Many instrumentalists and vocalists use lead sheets. If you've spent any time browsing online music stores, you may have noticed items marked “lead sheets.” On first glance, a lead sheet may look confusing or intimidating because it doesn't have a lot of notes. How are you supposed to know what to play or sing? However, the simple layout offers a number of benefits over traditional musical arrangements, which may open up new doors for your piano playing.

To a pianist who is traditionally trained in only note reading, the thought of improvisation brings uncertainty, not to mention sweaty palms. Improvisation can be intimidating. Visual learners need to see the notes on the page. It is hard to let go of the security of seeing the notes.

Here is the video with three wonderful versions of this hit song by Elvis Presley. Each version adds improvisational techniques that we can employ to our own skill level. Briefly, the three versions can be described as follows:

Most people think it’s difficult to compose music for the piano. The fact is they weren’t taught the proper way to whip out quick piano music. Here are three steps that will have you composing in no time.

What’s your favorite Mother’s Day classical music?

When you think about music related to mothers, you might think of A Lullaby by Johannes Brahms. Or, you might think of the Mother Goose Suite by Maurice Ravel. But many people, when asked about classical music for Mother’s Day, will pick Songs My Mother Taught Me — either the well-known selection by Czech Antonin Dvorák or the more recent composition by American composer Charles Ives.

One of my favorite pianists, Roger Williams, passed away this past weekend at age 87. I was fortunate enough to have attended one of his live performances at the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, California, in 2007. Even in his 80s Roger still managed to put together a stunning piano performance showcasing his great improvising skills and styles at that Christmas concert.