What “advanced” means here
There is no single standard for “advanced,” and teachers define it differently (see levels of piano skill). In this article it means skills that become important once you can already play fluently from the score: refined touch, efficient movement across the keyboard, control in thick textures, and a handful of special effects. Most of these rest on the same foundation as basic technique, namely relaxation and good coordination, so if that foundation feels shaky, start with our guide on how to improve piano technique.
Weight transfer and relaxed power
Loud, full-bodied playing usually comes from arm and body weight rather than muscular force. Many teachers suggest leaning slightly from the torso, not crouching, to channel weight through the arms into the keys, then releasing as soon as the sound is made. Strain is the warning sign. If a passage makes your forearms burn, you are probably using too much muscle, and it is better to lower the volume and find the release. The importance of dynamics in music explains how volume shapes a phrase.
Staccato and portato
Staccato can be produced in different ways:
- Finger staccato suits quick, light, single notes.
- Wrist staccato (a loose, bouncing wrist) suits chords and heavier passages.
- Portato sits between legato and staccato: notes are slightly separated but still sung. It can also be made by pedaling lightly under a detached touch.
Experiment with each on the same short phrase and listen to how the character changes.
Finger substitution and legato in thick textures
In dense chords or hymn-like writing you may need to keep a note held while the hand rearranges. Finger substitution means changing fingers silently on a held key, for example 3 to 1 on a held note, so the line stays connected. Practice it slowly on a single key first, then in a real passage, and write the fingering into the score.
Leaps and keyboard geography
Accurate jumps are less about speed than preparation. Useful habits include:
- Move early, then play. Travel to the target in a relaxed arc.
- Practice “touching without playing”: place or hover the hand over the target keys before sounding them.
- Use the sides of your fingers against the black keys to sense your position without looking down.
Over time your hands learn distances, but repeated slow practice is what builds that sense.
Octaves and chords
For repeated octaves, most approaches stress a loose wrist and forearm rather than a locked hand. Practice short bursts, rest, then link the bursts. Keep the hand span steady, and stop if you feel pain. For chords, aim to set the hand shape before arrival and let the weight settle evenly across the notes you want to emphasize.
Rotation, trills and tremolo
Trills and tremolo are often easier when you use small rotations of the forearm instead of lifting each finger separately. Begin slowly and evenly, avoid squeezing, and build speed only when the motion stays light. Don’t force it: these patterns usually develop gradually across weeks.
Independence of voices and the left hand
Advanced repertoire, Bach fugues for example, asks the hands to play different characters at once. Practice voices separately, then in pairs, and give the left hand extra attention. A useful experiment is to spend more focus on the left hand, which is often less developed, while the right hand plays more automatically.
Advanced pedaling and extended techniques
Refined pedaling includes half pedal, partial changes and pedal blurs, all touched on in the sustain pedal guide. Beyond that, composers sometimes use glissandos, harmonics, sympathetic resonance, strummed or plucked strings and prepared piano. Treat interior techniques with care, and ask permission before touching someone else’s instrument.
Common questions
What is the hardest piano technique? There is no agreed answer. Candidates often named include fast octaves, double-note passages, and controlling very quiet, even playing. Difficulty depends on your hand size, training and goals.
Do piano players have high IQ? Music study has been linked in some studies with cognitive benefits, but results are mixed and do not show that pianists have higher IQ. It is better not to rely on that claim.
What is the 80/20 rule in piano? It is an informal idea, not an official rule: roughly that a minority of your practice, usually the hardest spots, produces most of your progress.
What is the forbidden chord? The term is a nickname used online, often for a chord that sounds dissonant or unsettling; there is no formal “forbidden” chord in music theory, and chords are only restricted by taste and context.
How to practice advanced techniques
- Choose one technique and one short passage.
- Practice slowly and bold, at a clear volume, so your attention stays high.
- Check for tension every few repetitions.
- Gradually increase speed, then take a break.
- Return to simpler material, such as intermediate piano exercises, whenever you need to reset your fundamentals.
A good teacher can spot habits that are hard to see yourself, and is especially helpful at this stage.