I was impressed deeply by the fact that this man, truly a member of greatest generation, a man who had endured the depression, had been part of a great war effort, and had seen many more national highs and lows, still wanted to keep learning. He wanted to improve himself. Although his hands were stiff with age, he worked hard to get the hand positions needed to play the chords. Before the class he commented, “I may never be able to play that well, but I will learn to really appreciate what those who can really play are doing.”
Now I don’t yet qualify for senior citizenship, but I have been around a while. I’ve seen people my age who have stopped learning, and in some ways it seems as though they have stopped living. Long ago I learned the value of continuing to learn new things and grow mentally. Not only am I striving to acquire new knowledge, but also as a teacher I am always seeking new and more effective ways to impart knowledge to my students.
]]>I’m sure you’ve heard all the illustrations about how we have become an “instant” society; we have instant coffee, (well, I’ve guess we’ve had THAT a while), microwave ovens, movies and music on demand, instant credit, instant wealth, etc., etc…
I even teach a course currently called “Instant Piano.” That’s a snappy title, and it certainly gets people’s attention, but sometimes I wonder if I should change it. I get a little concerned that my students will get the wrong idea, that piano playing can be mastered in a few hours.
It is true that the basic concepts and skills needed to play the piano like a professional can be taught in a few hours, and I do it on a regular basis. But the student needs to take the “musical toolbox” that I give them in class, go home, and start using the tools. Yes, it can be fun, it can be exciting, but it does take a little effort.
Self-discipline in almost any area of life is eventually (usually not immediately!) rewarded. If you discipline yourself to eat less, eat the right things, and exercise consistently, you will be rewarded with a leaner, stronger body. Will the reward come instantly? No, of course not. But it’s eminently worth pursuing.
The same thing applies in your musical endeavors. I encourage you to spend some time each day, even if it’s only a few minutes, mastering chords, learning new songs, exercising your fingers, doing something with your music.
Some days you’ll feel as though you’ve made some progress, other days you may feel like you didn’t really get much done. But keep at it! Practice the long-lost art of self-discipline, and you will reap the benefits.
If it sounds good, it is good!
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Sometimes in all the “hustle and bustle” we find it hard to concentrate. Our minds are always going, and we find ourselves jumping from thing to thing. Here is where the study of music, and the keyboard especially, can help.
When you sit down to play a song, you have to concentrate. Your whole world becomes creating this beautiful sound that can be recognized as a song. You’re thinking about playing the notes, getting the rhythm, singing the lyrics. You’re finding out where the “hard” spots are, and spending some time working on them so that you can play more smoothly. You’re going back over the songs you’ve already learned, and enjoying how much easier they are getting as time goes by. The rest of the world seems to fade away while you concentrate on your playing.
My hope for you is that they take some time each day to focus on your music. I know how difficult this can be, as we all have so much to do. But I encourage you to make the effort, even if just for 15 minutes a day. Your brain will thank you. You may find yourself taking time away from things like television to make more time for music.
The student learns the basics, and then must remember them, as new concepts are added. Each new music concept builds on what has previously been taught. The process, if done well, is logical and orderly. This makes it much easier to “pick up” on the new concepts, since they are connected with what has already been learned. It’s a lot easier then just memorizing a bunch of seemingly unrelated facts and figures! All accomplished musicians remember the basics, and are constantly learning new things.
In the future, I plan to put up a list of the basics, so you can see what the foundation for music is!
]]>Increased Motor Skills and Coordination
The piano player is in many ways a “hand athlete.” Many folks when playing the piano for the first time find their hands stiffening up, and they have to work at getting their fingers to go to the right place. However, in time it gets easier.
The process can be likened to what happens when a sedentary person begins a regular exercise program. At first, they’re going to be a little stiff, and the progression will seem slow and difficult, but after a while, when progress has been made, they wonder why they waited so long to start.
So if you’re just starting to play, using our popular method, and you find it “slow going,” hang in there, it gets easier, and gradually you will be able to do things on the piano that you never dreamed of doing before.
If you have any questions about my popular method of piano study, let me know!
]]>Learning to create music can have a marked effect on your mood as well. One of the greatest joys of teaching is to see the “light bulb” go on over someone’s head when they figure out for the first time that they can make beautiful sounds on their instrument. I’ve seen a lot of “light up the room” smiles come over their faces as the “secrets” of music making are revealed.
It doesn’t take a genius to realize that a sense of accomplishment, and the ability to create a pleasing sound can make you feel pretty darn good! Why else would so many musicians seek to perform as much as possible? And why do so many folks want to learn to play?
]]>People gather together to hear a favorite performer, they talk about their favorite songs, and they share their musical discoveries with each other. For a great many folks, music is a huge part of their lives.
Of course, folks can also be divided by music styles. I know some folks who HATE, and I mean HATE Rap. I myself am not particularly fond of opera (although I don’t hate anyone who likes it). But I don’t want to dwell on the negative.
How does music bring people together?
Music is a major part of every country and culture on the planet. Some of the world’s music may sound strange to our ears, but it is still music, and it still means a great deal to the culture from which it came.
Music is used in almost every social event. In my 15 years as part of band, I have played at countless wedding ceremonies and receptions, country club events, ballroom dances, cocktail parties, concerts, fund-raisers, conventions, birthday parties, Christmas parties, Valentines Day parties, Halloween parties, the list goes on and on. Music is the central element of all of these functions. Folks would often attend an event because they liked our band (we’re great for dancing, another activity that brings people together, and goes hand-in-hand with music!).
Every Sunday, millions gather for church, and a major ingredient of the service is singing together. Some Churches use “contemporary” worship songs, some draw on the old hymns, others try to “blend” different styles, but music is still an indispensable part of the gathering.
Those who are involved in the creation and performance of music are naturally drawn together. My wife and I are members of a group of writers and performers here on the Space Coast of Florida called the Music Kottage. One of the most enjoyable things we do is to get together and play our new songs for each other. Music brings us together.
I could give many more examples, but I think you get the idea. How does music help you connect with the other people in your life? Just think of the connections you could make as a creator of the “beautiful noise.”
The study of piano and music in general has been of immeasurable benefit to me. When I started piano lessons in 1969, I had no idea that through the study of music and the piano I would find my life’s work, my passion, and a way to make a difference in countless peoples’ lives.
Now I realize that not everyone who studies music will make it his or her vocation, but there are still numerous reasons for any person to learn the piano.
Here are some (not all) good reasons for learning music. For most folks, “learning music” involves studying the piano. The piano helps form the foundation for almost all the different music styles of our culture, such as classical, folk, rock, pop, gospel, country, etc.
I’ve loosely grouped the reasons under these headings:
1. Music brings people together
2. Music can elevate your mood
3. Music can make you smarter
Under each of these heading are several reasons for studying music.
In the coming days I’ll talk a little bit about each one of these.
Come back tomorrow!
If it sounds good, it is good!
Is there anything wrong with this? Its just entertainment, after all. There’s nothing inherently wrong in all this, but imagine what it would be like if there were no movies, TV, sporting events, Internet, theme parks, or radio shows. What would we do with ourselves? Could we survive?
]]> Learning the Old Ways AnewDuring the spate of hurricanes here in Florida during the summer of 2004, some folks got a taste of what it was like to live without TV, movies, the internet, etc. They were forced to discover “new” ways to entertain themselves, and some even found themselves a little sorry when the power came back on. But they apparently were not too sorry, as they soon drifted back to there old passive, entertainment-consuming ways.
What is Active Entertainment?
So what is “active entertainment?” Things like making music, telling stories, playing games and socializing with friends and the local community. Whenever my wife Sheryl and I spend an evening conversing with friends, or gathering together with our fellow musicians to play songs for each other, we feel like it was time well spent.
One reason I am so passionate about teaching people to make music, is that not only am I teaching them a valuable skill, I am giving them a tool for engaging in active entertainment. Playing the piano, especially pop music, can become a community activity. Gather your friends around, play a few songs, sing together. No need to be a virtuoso; just pound out a few chords. Folks used to do this in their leisure time, even when the power was on.
If it sounds good, it is good!
]]>Taught a class at Brevard Community College on Tuesday (June 14). A brilliant group of 20 people. What made them brilliant? They laughed at my jokes! No, actually, they were all eager to learn, and ready to stretch themselves mentally and musically, and that makes it a real joy for me.
One of the advantages of teaching these classes is that everyone who attends is there because they want to be. This is something they want to learn. Many of my students have been looking for a way to get “back to the piano” for many years, and this class provided them a way. Nothing beats seeing the look of excitement and enthusiasm on their faces, as they realize that the world of music making is not closed to them.
I have a few more classes to teach before “closing down” for the summer. I’ll be continuing to teach privately, while looking for new places to present my piano workshops in the fall and on in to next year.
If it sounds good, it is good!
]]>I have found that teaching tends to enter in to just about everything I do. When I’m working with an artist in my project studio, I tend to explain to them what I am doing as we go along, especially if the artist has not done much recording. When I perform live, sometimes afterward an audience member will ask me about my keyboard, or how I played a certain song, and off I go, teaching again as I demonstrate one of my keyboard’s functions, or demonstrate a way of playing a chord. And of course, when I write about music, that’s a form of teaching.
Whereas some folks would rather die than speak to a group of people, I am most comfortable when I am talking to an audience. It can be a handful of people, or an auditorium full, it makes no difference. I love to impart valuable information.
I’ve also learned the value of wit and brevity. (“Tell ‘em what you know and then sit down!”)
I also enjoy working one-on-one with someone who wants to learn how to play the keyboard, and how music works.
I’ll be here most days sharing with you my thoughts and musings about music and music education. My goal is to help you have fun as a music maker.
Tune in tomorrow!
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