Lesson 2/24/09 - The Second Beat

There is something different about the second beat that I haven't quite internalized. It is important to make the melody sing and the bass notes guide the song on the first beat. Then there is the second beat. It can be the filler notes and color that lead to the next chord or fill out the present chord. I was taught a measure where the second beat is a single 7th note in the left hand. I need to apply this more.

The first beat isn't always the most important beat. The second beat is needed to support the team effort.

Practice - What Do you Want to Do in LIfe?

I practiced only one hour today. Is that a lot or a little? There is only some much time in the day and you have to decide how much you really want to become a piano player. There is work, family, sports, working out and everything else that competes for your attention. I know I have to practice more and even more important, I have to prioritize the piano in my life. Do I really want to play out? I guess I haven't made that decision yet because I haven't prioritized piano. This is the point of Piano Journey.

Lesson 2/10: Bass and the Melody

We reviewed some music theory which can be endless. It is important to understand relative minors in relationship to the key. We talked about the scales that can be played in each key. Harmonic minor, major minor and relative minor. It will sink in eventually.

Revelations are quite obvious after you have them. Isabella says that people notice how she can make the melody sing out. Part of this is always playing the Bass and Melody a little stronger and then using the chord notes in between as more coloring, but never taking away from the melody. There is a purpose to the melody and the audience wants to really hear it.

Lesson 2/3/09 - Breathing

I took a yoga class followed by my piano lesson. Breathing in yoga and piano is important. The audience wants to hold their breath in anticipation of music resolution.

Think about the audience breathing and grabbing their attention with the music so well that they stop everything, including breathing. Then feel them exhale as you bring resolution to the song.

Sometimes I rush through a song and forget to slow down and look for those parts where I can affect my audience's breathing. Just slow down and let the chords ring sometimes.

Lesson 1/27/09 - 13th Chords

I never paid attention to this chord. I was taught this chord in ending the song "Misty" and I can't believe I never paid attention. I am going to learn the chord in every key because it has so much character. I like to play a single note in the bass and then use the right hand to fill in the color.

Lesson 1/20/09 - Touch the Obvious

Ok every piano player has to go through the Hanon excercises. I have been reluctantly playing the first two excercises and all of my scales. Nobody ever told me to play them as soft as I could. I am playing as soft as I can, but still trying to have the pianisimo sound be even and clear.

Isabella told me that she thinks I am developing a touch for the piano. Gee, that only took a little over a year. The obvious stuff is sometimes so obvious that we miss it.