Music Theory and Piano
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Robert Estrin's latest Music Theory videos 
I Practiced So Hard My Fingers Bled — Here’s What I Learned
 Do You Need Pain to Build Piano Strength? Robert Estrin shares a powerful personal story about over-practicing and what it taught him about developing strength at the piano. He explains why real progress comes from balance, efficient technique, and recovery—not force or endurance—and how to build power without injury. Released on April 28, 2026 
Can You Name These Famous Piano Pieces in 10 Seconds?
All musicians are welcome to this "guessing game" In this video, Robert challenges you to name 7 famous piano pieces. All musicians are welcome! Released on February 25, 2026 
In this video, Robert discusses whether Beethoven had access to YouTube. What would have changed in his creativity? Released on December 17, 2025 Robert Estrin's latest piano videos 
Robert Estrin answers a common question about whether pianists are expected to perform from memory. He explains when playing from the score is appropriate, why memorization became standard for solo piano repertoire, and how learning to memorize can be developed as a practical skill. Released on April 21, 2026 
Bach Wrote 1000 Works You Will Never Hear — Here is What Happened to Them
The Hidden Tragedy of Bach’s Lost Masterpieces Robert Estrin explores the astonishing scale of music lost from Johann Sebastian Bach, possibly exceeding the entire surviving output of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. From vanished cantata cycles to missing Passions, this video reveals how fragile musical history can be—and how Bach’s legacy was rescued through the efforts of Felix Mendelssohn. Released on April 21, 2026 
The Most Explosive Ending in Piano — Chopin Ballade No. 1 Coda (Part 3)
Mastering Chopin’s Ballade No. 1 Coda: Precision, Control, and Musicality In this lesson, Robert Estrin breaks down the legendary coda of Chopin’s Ballade in G minor, offering practical strategies for mastering its technical and musical challenges. From slow practice and note grouping to wrist technique and score analysis, this video provides a clear roadmap for developing speed, control, and expressive depth in one of the most demanding passages in the piano repertoire. Released on April 15, 2026 About Robert Estrin
 Robert Estrin is a pianist who truly lives his instrument. Not only does he play and teach with proficiency and passion, but he also knows just about everything there is to know about pianos - from their construction to their history. Music is "all in the family" for Robert, with his father, Morton, a concert pianist; his sister, Coren, a pianist as well; his wife, Florence, an accomplished flutist; and his daughter, Jennifer, a violinist of great acclaim.Robert studied piano and French horn at New York City's Manhattan School of Music, and he also received a degree in piano performance from Indiana University. He performs with symphony orchestras, at arts festivals, for music teachers' associations, at museums, and on college campuses. His most unique performance experience, however, is his Living Piano: Journey Through Time. In this creative endeavor, Robert dresses in period costumes and plays historic instruments, from his own collection, to tell the story of the piano over time to a wide variety of audiences - not just piano enthusiasts. Robert maintains a vibrant online presence, with countless videos on YouTube and through Virtual Sheet Music. His videos, which have been viewed by millions, are engaging, entertaining, informative, and sure to enhance the knowledge, skills, and overall playing experience of pianists from beginners to the most advanced. Do you have a question for Robert? DISCLAIMER: The views and the opinions expressed in this video are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Virtual Sheet Music and its employees.
Questions, Comments, Requests: KP * VSM MEMBER * on August 27, 2025 @12:32 pm PST
I enjoy playing Chopin almost exclusively. After your demonstration of comparing him with Mozart I finally realized why my Mozart pieces were never quite right. I think I played them like a Chopin piece! This was a fun video.
Mackenzie Rancourt on February 16, 2025 @6:09 pm PST
How do I know the different enharmonic notes on the black and white keys
 Robert - host, on August 28, 2025 @6:49 am PST
Black keys can be named as sharps or flats. There can also be white keys that are described as sharps as you can find out more about here: https://livingpianos.com/why-do-they-write-e-sharps-and-c-flats/
Sharon Gilbert * VSM MEMBER * on June 26, 2024 @10:26 am PST
We're preparing a celebration of our 60th wedding anniversary and would like a few hits from each decade. Do you have suggestions and would Virtual Sheet Music have them available to me?
Fabrizio Ferrari * VSM MEMBER * on June 27, 2024 @1:02 am PST
Hello Sharon and thank you for your inquiry.
First of all, congratulations on your 60th wedding anniversary! That's just fantastic news. As for suggesting some of the most popular songs of the last decades, I can suggest the following titles starting from the 40s --- not sure you need from that far though --- (please note that the links below are search results so you can pick the version you like the most): 40s: In the Mood https://www.virtualsheetmusic.com/se/In+the+Mood Paper Doll https://www.virtualsheetmusic.com/se/Paper+Doll 50s: Rock Around the Clock https://www.virtualsheetmusic.com/se/Rock+Around+the+Clock Jailhouse Rock https://www.virtualsheetmusic.com/se/Jailhouse+Rock 60s: I Want to Hold Your Hand https://www.virtualsheetmusic.com/se/I+Want+to+Hold+Your+Hand Can’t Help Falling in Love https://www.virtualsheetmusic.com/se/Can%E2%80%99t+Help+Falling+in+Love My Girl https://www.virtualsheetmusic.com/se/My+Girl 70s: Stairway to Heaven https://www.virtualsheetmusic.com/se/Stairway+to+Heaven Dancing Queen https://www.virtualsheetmusic.com/se/Dancing+Queen Stayin’ Alive https://www.virtualsheetmusic.com/se/Stayin%E2%80%99+Alive 80s: Billie Jean https://www.virtualsheetmusic.com/se/Billie+Jean Endless Love https://www.virtualsheetmusic.com/se/Endless+Love Time After Time https://www.virtualsheetmusic.com/se/time+After+Time 90s: Smells Like Teen Spirit https://www.virtualsheetmusic.com/se/Smells+Like+Teen+Spirit I Will Always Love You https://www.virtualsheetmusic.com/se/I+Will+Always+Love+You My Heart Will Go On https://www.virtualsheetmusic.com/se/My+Heart+Will+Go+On 2000s: A Thousand Miles https://www.virtualsheetmusic.com/se/A+Thousand+Miles You’re Beautiful https://www.virtualsheetmusic.com/se/You%E2%80%99re+Beautiful 2010s: Rolling in the Deep https://www.virtualsheetmusic.com/se/Rolling+in+the+Deep Shape of You https://www.virtualsheetmusic.com/se/Shape+of+You All of Me https://www.virtualsheetmusic.com/se/All+of+Me 2020s: Blinding Lights https://www.virtualsheetmusic.com/se/Blinding+Lights Watermelon Sugar https://www.virtualsheetmusic.com/se/Watermelon+Sugar Please keep in mind those titles are available for a price despite being discounted for you as a Member. Of course, we also have a ton of classical and traditional music that may be used for your celebration as well (i.e. "Ave Maria", etc.) that are available to you for free. If you'd like some suggestions on that repertoire as well, please let me know. And if you need more ideas, just use our new Virtual Music Assistant to which you can ask questions like "Give me a list of the top songs of the past 60 years organized by decades," and you might have more suggestions: https://www.virtualsheetmusic.com/assistant/ My best wishes for your upcoming anniversary! All the best, Sharon Gilbert * VSM MEMBER * on June 27, 2024 @8:59 am PST
Thank you so much. I'd love some classical, but we're in N. Idaho where country music reigns supreme.
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