I just thought some of you would enjoy this clip. If you know the Marx Brothers you will remember that Chico was a great pianist. But you might be too young to know them. https://youtu.be/Zz1xUbJprCw?si=CzMWLphccOL02Be-

It’s lovely to see so many new people joining us recently — welcome to The Self-Taught Pianist Circle 👋 This space is here to support your curiosity, structure your progress, and give you a calm corner to keep piano learning feeling clear and enjoyable. If you haven’t already, the best place to begin is the onboarding course in the Classroom tab. It walks you through how everything here works and shows you how to set up your online trial lesson when you’re ready. You’re also warmly invited to join the weekly Q&A — it’s an easy, low-pressure way to settle in, ask questions, or simply listen. When you have a moment, feel free to introduce yourself in a new post — just a few lines about your playing, what you enjoy, or what you’re working towards. Glad you’re here. Benedict

Hi everyone, I’m a returning piano player looking to up my game in playing by ear. I came to realise that all I really wanted to do was sit down at the piano and play pieces I know and love with confidence! I sing too, so aim to accompany myself a bit more too.

If you’ve been finding your piano journey a little clearer, calmer, or more enjoyable since joining the Circle, I’d love to hear your thoughts. It doesn’t have to be long — even a few sentences can really help someone who’s sitting on the fence about getting started. Your words show others that progress is possible — and that they’re not alone in figuring it out. As a small thank-you, I’ve put together another little musical gift for anyone who leaves a short review — something simple and encouraging to keep your practice flowing. 🎁 👉 Just DM me and I’ll send over the quick review links (takes about 5 minutes). Thank you so much for helping keep this community growing and grounded — it means more than you think. 🙏 — Benedict

It’s always inspiring to see what everyone’s exploring at the piano — and it often sparks ideas for others too. So this week’s simple challenge: 💬 Share what you’re working on right now. It could be: • a piece you’re learning or revisiting • a technical focus (like hand balance or chord voicings) • something from theory or composition you’re exploring • or even just a mindset shift you’re practising — like slowing down or keeping calm when things get tricky. You don’t need to post a video (though you can if you’d like!) — a few sentences about your current focus is perfect. ✨ Please make it your own post in the “Progress & Wins” section, rather than commenting here — that way, your update doesn’t get buried, and others can properly follow along and encourage you. Let’s fill the feed with a snapshot of what’s on everyone’s music stand this week — it’s a lovely way to stay connected and notice just how varied and interesting each person’s piano journey is. 🌿🎶 — Benedict