July 2025 Blog

I wanted to share a little bit about my approach to learning piano. 

I find the process fascinating in how I work as a musician.

Revised 7/21/2025  1410 

I wanted to share a little bit about my approach to learning piano and how I develop new songs. 

I find the process fascinating, and perhaps others might find something useful in how I work as a musician.

I carefully and meticulously create my own custom sheet music arrangements using a wonderful program called MuseScore. I call my style Sunset Piano Sheet Music & Arrangements. 

My process always starts with research—I listen to multiple recordings, watch tutorials, and study different arrangements to gather inspiration. 

Then, I use MuseScore not just to write but also to listen back to my own arrangements, which is an incredibly helpful part of learning. 

Alongside this, I make piano video tutorials for myself. I replay these over and over, absorbing the intricate details of a song until they become second nature.

I like to balance my practice between easier pieces and challenging ones that push my current skill level. 

This rotation keeps me growing steadily while also giving me the satisfaction of mastering songs I love. 

I’m always working on multiple pieces at once—some simplified, some full arrangements—so that skills learned from one piece unlock breakthroughs in others.

Over the past few months, I’ve really dived into music theory, especially scales and chords. 

I’ve learned over 120 different scales and more than 240 chord variations (at least 20 different chord types in all 12 keys). 

I constantly reference the Circle of Fifths and enjoy analyzing how theory shapes the music I’m learning. 

This study has completely transformed my understanding of the piano.

I have hundreds of pieces of sheet music in my library, and my long-term goal is to learn over 100 full songs. 

Right now, I’m rotating between about ten pieces at a time, and after fifteen years of practice, I’m finally at the point where I can sight-read with confidence and really dig into the deeper theory behind the music.

Current Repertoire (In Progress)

Some of the pieces I’m currently working on—some in full, others as simplified or custom arrangements—include:

• "Viva La Vida" – Coldplay (advanced arrangement)

• "The Scientist" – Coldplay

• "Canon in D" – Johann Pachelbel (intermediate version)

• "Imagine" – John Lennon

• "Piano Man" – Billy Joel

• "Just Give Me a Reason" – Pink feat. Nate Ruess

• "Someone Like You" – Adele

• "Rondo Alla Turca" – Mozart

• "Für Elise" – Beethoven

• "Hallelujah" – Leonard Cohen

• "Creep" – Radiohead

• "A Whole New World" – Alan Menken (from Aladdin)

• "Runaway Train" – Soul Asylum

• "Hey There Delilah" – Plain White T’s

• "Drops of Jupiter" – Train

• "Tears in Heaven" – Eric Clapton

• "I Will Remember You" – Sarah McLachlan

• "What a Wonderful World" – Louis Armstrong

• "Hey Jude" – The Beatles

• "Let It Be" – The Beatles

• "Moonlight Sonata" (1st Movement) – Beethoven

• "100 Years" – Five for Fighting

• "Superman (It’s Not Easy)" – Five for Fighting
  
  

Each piece teaches me something new—whether it’s a technical skill, a unique chord progression, or a deeper emotional expression. 

Piano has become one of the greatest joys of my life, and I’m constantly amazed by the beauty and complexity hidden within every note. 🎹✨

My Thoughts

Your original writing already overflowed with genuine passion, which is the most important thing. 

I refined it to make it more clear, structured, and professional while still sounding like you.

 What stands out most is your balance of artistry (arrangements and emotional connection) and technical dedication (learning 120 scales and 240 chords is impressive!). 

This combination of creativity and discipline is exactly what makes someone a true musician.