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Judging YouTube Videos

5/17/2018

I watch YouTube videos for guidance and inspiration.

Students ask me how I judge the validity of a video because as we all know some YouTube videos are good, but others are dreadful, misleading, or worse.

Some tips:

Avoid watching children playing your work because it is too discouraging for adult learners. But whereas you may think, "wow", most piano teachers think, "I could fix that".
I prefer to watch adults, dressed appropriately, performing in concert halls. I avoid cell phone videos.
At the very least I ask, is this performance taking place in a piano studio of a recognized expert?
When listening I am curious if they follow the score? If not, why not?

Best,
David Story
Related video: What's wrong with YouTube Jazz Tutorials? - David Story, Online Piano Lessons from Toronto

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Don Grusin Piano Lesson

5/16/2018

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We are who we listen to.

Question: Who should I listen to?

Don Grusin (paraphrased). "All the classical folks first... what you get from listening to them is a big goal to get to because they are so fluent with both hands. "

I would add the following. We want to hear beautiful sounds in our heads. What we hear inwardly is what we produce outwardly.

Best,

David Story

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Inspiring Kids to practice piano

5/14/2018

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There are no guarantees that your child will love the piano. However, after decades of teaching, those children who do love the piano have some or all of the following things in common.

There is parental involvement. The nature and extent of this help will change over time.
Piano studies don’t take a back seat to sports practice.
They participate in examination, festivals, and recitals. These goals are the musical equivalent of game days. Through participation in piano activities, the children meet other children who become their piano peer group.
They hear music at home that matches, in some way, what they are playing on the piano.
Parents praise the work, not the child.
It is easy to practice. Everything is in order and ready to go. No searching around for books, metronomes, pencils, etc.
They play on a decent instrument.
No-one every belittles or ridicules their efforts.
The phone does not accompany them to the piano bench.
They learn to practice for results, not practice to the clock.
Music becomes a reward, not a punishment.

Best,

David Story
Revised 2024

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Summer Piano Practice: A time to recharge

5/14/2018

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Good weather has arrived, the birds are back, flowers are out, the sun is high in the sky. Human nature being what it is, new wonderful distractions present themselves. What to do?

Here are 10 ideas to recharge enthusiasm.

Mirvish Productions. Annie. Music by Charles Strouse, lyrics by Martin Charnin, book by Thomas Meehan. Ed Mirvish Theatre, 244 Victoria St.. 416-872-1212. $29-200. Opens Apr 24, 7:30pm. Runs to May 27. Tues-Sat(7:30pm), Wed/Sat/Sun(1:30pm).
Canadian Opera Company. Anna Bolena. Donizetti. Sondra Radvanovsky, soprano (Anna Bolena); Eric Owens, bass-baritone (Henry VIII); Keri Alkema, soprano (Giovanna Seymour); Allyson McHardy, mezzo (Smeton); and others; Stephen Lawless, director. Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, 145 Queen St. W.. 416-363-8231.
Summer camp #1 New Orleans Traditional Jazz Camp
Summer Camp # 2 Stanford Jazz Workshop
May 23 12pm: Canadian Opera Company. Jazz Series: Joy Spring. Big band favourites. JAZZ.FM Youth Big Band; Jules Estrin, conductor. Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre, Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, 145 Queen St. W.. 416-363-8231. Free.
Learn some new music
May 23 8:00: Toronto Symphony Orchestra. Beethoven Emperor Concerto. Saariaho: Ciel d’hiver (North American premiere); Ives: Symphony No.2; Beethoven: Piano Concerto No.5 “Emperor”. Yefim Bronfman, piano; Osmo Vänskä, conductor.
21C Music Festival May 23-27/2018 TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY MUSIC FESTIVAL TODAY’S MOST INNOVATIVE MUSICIANS BRING US FRESH NEW SOUNDS AND IDEAS
Get the piano tuned
At Lake Field Music camp, adults of all ages and abilities come together to share their love of music-making.

The bottom line? Get out there and experience something new this summer.

Further resources for Toronto: Whole note magazine.
Best,

David

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Tips, free lessons, and inspiration

Judging YouTube Videos

Don Grusin Piano Lesson

Inspiring Kids to practice piano

Summer Piano Practice: A time to recharge

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