Tag Archives: student

chick corea

Chick Corea Plays Piano Bach Speaks About Learning To Play Piano

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This video entitled “Practice” is a very unusual look into the practicing procedure of Chick Corea. He is working on a Bach piece, and while playing, gives a very candid appraisal about his progress and difficulties in learning the piece. It is really a treat watching one of the world’s most renown jazz pianists in a personal practice moment. I like the part when he says, “I goof up right in here”.

 

This is a great video to see how to practice effectively and efficiently. Chick plays very methodically and carefully. Notice how he works on each hand separately and slowly. He checks what he is playing and corrects his mistakes as he goes, and works with his fingering. When students are first learning a piece, accuracy is very important. You want to learn the piece right, so subsequent practice sessions are not interrupted by having to correct notes, and the focus can be getting the rhythm solid, and increasing the speed of the piece.

Anyone taking piano lessons will enjoy seeing how even master pianists can struggle with learning new pieces. Students often feel that their progress is not what it should be, but in reality, progress is just a matter of moving from where you are, to where you are going. There is no “supposed” timeline of how quickly a student should progress. Progress happens. The rate of progress is just what it is. 

Silvan Zingg Honky Tonk Train Blues Piano Solo Improvisation Great Video

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Silvan Zingg plays “Honky Tonk Train Blues” at The Hamburg Boogie Woogie Connection in the Hamburger Fabrik on the 8 and 9 August 2013. Zingg is truly a Blues master, with well developed melodies and steady left hand with a nice variety of rhythmic variations. This is a terrific example of a well constructed and polished Blues style.

Lots of my piano lesson students enjoy learning Blues improvisation at my student here in Portland. We start at the very beginning and progress through various styles of playing. Everything we do is playing by ear. There is no music involved in Blues. For students who already read music, learning the Blues is a new experience. It takes a bit of time to get used to relying on one’s ear to guide the direction of a 12 Bar Blues. Once a student realizes that there is no limit to what they can do, they get a lot more comfortable with the overall concept.

more on Blues Piano & Keyboard Lessons

russian folk song yablotchko piano duet student teacher video

Russian Folk Song Yablotchko Piano Duet Student Teacher Video

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Madeleine plays a duet along with me. It’s a traditional Russian folk song called “Yablotchko” (apples). Playing duets is a great way to get students to learn to play in rhythm. It can be the most challenging part of learning to play piano. Improving rhythm skills on the keyboard can be improved by tapping the left food, counting out loud, and using a metronome. These are all useful in getting familiar with playing in tempo. Duets are a fantastic way to focus on rhythms, and a lot of fun. Students who play tentatively gain lots of confidence when joined in a duet.

Video – Exceptional Jazz Blues Piano Solo With Oscar Peterson Styling

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This is a wonderful piano solo of Sweet Georgia Brown being played by Gyuri Villas. The elements in this solo are very similar to the great blues style of Oscar Peterson. The performance here represents a very accomplished and skilled piano player and a great example of this very exciting form of music.

At my Portland piano studio, when my piano lessons students express an interest in improvisation, we begin by learning Blues Piano. Whether played on a piano or a keyboard, Blues Piano can be learning quickly and has a very easy to understand format. Playing blues does not require as much playing skill as jazz and can be learned soon after a student begins lessons. Many of my students find Blues Piano and excellent way to learn to play by ear, and gain a new level of self expression. It’s very straightforward to learn, and is incredible fun.

Video – Arlo Guthrie Sings and Plays Piano – Live Performance

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Arlo Guthrie plays piano and sings live in this video of him performing “City of New Orleans”. “City of New Orleans” was composed by Steve Goodman and is a nostalgic story about a train route from Chicago to New Orleans. Arlo first recorded the song in 1972 and it has been widely associated with him ever since. In 2005, Arlo travelled on that train to arrive in New Orleans to raise money for musicians after the devastating Katrina Hurricane.

Arlo Guthrie was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1947. His father, Woodie Guthrie was famous for writing and singing social protest songs, and Arlo has kept that tradition and composed and recorded many. Arlo Guthrie, in addition to being a singer, composer, and musician, has also done some acting. He is most recognized from his portrayal of himself in the film “Alice’s Restaurant”, named after the hit song he wrote. Arlo Guthrie is an American legend and has contributed so much to the Folk music genre of America.

When some of my students are taking their keyboard lessons and piano lessons, the subject of how to play piano while singing, often comes up. Playing while you sing requires a different technique than playing solo. Arlo gives a wonderful example of how easy it can look in this flawless performance.

Some Albums by Arlo Guthrie
Together In Concert (1975), with Pete Seeger
Amigo (1976)
The Best of Arlo Guthrie (1977)
One Night (1978)
Outlasting the Blues (1979)
Power Of Love (1981)
Precious Friend (1982)
Someday (1986)

info about Arlo Guthrie