Ron's blog on piano improv and the role of music in our lives
The biggest question I get from beginning songwriters is how to come up with their own chord progressions. For many musicians, this seems to be the big stumbling block. They may get a lyric idea, or even a complete melody, but when it comes time to put chords to it, they come up empty. They … Read More
Is “creative” necessarily “better?” This question came up for me twice today. (I’ll relate what happened, but I don’t want to give names.) Case #1: I went to an theatrical production a few weeks ago. The whole production was excellent, except that the actor who played the leading role gave the character a very unusual … Read More
Do you know how John Lennon wrote the song “Because”? His wife, Yoko Ono, was playing Beethoven’s “Moonlight Sonata” on piano and Lennon asked her, “What would those chords sound like if you played them backwards?” He must have liked what she then played, because it became one of his greatest songs. Once you know … Read More
In less than a week I’ll be traveling north to Alaska to teach at the Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival. I’ve been teaching there each July since 1999 and it’s become one of the highlights of my year. I love watching my piano students become comfortable with improvisation, and I also teach vocal performance classes as … Read More
Film music’s an interesting beast, isn’t it? We can watch a movie and barely notice the music at all. But take away the music, and the film flops. Indeed, film music at its best “becomes one” with the screen. It’s like pasta and sauce. Once you add the sauce, you can’t take it out again. … Read More
If you want to see amazing results with your piano playing, it pays to try something different once in a while. Something really different. Are you ready? Sometime today (whenever you’re reading this), sit down at your piano or keyboard and close your eyes. Then play! My students sometimes laugh when I suggest this to … Read More
It’s sometimes a little tricky to identify exactly what we need to practice on piano. I’m thinking about those times when “you’re up against a wall,” so to speak. You’re not “getting” something musically, or you see a gap in your piano playing but you don’t know how to fix it. What do you do? … Read More
The little league baseball team is in the midst of a rally. 4 out of 5 batters have hit the ball and it looks like they might come from behind to win the game. Then, the team’s worst hitter steps up to the plate and surprises everyone by smacking the ball into the outfield. The … Read More
I heard some Louis Armstrong in the car yesterday, on one of the few radio stations that still plays him, WKCR-Fm. If you don’t know Armstong’s music, or just know his vocal recording of “What A Wonderful World,” have a listen to this. (He sings and plays the brilliant trumpet solo.) Incidentally, WKCR is a … Read More
Every day I hear from people who love the piano and wish they could play better but can’t find the time to practice. Their professional or family schedule is so busy that days or even weeks go by without any time at the the instrument. In fact, many of my students used to be in … Read More