A broken chord isn't anything you need to worry about; in fact, you've probably played many.

Learn about broken chords, and try playing a few during your next practice session.

Does the name Wladyslaw Szpilman ring a bell? His story was immortalized in the 2002 film The Pianist.

Wladyslaw Szpilman was a Jewish-Polish composer who survived the Holocaust with the help of German Army officer Wilm Hosenfeld. Now, more than 60 years later, Hosenfeld is being honored for his bravery and compassion.

Yad Vashem (Jerusalem's official Holocaust memorial) presented Hosenfeld's family with a medal of honor on his behalf -- Hosenfeld died in 1952 under Soviet capture.

Read the full story at JPost.com.

This term is a two-for-one, and as a pianist, you should understand both meanings.

• Learn the meaning of fortepiano

The Italian musical command rubato comes from the verb "rubare," which literally means to rob or steal.

Want to know how in the world this applies to your piano music? Learn the meaning of rubato.

As you've probably heard, the King of Pop has passed on. My condolences go out to the Jackson family, as well as to the world of music for having lost such an amazing talent. Michael Jackson was a true entertainer -- a rare gem -- and will live on through his music; music that will continue to inspire musicians of all ages and genres.

Music that we thank you for.

Rest in Peace, MJ. Meet you in Neverland.

A guest contributor made a few interesting points in a recent response to Dealing With Stage Fright, and I encourage you to take a look. Many musicians (or artists in general) can probably sympathize with the inevitable tangling of ego/insecurity in their performing careers; see what a New York jazz musician has to say about the subject, then share your feedback in the forum.

To share your own thoughts, experiences, or tips; or to read the main article, see Dealing With Stage Fright.

"Timbre" is a musical term ignored by many beginners, possibly because -- at first glance -- its definition seems vague. Find out how simple it really is:

• Learn the meaning (and pronunciations) of timbre

Ben Folds' Chicago concert will be seen during Old St. Pat's Block Party, a two-day summer fest held in Chicago's West Loop. Ben plays the main stage on July 11th, so mark your calendars -- this is sure to be an event you won't want to miss.

To see more tour dates and locations (which includes a sporadic hop across the U.S.), check out Ben Folds' Official Site.

Image © Frank Micelotta/Getty Images

Can you spot the anacrusis in your sheet music? What if I gave you its English synonym?

• Learn the meaning of anacrusis.

It sounds complicated -- diabolical even -- but the diatonic scale is one of the most commonly used scales in western music. It's also a scale that every pianist needs to be aware of; the piano keyboard was designed after it. Learn more:

• Understanding the Diatonic Scale on the Piano
• Major vs. Minor: Children of the Diatonic Scale