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Tips, free lessons, and inspiration

Jazz Music for Teens

9/17/2022

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Jazz has been around for 120+ years. It has gone through many different periods: early jazz, swing, bebop, model, free and more. Now it is 2022, what now? The hoary old standards are wearing a bit thin, but just in time, and to the rescue, the next generation of meta-modern musicians has arrived. I'm in awe. 

Here is a small sample of performances that got "2 thumbs up" from my young teen jazz students this week. 
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A successful student's profile 2022

9/2/2022

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​Here is one profile of a successful student who thrives on boundaries, discipline, and competition.

Mei diligently practices the following activities:
  • She listens daily to professional recordings of her pieces. She knows every part by heart!
  • She diligently prioritizes her time so that she can practice her etudes, repertoire, theory, sight-reading, ear training, and technique.
  • She uses the metronome when sight-reading and practicing her technique. She has learned to count aloud and play at the same time.
  • She records herself regularly for quick feedback.
  • She participates in recitals, competitions, and piano exams. Her friends do the same. In fact, she has made many of those friends at the competitions.
  • She explores topics related to her studies on YouTube searching for alternative perspectives.
  • She attends piano concerts.
  • She has a favorite YouTube piano influencer.

​If I can help your Mei; please give me a call.

​David
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​Helping kids to practice piano: 6 Tips

2/24/2022

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  1. Enthusiastically taking them to piano concerts will normalise the experience of hearing music. If the child is learning Classical music expose them to Classical music. Same thing if they are learning Pop, Hip Hop, or Jazz.
  2. Play piano music at home and in the car. In short, expose them to music at an early age. Short story: I started playing music at age 13. But in my home, I was exposed, at an early age, to my mother playing classical piano and playing records of New Orleans, Caribbean, and Big Band music. Years later I'm a professional pianist playing guess what? You guessed it.  
  3. Supervise their daily practice.
  4. Help them organise their practice space so that everything is in its place and ready to go. Many kids won't go looking for missing books and music. 
  5. Work with and support the teacher. Let the teacher know about the child's musical interests. 
  6. Have them participate in exams, assessments, recitals, and festivals. Meeting other kids creates a community, community helps create a strong identity as a music student. Bonus: The child will hear pieces played by other kids and will start requesting these pieces at their lessons. 

If I can help you and your kids, call me.

​David
Revised August 2022
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Can everyone learn to play a musical instrument?

2/13/2022

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Theoretically yes.

​Success means different things to different people. When the student is clear on their goals and can communicate these goals, lessons will get off to a great start.

Success requires a time commitment that aligns with reality. A wise teacher once asked a keen adult student what she was willing to give up to make room for lessons.

Successfully learning to play an instrument requires patience and faith in the process. At this point in time the process of learning to play is well understood by professional teachers. There are many successful approaches created by conservatories around the world that turn out competent Classical, Jazz, and Pop musicians. This curriculum covers progressive study in repertoire, etudes, theory, ear training, and history. And the opportunity of assessment and performances. All requirements for success.

Successful students do the work. In a world looking for shortcuts, this traditional course of action can be a difficult sell. The seduction of internet hustlers on YouTube selling the miracle of achievement without effort can be a self-limiting constraint on achievement.

If I can help you reach your goals, call me.

David

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Three activities for better results in piano study.

12/28/2021

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  1. Theory
  2. History
  3. Ear training

These three are the most neglected aspects of music study.

Theory
Skilled musicians see harmonic, rythmic, and structural patterns in the music, beginners see a string of notes. The purpose of theory study is to help us to see and understand these patterns and their significance, which over time, leads to artistry. As a former teacher put it, "understanding what you are seeing makes everything easier."  
How you think about the drum set, what you have heard, and what you understand about the musical past of the instrument determine how you play the instrument musically. Ed Soph, master teacher
​History
Different eras of music sound different. When you understand the broad outline of music history, you will have informed knowledge on the interpretation of the piece. 

Ear Training
Ear training is a wide set of skills:
  • interval recognition
  • chord recognition
  • melodic playback and jazz licks
  • chord progressions
  • rhythmic clapback
  • Instrument identification
  • counting measures
  • sight singing
  • scoring what we hear

​Some folks have it easier here than others, but I can confidently say that as a kid I started with a tin-ear, but over time, with practice I developed a high degree of skill. 

I can help you too. 

Call me. 


David
Revised August 2022
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20 Ways to Encourage your Teen in Music

10/30/2021

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All I would add to these fine words is the following: do these things long before they are teens.  

Good luck

David
Revised October 2022
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Children's Piano Lessons, Things to consider.

9/7/2021

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Mark Pritchard is with Patricia Pritchard.
5 September at 10:20  ·
 

"One of my friends asked "Why do you pay so much money for your kid to play the piano”? Well I have a confession to make; I don't pay for my kid to play the piano. Personally, I couldn't care less about what instrument they play.
So, what am I paying for?
- I pay for those moments when my kid becomes so tired they want to quit but don't.
- I pay for those days when my kid comes home from school and is "too tired" to do to their lesson but they go anyway.
- I pay for my kid to learn to be disciplined, focused and dedicated.
- I pay for my kid to learn to take care of her body and instrument.
- I pay for my kid to learn to work with others and to be a good teammate, gracious in failure, and humble in success.
- I pay for my kid to learn to deal with disappointment when she doesn’t get that recognition she’d hoped for, but still she goes back week after week giving it her best shot.
- I pay for my kid to learn to make and accomplish goals.
- I pay for my kid to respect, not only themselves, but their teachers and fellow young musicians.
- I pay for my kid to learn that it takes hours and hours, years and years of hard work and practice to play beautifully and that success does not happen overnight.
- I pay for my kid to be proud of small achievements, and to work towards long term goals.
- I pay for the opportunity my kid has and will have to make life-long friendships, create lifelong memories, to be as proud of her achievements as I am.
- I pay so that my kid can be creating something beautiful instead of sitting in front of a screen...
...I could go on but, to be short, I don't pay for piano playing; I pay for the opportunities that learning to play provides my kid with to develop attributes that will serve her well throughout her life and give her the opportunity to bless the lives of others. From what I have seen so far I think it is a great investment!"

Here is the sport's version: 
“Why do you pay so much money for your kids to do all their sports”? – Wisconsin Wrestling Online (wiwrestling.com)

​David
Revised October 2022
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You've booked your child's first lesson, what comes next?

4/5/2021

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I'll send you a Zoom link, a list of learning materials required for the first lessons, and suggestions from colleagues on setting up Zoom audio and a picture on where to set up your camera. 
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See you in class. 

​David
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Dreaming of a Post-Pandemic Season

12/7/2020

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Group activities will be back. In the meantime we will all practice, stay safe and continue our lessons online. 

​David
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What did my piano students study last week

11/29/2020

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  1. Polonaise in G minor, Bach
  2. Sonatina in C, Clementi
  3. Russian Folk Song
  4. In the Spirit, Norton
  5. Chinese Kites
  6. Allegretto, Schubert
  7. 2nd Movement Sonata #1, Beethoven
  8. Fugue in Bb, WTC1, Bach
  9. Say so, Dojo Cat
  10. Sonatina in G, Clementi
  11. Autumn Leaves, Jazz Standard
  12. Take the A train, Duke Ellington
  13. Bye Bye Blackbird, Jazz Standard
  14. C Jam Blues, Dave McKenna
  15. Come See the Parade, Piano Adventures
  16. Do You Want to Build a Snowman?, Frozen
  17. Starfish At Night, Crosby
  18. A Little Joke, Kabalevsky
  19. Sneaky Sam, Bober
  20. Czerny Opus 821
  21. Various Christmas Carols
  22. Tir-tone substitutions in Jazz Harmony in "Can't Help Lovin' That Man
  23. I Need Your Love, Calvin Harris
  24. 1000 Years, Perri
  25. Pirates of the North Sea, Piano Adventures
  26. The Queen's Royal Entrance, Piano Adventures
  27. Blues Train, "I used to play the piano" book
  28. Scottish Folks Song Arranging 
  29. Chopin opus 69 no. 2
  30. Shout for Joy, Albert Ammons
  31. Prelude in Bb, WTC 1, Bach
  32. Sonata in G, 3rd movement, Haydn
  33. All want for Christmas is you, Carey
  34. ​Sonatina in G, Beethoven, 2 movements
  35. Etude by Kabalevsky
  36. The Rising Sun, Telfer
  37. Turkish Bazaar, Mrozinski
  38. Dundas Blues, Story
  39. Grade 9 Music History
  40. Grade 9 Harmony
  41. Bourree in F, Telemann
  42. Elements of creating a Jazz Solo
  43. Fur Elise, Beethoven
  44. Christmas time is here, Peanuts
  45. Skye Boat Song, Scottish Folk Song
  46. Mussette, Bach
  47. ​Hanon
  48. More Dojo Cat
  49. Fly Me To The Moon, Sinatra
  50. Sonatina in C, 2nd Mov't, Clementi
  51. Satin Doll, Strayhorn
  52. Aria In G, Telemann
  53. Solfeggio in D, Bach
  54. Happy Time Jazz, Mier
  55. Somewhere New, Dow
  56. Like A House On Fire, Dow
  57. Largo, Doviak
  58. Into The Unknown, Frozen
  59. More Christmas Carols and Songs
  60. Sleeping Beauty Waltz, Tchaikovsky
  61. Cathryn goes to Hollywood Duet, Story
  62. Invention in C, Bach
  63. Chopsticks duet
  64. Rigadoon in A Minor, Babell
  65. Rondo in C, Hummel
  66. Solfeggio in C minor, Bach
  67. Brother John, Folk Song
  68. Got Those Blues, Alfred Publishing
  69. Mazurka in A minor, Chopin
  70. It's A Small World, Disney
  71. Step in Time, Disney
  72. Sonatina in G, Clementi
  73. Masquerade Niamath
  74. Making Love Out Of Nothing At All, Air Supply
  75. When The Saints, NOLA classic
  76. I Fee Good, James Brown
  77. Sonatina in C, 1st mov't, Clementi
  78. Never will I marry, Jazz Standard
  79. Waltz In C#minor, Chopin
  80. Merry we roll along, Folk Song
  81. Let's Waltz, Pearce
  82. Haunted mouse,Faber and Faber
  83. Owl in the night, Rollin
  84. Row Row Row Your Boat
  85. Waltzing Elephants , Bastien
  86. Thunderstorm page Rahbee
  87.  
    David 
     

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​Why we are still teaching “Chopsticks”

10/21/2020

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​It is fun.

It’s fun if you are young and playing with your mom, it’s fun if you are older and playing with your spouse. The experience of duet playing is social bounding.

The piece teaches so many skills to a neophyte.
  1. Ear training: getting the hands to play together
  2. Musical memory: remembering the pattern
  3. Time training: listening to the accompanist
  4. Expression: the joy is infectious
  5. Technique: Using the arm
  6. Finger numbers are reinforced
  7. Helps contribute to the positive “vibes” to learning the piano.

If you like to be part of this, call me.

​David
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How are students dealing with virtual lessons?

4/14/2020

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Before the current crisis about 1/3 of my student body had their lessons online. Now it is everyone.

I've lost 3 students. Two lost their jobs, one didn't like online lessons. We all look forward to resuming once the virus moves on and they get back to work. Five new students have been added in the same timeframe. 

I now meet my music coaches online now as well. Today with my "classical coach', last week with my "jazz coach". Every week with my drum coach. 

I believe a number of students will remain online after the crisis lifts and the others will resume as they were.

If I can help you,

Call me.

David  
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Playing duets, sharing the joy of playing with your children

4/8/2020

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Parents are dusting off their rusty piano skills and now playing daily with their kids. What a opportunity the lockdown has given them. 

Some of them are one finger players, so they play whole notes with one finger.

Some of them were accomplished musicians, their playing reflects their growing confidence as skills return. 

Most are somewhere in between. 
​
This situation will be over soon enough, the opportunity will be gone. I say take it, it will bring added joy to your life and fond memories. 

David
Here is a video of a parent getting ready to accompany their child at the upcoming Zoom piano recital.
​
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How much time should I practice the piano for?

9/2/2019

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"How good do you want to be?" A quick and snappy musicians answer. A gentler piano teacher question is, “what do you want to accomplish?"

Some benchmarks:

RCM levels 1 to 4: 45 minutes a day
RCM levels 5 to 8: 60 minutes a day
RCM levels 9 and above: 90 minutes plus

This amount of time is sufficient to cover all that needs to be done. 
  • technique
  • etudes
  • repertoire
  • theory or ear training on alternate days
  • sight reading
Some musicians require more or less time. But all accomplished musicians have put in the time. 

Best regards,
David Story

PS: I'd like to thank my colleague Becky Yuan and former teacher Leon Karan for input on the numbers. 

​Becky Yuan: Mississauga http://beckyyuan.com/
Leon Karan: Hamilton http://www.leonkaran.com/

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Your Brain and Music

11/13/2017

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Maybe. But is that the point? Are music lessons taken and given for instrumental reasons only?

Playing music has its own rewards. 

On the other hand.
​
Learning to play an instrument over a number of years instills though experience and a number of instrumental values that benefit children as they progress towards adulthood.  
  1. Demonstrates to themselves and the world their ability to delay gratification, a key value in living a good life. 
  2. Instills an appreciation of cause and effect. Playing the piano is one of the few authentic experiences left. No mediation, no shortcuts, no hacks. What you hear is a direct consequence to the effort put forward. This speaks for itself. 
  3. Preservation of cultural values and appreciation of artistic excellence. 
If you would like this experience for yourself or your children drop me line. 

David
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Parents’ commitment to music lessons

5/28/2014

1 Comment

 
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Parents’ commitment to music lessons is crucial, too. Parents not only need to make sure children stick to their practicing, but also defend music lessons as a priority when schedule conflicts arise with sports, dance, theater, or other activities.

“A parent has to think it’s important for a child to think it’s important,” said Green. “I had to pick between (Girl Scout age level) Brownies or piano.”


From the Blog: For parents, basic notes when considering music lessons

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Your Child’s Development:Music Study may be the Best Tool

5/8/2014

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The Royal Conservatory of Music published a summary of studies on the benefits of music study in childhood development. 

I quote:


"A WEALTH OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH over 
the last decade is proving that music education
is a powerful tool for attaining children’s full
intellectual, social, and creative potential.
l It speeds the development of speech and 
reading skills
l It trains children to focus their attention 
for sustained periods
l It helps children gain a sense of empathy 
for others
Music study requires a high degree of precision
in auditory processing: being almost in tune 
is not good enough. This means that musically
trained children are better able to distinguish
subtle details of speech, leading to improved
reading, better comprehension, and also a
greater ability to interpret what other people 
– children and adults – are really saying. "  


Here is the link to the full text. I think it is worth the read.

Your Child’s Development:Music Study may be the Best Tool

David Story.


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Music Festival Reflections, An Adjudicator Speaks

4/25/2014

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This past month I've had the privilege to adjudicate 2 festivals in Ontario. Here are some tips for preparing your children for competition.

  1. Winners play everything in the score, as written. Very few competitors can really do this well. Champions take it even further.
  2. Pick a musical piece. Many children perform unmusical selections. Or pieces they have no emotional connection to. It really makes a difference.
  3. Winners have control of their instrument. Control comes from regular practice. Cramming rarely works. An analogy would be preparing for a running marathon one week in advance of the race. The muscles will never be ready.
  4. Well prepared children have fun competing. It is a rewarding experience for them. They know they are ready, they present themselves well, and they bask in a job well done.

Cheers, 

David

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Be Your Child's Practice Partner

4/16/2014

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Dorthy Delay asked parents of prospective students, "who is going to be your child's practice partner?"

If child prodigies are supervised during practice what about your child? 

I encourage parents to attend lessons and take notes. Then they can help the child complete their assignments during the week. Prepared students are happy students. Prepared students are happy because they play well quickly and efficiently. 

Cheers, 

David Story

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How do I help my kids succeed at piano? 

11/28/2013

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  1. Are you clear on the goals you have for your kids and piano? 
  2. Do you have time to participate in their learning? 
  3. Do the kids have time to practice? 
  4. Do you know how to help them practice? 

  1. Are you clear on the goals you have for your kids and piano? Are you, the teacher, and the child in agreement? Possible goals: recreational pianist, exam superstar, etc. This is an important first step. 
  2. Do you have time to participate in their learning? A children's hockey team is coached. The kids are not left to their own devices with a bucket of pucks, and instructions to practice their drills while the adults go for coffee. 
  3. Do the kids have time to practice? Monday piano, Tuesday tennis, Wednesday hockey, Thursday dance, weekends more hockey. If their schedule looks like this, recreational keyboard is possible, exam superstar not. 
  4. Do you know how to help them practice? Details in a future blog. 
Cheers, 


David 


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Practicing Math

10/7/2013

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A tale of two adult students

Part one:
  • Both students start at the same time.
  • Student 1 practices an hour a day, 5 days a week.
  • Student 2 practices an hour, once a week.
  • At the end of year one Student 1 is 4 years ahead, year two 8 years ahead.

Part two:
  • Student 1 has a vague notion of what they want to accomplish. The have a nagging notion that they should practice a lot. They feel guilty that they cannot practice more. They need a lot of hand-holding.
  • Student 2 wants to play a few tunes and have fun. They do. They take it as it comes. They fiddle around, jamming, improvising, and occasionally getting to the homework. They are having fun.

Cheers,

David Story

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Piano Lessons: A guide for Parents

8/26/2013

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Awesome advice. Click on the image or here for the full article.

Cheers

David

After I reread this poster, ten years after I posted this blog, I pondered the similarities between this advice and the advice parents must receive from athletic coaches. 

May 2023

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How to play in a band

5/26/2013

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Niagara Falls Workshop

What a fun day for 12 young musicians, ages 7 to 13, in Niagara Falls Ontario. At the studio of  Alessandra Dicienzo we learned how to play in a band. Using iPhones, iPads, Keyboards, Pianos, Cajon, Alesis Drum Pad, Drum set, and shakers we rocked up a storm. 

We started by learning a Rock-a-billy version of Abigail’s Boogie for multiple keyboards and finished up with a rousing reading of Katy Perry’s Part of Me. Then we performed the 2 pieces for family, all in three short hours.

  • They learned that playing in a band is difficult, fun, and awesome.
  • They learned why teachers recommend using a metronome in practice.
  • They learned to listen to each other and play together.
  • They have a better understanding of use of dynamics and articulations.
  • They want to do it again.

I was really impressed at the intensity of the effort and the wonderful music that resulted.

Thank you kids.

David

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Preparing Children for Piano Lessons

5/6/2013

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Music lessons at the piano verses piano lessons

An important distinction

1. Some children bring little experience with music to their first lesson. They require music lessons at the piano. Here they explore the concepts of time, rhythm, metre, pitch, dynamics and improvisation.

2. Children with experience with music can proceed directly to piano lessons. They understand the basic concepts, if only intuitively. 

How does a parent help prepare their toddler for lessons? I understand children like what they know. So… if you want them to play classical music play classical music in the home. Make it part of their normal everyday experience. Ditto for country, jazz, or pop. 

Cheers,

David


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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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