Setting out to create your own music has many satisfactions. But first a story. I'm 13 years old, and an overly confident self-taught guitarist. I head off to music camp in Kirkland Lake Ontario in the summer of 1972. Harry Forbes, the guitar instructor, was kind and tolerant. Good thing because I sucked. One day I spotted a strange looking keyboard in the corner of the room. Q: "What is that, Harry?" A: "It's an ARP2600 synthesizer". Q: "What does it do?" A: "It does this" Me: "Holy *D*D(#KD+!" I was hooked. I've never looked back. So why create your own music? 1. Personal expression 2. Participate in the sound of our time 3. Keep the "play" in playing music alive 4. Creative exploration and discovery 5. Learn new instruments 6. Join an online community of music makers 7. Become a rich and famous DJ 8. Collect gear Electronic music has its own terms. Now...................................Before Producer Composer DJ Musician DAW Score paper How to get started. The cheapest way is to explore phone apps. This can be expanded with the addition of a specialized keyboard that attaches to your phone. $100+ Next up, purchasing a USB keyboard and a Digital Audio Workstation and pair of audio speakers. $500+ When you want to go all in you will need a USB interface to plug in mics and instruments, USB keyboard and a Digital Audio Workstation, microphones, yards of audio cables, a pair of specialized audio speakers, a specialized desk, and a room to put it all in. I can help you get started, call me. David Revised October 2022
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Q: How does an impatient student find patience?
Q: How does the piano teacher maintain the student's enthusiasm while working with an impatient student? Good questions. A: There are no short cuts. Playing piano is a manual as well as intellectual skill that just takes time. If we neglect the development of your core piano skills, you will grow bored, discouraged, and quit. In the end, it's faster to learn the skills, embrace the discomfort of challenging work than to search all over the internet looking for a short cut. A good analogy is martial arts, yellow belts don't graduate to black belts by skipping the intermediate belts. There is a progression of skills, steps, and experiences required to move from belt to belt. Core music skills:
Here is a short story taken from my parallel passion of drumming. I devote a large chunk of my practice time to the core skills and fundamentals of drumming, namely time, tone, and patterning. Left, right, left, right or LLRR or RLRR and LRLL. I listen intently to the results. I analysis my movements. And on and on it goes. I've learned to be patient and I've made some real progress in my studies. I'm confident I will continue to make progress. Let me help you. Call me. Let's get started. David Revised October 2022 Planning an interpretation
This helps the student have a clear metal representation of what to consider and then how to execute this "vision" prior to "practicing" the piece. Call me. David Revised October 2022 This is the book by Anders Ericsson for the layperson on the science of "deliberate practice". This video is a teaser.
Preplanning shortens the time needed to "learn" a piece of music. I start, if I can, by listening to several professional performances. Some of the marks on the score reflect what I heard in a particular performance and other marks are a result of my own deliberations. As I revise this blog, I regret that I didn't mark down what was what and from whom.
Planning an interpretation
David Revised October 2022 Playing well ultimately means playing by ear.
Adult piano students tend to rely on their visual and analytical strengths. The parts that lead to professional success. Their tactile and auditory sides are often weak. “Tactile, what’s that?” “Playing by ear? I’m no good. Or really?” They either have little confidence, or they are unaware of how to use this skill already in their possession. Piano studies are traditionally a visual study based around the authority of the text. Obedience and deference are the watchwords. But to realize your musical dreams and reach your aspirations this side will have to be developed and refined until you can confidently rely on it. A classical pianist executes a game plan. Every note has been planned and rehearsed. They have tried different approaches and made their decisions. They have learned every note by heart to a point where they can play with the music. What they hear they can execute. What they hear is based on years of study, practice, transcription, coaching feedback, concert attendance, theory and history studies and lots more. A jazz pianist plays what they hear in their head. They never execute an idea and say, "dang, where did that come from?' No way, their minds are singing just slightly ahead of their hands. What they hear they can execute. What they hear is based on years of study, practice, transcription, coaching feedback, concert attendance, theory and history studies and lots more. Playing imaginatively by ear requires a rich reservoir of musical ideas and experiences. I can get you started by helping you play by ear. Call me, David A sample of what is on for this week.
Nine brave and committed adult students are preparing to sit for their classical piano exams this spring and summer. 1 RCM Prep A 1 RCM 1 1 RCM5 2 RCM 7 3 RCM 8 1 RCM 10 If you would like to join us. Call me. David I'll send you a Zoom link, a list of learning materials required for the first lessons, and suggestions from colleagues on setting up Zoom audio and a picture on where to set up your camera. See you in class.
David YouTube has many piano duets you can enjoy. You play primo. The score for this piece is available, free of charge and registration, through the link above. Learn your part then put on headphones, or ear buds and play along. Remember YouTube videos can be slowed if required.
Have fun David Revised November 2022 Over the duration of the classes, I've learned many new things about teaching online. As a result, I've upgraded and tweaked my technology and lesson plans. Who says you can't teach an old dog new tricks?
Call me, David Revised November 2022 So many piano students are seeking the "secret". The secret that sends them to the front of the line. This secret is called "musicianship". This secret is made up of four principal areas: technique, theory, history, and aural skills. Here are four ideas or reasons to work in these areas. 1. Practice piano technique with a metronome as this will get your internal musical clock in order. 2. Master theory/rudiments/harmony that is appropriate to your level. Learning how music is constructed helps you to memorize and understand what you are playing. 3. Read music history. Knowing the breadth of repertoire and the historical context of your style of music allows you to play with more insight. Classical students study classical history, jazz students jazz history, etc. 4. And finally work on your ear training or aural skills. The ability to visualize the sound of music in your head before you play it is often overlooked by music students. David Below is a video of the Duke Ellington student staple, Satin doll. The video is cued for the B section or middle 8. Listen to the trombone "lick" played when the chord progression lands on F. Figure is out. It is in the key of F, starts on A. Now check out the video I've made on what to do with this lick. This is an example of aural skills in action. revised May 2023 www.finchcocks.com/Finchcock Piano Courses UKI'm dreaming. of one week of piano with first rate tutors, delicious food, and flowing wine at this adult piano retreat in the UK. Click above for more inf.
David revised November 2022 My students have eclectic tastes. I love it. If you would like join us, call me.
David My top five tips for practicing any musical instrument:
Theory
If you would like help, call me. David Revised March 2023 4 hours of practice: No Grinding. Top 5 tips for practicing any musical instrument
Playing
General and Jazz Specific Theory
If you would like some help, call me. David Being able to recognize the forms within a Baroque Dance suite, by ear, will be helpful. This will get you started on your listening journey. Enjoy.
Working through the Four Star Books is recommended. An effective book, but, hardly that exciting. So... Sometimes we work out by ear famous Rock era "licks" or motifs from well know melodies. The famous opening melody uses B, C#, and D. Have a listen and give it a go. Classical motives are fun too. Opening motif is in C minor, starting on G. Da da da DAAA, da da da DAA
Have fun. David Some ideas.
One of my students is working at the early advanced stage of Classical piano. This week Chopin Waltz in b minor and Gnossienne #6 by Satie. Sophisticated music. She is a retired executive whose career spanned the globe. She is an avid concert goer. As in, more than a concert a week. At the end of class I complemented her on her playing and knowledge of the music, it's context, and style. She was slightly taken back. She quickly explained that she has friends who are so much more sophisticated and nuanced in their appreciation of classical music. (One wrote liner notes for a major classical music label, one was a critic if I recall correctly as well.) I pointed out to her that she has learned more than she knew through those friendships. She recalled the after concert socializing where great debates on the merits of the performance. Furthermore, decades of concert going at the great halls of the world leaves a mark. A significant mark. Cheers, David Sometime the stress from the pandemic is a bit too much. It can lower our enthusiasm for practice. So, what to do? Assuming you are not suffering from clinical depression, in which case please seek professional help. This is not the place. But for the rest of us. Try some or all the following.
In the meantime, call me if you would like to meet online. I've dozens of students happily progressing on zoom. David. This late elementary piece has been a hit since the day it was written. Lively and energetic, it is a thrilling piece for students to master. But there are those annoying last four measures which have devilled generations of aspirants.
Consider the following eight points.
David Revised October 2022 |
You've got to learn your instrument. Then, you practice, practice, practice. And then, when you finally get up there on the bandstand, forget all that and just wail. AuthorI'm a professional pianist and music educator in West Toronto Ontario. I'm also a devoted percussionist and drum teacher. Categories
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