Whether you are completely new to singing or have been singing for years, taking a few minutes to warm up your voice can make a big difference.

Just like warming up our bodies before exercise, our voices benefit from this too. A vocal warm-up can help you feel more connected to your breath and ready to sing.

Here are a few simple singing warm-ups you can try at home before your next practice session. I always start with a warm up in class, not just because it is necessary to avoid straining your voice- but it also reminds the student that the door is shut on the day for the lesson duration, and we are here now in the moment to sing.

1. Gentle Humming

Start with a comfortable hum on a relaxed “mmm” sound.

Try humming gently on a few comfortable notes, (your teacher will help with finding your range) keeping your jaw, neck and shoulders relaxed. You may notice a gentle vibration around your lips and face.

Don’t force the sound or sing too loudly. The aim is simply to gently wake up your voice.

2. Lip Trills

Lip trills are a fun and easy vocal warm-up. Let your lips gently vibrate while making a sound. You have relax your face and trust the process!

Try moving gently from a low note to a higher note and back again.

Keep everything relaxed and comfortable. There’s no need to push for high or low notes.

3. Gentle Sirens

Make a soft “oo” sound and slowly slide your voice from a comfortable low note to a comfortable higher note, then back down again.

Think of the sound of a gentle siren.

Don’t try to reach your highest possible note. The purpose is to gradually move your voice through its range without strain.

4. Simple Scales

Once your voice feels warmed up, try a simple five-note scales.

You can sing:

1 – 2 – 3 – 4 – 5 – 4 – 3 – 2 – 1

Or try using a comfortable “ah”, “ee” or “oo” sound.

As you become more comfortable, you can gradually move the exercise higher or lower—but always stay within a comfortable range.

Remember: singing warm-ups should feel comfortable. You should never force your voice or continue an exercise that causes pain or discomfort.

Why Is Singing Good for You?

Singing isn’t just a wonderful creative activity. It can also be a great way to support your overall wellbeing.

Singing Can Boost Your Confidence

Using your voice in front of other people can feel daunting at first. But as you learn new songs and become more comfortable with your voice, your confidence can grow.

That confidence can extend beyond singing too. Learning to perform, making mistakes but keeping going can be a valuable experience in everyday life.

Singing can be a relaxing hobby!

Singing encourages you to focus on your breathing, your body and the music you’re making.

Taking time out to sing can provide a welcome break from busy routines and give you something positive to concentrate on.

And sometimes, singing your favourite song at the top of your voice is simply fun!

Singing Is a Great Form of Self-Expression

Music gives us a wonderful way to express feelings and emotions.

A song can make us feel all types of emotions. When you sing, you can bring your own personality and interpretation to the music.

There isn’t just one “correct” way to sing a song—your voice is uniquely yours.

Singing Can Bring People Together

Think about choirs, musical theatre, bands, singing groups o singing along with friends.

Singing is something we can share with other people. Making music together can create connection.

Singing Keeps Your Brain Active

Learning songs involves listening, remembering words, following melodies and paying attention to rhythm.

Learning new music can therefore be a fun way to keep your mind engaged while developing musical skills at the same time.

Singing Is Something You Can Enjoy at Any Age

You don’t need to have started singing as a child. You don’t need to be naturally gifted. And you certainly don’t need to be perfect.

You can start simply because you love music and want to learn.

Perhaps you want to sing more confidently, prepare for a performance, develop your vocal technique, learn your favourite songs or simply try something completely new.

There is always something more to discover about your voice.

Give Your Voice a Try

You don’t need hours of practice to get started.

Start with a gentle warm-up, choose a song you enjoy and, most importantly, have fun with it.

And if you’d like some guidance, then singing lessons can help you improve your technique and discover what your voice is capable of.

Your voice is unique.

beginner tutorial, learning environment, Music Lessons, piano lessons, piano practice, piano teacher, singing lessons, Singing teacher, Uncategorized

How Adults Can Fit Piano lessons Into Everyday Life

September 16, 2026September 16, 2026 lizteachespiano

I’m proud to say that my schedule is quite full of wonderful students. Perhaps surprisingly, a good number of them are adults.

I say “surprisingly” because there’s a common misconception that private music teachers mainly teach children, or that most of their students will be children because adults simply don’t have the time to learn piano. But I don’t think that’s necessarily true.

As a private piano teacher, you’ll likely teach a lot of children, but don’t overlook adult learners and lessons. They can become a significant and incredibly rewarding part of your teaching practice.

I wanted my business to be genuinely accessible to everyone, and building a strong community of adult learners was an important part of that for me. I don’t teach in a “child- friendly” way, and I don’t teach in an “adult- only” way. I teach.

Adults come to lessons with their own goals, motivations, experiences, and perspectives.

Often, they also bring a real enthusiasm for learning something they’ve always wanted to do. That makes teaching adults not only rewarding, but a wonderful opportunity to help someone finally give themselves permission to pursue a musical ambition.

Work. Family. Friends. Emails. Errands. Laundry that mysteriously doubles overnight…If you’re an adult thinking about learning piano, it’s easy to look at your already very full calendar and think:

“I’d love to learn, but when on earth am I supposed to practice?”

Here’s the good news: You might just need a different approach. You don’t need hours of spare time to learn piano. All of my adult students are wonderfully busy people. They have careers, families, social lives and 47 things on their to-do list — and they still manage to make meaningful progress at the piano.

The trick isn’t finding enormous amounts of free time. It’s learning how to make the time you already have work for you.

You Don’t Need to Practice for Hours

One of the biggest myths about learning piano and taking lessons as an adult. You don’t have to sit at the piano for two hours every evening. If you have the time, fantastic. But if you don’t, 10–15 focused minutes can still be valuable.

Instead of thinking:

“I don’t have time to practice today.”

Try:

“I have 10 minutes. What could I improve?”

You might spend those 10 minutes:

Learning four bars of a new piece
Practising a tricky chord progression
Working on your rhythm
Playing a scale slowly and accurately
Repeating one difficult passage until it feels easier
Playing your favourite part of a song simply because it’s fun

Small and focused can be very effective.

The Secret: Make Piano Part of Your Existing Routine

Rather than waiting for a magical moment when your calendar suddenly becomes empty, attach piano practice to something you already do.

Morning coffee? Piano afterwards.
Finished work? Ten minutes at the piano before dinner.
Children have gone to bed? Time for a little Bach… or Evanescence… or Macklemore… just play some awesome music!
Saturday morning? Coffee, piano and no emails allowed.

The goal is to make playing piano feel less like another obligation and more like something you look forward to.

That’s particularly important when you’re learning piano as an adult. You don’t need another item on your to-do list.

What If You Can Only Practice at Weekends?

Im not going to lie, only practicing at weekends is not the best approach, but it is better than nothing. So don’t be disheartened if that is simply all you have time for. It is still some time you are taking for your hobby. It can still consolidate what you’ve been working on during your lessons.

Try setting aside 30–45 minutes on a Saturday and Sunday.

You could spend:

10 minutes warming up
20 minutes working on your current piece
10 minutes revisiting something you’ve already learned
5 minutes simply playing for fun!

Consistency matters more than perfection.

Use Technology to Make Practice Easier

Your phone can absolutely sabotage your piano practice.

“I’ll just check one notification…”

Twenty minutes later, you’ve watched a video of a cat playing with a box and still haven’t touched the piano. However, technology can also be incredibly useful.

Try using your phone to:

Set a 10 or 15 minute practice timer
Record yourself playing
Keep notes about what you’re practicing
Listen to the piece you’re learning
Record difficult passages so you can hear your progress over time

Recording yourself can be particularly useful. What feels awkward while you’re playing can sound completely different when you listen back. Also, there’s something wonderfully satisfying about listening to an old recording a few months later and thinking:

“Wow. I have improved!”

Don’t Wait Until You Have More Time for piano lessons

This is probably my biggest piece of advice for an adult who wants to take piano lessons. I wait as well. “If I get X done then I’ll have more time to work on own music.” Something else will always come up.

Don’t wait until work calms down.

Don’t wait until the children are older.

Don’t wait until the house is tidy.

And definitely don’t wait until you have become a person who naturally has two spare hours every evening. That person probably wont ever exist.

Start with what you have 🙂

Ten minutes counts. Twenty minutes counts. One lesson a week counts. Your piano journey doesn’t have to fit into someone else’s idea of what learning an instrument “should” look like. It can fit around your life.

Piano Lessons Can Actually Save You Time

If you’re teaching yourself, it’s very easy to spend your limited practice time going around in circles. You might spend half an hour wondering:

“Am I even playing this correctly?”

Or repeatedly practice the same section without understanding why it isn’t improving.

This is one of the reasons piano lessons for adults can be so valuable. A good teacher helps you know what to practice, and how to practice it. Instead of trying to figure everything out alone, you have someone who can spot the problem, explain it clearly and give you a practical way forward.

Maybe you’re a complete beginner.

Maybe you learned piano years ago and want to start again.

Maybe you want to play pop songs, classical music, film music or simply be able to sit down and figure out as song you like by ear.

There isn’t one “correct” way to learn piano.

You Don’t Need to Become a Different Person to Learn Piano

You just need curiosity, a piano or keyboard, and a willingness to give it a go.

The rest can be learned.

Lessons become much more interesting when we’re working towards something you genuinely want to play.

Ready to Make Some Space for Piano lessons?

🎹 If you’d like to learn piano as an adult, I am here to help!

My piano lessons are designed to be friendly, enjoyable and tailored to you. Whether you’re a complete beginner, returning to piano after years away, or simply ready to take your playing to the next level.

Get in touch to find out about adult piano lessons and let’s make some music.

Your piano doesn’t mind how busy you are!

Cloud formations resembling a grand piano and musical notes in the sky over a rural landscape at sunset

beginner tutorial, learning environment, Music Lessons, piano lessons, piano practice, piano teacher, singing lessons, Singing teacher, Uncategorized

What to Expect in Your First Piano Lessons

August 4, 2026August 4, 2026 lizteachespiano

The start of a new school year is a wonderful time to begin something new. Whether you’re enrolling your child or starting lessons yourself, the first few weeks are all about building confidence, developing good habits, and enjoying the process of learning.

Everyone starts somewhere, and there is no “perfect” pace. The goal should not be to play difficult pieces straight away (you are only setting yourself up for disappointment). You want to try and build a foundation that will make learning easier and more enjoyable in the months ahead and beyond! Here is what to expect in your first piano lessons:

Getting Comfortable

Your first lessons are about getting to know the piano, your teacher, and how lessons work. You’ll learn how to sit comfortably, position your hands, and explore the keyboard while playing your first simple notes.

Tips:

Come with curiosity rather than expectations.
Ask questions whenever you’re unsure.
Children learn best when lessons are fun and encouraging, while adults often benefit from trusting the process instead of trying to master everything at once.

Learning the Basics

You’ll begin reading simple music, understand rhythm, and play easy melodies (I’ll try to work with you and find music you are familiar with, or a style you enjoy!) Each new skill builds naturally on the previous one, so there is no rush.

Tips:

Focus on playing carefully rather than quickly.
Remember that everyone learns differently.
It’s normal if some things click immediately while others take a little more time.

Building Good Practice Habits

The biggest secret to making progress isn’t talent- it’s consistency. Short, regular practice sessions are much more effective than practising for a long time only once a week.

For young children, a parent or carer can help establish a regular practice routine. Adult learners often find it helpful to schedule practice just like any other appointment.

Tips:

Aim for 10–15 minutes most days to begin with.
Choose a regular time that fits your routine.
Finish each practice session by playing something you enjoy.

Be Patient with Yourself

Learning the piano is a journey, not a race. Every pianist -child or an adult- learns at their own pace. Some skills will come quickly, while others take time and practice to develop.

It’s easy to want to play your favourite complicated songs straight away, but the strongest musicians are the ones who build their skills step by step. Each lesson, each practice session, and even each mistake helps you grow.

Tips:

Focus on progress rather than perfection.
Be patient when something feels challenging—it won’t feel difficult forever.
Celebrate small milestones, whether it’s learning a new note, playing a piece smoothly, or simply practising consistently.
Remember that every accomplished pianist was once a beginner.

Growing in Confidence

As the weeks go by, you’ll notice familiar notes becoming easier to recognise, your fingers moving more naturally, and your confidence growing. You’ll likely be playing several short pieces and feeling much more comfortable at the piano.

Remember, mistakes are not setbacks, they’re an important part of learning. Every pianist, from beginner to professional, learns by trying, listening, and improving.

Tips:

Celebrate small improvements.
Don’t compare your progress with anyone else’s.
Confidence grows through regular practice, not perfection.

What to expect in your first few weeks of piano lessons and Looking Ahead

By the end of your first few weeks, you’ll have developed a solid foundation and a better understanding of how to learn effectively. Most importantly, you’ll have started building a skill that can bring enjoyment for many years.

Learning the piano is a journey, and every lesson is another step forward. No matter your age, the most rewarding progress comes from patience, consistency, and enjoying the music along the journey.

I hope this little guide on what to expect in your first few weeks of piano lessons can help reassure you. I look forward to welcoming new students this autumn and helping children and adults discover the joy of making music, one lesson at a time. Unsure where to begin? Contact me, or book a trial today

Please note, to aid creativity, the header image for this blog was made with AI.

beginner tutorial, Music Composition, music performance, music production, Review, synthesizer, Uncategorized

A Synth That Makes You Want to Play: Roland Jupiter-Xm Review

June 8, 2026June 8, 2026 lizteachespiano

As a piano teacher and music enthusiast, I’m always excited to try new synthesizers! There’s something special about an instrument that sparks creativity the moment you switch it on, and the Roland Jupiter-Xm is one of those instruments.

Having previously enjoyed spending time with its larger counterpart I was pleased when I had the opportunity to borrow a little Jupiter-Xm and explore what this compact synthesizer has to offer. After several weeks of playing, experimenting, and getting to know its features, I thought I’d share A Synth That Makes You Want to Play: Roland Jupiter-Xm review with you!

At first glance, the Roland Jupiter-Xm looks small. I wasn’t sure what to expect when I first saw it. But once I switched it on and started exploring the sounds, I quickly understood why so many musicians like it.

Specifications

37-note mini-key keyboard
Over 4,000 sounds onboard
Models of classic Roland synths including Jupiter-8, Juno-106, SH-101 and JX-8P
5-part multitimbral operation (play multiple sounds at once)
Built-in drum sounds and rhythm patterns
Arpeggiator and sequencer functions
Built-in stereo speakers– this is very useful as its quite portable!
USB audio and MIDI connectivity
Compact and lightweight design

I believe you can buy it from many places, but here are a couple of places:

Gear4Music.se

thomann.se

Roland

Great Sounds Straight Away

One of the best things about the Jupiter-Xm is that it sounds fantastic right out of the box. There are thousands of sounds to explore, from classic synthesizer tones and warm pads to basses and bright leads. You don’t have to download patches or anything like that. You can just play it.

The vintage-inspired sounds are particularly impressive. Fans of classic Roland synthesizers will feel right at home, but there are also plenty of modern sounds for electronic music, film scoring, ambient music, and pop production. Even if you’re not an expert in synthesis, (I am certainly not!) it’s easy to find sounds that inspire you to play.

Fun and Easy to Use

Some synthesizers can feel intimidating with endless menus and complicated controls. The Jupiter-Xm manages to offer a lot of power without feeling overwhelming. You can simply switch it on, browse sounds, and start playing. If you enjoy experimenting, there’s plenty to explore, but you don’t need to be an expert to have fun with it.

The front panel gives quick access to many of the most useful controls, making it easy to shape sounds as you play.

Perfect for Home Studios

For anyone making music at home like me, the Jupiter-Xm is a great option. It takes up very little space, yet it can produce an impressive range of sounds. Here is a quick little video I took showcasing some sounds and rhythms. I filmed with the other hand, so excuse the moving camera! Click on the video for chapters.

One feature I like is you can layer sounds together. You can combine pads, strings, synth leads, basses, and drums to create surprisingly rich arrangements from a single instrument. This is very useful if you are using a DAW with limited tracks, then you can put a beat and melody in one track. It has a slight vintage feel without feeling old fashioned.

Another useful feature is that it has built in speakers. You don’t need to connect to anything. I’m not going to lie, it is not the best speaker in the world, they’re not designed to replace studio monitors, but they’re perfect for casual playing, sketching ideas, or practising away from your main setup. Sometimes it’s nice to simply switch on a keyboard and start playing without connecting extra equipment. This can really help with creativity and writing music.

What About the Mini Keys?

The mini keys won’t be everyone’s favourite feature, especially if you’re used to a full-sized piano keyboard.

They are responsive and comfortable once you get used to them. The benefit is that the instrument remains compact and easy to move around.

It is not for piano practice, that always needs to be done on a full size keyboard. This is not a piano, or meant to substitute a piano in anyway. However, for synth playing, song writing, and music production, the mini keys work well.

What Could Be Better?

The Jupiter-Xm packs a huge amount of technology into a small box, which means some functions are hidden within menus, and this is quite tricky to learn and find. New users may need a little patience while learning where everything is. I think the larget version is a little easier to navigate, as it has bigger buttons and a bigger screen.

Final Thoughts

The Roland Jupiter-Xm is a fun, creative, and inspiring synthesizer. It combines fantastic sounds, portability, and impressive technology in a compact package.

What I like most is that it option for simplicity encourages you to play.

For pianists wanting to explore synthesizers, producers looking for a versatile sound source, or musicians who simply enjoy experimenting with great sounds, the Jupiter-Xm is well worth considering.

If you’d like to learn more about keyboards, music technology, piano lessons, and making music, feel free to explore the rest of the website. When I find time, I share reviews, tips, and resources to help musicians get more enjoyment from their playing.

beginner tutorial, learning environment, Music Lessons, piano lessons, piano practice, piano teacher, Uncategorized

The Best Way for Beginners to Start Piano in the New Year- with free resource!

January 4, 2026January 4, 2026 lizteachespiano

Welcome back and Happy New year!

I hope everyone has had a happy holiday season. As well as music, I painted, read, did some model making and wore my Mandalorian Christmas Jumper!

Me taking some time off! Wearing my mandalorian jumper!

The New Year is one of the most popular times to start learning piano. A fresh calendar brings fresh motivation. But many beginners quit within months, not because piano is too hard, but because they start with everything.

If you’re new to piano, this guide will show you the best way to start piano in the New Year, avoid common mistakes, and build habits that lead to real progress. If you’re not new, it could give you a warm up to get back into practice again. 🎶

Start With Clear, Realistic Goals

Instead of saying “I want to learn piano”, try:

“I want to learn the piano key notes confidently in 15 days”
“I want to practice X on piano 10 minutes, 4 days a week”
“I want to learn to read simple music in 30 days”

✅ Tip: Write your piano goal down and place it near your keyboard. (Or print out my free infographic at the bottom of the page and set by the piano for a guide!)

A guide for the best way to learn piano. — Download this infographic guide at the bottom of the page

If you haven’t already, get a keyboard. (Keep It Simple)

Beginners don’t need an expensive grand piano.

Best options for beginners:

A digital piano or keyboard with 88 keys- Do not label those keys!
A sustain pedal

✅ Tip: Avoid starting on tiny keyboards with few keys — they limit progress and can cause frustration

Learn the Basics First (Don’t Skip This)

Many beginners without guidance jump straight into complicated songs and skip basics. This often leads to bad habits.

Focus first on:

Finger numbers
Reading basic notes
Simple rhythms
Playing with both hands slowly

✅ Tip: A strong foundation makes everything easier in the long run.

Follow a Structured Learning Path

One of the biggest beginner mistakes is random practice of everything, all the time.

Instead of:
❌ Jumping between YouTube videos
❌ Playing the same song over and over
Try:
✔️ A step by step method
✔️ A piano teacher (in-person or online)

✅ Tip: Structure = faster progress.

Create a Beginner-Friendly Practice Routine

You don’t need hours a day. Consistency matters more.

Ideal beginner routine (20–30 minutes):

Warm-up/Technique or exercises (5–10 minutes)
New material (10-15 minutes)
Review something fun (5 minutes)

✅ Tip: Practicing a little often is better than long, rare sessions.

Expect Slow Progress .

Piano progress is not always up. Some weeks feel amazing, others feel stuck.

Remind yourself:

Every pianist started as a beginner
Struggle means your brain is learning
Consistency beats talent every time

7. Make Piano Part of Your Lifestyle

The easiest way to stick with piano is to attach it to your daily routine.

Try:

Practicing right after school or work
Playing before screen time
Keeping the piano visible and accessible

✅ Tip: The less effort it takes to start, the more often you’ll play.

🎹 I’ve included a little infographic with the 4 key points I would recommend when starting piano. Feel free to print this out and put by your piano when you need a bit of a motivation boost! This will be the year piano becomes part of your life — not just another resolution.