Today happens to be my birthday! 🎂👑

So, I decided it was the perfect excuse to make the day a little more fun — with a birthday crown, brownies and some silly birthday-themed piano challenges!

I’m lucky to have such lovely students, and I really enjoy seeing them and building great working relationships with each of them. So, as it happens, I get to spend part of my birthday doing something I enjoy — teaching and making music with my students!

🍫 A little note about birthday treats

Before I continue- If you’re thinking of bringing food or treats into a lesson, it’s always worth checking with parents or guardians first to make sure it’s allowed and to ask about any allergies or dietary requirements.

And with adult students, it’s still a good idea to ask about allergies before cooking or bringing something homemade.

Learning music is full of moments worth celebrating, from the very first notes to the pieces that once seemed impossible. Every student has their own journey, and every step along the way matters. So here are some key things we do in my lessons: Learn, Grow, Create and Celebrate!

🎹 Learn

Learning music is about discovering something new.

It might be learning to read music, understanding rhythm, developing technique, discovering a new composer or learning a favourite song. There is always something new to explore.

Learning should feel encouraging and achievable, with challenges that help students develop their skills while still enjoying the process.

🌱 Grow

Musical growth isn’t just about playing more difficult pieces.

It’s also about becoming more confident, independent and comfortable at the piano. It’s about learning how to practise, solve problems, keep going when something is tricky and recognise your own progress.

Everyone develops at their own pace, and there is no need to rush the journey.

🎨 Create

Music isn’t only something to read and reproduce — it’s also something to create.

There should be opportunities to experiment, improvise, compose, explore sounds and make musical choices. Creativity allows students to develop their own musical voice and discover that there isn’t always just one way to make music.

🎉 Celebrate

Progress deserves to be celebrated.

It might be mastering a whole piece, getting through a tricky section, remembering a new note, creating a melody or simply having the confidence to try something that felt difficult before.

The little wins matter just as much as the big milestones.

🎂 A Birthday Piano Challenge!

And because today is my birthday, we’re adding a little extra fun to the piano!

Here are a few birthday-inspired challenges:

🎵 Turn your age into a rhythm
Take the number of your age and turn it into a rhythm. Can you clap it, play it on one note or use it as the starting point for a little piece of music?

🎹 Play Happy Birthday — but improvise!
Sight read Happy Birthday while reading and improvising your own left-hand chords. Try changing the rhythm, experimenting with different chords or adding your own musical ideas.

🎹 Play “Guess what I am?” Music style

Student draws or writes a music note or term/ scale on whiteboard.
Student hands you whiteboard. Dont look at it, just put it in front of you writing faces the student.
You (the teacher) need to guess what you are- i.e what you are holding on the whiteboard.

Swap over so student guesses!

👑 And, of course, wear a birthday crown if you want!
Because sometimes learning music is even more fun when you look slightly more fabulous while doing it.

These activities might seem simple, but they bring together so many important parts of learning music — rhythm, listening, creativity, problem-solving, confidence and, most importantly, having fun.

Learn, Grow, Create, and Celebrate.

Whether it’s your birthday or just an ordinary day at the piano, there is always something worth celebrating.

Learn something new.
Grow in confidence.
Create something of your own.
And celebrate every step along the way.

Because learning music isn’t just about where you eventually get to. It’s about enjoying the journey along the way. 💛🎹

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.

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

Music Practice and the art of Patience and Self-Discipline

February 4, 2026February 4, 2026 lizteachespiano

Regular music practice is one of the most practical ways to develop patience and self-discipline. This week’s piano and singing lessons offered clear examples of how these skills are built through intentional practice.

In the first video, I’m demonstrating a piece that uses the Phrygian scale, a scale one of my students particularly enjoys. Instead of practicing the scale in isolation, I chose a short piece that shows how the scale functions in real music. Many children and adult learners have thought “Why do I need to learn scales!?” This helps students connect technical material to sound, style, and musical context—an important step in deeper understanding.

‘My Journey leads into the desert’ by Hanz Zimmer-Arrangement by Laurie Theberge.

The first time I played this piece to the student, it wasn’t great! I had to spend time during the week practicing it, refining it, just as a student would. This process reinforced an important learning principle: improvement comes from focused repetition. You wont have patience straight away. Patience develops through practice.

The second video shows me singing a new song and experimenting with it in different styles. This type of practice supports flexibility and musical awareness. Trying multiple approaches encourages active listening and helps develop control, rather than relying on habit or comfort.

Acoustic version of ‘Trees’ written and performed by me.

Both examples highlight how self-discipline in music is less about strict routines and more about consistent, thoughtful engagement. Whether working on a scale through repertoire or exploring style, progress depends on showing up regularly and reflecting on what works.

Music practice provides a clear framework for learning: set a goal, work slowly, evaluate results, and adjust. These habits strengthen patience and self-discipline in a way that naturally transfers to other areas of learning.

For students and teachers alike, staying engaged in this process is essential. Practice is where real learning happens.

Interested in learning the art of patience and Self-Discipline? See if music lessons could work for you today!

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.