Day 102

Working on "Tenderly," "Solitude," some major scales, and p. 133 of the Method Book. Also recorded the Lennon song "Imagine": http://www.box.net/shared/nbktp0dld2

Day 101

Hooked on Sudnow.

Practiced "Solitude" and I'm also relearning "Tenderly." Practiced some scales stuff. My bass playing friend asked what song is next for us, and its "Tenderly." I might have to join Sudnow's Member's Club soon.

Day 100

Up to page 133 of the Method Book. Also completed "Solitude." Here's "Solitude:"
http://www.box.net/shared/lhvmajce9v

And.....introducing the jazz duo of Billy Shears and his friend on standup bass playing the same song:
http://www.box.net/shared/kk8h2xe4uu

Day 99

Working on "Solitude," still, and also on page 132 of the Method Book.

I was getting frustrated with the song (what else is new), but what happened was quite interesting. I practiced and practiced what I'm up to in the Method Book ("Greensleeves"), and finally completed that. Then I went back to Solitude, and it worked out better.

I think I'm going to work on both methods. I'd really like to read music (The Alfred Method Books), but also play songs in a good way (Sudnow Method).

I've come too far in the Method Book to give up now on that....

Day 98

Back to the Sudnow Method. Its going to take is a lot of tuning out of the internal critic, and focus only on doing the work. Persistently. Trusting the process. I'm working on playing a voicing I did some time ago to the song, "Solitude." A great piano buddy (Hi Barb!) is helping, and I am so grateful. Its great to have encouragement along the road.

Day 97

(Should have posted this yesterday).

On p.130 of the Method Book. Started to relisten to my Sudnow Method CD. Getting ready to do the Sudnow stuff again, full force!

Day 96

On p. 130 of the Method Book.

I'm also returning to the Sudnow Method. I think I'm ready this time to get into this course in a way that's good for me.

Day 95

On p.130 of the Method Book. Also decided to try a new book: "Harmonic Foundation for Jazz & Popular Music" by Jimmy Amadie. From now on, I'll refer to that book as the "Harmonic Book."

Day 94

On p.130 of the Method Book.

Day 93

On p.130 of the Method Book. Went on a long drive to Philly with my wife and kids for a surprise birthday party for my mom. During some of the drive, studied chord theory. On the way home, got a Bill Evans CD.

Day 92

Here's "Edelweiss" done with some Sudnow stuff:
http://www.box.net/shared/xzbjjzt5b3

Finally turned the page, and I'm up to p.130 of the Method Book.

Day 91

On p.129 of the Method Book (still). Actually looked at some Sudnow stuff, and played around with playing some of "Edelweiss" Sudnow style.

Day 90

Decided to record the Beatles "She's Leaving Home." Here it is, done mostly Sudnow style, and mistakes added at no extra charge: http://www.box.net/shared/x3dxbcf1p4

On p. 129 of the Method Book, and p. 18 of the Fakebook Method Book. I'm losing interest in the Fakebook Method Book.

Day 89

Surprise, surprise.

Played an old Sudnow voicing I worked out a while ago to the Beatles' "She's Leaving Home."

Day 88

Om p.129 of the Method Book and on p. 17 of the Fakebook Method Book. With the Fakebook Method Book, I'm not playing the pieces perfectly at all, and that's OK with me because from this book I'm going more for learning ideas rather than perfect execution. That Rowlins book (see yesterday's post) is calling me.... Thank goodness I'm keeping with the Method Book as a foundation as I flounder with the other methods secondarily!

Day 87

On p.16 of the Fakebook Method and p. 129 of the Method Book. Looking at yet another interesting book: How to Get Real With a Fakebook by Steve Rowlins.

Day 86

On p. 15 of the Fakebook Method Book and on p. 129 of the Method Book.

Day 85

On pianoworld.com, I stated a How to Play From a Fakebook Study Group. It was decided to work on "America the Beautiful." Here's my contribution:
http://www.box.net/shared/1oqm6fxubj

On p.129 of the Method Book. On p. 11 of the Fakebook Method.

Day 84

I continue to be on page 127 of the Method Book and p. 8 of the Fakebook Method Book. I'm taking my time with the Fakebook Method Book, trying to go for understanding.

Day 83

(Should have posted this yesterday).
On p. 127 of the Method Book; p. 8 of the Fakebook Method.

Day 82

I know, I know.....I'm all over the place about the piano methods I use! Changed my mind again!
I'll continue to use the Alfred Method Books as a foundation. But I'll be using the "How to Play From a Fakebook" book by Michael Esterowitz also. I started a thread over at pianoworld.com in the Adult Beginner Forum for others who want to be in a study group using the Fakebook Book.

On page 127 of the Method Book. On page 8 of the Fakebook Book.

Day 81

(Should have posted this yesterday).
On p.127 of the Method Book.

Day 80

Just did some page 127 of the Method Book.

Day 79

Graduated to p. 127 of the Method Book. Still on p. 6 of the Pop Piano Book.

Interesting: Start on the of the sixth note of the major scale and play the same # of shaps and flats to play the Minor Scale. For example, in the key of C (no sharps or flats), the minor scale starts on the "A" note.

Then, sharp the 7th note of that scale to play the harmonic minor scale of that key. Using the same example in C, the C harmonic scale starts on the "A" note, and includes G# instead of G.

Day 78, and Hello to Bill!

Still on page 124 of the Method Book and p.6 of the Pop Piano book.

Thanks for the comment, Bill! I'll post a tune when I think its a good idea!

Cool Book

"Effortless Mastery" by Kenny Werner.

The artist's job is to bypass everything that the world tries to complicate our lives with: TV, sugar, and especially the critical mind that works against the artist's work. That critical mind says stuff like: "I'm not good enough," "I have to be perfect," "Because I stink at this, my practice will reflect my mediocrity," "I'll never be as good as ______ (fill in the blank)."

There is kind of two processes that go on with the artist and those who view or hear his/her work:

Within the Artist
1) We bypass the critical mind by focusing on what's important. (What's important is practicing). By tuning out the nonimportant stuff, we tap into something so much more wonderful.

Within the Audience
2) The audience thus is moved to also tap into something much more wonderful than everyday existence.

We are thus playing for God.

Day 77

Still on p.124 of the Method Book and p.6 of the Pop Piano book.

Found a great piano CD: Eddie Heywood 1950-1951

Day 76

Still on page 124 of the Method Book, and p.6 of the Pop Piano book. I'm finding that I may be better than I thought I was with regards to playing inversions.

As an aside, when I did Sudnow songs, I felt something of a letdown after I learned each song. On the other hand, with the Method Book learning, I feel a frustration when I begin each piece, and I feel great when I can play the piece. Probably because by utilizing the Method Book, I feel a sense of accomplishment as I go on to the next page, whereas with the Sudnow method, I felt that my progress was more subtle (for me anyway). By moving on in page numbers in the Method Book, I feel a sense that my progress can be quantified.

Day 75

I know, I know, I missed a day of practice yesterday.....

On p. 124 of the Method Book and p. 6 of the Pop Piano book.

Day 74

On p. 124 of the Method Book.
On page 6 of the Pop Piano book.

Day 73

On page 123 of the Method Book.
Also started a little on the Pop Piano Pro Book.

A Tiny Shift

Here's yet a new plan:

1) I'll continue to work on the Alfred's Method Book series. It seems to be a good foundation.

2) Instead of the "How to Play From a Fakebook" stuff, I'll be using this: "Pop Piano Pro" by Peter Friesen. It gonna be a stretch in that my prerequisite abilities may not be quite up to par to using this book/CD. But I'll give it a try. Its here: http://www.poppianopro.com/