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Tips, free lessons, and inspiration

Articulation Etude

12/20/2022

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I wrote this for an adult student preparing for her Royal Conservatory of Music Grade 3 exam. She is working on Clowns by Kabalevsky and needed a short etude to practice her mixed articulations. Passages with mixed articulations are common throughout piano literature. 

To utilize this etude for yourself, start very slowly. Eighth note = 60 BPM and work up from there. The video will help you along. 

Have fun. 

​David
Free Download
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Broken Chord Etude RCM 1 and 2

11/19/2022

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This etude will help you practice the correct finger patterns for Royal Conservatory Level 1 and 2 techniques. I would play them slooooooowly; hands separately. A metronome is recommended. 

Things to notice:

1. The accents
2. The slurs
3. The dynamics
4. The fingering

In the video I demonstrate the hand motions required. 

Have fun. 
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Etude download
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Arm Weight Etude

11/10/2022

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This etude will help you to create a beautiful singing line in pieces with slow moving melodies. None of the notes are played with the fingers going up and down in the usual way, it is played all with the arm.
Score
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Drop 2 Voicings for Jazz piano: Class notes from Berklee, 1977

11/4/2022

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Look what I found tucked away. You can hear examples in the Bill Evans YouTube video below. 
Photo download
Drop 2 voicings with Chromatic 13ths
Drop 2 voicings with chromatic 9ths
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11 Ways to practice scales, chords, and arpeggios.

9/18/2022

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To freshen up your technique and reengage your attention, try the following articulation and dynamic patterns. Remember technique is how musicians learn to control their instrument, build their interpretations, and execute beautifully. 

1, Legato
2. Staccato
3. Legato in the right hand and staccato in the left.
4. Legato in the left hand and staccato in the right.
5. Crescendo to the middle and then diminuendo to the top. 
6. Play one octave in quarter notes, then two octaves in 8ths, then three octaves in triplets, finally four octaves in 16th notes.
7. In contrary motion. This can be challenging when playing broken chords or arpeggios.
8. Scales played in formula patterns
9. Use a metronome, vary the tempo.
10. Play with your eyes closed!
11. Play with emotion. Check out last week's blog with Hilary Hahn for ideas.

​
PDF download
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Playing with emotion

9/14/2022

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Playing your technique (scales, chords, and arpeggios) with emotion is an important part of learning to play well. These guys, with Hilary Hahn, will give you some fun pointers. 
  • Joy
  • Anger
  • Sadness
  • Love
  • Calmness
  • Fear
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How to play with a metronome

9/7/2022

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This exercise will work on any instrument. You should vary the tempo of the metronome as your skills increase. Counting aloud is imperative. No counting in your head or mumbling. Speak boldly and clearly as you play. The first two measures are counted only. You begin playing in measure three. 

Good luck
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Today's Piano Challenge

8/10/2022

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Play your technique (scales, chords, and arpeggios) allegro and pianissimo or quickly and softly. The first challenge will be not to slow down or tense up. The second challenge will be to maintain an even tone. 

​If I can help you, please call me.
David.
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What do we gain learning Jazz and Pop Standards by ear?

6/18/2022

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What do we gain by learning Jazz and Pop Standards by ear?

1. We acquire an intuitive understanding of jazz and pop rhythm. 
2. We learn the feel of the music, which is something that can't be notated.
3. By playing along with recordings we learn to stay in place.
4. We learn how to solo by acquiring ideas (licks) that we can use in other pieces.
5. We learn how to play our instrument idiomatically by hearing it played in context. 
6. We begin to appreciate the depth and scope of jazz and pop history and its eras and players.
7. We learn how to mess with a melody. A first step to soloing with finesse. "Learn the melody, mess with the melody, then mess with the mess" Louis Armstrong 

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

David

Revised August 2022
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How to solo on Take the A Train

6/9/2022

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Sightreading Tips for Pianists

5/24/2022

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Sight-reading tips
  1. Title. The title will often give you clues as to how to play the piece.
  2. Who is the Composer? Bach is played differently than Zappa.
  3. When was the piece written? Baroque music is played differently than Rock.
  4. Time signature?
  5. Key signature?
  6. Tempo: fast or slow?
  7. Dynamics: loud or soft? When playing with others this is especially important. 
  8. Look for funny business like clefs changes, hand over hand crossovers, 8vas, tempo changes. Don't get caught!
  9. Find the repeat signs, del signo sign, and Coda sign.
  10. Search for similar phrases/measures.
  11. Look for rhythmic difficulties. If necessary, clap and count aloud. 
  12. Find the starting hand position. 
  13. Using the metronome will help prevent you from stopping and correcting.

Short story

As a teenager I had the worst practicing habits. I had no focus or commitment to any task except s
ightreading, which was fun and easy. I loved spending hours reading my mother's piano books, so it is no coincidence that I've spent the last 45 years making a living as a sight-reader. First as a professional pianist and later as a teacher. Eventually though, I did get my practice habits straightened out and the rest is history. 

David

Revised August 2022
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The Diatonic Chords Of E Major Etude

5/16/2022

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This will help you learn the diatonic chords of E major. Watch the crossover with the left hand and the change of clef in measure 11. The left-hand fingering is 531; the right-hand is 135. 

Revised August 2022
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diatonic chords of e major.pdf
File Size: 118 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

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New piano warmup 2022

5/11/2022

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I'm always trying out new ideas with students to keep it fresh for us both. This warm-up assumes you know the correct fingerings for each position. (The right scale at the 10th starts with 31234 etc. The broken chords and arpeggios in the right start with finger 1.) This exercise should be transposed into a different key at each practice session. Tempo markings are only suggestions.

If I can help you, call me. 

David
Revised August 2022
new scale chord and arpeggio warmup 2022
File Size: 102 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

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Fingering patterns for triads

5/10/2022

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Playing the piano is much easier when the scales and chords have become automatic in our hands. Below is the fingering chart for all 3 note chords like C major and G minor. Another name for a 3-note chord is a "triad". I've cropped this image from a student's notes.

If I can help you, call me.

David
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How to play fast scales on the piano, some overlooked facets for quick playing

5/9/2022

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How to play fast comes up in lessons frequently. Here are some ideas to get you started. 

Let's get the basics out of the way first. 
  1. Correct fingering is necessary.
  2. Slow repetitions with a metronome keeps our tempi honest.
  3. Lots of repetitions builds endurance and so-called muscle memory in the hands. 

Now some often-overlooked facets of quick playing. 
  1. The quicker the scale, the softer I play. Try it. I play lightly on my fingertips. I angle my wrists to the right when ascending and to the left when descending. The idea is to keep the tip of the playing finger in line with the elbow through the wrist. 
  2. Check your breathing. Rapid shallow breathing tenses the body. I breathe deeply and slowly to keep my body relaxed. 
  3. When playing 4 octave scales, start on your left sitz bone and stay in front of your hands as you ascend. You will end up on your right sitz bone at the top. 
  4. If you are sitting too close to the piano, it is going to be difficult. Sit back so that your elbows are parallel with your stomach. Watch professionals on YouTube and notice the distance at which they sit. 

If I can help you, call me. 

​David
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Teach yourself to play with a metronome even if it seems hopeless

3/2/2022

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Steps to success

Day One 

1. Dust off the metronome.
2. Set it at 60. Also known as 60 BPM (Beats per minute)
3. Practice counting aloud to the metronome: 1-2-3-4, one number per click.
4. Continue counting aloud and clap measures 1 to 9.
5. Continue counting aloud and play the right-hand notes measures 1 to 9. Counting aloud is the imperative step for success. 
6. Add the left hand and repeat measures 1 to 9.
7. Move the metronome to 70 BPM and repeat the passage.
8. Call it a day.

Day Two

1. Repeat yesterday's steps with the whole notes at 80 BPM.
2. Reset the metronome to 60. 
3. Practice counting aloud to the metronome: 1-2-3-4 one number per click.
4. Continue counting aloud and clap measures 10 to 14.
5. Continue counting aloud and play the right-hand notes measures 10 to 14. Counting aloud is imperative for success. 
6. Add the left hand and repeat measures 10 to 14.
7. Move the metronome to 70 BPM and repeat the passage.
8. Call it a day.

Day Three

1. Repeat yesterday's steps with the half notes at 80 BPM.
2. Reset the metronome to 60. 
3. Practice counting aloud to the metronome: 1-2-3-4 one number per click.
4. Continue counting aloud and clap measures 15 through 18.
5. Continue counting aloud and play the right-hand notes measures 15 through 18. Counting aloud is imperative for success. 
6. Add the left hand and repeat measures 15 through 18.
7. Move the metronome to 70 BPM and repeat the passage.
8. Stop for the day.

Day Four

1. You know what to do. 

If I can help you learn to count aloud while playing, call me.

​David
Revised August 2022
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Why use a metronome?

2/27/2022

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​Why use a metronome?
  1. Learning to play to an external beat will pay dividends when you begin to play with others.
  2. You will learn where and when you are rushing. Especially if you record yourself doing it.
  3. Your sense of timing will improve. 

How to use the metronome.
  1. Count aloud. If the music is in 4/4, count 1-2-3-4, 1-2-3-4, etc. 
  2. Start slowly.
  3. Record yourself to evaluate how close you are to the beat. 
  4. Start by playing one note per click, then 2 notes, then 3, and finally 4 notes. Keep counting aloud. No silent counting.
  5. If you are having trouble, slowly clap rhythm patterns from your pieces while counting aloud. 
  6. If you can’t count aloud and play, ask your teacher for help. They will be thrilled you asked.
 
If I can help you learn to count, call me.
 
David
Revised August 2022
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A new way to play scales

2/23/2022

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Janice Legere, a long-time student, played her scales like this today. I approve. 

​David
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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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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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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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Overcoming timidity at the piano

12/1/2021

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You may sound more confident by simply playing louder. Try 10% louder to start. see what reaction your playing has on listeners. Another take on fake it to 'til you make it. Secondly, crescendo when the melody rises and diminuendo when it falls, unless the composition or arrangement says otherwise. This should help remove some of the timidity in your playing.

Have fun.

David
​
Revised August 2022
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Dealing with error.

6/12/2021

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Breakfast piano minute: An fantasy on an Austrian Folk Song from a slightly disheveled pianist.

Errors give feedback. Some errors are obvious, some are in disguise, and some are hidden from us. 

One of the most effective way of dealing with errors of execution is to step back and listen to your practice recording making notes of errors, misinterpretation, and omissions. Then consider the following. 
  1. Is it a fingering problem? If so, change it.
  2. Is it a conceptual problem? Then spend time listening to music from the same stylistic period.
  3. Experiment by trying out the ideas you hear from professional recordings. because musicians understand that "we are who we listen to". 
  4. Is it a technical problem? Have you mapped out the necessary choreography in the score? If keyboard choreography is unfamiliar call me, I can help. 

​The picture above is from a book I highly recommend called "The Musician's Way",  
​
Best, 

David
Revised October 2022
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​Immersive listening part 2

5/24/2020

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Listening to an unfamiliar piece of music can be pleasurable, baffling or even annoying. Here are some steps to consider making it a deeper experience.
  1. Who is this artist? A who, what, where, when, why question about the performer.
  2. Who is the composer? Same questions come to mind.
  3. What instruments are performing?
  4. What style is the music? Baroque, Hip-hop, Classical, early jazz, Rock, Heavy metal, Grunge, experimental, etc. If you are not sure dig in and do some research.
  5. If there are lyrics, consider transcribing them by ear and writing them down. This is an illuminating experience if the music is in a style you do not normally listen to. Or never listen to.
  6. Now let us go deeper into the piece. Can you pick up the form? If it is classical is it in Sonata form, Rondo, etc. If pop is it: intro, verse, verse, chorus, verse chorus, bridge, chorus and out. If jazz is it in 32 bar AABA or blues form?
  7. If it is modern pop, does it have a four-chord cycling progression?
  8. If it is classical, what is the time signature?
  9. Is there improvisation?
  10. Is there a score available online? If so, you might try your hand at it.
David


Immersive listening Part 1
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Immersive listening: a key component of music study

4/23/2020

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A wise teacher said, “we are who we listen to”. Another slightly more jaded teacher asserted that all students want to play want they hear in their heads. And unfortunately, they already do. Ouch  

Building your repertoire of sound possibilities come from repeated listening to the same tracks over an extended period. How much time? Until you find yourself humming along.

Try this:
  1. Build a playlist of say 20 pieces or so. I suggest younger professional players under the age of 40. They see the world in a different way if you are younger or older. Time to shake it up a bit.
  2. Just play it everyday in the background until you are singing along.
  3. Next week created another playlist and repeat.
 
Happy listening.
 
David

PS: as you can see the screen shot above shows a combination of younger and legacy players. 
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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

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    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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  • Homepage
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  • Jazz Workshop #Eleven March 5, 2023
  • Contact form, fees, calendar, policies
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  • My Story
  • Student awards and compositions
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  • Classical outline for beginners
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