David Story, Online Piano Lessons from Toronto
  • Homepage
  • Tips, Ideas, Stories, Free Lessons
  • Adult Lessons
  • Jazz Workshop #Eleven March 5, 2023
  • Contact form, fees, calendar, policies
  • Philosophy
  • Testimonials
  • Children's Winter Concert 2023
  • My Story
  • Student awards and compositions
  • Classical downloads
  • Classical outline for beginners
  • Jazz downloads
  • Jazz outline for beginners
  • Video Library of Piano Techniques
  • Breakfast Piano Minute
  • Books, Apps, Websites, Music
  • Ear Training and Sight Singing Resources

Tips, free lessons, and inspiration

Overcoming Stage Fright: Adult Piano Party

1/18/2017

0 Comments

 
We are trying a first in our studio: the adult piano party. Yes, an adult piano recital. Lots of interest, lots of anxiety, lots of second thoughts. 

Here are some thoughts to consider on reducing stage fright. 

1. Be prepared. Chose a piece you know and love. Remember the other musicians present will remember how beautiful you played, not how difficult the piece was.
2. Go by the venue prior the event and check it out.
3. Bring your music.
4. Remember the stakes are low, really.
5. It will be good experience in preparation for a piano exam, if you are going down that road.
6. Leave critical family members at home.
7. When you arrive, speak with other musicians, who like you may be experiencing various levels of anxiety.

Cheers,

​David
0 Comments

Perfect practice makes perfect! Maximizing your practice routine with Sean Jones, Trumpet

1/6/2017

1 Comment

 
Picture
Notes on Practice for precollege and college musicians. I wrote in New Orleans after hearing Mr. Jones speak.

This could be subtitled, "how I raised myself from obscurity to playing in Lincoln Centre and how I keep my place in the band now that I've got there post."

Start with your goals. This year, this month, this week, this day, this hour. And then 5, 10, 15 20 years out. These goals must be congruent. (I'll vouch for that)

Sean's Four Hour Daily Routine 

  1. Pedagogical routine Shut out the world 15 minutes before starting. Then practice classical technique, which is maintenance. Use practice journal, record yourself, and take another 15 minute reflection opportunity at the end of this session. Total time 90 minutes 
  2. Reinforcement routine. Shut out the world 15 minutes before starting. Etudes and classical repertoire for 60 minutes.
  3. Repertoire development and transcription. 90 minutes plus. 
Some notes from the talk:
---------
Self assessment is important. These moments define your character as a musician. It takes for your body to catch up to your brain. Plateauing. Respect this, you are still moving. 
------------
Practicing is proof you have it in you. 
-----------
Jamming and gigs take priority 
------------
Consistency counts
------------
Rest as much as you play
Endurance comes from enduring 
Don't hurt yourself 
Push to exhaustion but not injury 
-------------
Slow and clean
----------/
"Practice is the repetition of an action that gives you the results you want to achieve"
-----------
"How I became a cornetist" book A how to manual from the 19th century (I'm reading this book currently. It is so inspiring)
------------
Educators, "Don't limit your advice to your own experiences"
------------
The music is the motivation to practice. 
Environment is important. Peer group affirmations.  

It was a packed room of enthusiastic music strivers.

For more information click this link from Downbeat:
https://www.facebook.com/notes/sean-jones/down-beat-magazine-article-master-class-chops-goals-a-three-part-practice-regime/146724975161/
​

Cheers,
​
David Story

1 Comment

Habits are better than goals

1/2/2017

0 Comments

 
Picture
Goals give direction and focus to our efforts. Habits will get you there. 

​Habit: hab·it ˈhabət/
noun
noun: habit; plural noun: habits
1. a settled or regular tendency or practice, especially one that is hard to give up.
​From: ​https://www.google.ca/search?q=habit+definition&ie=&oe=

​There are a lot of myths on learning music. "I'm too old, I'm too young, I'm too this I'm too that"

Some of my finest students are in their 70's. Gary is swinging hard playing jazz, he is off to Jazz camp this summer with his cousin. Eleanor is arranging and composing up a storm exploring Scottish Folk Songs of her youth. She has learned to score her music, create a website, and post it all on the web. 

​​What do they all have in common? Good practice habits. 

​Habit #1: When they practice, they practice thoughtfully and deliberately. No wondering around the piano. They are focused and expect to accomplish something that day. 

​Habit #2: They listen to music, they go to concerts, they are involved in music. 

​Habit #3: They seek feedback from the teacher. They work on their own, they know what they want, they understand that music classes are just one aspect of the journey. Personal exploration is the main focus.


Cheers,

David Story

​If you'd like classes give me a call, I'm all booked up now, but I'm organizing for July and September now. 

0 Comments

New Year, New Goals

1/2/2017

0 Comments

 
If you are a New Year resolution kind of person, you are familiar with the routine. I won't go over it here.

But, I will add this. When it comes to piano lessons, goals are great, but learn to enjoy the trip. Too many students are so eager trying to get to some point (i.e. Goal) that they are impatient, unhappy, and stressed out. Unless you have a hard deadline, like a university audition date, just start moving in the direction of your dreams and savour the views of your journey. 

Cheers,

David Story


0 Comments
    You've got to learn your instrument. Then, you practice, practice, practice. And then, when you finally get up there on the bandstand, forget all that and just wail.
    Charlie Parker

    Author

    I'm a professional pianist and music educator in West Toronto Ontario. I'm also a devoted percussionist and drum teacher. 

    Archives

    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    March 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012

    Categories

    All
    Adult Piano Lessons
    Blues Piano
    Breakfast Piano Minute
    Buying A Piano
    Children's Piano Lessons
    Classical Piano
    Ear Training
    Goal Setting
    Hobby Overload
    How To Practice Scales On The Piano
    Jazz Chops
    Jazz Piano
    Learning Classical Piano
    Learning Piano
    Learning Resources
    Motivation
    Music Practice
    Piano Exams
    Practice Organization
    Practicing Piano
    Starting Piano
    Stories
    Summer Piano Lessons
    Technique
    Theory
    Time Management
    Virtual Piano Lessons
    What Students Are Playing This Week

    RSS Feed

                                                ©2022 David Story
  • Homepage
  • Tips, Ideas, Stories, Free Lessons
  • Adult Lessons
  • Jazz Workshop #Eleven March 5, 2023
  • Contact form, fees, calendar, policies
  • Philosophy
  • Testimonials
  • Children's Winter Concert 2023
  • My Story
  • Student awards and compositions
  • Classical downloads
  • Classical outline for beginners
  • Jazz downloads
  • Jazz outline for beginners
  • Video Library of Piano Techniques
  • Breakfast Piano Minute
  • Books, Apps, Websites, Music
  • Ear Training and Sight Singing Resources