I teach many adults who are picking it back up later in life. Realising their dream to play Classical, Jazz, Blues, or Boogie Woogie with style and panache. Not to forget the few who want to play in a band.

Why do they restart? Beauty.

Regardless of why they quit, everyone returns filled with high hopes and noble intentions. I welcome them all to the studio where lessons are giving guilt free. And, enthusiasms are supported and encouraged.
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Here is 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. Maybe I can help you rekindle your enthusiasm to play beautiful music again. Call today for a free interview.

Cheers,

​David

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

One hour a day. What can be accomplished? With a good plan, lots.
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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: Slowly with a lovely tone, play some scales, chords, and arpeggios. What ever the teacher assigned. Play with joy. 
Sight reading: Good sight readers just play the piano, like you can read a book. A skill that can be learned with practice.
Repertoire development: Attack those pesky bits in your new pieces.

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

Reviewing completed material: Play your favourites, keep them up to date. I suggest a different piece each practice. Play slowly,  then moderately, and then your best tempo.

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

Cheers,

David Story

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Today I've posted a slightly tongue-in-cheek 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 warmup 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 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 unless you are preparing for an exam or audition. In that case there are different rules.
   
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 take aways 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, both students and professionals elevates our game.
3. Live music inspires and fuels your imagination: 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 the enthusiasm high and the knowledge up to date of yours truly. I'm looking forward to sharing with all my new knowledge and experiences with my students.

Cheers,

David Story

I'm off to Louisville. I'm quite excited about the trip. 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 lots of folks from my musical past there 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.
Ninety six instructional videos on the fine art of classical and jazz piano.

I have new recordings of myself playing drums in the Toronto band "Jakes not here" on the hear me button. Jazz and Blues fun, found at the bottom of the page.

Cheers,

​David Story