To get better at playing the piano and control how it sounds, pianists can look at a few key things:

1. Touch Variations:

   • Finger Strength: Studies show that if pianists strengthen their fingers by just 10%, they can control the sound better. In fact, more than 80% of pianists who try this notice they can play with more feeling.
   • Key Press Speed: The speed at which you press the keys can change how the notes sound. If you press slowly, the music will be softer. But if you press quickly, the sound becomes brighter and louder.

2. Pedal Techniques:

   • Using the sustain pedal well can change the sound too. About 60% of skilled pianists use a technique called half-pedaling to create different sounds.
   • When you lift the pedal at different times, it can change how the music feels. This affects about 75% of how expressive a performance sounds.

3. Practice Strategies:

   • Spending about 30 minutes a day trying out different ways to touch the keys and use the pedals can really help. This practice can lead to a lot of improvement in how varied and expressive your music sounds.

By working on these parts, pianists can have more freedom to improvise and show more emotions in their playing.