Piano & Theory Teacher
Accompanist
Keyboardist
Events
Listen Up!
Apr 29th
The hallmark of a good pianist is the beautiful tone they create when they play.
I recently attended a workshop presented by clinician and pianist Marc Durand called Technic: Understanding the relationship between the piano and how one uses the body. Marc Durand teaches at the University of Montreal and the RCM Glenn Gould School in Toronto. It was excellent to hear a master create a palette of sounds from a piano – a weightless shimmer of sound, a jewel-like melody, effortless rapid scales. Mr. Durand demonstrated a solid understanding of the mechanics of the piano and the human body, and showed how a small physical change can yield a greatly improved tone.
Learning to play the piano is so much more than just learning how to read music. I estimate that about 50% of my comments to students are related to listening for and achieving beautiful tone. The basic things you’ll need to create some beautiful music are: good technique, a critical ear, and a good quality acoustic piano. I’ll talk about each component individually over the next few posts.
We’re not just playing the piano; we’re making art.
Just when you think you’ve seen it all
Apr 9th
…something new comes along.
One of the goals of entering the music festival is to gain performing confidence and experience. It’s about developing the ability that “the show must go on” no matter what. And performing live is unpredictable. Until yesterday I thought I’d seen it all: music falling off the piano, performers falling down the stairs, keys sticking on the piano, a commotion in the audience, and everyone’s biggest worry – a memory lapse.
So yesterday, there was water leaking from the roof onto the piano and the adjudicator’s table. But of course, the young performers handled the delay and disruption with poise and let the music play on. Bravo!
Opening Day
Apr 4th
The 66th Annual Ottawa Kiwanis Music Festival opens today. It’s a month-long music festival held at ten locations across Ottawa with over 10,000 area music students competing. That’s a lot of music!
Students gain performing confidence and benefit from hearing others’ performances and the adjudicator’s comments. There are trophies and scholarships for the top performers.
Performances are open to the public. Admission fees for the regular competition sessions are $5 general, $3 students, and free for children under 12. Festival passes are $20. The schedule can be found here.
I’m proud of each of my students – I know they’ll do well.
All grown up and still waiting to be a Rock Star
Mar 31st
C’mon, ‘fess up. You play an instrument, and you dream of being a rock star.
The League of Rock is here. You can join a rock band and have all the fun without the “I’m sleeping in my car somewhere in northern Ontario because I didn’t get paid from my last gig.” They provide rehearsal space, coaching, performing venues, and a chance to meet other musicians.
Last Sunday I had a great time jamming at League of Rock’s open house. I met some great amateur and pro musicians from right here in Ottawa, and we rocked the house at Zaphod Beeblebrox. Now that my feet have stood on the same stage as The Rolling Stones, I’ll be discovered any day.
You can join the fall session at League Of Rock.
