Category Archives: motivation

Autumn Nocturne, Tranquility in Season

Posted on October 6, 2009 by

Throughout my many years of teaching, students have often brought in one of Chopin’s Nocturnes and asked me to teach them how to play it. In order to help a student get started with the learning process, I realized early … Continue reading →

Posted in autumn, inspiration, keyboard, motivation, music theory, piano lessons, piano playing | 4 Comments

Autumn Serenade – How Could I Have Missed This Musical Treasure?

Posted on September 29, 2009 by

During my years of working as a solo pianist, one of the greatest challenges that I faced was answering a request for a song that I didn’t know. I suppose that at one time or another every musician must deal … Continue reading →

Posted in autumn, inspiration, keyboard, motivation, music theory, piano lessons, piano playing | Leave a comment

Autumn in New York – Will the Real Vernon Duke Please Stand Up?

Posted on September 22, 2009 by

In many of my previous blog posts, I have mentioned the fact that finding sources of inspiration is absolutely critical to your musical vitality. During the years when I was actively composing concert (i.e. classical) music, a somewhat unusual way … Continue reading →

Posted in autumn, inspiration, keyboard, motivation, music theory, piano lessons, piano playing | 1 Comment

Summer Wind, Swingin’ Sixties Sinatra Standard

Posted on June 30, 2009 by

The year was 1966 and by then I was thoroughly into jazz. Although my mother had been encouraging me to focus on playing the standards long before this major stylistic shift, I simply had to find my own timetable. Fortunately … Continue reading →

Posted in inspiration, keyboard, motivation, music theory, piano lessons, piano playing, summer | 3 Comments

Summer in Central Park Brings Memories of Great Music

Posted on June 23, 2009 by

Many of us have people in our lives who have given us a special gift that keeps on giving. When I was about 16 and had just become an avid jazz fan, a friend of my parents took note of … Continue reading →

Posted in inspiration, keyboard, motivation, music theory, piano lessons, piano playing, summer | 2 Comments