Short, charming, relatively easy, level 5 and 6. What can a harpsichordist teach pianists? How to pace the music, notice the subtle flexibility to the flow of the music. In the 2nd video the performer talks about the works. Enjoy, David
0 Comments
The rankings follow the descriptions:
In my experience of teaching jazz, I would rank these traditional methods in the following order:
Jazz attracts adults of a certain type. Likely just like you. Professionally successful, academically trained, and determined to figure it out. The kind of person who sets goals, allocates resources, makes time, gathers intelligence from books and the internet, and then applies focus to solve a problem or pursue an opportunity. Alas the kind of learning traditionally associated with professional success can lead a student off in the wrong direction when learning to play jazz. First, music is a manual skill which requires many years of practice to play at even a basic level of competence. Second, playing jazz is an aural skill. Manual skills and aural skills are not traditionally part of most people’s education. So, a mindset shift must occur. Those professional skills will come in handy though; I’ll just help enlarge them. (Authors note I own more than 100 drum books, I’ve listened to hundreds of hours of podcasts on drumming, I’ve subscribed in the past to a Jazz education subscription service promising great masterclass from my jazz heroes, and I live on YouTube. Furthermore, I own too many drum sets, snare drums, and cymbals. So, I understand.) What can I do for you?
In short, I will present material to you in a logical fashion based on your specific circumstances and provide weekly feedback. Old fashioned teaching in a modern 21st c. multi-modal manner. Call me. David A partial list:
Adult Exam preparations for May and June 2021 1 RCM Prep A 1 RCM 1 1 RCM 3 1 RCM5 2 RCM 7 3 RCM 8 1 RCM 10 Theory is fun. I'd forgotten how interesting and satisfying writing a fugue can be. The performance is a computer rendition. To be playable with two hands I'd need to transpose the left hand starting at mm. 8., but then it wouldn't sound as rich. If you would like some help with music theory call me. Best, David 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:
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 Planning an interpretation
I can help you understand the plan my student and I created prior to "practicing" the piece. Call me. David So much planning goes on before we play.
Planning an interpretation
Call me. David 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 |
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
All
|