Learn Piano: A Personal Practice

This episode explores how passion and purpose work together to sustain piano practice. A piano student's comment about their participation on a volleyball team sparked the thought of how much I love playing volleyball. I reflect on how passion made me want to practice, while having a team, games, and a reason to improve gave that passion purpose. The same is true in music: loving the piano does not always automatically create motivation, but having something meaningful to work toward can give practice direction. Whether your purpose is preparing for a performance, learning a favorite piece, developing your artistry, playing for others, or simply keeping music as part of your life, purpose gives passion somewhere to go. 
Copyright © 2026 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.

For more info: https://www.cynthiaalistudios.com/

Season 6 of Learn Piano: A Personal Practice begins September 29 with a new fall theme: Overcoming Obstacles to Your Piano Practice. In this opening episode, I look back at some of our summer musical adventures before returning to the piano bench to explore the habits, expectations, time constraints, and life circumstances that can interfere with consistent practice. Throughout the season, we’ll talk about passion and purpose, discipline, focus, bandwidth, realistic expectations, momentum, inspiration, and how our piano practice can grow and change along with us. We’ll also continue our Piano Studio Book Club with Poulenc: A Biography and welcome Rachel Revvenaugh for another Conversation in the Piano Lounge.
For more info: https://www.cynthiaalistudios.com/
Copyright © 2026 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.

In this episode, Cynthia reflects on an unexpected musical experience at a friend’s ice skating competition and how one beautiful piece, Little Things by Adrián Berenguer, followed her home to the piano. From skating and performance to adult learning and simple beginner pieces, she explores the difference between critique and meaning, and why music does not have to be perfect, or win first place, but to matter. This summer finale is a reminder to notice the music that grabs your heart, find joy in the journey, and build a personal musical life from the little moments that stay with you.
For more info: https://www.cynthiaalistudios.com/
Copyright © 2026 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.

In this episode, I reflect on a day that moved from quiet nostalgia to an electric evening concert with musician Jeremy Camp. After the stillness of a historic church, wooden pews, natural light, and a pump organ, the flashing lights, drums, electric guitars, and joyful worship of the evening created a powerful contrast. Jeremy’s story about beginning the song “This Man” at age sixteen, but needing to live through suffering before he could finish it, opened a deeper reflection on creativity and the artist’s journey. Sometimes a song, story, or work of art must wait until life gives us the experience to express it truthfully. From a nineteenth-century hymn to modern worship music, the day revealed how instruments, settings, and personal hardship shape creative expression and how music continues to carry hope across generations.

For more info: https://www.cynthiaalistudios.com/

Copyright © 2026 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.

In this episode, I visited my college reunion and finally stepped inside a small historic white church on campus that I had walked past for years but had never entered. Inside, I discovered a beautiful connection between Swedish immigrant history, old hymnals, diaries, artifacts, and music. One of the most memorable moments was hearing “Children of the Heavenly Father” played on an old pump organ. The song also held deep personal meaning for me, as my Swedish grandfather used to sing it in Swedish near the end of his life. What began as a simple campus visit became a moving reflection on history, family memory, and the way music can carry comfort across generations.
For more info: https://www.cynthiaalistudios.com/
Copyright © 2026 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.