Blog

Humanity used to listen to music once and then move on. The commoners would go to a concert or a ball room, enjoy the live musicians, and then return home where there was usually no music. If they wanted to relive the experience of music, they only had their memories, or theyRead More

Among my beginners, I get two types: the loud ones and the quiet ones. Either type has its own pros and cons. The boldness of the loud ones makes them good performers, not afraid of the audience and eager to share their music with others. The quiet ones are exploring the delicateRead More

I used to give lessons that were serious. I still do, when it is called for. Over the years, though, my teaching has been more fun for my students because they’ve been more fun for me. I’ve been adding many more things to lighten up the mood. Why? would you askRead More

The excitement in music is many fold. Let’s take a piano player. Or, more accurately, a piano student. If that person gets to play a little song on her first lesson, that would be exciting. If she can fit that melody to a silly little programmed beat, well, that’sRead More

I remember my first band. It was called Doctor Fox. We were in the deep of France, in Besancon, my hometown, but the name of our group was “Doctor Fox”, not “Docteur Renard”.  Go figure. It was a rock quartet: drum, bass, guitar and voice. We wereRead More

When I started to play I was mechanical. Everything I was doing was trying to put the cogs of the clock together. I was happy if my stuff was fitting together. That was enough for me to be able to play with other. Or so I thought. Actually, when I joined my first band, itRead More

Practicing is a weird state of mind. I can pile up the hours on a specific piece and not see any progress. For me, I’m exactly at the same step as I started. Discouraging. Woes is me! Sometimes, I try to quantize things. I would try the song or the exercise with a metronomeRead More

I am working on something new. It is kicking my butt. My mind and my body rebel against the concept. I just cannot make it mine. What to do? Push the angles, I say. Push-The-Angles! Let’s say I have a piece that full of obstacles and landmines. By the way, if the song hasRead More

A student comes brand new at my door. Usually they’re a bit nervous, so, I try to put them at ease with jokes. All of them terrific, I can assure you. The student does or does not relax, but, at least, she’s able able to work. I always start easy. I know how the gameRead More