Keys to beauty

Organ Concert in Vienna 2015. Music was a beautiful as the locale.

Keys to Playing beautifully? 

Some random thoughts. 

• Having an intimate knowledge and experience with the music of your chosen genre helps.  
• Knowledge of the history of your chosen genre. Who are the great exemplars of this music? Oscar Peterson? Horowitz? Jeff Hamilton? 
• Getting out of the house and hanging out. Hanging out and saying hello. The Rex, Roy Thompson Hall, Four Seasons. Where do lovers of your music hang? Get to know them, they can't wait to share their passion. You will learn a lot and have fun. 
• Being adult about practice. That is, addressing our shortcomings in a focused regime of joyous practice. An hour a day goes a long way. 
• Listening as much as possible to the music you love. But, listen like a musician. Ask, "what's going on here". 
• Score study: Follow professional performances of your music and compare performers. How do they differ in dynamics, tempi, articulations, balance, and phrasing? 
• Find a sympathetic teacher to help you. A teacher who has travelled the road you are now on. 

Cheers, 
 
David Story