Does anyone here go to music school? Like where you have musical literature and no matter what instrument you play you have to learn to play on the piano? Just wondering if they have those around the world, cause in Russia all music schools are like that.

I do go to music school but I am more into performances lessons. I just got into theories recently. Here (where I live, I don't know about the other music schools across the country), you don't have to learn to play on the piano. Perhaps, knowing essentials stuff on or about the piano is there but I don't know. If you're learning violin, you'll be learning violin all the way. There are some students here that take on two different instruments, example, violin and piano. But that's a different story.

So, in Russia, you have to learn the piano first before going to your instrument?

No, you take piano classes plus to your instrument.

Wow! That's interesting! Here it's just whatever you want to take, you take. My sister taught herself piano and guitar from books/ other peoples help, but no classes so far! She's great that way; the same w/ knitting, etc., too: all she needs is a book!

Me, however... I don't really try to learn, but my mom is going to have my sis teach me piano soon.

Ahhh, I see. That's really interesting.

I can't learn solely from a book. Unless it's simple instructions, I would still need help from others.

I get confused when trying to use books for crafts or something, why would musical instruments be different for me?

NaiadWaker: Wow, I am Filipina! Book 3?? That's great I kind of stopped playing for a while cause of some problems, but hope to get back soon on playing the violin cause I really miss it! Anyways, haha, what piece is your favorite??

I have to say that knowing how to play the piano has helped me with learning other instruments. I play Piano, and Violin mainly, but love to dabble with other instruments. Singing previously has helped to a lot in reading the music.

I cannot read music to save my life.

NaiadWaker: Wow, I am Filipina! Book 3?? That's great I kind of stopped playing for a while cause of some problems, but hope to get back soon on playing the violin cause I really miss it! Anyways, haha, what piece is your favorite??

Wow, we have things in common Hm... favorite piece... I can't say I have a favorite, but I really like Gavotte in Mignon or Minuet by Boccherini OR Humoresque. But I do love hearing the players in higher levels at the recitals...

I cannot read music to save my life.

Haha! I thought that too, but it's easier than you'd think. Or at least I thought. But if you can pick out music on piano/guitar, that's a really good start. That's how I was when I started piano, and the first months were so much better than I expected.

NaiadWaker: Ooh! Humoresque?? Me too . Wow, it really is great to know that I can relate to someone here.

LucyofNarnia: What do you mean by that?

LucyofNarnia...if you don't feel like you can read sheet music, you can always learn to play songs by ear. That's what I do a lot of the time, when I want to play a song but sheet music for it doesn't exist.

Here's a recoring I made of a recent piece I've been figuring out by ear...the Pirates of the Caribbean Movie Theme.

Do any pianists out there know of any techniques that can help with nervousness when trying to perform? I can nail a piece when I'm practicing it, but then when I try to perform it or record it in front of a camera I get nervous and mess up or play the piece too fast.

MinotaurforAslan, WOW. That PotC cover is amazing!!! I am in awe... I actually figured out some of that song on my guitar, but didn't get as far as you did. GREAT job!

I also liked your cover of Must Have Done Something Right - as a huge Relient K, it blew me away. I'm actually amazed that you can even play that fast!

I wish I knew of some tried and true way that I knew of to get rid of nervousness, but I don't. As it is, there are a few tips I've found. I hardly ever perform in front of people, but I have recorded a few cover videos. What I do is try to ignore that the camera is even there. I pretend that I'm just playing on my own, and that I don't have to perform for anyone but an audience of One. It takes a major amount of concentration for me to not mess up or play the song too fast or slow, etc. Also, it sounds like you already do this, but I practice the song a couple times before I press record.

Overall, I'd suggest that even when you do mess up, keep going. People aren't as critical as I think they are, and half the time they don't even notice. I always say that "you are your worst critic." Don't worry about your mistakes and instead focus on the emotion of the piece that you're playing. That's what your audience will be doing.

If Lucy of Narnia can't read music to save her life, I can't play by ear to save my life. I always wanted to know how to play by ear.

Really? I like playing by ear, I did that for Narnia and some other stuff on violin. I've also done a few things on piano, but I'm not amazing.

I am starting to get to where I can play by ear, but it is hard because I've never learned theory.