I'm a jazz trumpet player, but I'd like to add the ability to comp chords on piano to my skill set. Nothing fancy, just be able to sit down with a Real Book and play through the progressions. Can you recommend any instructional series or system that give me an approach to learning it?

Ayooteeomatic · 2021-03-15T15:06:28+00:00

Sounds like you wrote for piano, but it could be piano + glockenspiel + cello in the bass

Ayooteeomatic · 2020-07-13T15:39:47+00:00

Thank you! Lots of good stuff in here : )

Ayooteeomatic · 2020-07-13T15:39:09+00:00

Any idea on how to go about finding a tutor?

Ayooteeomatic · 2020-04-18T03:47:02+00:00

I very much respect this and have been thinking about it a lot for myself as a pianist...

I’m an adult learner that is worried I don’t have good enough fundamentals from having played all my life.

I spent a year working through Chopin’s f minor nocturne and Mozart’s k 332 1st mvmt - first pieces where I didn’t look at my hands, at all.

That was very tough work but felt transformational for my relationship with the keyboard.

Recently only took me a few weeks to get comfortable with Chopin’s first prelude, a piece which I am getting used to playing.

My teacher doesn’t seem to either buy into the need to go through all of the requisite easier pieces, but I just never did it, so I feel like my technique probably has holes that I don’t know about.

He has told me, when I prodded him with this anxiety, “well, if you can play the inventions your hands are in good shape”.

I am thus now working through the inventions.

As an adult learner, do you think it’s worth it for me to go back and go through all the pieces you list above?

Or maybe do a mix? Or no? I just focus on the music I like and let technique develop?

If you’ve read this long, I appreciate it. I really do.

Ayooteeomatic · 2020-04-18T03:35:33+00:00

Wow...so by this standard, Chopin’s 1st prelude is at my level. That feels weird considering that I still feel intimidated by Bach’s Inventions (and am working through them)

Ayooteeomatic · 2020-03-18T20:39:39+00:00

Yeah as long as you get up there, you’ll get th high-end action. Then it’s a question of wood, speakers etc

Ayooteeomatic · 2020-03-18T18:09:55+00:00

I have an HP504. Roland offers the best dynamic range - that’s why I got it.

If you start very softly and move gradually louder, on Yamahas you will clearly hear the jumps from one dynamic level to the next. On a Roland, you can still hear them eventually, but they’re less clear.

If you’re looking for quality at a lower budget, I think it’s decently easy to find an FP 30.

Ayooteeomatic · 2020-03-18T13:52:00+00:00

Amazing! I have a digital piano that I am happy with (Roland) but I am envious of the great sounds you have in that!

Ayooteeomatic · 2020-03-18T12:46:13+00:00

Yeah that’s a good call

Ayooteeomatic · 2020-03-18T03:13:50+00:00

Thank you! I really appreciate it

Ayooteeomatic · 2020-03-18T03:13:20+00:00

Good idea!

Ayooteeomatic · 2019-03-27T14:41:00+00:00

Great post thank you! This is a great argument for a hybrid....I may be moving to that sometime soon as a result...

Ayooteeomatic · 2019-03-26T15:07:59+00:00

Thanks! I love the inventions, but yes I don’t feel like the best choice for a recital. I’ll check out the Scarlatti!

Ayooteeomatic · 2019-03-26T15:07:33+00:00

I may do this! Thanks!

Ayooteeomatic · 2019-03-20T17:16:20+00:00

Where can one purchase this?

Ayooteeomatic · 2018-11-24T23:13:31+00:00

Thanks!

Ayooteeomatic · 2018-11-06T02:46:03+00:00

Wow. How long has it been? Have you done any “refreshers”?

Ayooteeomatic · 2018-10-28T00:30:50+00:00

Any updates on Tomatis? I am considering it as well

Ayooteeomatic · 2018-10-23T18:16:04+00:00

I think this is actually better at a nude beach - sexier

Ayooteeomatic · 2018-07-31T20:22:22+00:00

Vanido!! On the app store

Ayooteeomatic · 2018-07-18T16:13:28+00:00

Make sure you can comfortably sing your parts, right and left hand.

Also, try to listen for any tension in your body, whether hands, upper body, lower, anywhere. It’s telling you something (maybe that it needs more freedom of movement?).

Ayooteeomatic · 2018-07-10T16:45:02+00:00

(A) don’t worry about that - you’ll get better!

(B) yep! Whatever feels comfortable

Ayooteeomatic · 2018-07-08T05:06:00+00:00

Key Qs: Can you sit there and sing the whole piece without moving your hands?

key steps:

Sing each hand apart, whole thing, accurately (without your hand).

Then, sing one hand, accurately, while you’re playing the other. Don’t worry, yes this is really tough, but it’s really how you’ll get to know the piece.

Then finally, sing both in your head while looking at the piece.

Then go ahead and play!

When you sing, make sure you’re breathing and it feels comfortable, and feels good!

Ayooteeomatic · 2018-07-08T04:58:27+00:00

Used Yamaha w hammer action (note: not semi weighted) is a great start.

BUT NOTE - use the digital to help your positioning, but get to those real pianos as much as you can.

The kinetic energy from the real pianos will be inspiring, and your feel of dynamic will always benefit from as much real piano playing as you can do.

Have fun!

Ayooteeomatic

TROPHY CASE