Listening to an unfamiliar piece of music can be pleasurable, baffling or even annoying. Here are some steps to consider making it a deeper experience.

1. Who is this artist? A who, what, where, when, why question about the performer.
2. Who is the composer? Same questions come to mind.
3. What instruments are performing?
4. What style is the music? Baroque, Hip-hop, Classical, early jazz, Rock, Heavy metal, Grunge, experimental, etc. If you are not sure dig in and do some research.
5. If there are lyrics, consider transcribing them by ear and writing them down. This is an illuminating experience if the music is in a style you do not normally listen to. Or never listen to.
6. Now let us go deeper into the piece. Can you pick up the form? If it is classical is it in Sonata form, Rondo, etc. If pop is it: intro, verse, verse, chorus, verse chorus, bridge, chorus and out. If jazz is it in 32 bar AABA or blues form?
7. If it is modern pop, does it have a four-chord cycling progression?
8. If it is classical, what is the time signature?
9. Is there improvisation?
10. Is there a score available online? If so, you might try your hand at it.

David

Depends on your goals.

If you would like to plunk out a few melodies, with minimal left-hand accompaniment, it is not too difficult. I would say a few months to a year you will be on your way. Factors that are important to consider though.

1. Your prior musical experiences as a listener and possibly player of another instrument.
2. Your physical health situation.
3. Your ability to set time aside to practice.
4. Your patience.
5. Your instrument’s condition.
6. Your desire level.
7. Your ability to follow direction.
8. Your inclination to initiate learning activities as well.

If you would like to play Classical piano at say grade 8, or early advanced level. Give it a decade from a standing start. In addition to the points above I would add the following: learn to love every aspect of the game. Do not skip a step: technique, repertoire, ear training, theory, history, etudes, etc. There are no hacks or shortcuts.

If you would like to play Jazz piano in a band, assuming you have already reached level 8 in abilities, give it a couple of years. All the points above are valid with the addition of a few other steps.

1. Find people to play with early in your journey.
2. Listen to jazz daily.
3. Take an online jazz history course.
4. Memorise 25 of the most common standards ASAP. You will spend the rest of your career building on this repertoire. Why memorise? It is difficult to keep track of everything with your head in the book.
5. Extra focus on ear training.

​If I can help, please call.
 
David Story

How many hobbies can one-person juggle?
 
Depends. I juggle one. I had two, but Covid19 put an end to that.

​I’ve students who try to juggle 3 or more while holding down jobs, spouses, children, and life. They often looked stressed. How do my less stressed students do it? Here are some tactics they follow:
​

1. They decide on just one hobby at a time. To paraphrase Ecclesiastes, “To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the sun.” They prioritise what to tackle based on where they are in life. Marathons in their 30’s, night school in their 40’s, piano in their 50’s, gardening in their 60’s. You get the idea.
2. Some give themselves permission just to have fun and take it a day at a time. If you are an old-fashioned type A driver this might be take some work, but it is possible. My other hobby was ballroom dancing until Covid19. Friday nights we would just show up and have fun in a low stress class. No practicing until the following week. It took 2 years to get to level 2. We were having fun.
3. They give up something to make room for something new.

BTW, my hobby is drumming. It is now becoming a business. There will be more to this story in the years to come.

Do you remember why you were attracted to piano in the first place? Put up a post it note on the piano to keep it front of mind.

Cheers,
 
David

1. Put your phone on airplane mode. Concentration during “me time” is crucial.
2. Watch a renowned professional pianist perform on YouTube. This will direct your attention to the beauty of the music you play. Be grateful you have the privilege to play and study such music.
3. Plan your practice and how much time to direct to each area.
   1. Theory, knowing what you are doing makes everything easier.
   2. Scales, chords, arpeggios, a chance to practice playing beautifully.
   3. Etudes focus developing specific technical challenges in piano playing.
   4. Repertoire, the music you are currently learning.
   5. Repertoire maintenance, which is review of your favourite pieces.
   6. Ear training really helps us to memorise music, internally hear it, and expand our capacity to hear nuance in our performances and the performances of others.
   7. Sight reading. Good sight readers just enjoy playing music. And, learn music much quicker.
   8. Score study is the activity of marking up a score to record the nuances we hear in a professional performance. Remember the given notation is just a start.
4. Prepare to practice
   1. Get a sharp pencil to make notes in the scores.
   2. Your audio recorder to get feedback on your playing.
   3. Your books all in order and ready at hand.
   4. Metronome is ready at hand.
5. Time to start
   1. Warmup the muscles with technique or sight reading. If you start with technique, start slowly the muscles are cold. Breathe. Use a metronome for some of your technique to maintain the slow tempi.
   2. Now to the rest of it.
6. Take a 5-minute break every 20-30 minutes.
7. Three, thirty minutes sessions spaced in a day, counts too. 
   

​If I can help you, please call and reserve a future spot. I am now taking reservations of summer 2020 and fall 2020.
 
David