David Story West End Toronto Piano Teacher
*
  • Homepage
  • Adult piano lessons
  • Children's piano lessons in West Toronto
  • Contact form, fees, policies
  • My teaching philosophy
  • Testimonials
  • Practice blog: how to successfully practice. Action plans that work.
  • About me
  • Student awards and compositions
  • Recommended resources
  • Classical downloads
  • Jazz downloads
  • Jazz outline for beginners
  • Classical outline for beginners
  • Blog: The aging musician
  • Jazz Trio Workshop
  • Preschool Music "Rainbow Songs"
  • Free Ringtones
  • Fun Afternoon Recital 2020

Starting Serious Piano Study As A Mature Adult

8/19/2018

0 Comments

 
Starting from scratch with big ambitions is a common occurrence in my studio. Is it possible to master an instrument later in life? The answer depends on what you mean by master. Play the great concert halls or jazz clubs of the world? Likely not. If you mean by master the ability to exceed your own expectations. Yes, you can.

Next question: How long will it take?

Though much disputed in the literature, 10,000 hours, is a good benchmark. A better answer: musical development is a lifetime endeavor. I’m 45 years in on the piano, 9 years in on the drums. My drumming is now at the semi-pro level. I practice nearly everyday which means I’m just past the 3,000-hour mark on the kit. Which means people who can play will jam with me.

How do you shorten the time needed to achieve spectacular results?

1.       Make it a priority in your life: You block out time and guard it carefully.
2.       You find great teachers: I had one classical piano teacher, Leon Karan. I was very happy with the results. In drumming, I’ve taken another track: searching out the best drum teachers in the world who will spend time with me. Three years, so far,  with Terry Clarke in Toronto plus workshops with Greg Hutchison in Italy, Ali Jackson in Poland, and Ed Soph in Kentucky. There are others.
3.       Learn how to practice like a professional.
4.       Stay healthy for the long term.
5.       Find a peer group that will support your quest. They are out there.
6.       Listen to and experience live the best music you can. Your inner ear will need development for your hands to accomplish what you want.
7.       Never give up
8. Develop the courage to play with others as soon as possible. All master jazz musicians will tell you that to learn jazz you must play with others.


Best,

 
David Story

0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Author

    I'm a professional pianist and music educator in West Toronto Ontario. I'm also a devoted student of the drums. 

    Archives

    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    March 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012

    Categories

    All
    Adult Learning
    Bebop Piano
    Being Present
    Bill Evans
    Blues Guitar
    Boogie Woogie Piano
    Bucket List
    Buying A Piano
    Classical Piano Lessons
    Czerny Etudes
    Gary Burton
    Hybrid Pianos
    Jazz Chops
    Jazz Chords
    Jazz Improvisation
    Jazz Piano Lesson
    Joe Bonamassa
    Learning Classical Piano
    Learning Drums
    Learning Drums
    Learning Guitar
    Learning Jazz Piano
    Learning Piano
    Learning Piano
    Mastery Mindset
    Musical Imagination
    Music Competition
    Music Practice
    Music Practice
    Piano Chords
    Piano Lessons
    Piano Lessons
    Piano Scales
    Piano Technique
    Sight Reading Skills
    Sonny Stitt
    Student Success
    Student Success
    Successful Learning
    Successful Learning
    Successful Music Learning
    Successful Music Learning
    Summer Piano Lessons
    Time Management
    Time Management
    What Is Technique
    Wynton Marsalis

    RSS Feed

                                                ©2015 David Story
                         Contact           Home         Mystery Link