scales and arpeggios; sight reading, and Hanon. I can play right hand louder, but melody in the left hand is a challenge still.

[@richardennis5707]

Memorization/Harmonic Analysis

[@junespaintbrush]

Great tips! I already read music from stringed instruments and voice, but it's still an effort to switch this knowledge to keyboard. So 1 through 6 are my main focus now.

[@nancywebb1845]

All good things to work on. I still struggle with voicing...keeping my left hand softer/quieter than the right.

[@musicman0559]

Mainly hand independence. Thanks for the teaching!

[@danielvancaruso]

Thanks for all of these videos Jazer! Such great information you are sharing with us all. You have been a huge help getting me back to piano. (it's such a shame I keep seeing ads before your videos for people selling courses telling us not read sheet music!! ha.) Love your style..I am going through hand bootcamp now and 1st Gymnopedie. Waiting for the next Jazer online course :)

[@adriankanis8107]

Hi 👋 I just joined your online hand coordination course. Do you have different types of courses as well?

[@tiffcat1100]

I joined it too but have been unable to start it until later this week (family reasons). Am not sure how to find it on my phone, maybe look for the receipt email …

[@user-M.O.]

I got the faber books. There are some books where you learn the scales with a Melody. I find Hanon veey robotic czerny seems to be nice. But i am not familiar with Palmer.. i have also the scales and aperggios book that he recommends very good. But i get bored so easily..

[@klimaxg]

74 years old & started 1 year ago. Comfortable with #1 and #5. Have no luck with 8 through 10 and difficulty with the rest.

[@CrowClouds]

900 years old. Reincarnated 10 times. Just starting (again) at 90 No but seriously, I started when I was 32, been playing for five years now. Reading about elderly people starting their piano journey makes me feel much better about my own starting age. If I keep going I'll be really good at 90 xD

[@SmileyBlue69]

You'll be good before 40 from what you've said.

[@Gliitch88]

Scales. Great video btw

[@cariwhite3254]

Currently working on scales!

[@carlosflores4179]

I'm working on skill 2. I used to play piano when I was a kid and now I lost it... Getting back to playing good again haha!

[@krabbypatty3644]

Do you have any videos of you performing? im just a big fan!

[@mcbarr]

Thank you for your amazing advice I really appreciate it, you are one of my Idol teacher, hoping that someday I can play on piano as like you with full of confidence.

[@unityw2276]

An in depth on Voicing please !

[@kevingardner4229]

Dear Jazer, I am 71 years old and I am trying to learn to play the piano and find your series of videos very useful. I am working on Skill 1- scales, Skill 3 Finger independence and Skill 6 Sight reading. Now my problems: Weak fingers Poor rhythm, if I hear a piece of music played properly then I can make a much better attempt at playing it myself and my biggest problem is sight reading, by which I mean my sight, I suffer from astigmatism and I sometimes cannot tell if the note is on the line or if it is a space, so I often play the wrong note because I have read it wrongly. You wear glasses and they look much bigger than any of the pairs that I have, are big glasses good for reading the music, any tips on this would be appreciated.

[@pcavesnana]

Oh my gosh I have astigmatism too, which REALLY interferes with reading music. Notes keep changing right before my eyes lol. Actually it's very frustrating and will make sure my next eye appointment addresses a correction to my glasses. In the mean time I'm trying to sort of memorize what's coming next, and lots of repetition.