Setting out to create your own music has many satisfactions.

​But first a story. 

I'm 13 years old, a self taught guitarist. Full of confidence I head off to music camp in Kirkland Lake Ontario in the summer of 1972. Oh boy! The instructor Harry Forbes, was kind and tolerant. Good thing, I sucked.

One day I spotted a strange looking keyboard in the corner of the room. I asked, "what is that Harry?"
"It's a ARP2600 Synthesizer".
"What does it do?"
"It does this"
"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 some new instruments.
6. Join an online community of music makers.
7. Become a rich and famous DJ

Electronic music has some of it's own terms. 

Now...................................Before

Producer                           Composer
DJ                                    Musician
DAW                                 Score paper

How to get started.

The cheapest way is to explore apps on your phone like garage band. This can be expanded with the addition of a specialized keyboard attached to your phone. $100+

​Next up, purchasing a USB keyboard and a Digital Audio Workstation and pair of audio speakers. $500+

​All in, purchasing a USB interface, USB keyboard and a Digital Audio Workstation, microphones, yards of audio cables,  a pair of audio speakers, a specialized desk,  and a room to put it all in. $5,000++

I can help you get started, call me. 

​David

How does a impatient student find the patience?

How does the piano teacher maintain the students enthusiasm while working with this constraint?

Good question. 

As long as we find time to work on core skills, it's great to explore repertoire way over our heads. We will have fun and learn a lot from the experience. But, if we neglect to cheerfully embrace the discipline of mastering core skills, we will grow bored and discouraged. In the end it's faster to learn the skills, embrace this discomfort of hard work than to jump all over the place. 

Core music skills: 

1. Technique
2. Aural Skills
3. Sight-reading
4. Theory
5. History
6. Repertoire
7. Etudes
8. Improvisation
9. Group music making: duets 
10. Music appreciation through concert attendance

Here is a short story from my parallel passion of drumming. I devote a large chunk of my practice time on the core skills and fundamentals of drumming. I spend hours a week on time and tone. Yep, left, right, left, right or LLRR or RLRR and LRLL. I listen intently to the results. I analysis my movements. And on and on. I've learned to be patient. I've made some real progress over the last decade of study.  I'm confident I will make more. 

​To learn more check this out: What do drum teachers practice? (superfundrumlessons.com)

Let me help you. 

Call me. Let's get started.

David

So much planning goes on before we play. 

Planning an interpretation

1. Mark the phrases and label the cadences
   
2. Mark the form
   
3. Explore phrasing options
   
4. Select the gestures
   
5. Practice the gestures
   

I can help you learn to play beautifully as others have helped me. 

Call me. 

​David

Bonus

 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.
​

• Sonatina in A mi by Biehl
• St. James Infirmary Blues
• Mussette Bach
• Sonatina in C Clementi
• Sonata in C Hadyn
• Sonata in G Beethoven 
• Invention No. 14 Bach
• Sonatina in F op. 168 Diabelli
• There Will Never Be Another You Jazz Standard
• All Right Ok, You Win Blues Standard
• Swiss Variations Beethoven 
• Autumn Leaves Jazz Standard
• The Entertainer Joplin
• Go Down Moses
• Bouree in F by Telemann
• Fur Elise by you know who
• Row Row Row Your Boat
• Saving the best for last Venessa Williams
• Jerusalem Israeli folk song
• The Cat by Jimmy Smith

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