The world of classical music has evolved over time, with modern classical music providing a unique twist on the traditional and beloved genre. From innovative composers to performers pushing the boundaries of traditional forms, modern classical music has something to offer to a range of audiences. In this article, I will give some more context next to my YouTube video regarding contemporary music which touches on the various aspects of modern classical music, including its composers, styles, and performances.

As a classical pianist, I have been fascinated by and with the Blues for several years now. I never thought that I would have so much fun with a different style of playing the piano, but blues music has truly captivated me. I am used to playing structured pieces with clear sheet music. But with blues, I found a new form of expression, where I could let my emotions flow through my fingers and create music on the spot. The 12-bar progression in blues provides a framework to work within, but it also allows for a lot of creativity and improvisation.

Are you looking to explore the fundamentals of music or want to cement your already profound knowledge in an easy and accessible way? In my book "Nahre Sol's Elements of Music", I provide an introduction to music theory for beginners, as well as more comprehensive instruction for experienced music makers.

Over the past 3 years or so, I’ve dealt with a few more injuries and physical pain issues than usual. Some were random accidents that caused muscle/ligament tear, and some were caused by sudden overuse or poor management of lifestyle accompanied with irregular bouts of practicing and/or performing.

All movement in the fingers is led and anchored by larger parts of the body, such as the elbows. Although it’s a simple thing to keep in mind, being aware of how you are utilizing the natural movement of your arms makes all the difference when it comes to piano playing. There are other factors behind playing with ease (which I will cover more of), but here is a short demonstration/talk about this subject related to the elbows.

Oftentimes when I am writing a piece, I first start out by playing through some ideas floating around in my head, which then get recorded onto my phone notes or camera (video) until being formalized into something I can write down on manuscript paper. I’ll stick with pen and paper until I start to hear/imagine an ending, which is when I start to transfer it onto Sibelius (a music notation software). For me, this is where all of the real work starts.

Unlike many of the previous “How to Sound Like” videos that I have posted so far on my Youtube channel, this one was the first to feature a living composer. Not only that, Steve Reich is one of my greatest musical heroes, so it meant a lot to me to put this video together.

A special thank you to Andrew E. (a supporter here on Patreon) for providing me with an audio interface that will allow me to better record sounds from my keyboard (a significant upgrade from the Zoom H5)!

I think the hardest part of getting back into a routine can be overcome in a matter of minutes, maybe even seconds. I’m referring to the friction that keeps us from going to our instrument and sitting down when we know how much “catching up” we need to do to not feel rusty. Maybe some of you don’t experience this… For me, once I’m at a keyboard, the workflow is extremely smooth from there. But during periods where I get so detached from actual consistent practicing, there is SO much friction.