I instruct many adults who, later in life, are returning to the piano. They are keen to realize their dream of playing Classical, Jazz, Blues, or Boogie Woogie piano with style and panache. 

Why do they restart? They want to reconnect with beauty.

Regardless of why they quit, everyone returns filled with high hopes and noble intentions. I welcome them into a studio where lessons are given guilt free. And enthusiasm is supported and encouraged.
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Here are some of the titles they are currently working on.
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1. Nocturne No. 5 in B flat John Field
2. I Feel Good James Brown
3. Waltz in A, Opus 52a number 7 Brahms
4. Sonata in G Major, Hob. XVI:8 l 1st movement Haydn
5. Night train Oscar Peterson
6. Sonatina in F Major (no. 2) u 1st movement Beethoven
7. On The Road Again Willy Nelson
8. Georgia On My Mind Ray Charles
9. Skizzen, op. 77 u On the Lake (Auf dem See) (no. 12) Hofmann, Heinrich
10. Lots of Boogie Woogie

You get the idea. I can help you rekindle your enthusiasm to play beautiful music again. Call me today for a free interview.

Cheers,

​David
updated October 2023

What are the keys to playing the piano beautifully?  
 
Some random thoughts.  

• Having an intimate knowledge and experience with the music you are learning.  
• Knowledge of the history of your chosen genre. Who are the great exemplars of this music? Oscar Peterson? Horowitz? Beethoven?  
• Getting out of the house and hanging out. Hanging out and saying hello at The Rex, Roy Thompson Hall, Four Seasons. Wherever the lovers of your music congregate. Get to know them; they cannot wait to share their passion. You will learn a lot and have fun.  
• Taking responsibility for your practice. That is, addressing your 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: Following professional performances with your score in hand. Compare how different performers interpret the music. How do they differ in dynamics, tempi, articulations, balance, and phrasing?  
• Find a sympathetic teacher who has travelled the road you are now on.  

Cheers,   
 
David Story
updated: October 2023

What can you accomplish in one hour of daily practice? With a good plan you can accomplish a lot. Here is a sample plan. 
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1. Warm up
2. Technique
3. Sight reading
4. Repertoire development
5. Reviewing completed material


Warm up: Best advice I ever got? Go for a brisk walk before practice. Work up a sweat. Then your brain will be ready to work.
Technique: Start slowly concentrating on playing with a lovely tone your assigned scales, chords, and arpeggios.  
Sight reading: Good sight readers read music like others can read a book. This is a skill that can be learned with practice.
Repertoire development: Attack those annoying bits in pieces in the following way.

• listen to a recording
• be sure about the fingering
• use a metronome
• play slowly, give your brain and body a chance

Reviewing completed material will keep your favorites up to date. I suggest reviewing a different piece each practice. Start slowly, then moderately, and then at your best tempo.

Away from the piano? Listen to the music you are playing or want to play. Go to concerts, be inspired.

Cheers,

David Story
revised October 2023

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Today I've posted a slightly tongue-in-cheek set of random thoughts on practicing.

1. Send the spouse and kids out for a long walk with the dog, put the phone on “do not disturb”, collect your tools such as pencil, recordings of your pieces, headset for listening, lesson notes, and all your music.
2. Now warm up by playing some old favorites to remind yourself you really are making progress!
3. Next review your lesson notes and asking yourself “what one thing can I fix or improve today?” If needed, write in the fingering over every note next in this area. Now playing as slow as is needed work through the section. Did it work? If not, ask yourself why. Is it the: notes, rhythm, fingering, playing too fast, or are you bored or distracted? If you are not sure how it should sound, consult a professional recording. 
4. It's the journey that counts so have fun.  Consider this: musicians spend their lives practicing alone. They love it. 
5. Have faith in slow practice.
6. To play fast eventually you will have to practice fast.
7. Musicians live to practice like marathoners live to run, swimmers swim. Snow and freezing water are not deterrents.
8. Pavarotti said he was devoted to practice.

Have fun. 

David
​revised July 2023

What are the takeaways for students?

1. Mindful practice is effective and rewarding. Just fooling around at the keyboard is just fooling yourself.
2. The power of association is key to maintaining enthusiasm. Who we hang with matters. Being around dedicated inspiring musicians elevates our game.
3. Live music inspires and fuels your imagination. At the conference I heard Randy Brecker, Brain Lynch, Victor Wooten, John Patitucci, Groove for Thought vocal group, Arturo O'Farrill, the list goes on and on.
4. Attending teaching workshops keeps my enthusiasm high and knowledge up to date. I'm looking forward to sharing all my new knowledge and experiences with my students.

Cheers,

David Story
revised October 2023

I'm off to Louisville. I expect it will be a great learning experience and hang.

I'm rooming with my former Berklee College of Music professor and adviser Andy Jaffe. I expect to meet other folks from my musical past including Ed Soph, Bobby Shew, and lots of Berklee folks.

I will be posting details of the workshops and concerts here over the next couple of days. Drum workshops will be posted on my drum blog. Have a look here: Drum blog

Piano inspiration of the week is found here: Pianist magazine. Hundreds of instructional videos on the fine art of classical and jazz piano.

Cheers,

​David Story