My Story

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I was born and raised in Hong Kong and started learning piano when I was about six years old.  Unlike many kids, I was highly self-motivated.  I practised regularly and enjoyed exploring music on my own.  Although I was classically trained, I was always drawn to Cantopop, a genre not typically associated with piano learning.

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Growing up, I was constantly surrounded by Cantopop at home.  One of my earliest musical inspirations was Priscilla Chan, whose songs I listened to on the radio and on my dad’s CDs.  But back then, I believed the piano was only for classical music - until one day, I stumbled upon Cantopop piano scores at a local music shop.  Seeing pop music transcribed into piano notation was a revelation.

 

However, I quickly realised that many of those scores were full of mistakes, including incorrect melodies, chords and rhythms.  Even as a kid, I could hear what was wrong and fix it.  That experience sparked my interest in arranging and transcribing songs myself, which eventually became one of my biggest passions.

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During my secondary school and university years in the UK, I spent countless hours at the piano figuring out how to play Cantopop songs by ear.  There were no YouTube tutorials or online resources at the time so I had to depend entirely on my ears and learn through trial and error.  That self-taught experience continues to shape the way I play, arrange, and teach music today.

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My Goals

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Music, to me, is more than just notes on a page — it’s about expression, storytelling, and emotional connection.  My goal is to help others experience the joy of playing Chinese pop music on the piano in a way that’s accurate, expressive, and truly enjoyable.

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• Teaching: Many classically trained pianists, even advanced ones, struggle with playing pop songs fluently because they rely heavily on sheet music.  One of my key goals is to bridge this gap by teaching students how to play by ear, read lead sheets, and develop their own expressive interpretations.

 

• Sheet Music: Accuracy matters. I create professionally formatted lead sheets and full piano arrangements that stay true to the original songs, while adding my own musical touch to bring each song to life on the piano.  My goal is to make high-quality sheet music that’s both playable and rewarding for pianists of all levels.

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• Performing: Whether it’s a YouTube cover, a live show, or a wedding performance, I aim to bring Cantopop to life through expressive piano playing — creating memorable musical moments that connect with people emotionally.

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My YouTube Journey​

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• What began as a personal way to share my piano interpretations of Cantopop songs has grown into a vibrant online presence.  I launched my YouTube channel, Henry Lai On Piano, to showcase expressive, heartfelt piano covers of Cantonese and Mandarin pop music.

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• Over time, the channel gained traction and now has over 10,000 subscribers and 2.5 million views.  Many viewers have told me how much they appreciate the accuracy and emotion in my playing, and how it rekindled their love for Chinese pop music.  Whether it’s a full performance or an improvisation, I aim to bring out the soul of each song through the piano.

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