play the piano better

If you are trying to get better at ANY instrument, I think that it is a very good idea to take a Music Theory class if you can. I am currently enrolled in one and it’s given me a whole new view of music. Learning about why one chord goes with another and what all of the symbols on the score means does much for advancing towards playing well. The music theory class helped me the most because I play piano, and many accomplished musicians tell me, “Learn piano first, because then you can play anything.”

Practice, practice, practice, practice. PRACTICE, because if you don’t, you’ll never be able to PLAY what you know.

Recently I have been working on “Boston” by augustana and can play almost all of it. I have “seven years” by norah jones down great. and I have been playing most of “come pick me up” by ryan adams like an addict for the last few days. I’m proud of myself I’m getting better

In April 08, I will have a senior piano and voice recital. It’s so scary for me to think about! I have 9 pieces! 4 are fairly well memorized (not perfectly). 2 are playable (not perfectly) with music. 1 needs a fair amount of work and 2 need a lot of work. It’s a BIG challenge for me. I’m not a great performer, nor am I a performance major. I’m actually not required to have a senior recital because I am an Education major, but I chose to because I think it really helps me to have goals and focus on piano.
So far I have 4 voice pieces picked out and that me be all I can handle…. who knows, my teacher may talk me into adding a couple more.

I’m getting better!

I went to the Blue Note Jazz Club in NYC last night. A jazz pianist, Michal Camilo, and guitarist, Tomatito, were playinig. Now, I have always been a classical person. When I play piano, it is classical music. OK, I like some jazz, but I have never been passionate about it. But last night, oh my God! I have never heard the piano played like this! He was pounding away at those keys, but it was beautiful! I though blood must be coming out of his fingers by the end. Just amazing. Now I’m thinking I want to learn to play jazz piano.

im kinda proud of myself because i learned a 4 page song all by myself…for others it might not be a big deal…but for me it is… i had a piao teacher, but…hm…not anymore…i’m my worst teacher..so the teacher is going to try to get better=)
tu comprends?? GreAt! schmæck [I have a wierd sense of humor]

I got to UK grade 7 standard, which means I can cope with most of Schubert and Mozart but am way off the mark for Chopin and Liszt. I’d like to be competent in contemporary writing – Ligeti Etudes are fascinating but equally beyond my capabilities. Such a goal demands hours of practice. Where do you get that time when in full-time employment on the end of a one-hour commmute?