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Tips, free lessons, and inspiration

Blues Lick #2, A Classic Lick in F

5/28/2017

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Picture
This lick can be found in numerous pieces. Below is a sampling. Sometimes it is played in the minor key. Sometimes it is sung in the chorus, sometimes it is fragmented on the introductions, sometimes it is played during a solo, and sometimes it is played on instrumental breaks. Horace Silver plays the lick thirteen times during his solo. See if you can locate them. 

Practice suggestions. 

1. Listen to each piece and locate the lick.
2. Figure out which key it is played in. 
3. Play the lick with the recording, coming in only when the lick is played. 

​David Story 
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Your Dreaded Comfort Zone Is Holding You Back

5/9/2017

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Six not so secrets of learning we can take from babies. 
  • Babies have no knowledge of the difficulties involved in what they are learning. They just go for it. A good example is learning to walk, talk, or ride a bike. They are not embarrassed to fall down in front of others.
  • Babies have access to teachers and other encouraging mentors. Think about teaching your babies to walk.
  • Babies intuitively understand that if they keep practicing, they are going to get it. Whatever "it" is.
  • Babies live in an environment that allows mistakes. And trial and error. And encourages perseverance despite bruised knees. Remember learning how to ride a bike?
  • Babies are determined. They are not "trying" to learn to walk, they are "going" to walk. They have commitment to the project. 
  • Babies learn multiple skills all at once.

​I paraphrased these thoughts from the blog, "6 secrets infants can teach adults about learning" from  Scientific American. The author is Rachel Wu a psychology professor at University of California, Riverside. Have  a look.

​The author postulates that cognitive decline maybe linked to older adults refusing to learn anything new because of embarrassment. Ouch.

​See you in the practice room.

​David Story
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Alan Rusbridger, Gary Marcus, Tim Jenison, 10,00 hours and the hope, fear, and the dreams of mature students

5/2/2017

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Obsession is good. It puts a lift in the day, week, month, and year. Below are some inspirational stories of folks who just went for it.

​Alan attempts Chopin's Ballade in G minor in one year.
​Gary takes up heavy metal guitar at 40
​Tim learns to paint.

​What do they have in common? High intelligence, a bias for action, a naïve belief in themselves, and guts.

​Gary's second short video, the third on this list, explodes the idea you need 10,000 hours. A great place to start. 

Cheers,

David

​BTW: I'm over the 3,000 hour mark in my drumming. That's  7 years of effort.
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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 drum set and mallet percussionist. 

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                                                ©2025 David Story
  • Homepage
  • Tips, Ideas, Stories, Free Lessons
  • Contact form, fees, calendar, policies
  • Adult Lessons
  • About Me
  • Children Lessons
  • Jazz and Blues Workshops 2024 2025
  • Philosophy
  • Testimonials
  • Student awards and compositions
  • Classical downloads
  • Classical outline for beginners
  • Jazz and Blues Downloads
  • Jazz outline for beginners
  • Children's Piano Recital
  • Video Library of Piano Techniques
  • Breakfast Piano Minute
  • Books, Apps, Websites, Music
  • Ear Training and Sight Singing Resources
  • My YouTube channel
  • Chord Voicings for Jazz Standards
  • Long and McQuade Teacher Workshop 2024