In this episode, you are invited into the quiet magic of musical breath, a concept inspired by flutist and reimagined for piano players.

Unlike the flute, the piano doesn’t require literal breath, but great music still breathes. Through subtle hand movements and intentional phrasing, pianists can mimic the rise and fall of breath, adding life and humanity to every note.

Imagine breath flowing in and out through the fingers. You will hear this demonstrated and how this transforms the tone and flow of the sound.

🎶Download your PIANO PRACTICE JOURNAL here -⁠​ ⁠https://cynthiaalistudios.kit.com/7c6571f7c4⁠

🎶 Also, don’t forget about some exciting upcoming events at Cynthia Ali Studios! https://www.cynthiaalistudios.com/pianocommunity

🎶Join us for the discussion at The Piano Studio Book Club: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/share/g/15v6Y17DsU/⁠

Copyright © 2025 Cynthia Ali Studios LLC. All rights reserved.

The music in this podcast is either public domain,original, or used under Fair Use for educational purposes. Any third-party content is used for commentary, criticism, or education and does not infringe upon original creators' rights. (contact@cynthiaalistudios.com)

The views expressed are those of the host(s) and guests and do not necessarily reflect those of Cynthia Ali Studios LLC.

🎹 S3:E13 In this week’s episode of Learn Piano: A Personal Practice, we’re exploring a different kind of rest—the kind that happens within the sound. Whether it's a tie, tenuto, or fermata, these markings invite us to linger, to breathe, and to just rest without rushing. From Debussy’s Rêverie to Chopin we’ll listen for the pauses that aren’t silent—but deeply still.

In this week’s episode of Learn Piano: A Personal Practice, Cynthia from Cynthia Ali Studios explores one of the most powerful and often overlooked elements of music: the rest. More than just a pause, a rest is where music breathes and emotion deepens. Inspired by Debussy’s idea that “music is the silence between the sounds,” this episode invites you to experience the unique personality of each type of rest—from whole to eighth.

Your challenge this week? Look at the rests in your music, not just to count them—but to feel them. What kind of silence is it? What changes when you honor it? How does it shape the story your music tells?

🎹 Our next Adult Piano Group Class starts Tuesday at 7 PM CT. Perfect for those who already read notes and want a joyful refresh.

📍 Learn more & sign up: Enrollment is now open for our next Mastery Pathway to Piano group class—starting April 29th! Visit⁠ here⁠ to join us!

📚 Book Club Update: We’re reading “Little Chronicle of Anna Magdelna Bach” this spring—FB usfor the discussion at The Piano Studio Book Club: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/share/g/15v6Y17DsU/⁠

🎶Download your PIANOPRACTICE JOURNAL here - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://cynthiaalistudios.ck.page/7c6571f7c4⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Listento another incredible season as we dive deeper into the world of piano withfresh insights, expert tips, and inspiring content.

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In this week’s episode of Learn Piano: A Personal Practice, we’re diving deeper into what truly brings music to life: expression. It’s not just about playing the right notes—it’s about shaping each phrase so it feels human, alive, and full of story. We’ll explore how articulations and dynamics combine to create musical “inflection,” just like the rise and fall in a beautiful speaking voice. You’ll hear examples of music played flat and lifeless—then reimagined with breath, meaning, and soul. 🎹✨ Whether you're brushing up your skills or starting fresh, this episode is a powerful reminder that your fingers can do more than play—they can speak. Listen now and try the artistic invitation at the end to rediscover your own expressive voice on the piano.

👉 Listen now: 🎉 Enrollment is now open for our next Mastery Pathway to Piano group class—starting April 29th! Visit here to join us!

#PianoStorytelling #ExpressivePlaying #LearnPianoOnline #MusicalInflection #PianoArtistry #CynthiaAliStudios

www.cynthiaalistudios.com/pianocommunity

In this episode, articulation is how you shape each note with emotion, intention, and direction. It’s how you make your music speak. Think of it as your musical pronunciation—each staccato, portato, slur, and tenuto gives your music a unique voice. Experiment with articulation in your practice, and you’ll notice how even the simplest pieces begin to tell powerful stories.

🎉 Don’t Miss Our Upcoming Events!🎶

• Level 1.3 Mastery Pathway to Piano: Starting Tuesday April 29th 17 7 pm CT

• Piano Studio Book Club: Starts February 15, 2025 Visit https://square.link/u/E6NBtBdQ for details!

  
  

If you enjoyed today’s episode, please like, subscribe, and follow so you never miss a lesson or story. I can’t wait to continue this journey with you.

Until next time—keep practicing and enjoy the music!

In this episode, we discussed how dynamics are used to create music that resonates with emotion and story. Drawing inspiration from the natural world—like the peaceful sight of swans swimming on the lake—can spark creativity, and dynamics play a vital role in bringing those moments to life through music. By incorporating soft and loud moments, crescendo and decrescendo, and descriptive terms like morendo or sforzando, you can infuse your music with the feelings and energy of your surroundings.

Don’t forget to check out the oil pastel drawing of the Swan, photos below, and the link to download the sheet music for First Signs of Spring for free!

First Signs of Spring sheet music here: ​https://musescore.com/user/20780001/scores/6397329?share=copy_link​

Plus, don’t miss out on these upcoming events visit CynthiaAliStudios.com/pianocommunity and be sure to download your free Piano Journal to track your practice and progress there too!

Download your PIANO PRACTICE JOURNAL here - ⁠​​⁠⁠https://cynthiaalistudios.kit.com/7c6571f7c4⁠⁠​

Listen to another incredible season as we dive deeper into the world of piano with fresh insights, expert tips, and inspiring content. 🎶✨

#PianoPodcast #PianoPractice #PianoTeaching #PianoLife #LearnPiano #PianoMusic #MusicEducation #CreativePiano #PianoInspiration #EmotionalMusic #MusicAndArt #CreativeExpression #MusicalStorytelling #DynamicPlaying #OilPastelArt #SwanDrawing #SpringInspiration #ArtAndMusic #InspiredByNature #NatureInspired #FirstSignsOfSpring #SpringVibes #SwanLakeVibes #GentleMoments #FlowWithNature #MusicalSeasons #FreeSheetMusic #PianoCommunity #PracticeJournal #MusicResources #CreativeMusician #PianoStudioLife #CynthiaAliStudios

In this heartfelt episode of Learn Piano: A Personal Practice, I explore how dynamics—the rise and fall of volume in music—help us express deep emotion through our piano playing. I share personal stories of grief, joy, and healing.

Whether you’ve ever cried at a Chopin piece or felt peace from a simple Sonatina, this episode will remind you why we play music in the first place—not just to perform, but to feel, connect, and communicate.

🎧 Listen now and reflect on the songs that have moved you:

📩 Share your story: contact@cynthiaalistudios.com

#PianoDynamics #MusicAndEmotion #AdultPianoLessons #LearnPiano #CynthiaAliStudios #PianoForBeginners #PianoClass #LaurenDaigle #Rescue #PianoLegacy

Copyright © 2025 Cynthia Ali Studios LLC. All rights reserved.

The music in this podcast is either public domain, original, or used under Fair Use for educational purposes. Any third-party content is used for commentary, criticism, or education and does not infringe upon original creators' rights. (contact@cynthiaalistudios.com)

In this episode, we explored the question, What is the language of music, and how do dynamics play a role in it? Dynamics—variations in volume—are essential for making music expressive and emotionally engaging. We discussed the common dynamic symbols like piano (p), forte (f), and terms like crescendo and decrescendo, and how these changes create emotional impact. Sudden shifts, such as sforzando and fortepiano, add surprise and drama to a piece, while words like morendo and calando can create a fading, introspective atmosphere. Dynamics, much like the colors of music, help shape the emotional journey of a piece, making it more compelling and engaging for both the performer and the listener.

Plus, don’t miss out on these upcoming events visit CynthiaAliStudios.com/PianoCommunity and be sure to download your free Piano Journal to track your practice and progress there too!

#AdultPianoLessons #PianoForBeginners #LearnPiano #AdultPiano #PianoClass #Dynamics #furelise

Copyright © 2025 Cynthia Ali Studios LLC. All rights reserved.

The music in this podcast is either public domain, original, or used under Fair Use for educational purposes. Any third-party content is used for commentary, criticism, or education and does not infringe upon original creators' rights. (contact@cynthiaalistudios.com)

The views expressed are those of the host(s) and guests and do not necessarily reflect those of Cynthia Ali Studios LLC.