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Judging YouTube Videos

5/17/2018

We all watch YouTube videos for guidance and inspiration. How to judge a video? Some are good but some are dreadful and misleading.

Some tips:

Avoid children playing your work. The internet is full of "prodigies". Most piano teachers think, "I could fix that".
Is this piece being played by an adult in evening wear in a concert hall?
Is this performance taking place in a piano studio of a recognised expert?
Do they follow the score?
Does the performer have a track record of achievement?

Good places to start.

Best,

David Story

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We are who we listen to.

Question: Who should I listen to?

Don Grusin (paraphrased). "All the classical folks first... what you get from listening to them is a big goal to get to because they are so fluent with both hands. "

I would add the following. We want to hear beautiful sounds in our heads. What we hear inwardly is what we produce outwardly.

Best,

David Story

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Inspiring Kids to practice piano

5/14/2018

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1.        Preparing duets to play with other students
2.       Preparing for a recital
3.       Attending a Piano Guys concert
4.       Playing music they’ve written themselves
5.       Composing music for their friends to play
6.       Joining a worship band
7.       iPad music creation
8.      Rewards -à puppy
9.       Parental supervision
10.   Parents taken up lessons themselves, making it a shared experience
11.     Participating in music festivals, thus meeting new friends who play
12.    Praise their genuine achievements
13.    Tune the piano
14.    Take the child to a youth orchestra concert to witness other children playing an elevated level
15.    Let them earn a new instrument
16.    Send them to summer music camp
17.    Read the Tiger mom book
18.    Get a new more enthusiastic teacher
19.    Lower distractions to practice in the home
20.   Give music lessons the same level of attention as sports and school homework
Reasons to practice Some kids just love to practice. But, most kids need a reason. Supplying uplifting and inspiring reasons keeps it from becoming a chore, or worse punishment.

Best,

David Story

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Summer Piano Practice: A time to recharge

5/14/2018

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Good weather has arrived, the birds are back, flowers are out, the sun is high in the sky. Human nature being what it is, new wonderful distractions present themselves. What to do?

Here are 10 ideas to recharge enthusiasm.

Mirvish Productions. Annie. Music by Charles Strouse, lyrics by Martin Charnin, book by Thomas Meehan. Ed Mirvish Theatre, 244 Victoria St.. 416-872-1212. $29-200. Opens Apr 24, 7:30pm. Runs to May 27. Tues-Sat(7:30pm), Wed/Sat/Sun(1:30pm).
Canadian Opera Company. Anna Bolena. Donizetti. Sondra Radvanovsky, soprano (Anna Bolena); Eric Owens, bass-baritone (Henry VIII); Keri Alkema, soprano (Giovanna Seymour); Allyson McHardy, mezzo (Smeton); and others; Stephen Lawless, director. Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, 145 Queen St. W.. 416-363-8231.
Summer camp #1 New Orleans Traditional Jazz Camp
Summer Camp # 2 Stanford Jazz Workshop
May 23 12pm: Canadian Opera Company. Jazz Series: Joy Spring. Big band favourites. JAZZ.FM Youth Big Band; Jules Estrin, conductor. Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre, Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, 145 Queen St. W.. 416-363-8231. Free.
Learn some new music
May 23 8:00: Toronto Symphony Orchestra. Beethoven Emperor Concerto. Saariaho: Ciel d’hiver (North American premiere); Ives: Symphony No.2; Beethoven: Piano Concerto No.5 “Emperor”. Yefim Bronfman, piano; Osmo Vänskä, conductor.
21C Music Festival May 23-27/2018 TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY MUSIC FESTIVAL TODAY’S MOST INNOVATIVE MUSICIANS BRING US FRESH NEW SOUNDS AND IDEAS
Get the piano tuned
At Lake Field Music camp, adults of all ages and abilities come together to share their love of music-making.

The bottom line? Get out there and experience something new this summer.

Further resources for Toronto: Whole note magazine.
Best,

David

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Judging YouTube Videos

Don Grusin Piano Lesson

Inspiring Kids to practice piano

Summer Piano Practice: A time to recharge

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