Tag: Chicago Piano lessons

  • A regret perhaps.

    It was very difficult for me to come to the U.S. I loved my country, my family, the French language (at the time I didn’t know any other). I loved the culture, the old stones, the old books. It was truly excruciating to go into an unknown world. I didn’t know how to say “bread”…

  • That town. Part 2

    I came to America to study the drums. I went to Berklee College of Music, in Boston. I studied my butt off. I was chained to my kit 10 to 15 hours a day. I did what everybody did, which is to learn the vocabulary, the very tools necessary to play in bands and, eventually,…

  • That town

    When I was growing up in France, some music were better rated than others. On top of that, no matter what, you had Classical Music. That was not only revered, but the official music promoted and taught by all the Conservatories of the land. I went to one of them. I studied with someone who…

  • Tommy Dorsey

    There used to be a tradition in this country. For graduation, a Big Band would play. The best one, the most famous was the Tommy Dorsey Big band. Anyone remembers that? Also, there was those big rings people would wear. You would exchange them with your Sweetheart. I don’t see anyone wearing them anymore. Have…

  • What you want

    You never know, really. People come in your studio, they all have different background. You get all sorts. I try to be welcoming because I understand that most of my job is to get in touch with the student. That’s my best bet to make sure we can communicate. My only weapon to beat video…

  • The Oscars

    I used to watch the Oscars every year. I looked forward to the beginning with the singing, the dancing, the jokes. I thought it was the best entertainment in the world. Besides, it was an opportunity to see the Elizabeth Taylor of our planet walk among the mere mortals. At the time, it seemed like…

  • Breaks your heart

    I just watched an oldie 60 minutes report on a piano competition that happened in the 70’s. It showed 60 to 80 contestants vying for a first place that will give them fame and fortune. Every judge knows how high the stakes are. This is a make or break situation, really. If these people do…

  • Last man standing: the music teacher.

    In yesteryears schools had a budget and some buildings for extra curricular activities. There was a kitchen with a row of oven and sinks and some countertops, it mainly smelled of detergent. On the walls you’d see some pictures of cakes and roasted poultry (In reality, I do not know what you saw on the…

  • New delight

    I’ll give you a trick to find new music. Go to this website: https://www.louisianamusicfactory.com/ Usually I type in the search engine “New Orleans bands” and I’m off to the races. Let’s see. One to appear is Walter “Wolfman” Washington. Let’s check it out. The album is called “Feel so at home”. I hope I’m going…

  • Glimpses

    I remember when I started practicing the drums, I was very very bad. What I mean by that is that not only I didn’t know anything and was very bad at playing, I also discovered that I was not good at all at learning the craft. “Me Donkey” kind of thing. Any exercise I tried…