Before anything else, I want to say this clearly. Thank you. To everyone who joined Cliff’s Keys to Mastery early, supported it, trusted me, and helped shape what this space is becoming thank you. This community exists because of you. Because of that, everyone who is already here is considered a Founding Member. Founding Members will: - Remain inside the community - Keep their access - Never be forced to upgrade Now, here’s the shift. Cliff’s Keys to Mastery is moving forward as a paid training community. This space was never meant to be casual. It was built for pianists who already practice, already care, and know that something subtle in their playing isn’t translating. Tone. Control. Decision making. Artistry. Those things don’t change through repetition alone. They change through structure, diagnosis, and guided work. Going forward, new members will join through paid tiers that include: - The COPET Essentials training library - Structured technique and sound frameworks - Weekly masterclasses breaking down touch, tone, and control - Direct exposure to how I analyze and rebuild playing This change is not about excluding people. It’s about building the right room. If you’re a Founding Member, nothing changes for you unless you choose it to. If you’re new and serious about transforming how you play, this community is now built for you. We’re building with the ones who decided. Comment KEYS if you want details.

Family! Here is a composition I made a while ago using the COPET method as an intro to a hip hop beat I was working on. From my heart and mind to yall, the story I envisioned is the moment Beethoven finally realized his hearing would never be the same. Can you imagine the anguish he felt?! Anyway here is the piece. I want you to listen, and in the comment section tell me what emotions you feel, and tie it to your own story. Enjoy! https://www.instagram.com/reel/DQyJVp2DZNe/?igsh=MWJjNnNqYTRjZ3Ztdw==

It has been a long time since I played my own improvisations for anyone other than whoever was standing in the room. I mentioned a recent one where I set my iPhone down on a piano recently at a friend's house and made up a short song. I placed a link below. https://youtu.be/slG79GEHGQc Thanks also to @Cliff Jones for suggesting I collect some of these into a playlist. Hopefully this link works for you too. No professional editing, these were mostly for me to share with my family. Hope you enjoy them too.

Practicing every day can feel like a grind — but there’s always a reason you keep showing up. Is it the sound of your favorite composer? The challenge of mastering a piece? Or just the peace you feel when you play? 👉 Share your “why” in the comments. Your answer might inspire somebody else to keep going this week.

Welcome to The COPET Academy Read This Fully Before You Move Forward. If you are here, it means you are no longer satisfied with simply playing the notes. You are ready to refine your artistry. The COPET Academy is not a content library. It is a training environment. Here, technique is shaped by emotional intention. Repertoire is shaped by personal narrative. And interpretation is developed with discipline. Entry into this space is not about perfection. It is about commitment. Your First Step — Declare Where You Stand Comment below and answer honestly: 1. How long have you been playing piano? 2. What piece are you currently studying? 3. Where do you feel emotionally disconnected in your playing? 4. What technical limitation is holding your expression back? 5. What would it mean for you to become an intentional interpreter? Be precise. Growth begins with clarity. Your Baseline — The Beginning of Refinement Within 7 days, upload a 90–120 second excerpt of your current repertoire. Include: • The emotional intention behind the passage • Where phrasing lacks depth • What technical barrier affects expression This is not a test. It is your starting point. If you do not submit during your evaluation period, this environment will not be the right fit. Standards here are not harsh — they are protective of your growth. Inside The COPET Academy you will learn to: Train technique through emotional intent Refine narrative architecture in repertoire Interpret without imitation Integrate artistry and mechanics If you commit, your playing will change. This is the beginning. — Cliff