David Story, Online Piano Lessons from Toronto
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Tips, free lessons, and inspiration

Tiger Rag: Learning to play in public

1/29/2022

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I'm learning to play the xylophone. 

What have I learned?
  • Xylophone is a happy instrument.
  • Practice works.
  • Video feedback is quite helpful.
  • Practicing until I get something I would post on social media really helps to focus my practice sessions. The goal is clear. Is it good enough to post? 
  • Jazz is rhythm first, notes second.
  • Articulation and dynamics are key to expressive performance.
  • You can't fake it. 

Best, 

David 
Revised August 2022

Tiger Rag 1917

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Stretching your limits is good

1/24/2022

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We all do it. So go for it. 

​David
Revised August 2022
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Sound more expressive at the piano in one simple step

1/16/2022

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​This is a simple concept that can be difficult to execute. When the melody goes up crescendo. When the melody goes diminuendo. The change will be small unless the composer indicates otherwise. Exceptions are clearly marked in the score. The last note in a melody before a rest, in Classical music, is played gently unless the composer indicates otherwise. The last note in a melody before a rest, in Jazz music, is played strongly unless the composer indicates otherwise. 

Please check out the following recording. 

If I can help you, call me. 

​David
Revised August 2022
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Learning to play the piano: like a Jedi Master

1/15/2022

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The internet is full of hucksters telling you that learning to play the piano is easy. It's not, but it is fun. Every day I watch my students grow; the days turn into years. And, inch by inch, progress is made. 

If I can help you on your journey, call me. 

David
Revised August 2022
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Quick Tip; Video Recording

1/14/2022

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I found it extremely helpful over the holidays to practice with a video camera recording my progress or lack thereof. I played for 5 minutes and watched for 5 minutes. The camera was positioned so that the keyboard of the xylophone was visible. I was able to see and hear what was working and what was not and then adjust my next repetition accordingly. Video helped me to close the gap between how I thought I sounded and how I actually sounded. 

If I can help you, call me. 

​David
Revised August 2022
The above is the final take in ten takes over 20 minutes. 
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Sightreading quick tips

1/13/2022

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Sight-readings skills make all aspects of piano study and performance easier.
  • Capable sight-readers take less time to learn new pieces.
  • Capable sight-readers play music for fun with other musicians with more ease.


I offered the following regimen to a student this week.
​
  • I suggested that she does daily work with the Four-Star sight reading and ear test books. The book is organized, five days to a piano week. She must read the questions carefully, before starting each exercise, as they combine sightreading and theory with basic piano skills.
  • When clapping rhythm, she needs to count aloud. Counting in her head is not as effective as she thinks it is. (My drum teacher has me do this frequently, yet I’m a professional musician. Why is this? It really helps.)
  • Practice the scales applicable to the exercise beforehand. I suggested she spends more time on technique. She needs to work on her outlook regarding technique. Playing the scales, chords, arpeggios with joy and diligence is possible. Think of this work as an act of devotion.
  • She needs to dig in on theory. Skilled sight-readers recognize the scale and chord patterns at sight. In the beginning, she could mark those patterns in the score before playing. The Four-Star books contain questions that will guide her with this.
  • Slow and steady should be her first goal when sight-reading. She needs to imagine playing in an ensemble: No stopping, no correcting. The band will continue without her. If things fall apart, she should just keep counting and come back later in the piece. This will take practice to do. A metronome can help here.
 
If I can help you, call me.
 
David
Revised August 2022
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Learning Jazz on the xylophone

1/12/2022

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I've fond memories of listening to New Orleans Jazz as a kid at home. Al Hirt, Louis Armstrong, Pete Fountain, the lot. Music that gives joy when you play it. and joy when you listen to it. 
​ 
​
"Sugar" was released in 1926 by Ethel Waters, you can listen below. Over the Christmas break, I've been learning to play jazz on the xylophone. Who knew it was so much fun? This is my version on xylophone with piano accompaniment. 

If you would like to have as much fun as this on the piano, call me. 

​David
Revised August 2022
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Piano playing is more than fingers

1/12/2022

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Everyone understands that the piano is played with the fingers. But not all students understand the role of the wrists, arms, and shoulders in piano playing. These techniques create a kaleidoscope of colour in our playing, and it helps reduce our chances of injury.

I wish my early teachers had spent more time on this when I was a kid. My ignorance of these techniques lead to significant arm injury in my late twenties. At age thirty I began relearning the piano with Donald Himes.  It took 15 years. Modern piano teaching methods introduce each of these techniques at the appropriate moment. 


Here is a partial list of techniques. They be observed in the playing of fine pianists. Here is a partial list.  
  1. Fingers
  2. Rotation
  3. Forearm roll
  4. Drop
  5. Arm weight

I use some of these techniques in the following video. If you would like help, call me. 

David Story

Donald Himes: Music director/composer for the Mr. Dress-up show CBC. He played from the 1st show to the last. A fine pianist, great teacher and avid Francophile. 

Revised August 2022
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    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. 

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                                                ©2022 David Story
  • Homepage
  • Tips, Ideas, Stories, Free Lessons
  • Adult Lessons
  • Jazz Workshop #12 June 4, 2023
  • Contact form, fees, calendar, policies
  • Philosophy
  • Testimonials
  • Children's Spring 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