Something That Will Revolutionize Your Playing!

What I'm about to share with you took me years to learn! And I'm still learning it. What am I talking about? I'm talking about something that will revolutionize your playing.

I'm talking about being present at the piano while you're playing!

See. I told you it was simple. Simple to say but not so simple to do.

Let me tell you how I approach this. Some time ago, I sat down at my piano to work on some pieces for a new CD project. I'd completed the first sections on many of these pieces but the rest of the music just wouldn't come.

I can't begin to tell you how frustrating this was (and sometimes still is) for me! Anyway, I decided to take a walk and figure out what the problem was. I started walking and unwinding and then it hit me... the reason nothing was coming was because of my own expectations.

You see, I wanted to complete the pieces I'd been working on so badly that I was creating an atmosphere of anxiety. The joy of making music was gone. It was replaced for the need to create a product. And once this need appears - any progress is sure to be halted. Why?

Because the ego is never satisfied and wants something that is in direct opposition to artistic expression.

Now I have a different approach. I tell myself that my job is to just show up at the piano. To be present with the music. If new material comes, then fine. If not, that's OK too. Just as long as I show up and remain present to the process.

Edward Weiss is a pianist/composer and webmaster of Quiescence Music's online piano lessons. He has been helping students learn how to play piano in the New Age style for over 14 years and works with students in private, in groups, and now over the internet. Visit http://www.quiescencemusic.com now and get a FREE piano lesson!

What Happened to New Age Piano?

It all began in the early 1980's with a recording titled "December." The artist was George Winston and for some strange reason, people really liked it.

The music was different. It seemed to go nowhere and float on the air. No matter. People liked it.

Then something peculiar happened. Marketing executives at various record labels didn't know what to call it. After all, this music needed some kind of label or classification to sell it to the public but what?

Then some idiot came up with the name "New Age" and the genre has suffered ever since. Even George Winston hates the term and calls his piano music "rural folk."

But, and here's the really weird thing, lots of people really like this music! Unfortunately, many were turned off by the New Age thing. It's true. They liked the music but just didn't want anything to do with anything with New Age (whatever that is). I've even had someone email me saying they liked my sample lessons but didn't want to sign up for fear of being labeled New Age.

Look, New Age piano is just a style of music. It has nothing to do with philosophy. It has nothing to do with religion. It's just a style of music like zydeco or polka music. You either like it or you don't. It's a shame to let such a beautiful and worthy thing as New Age piano fall to the wayside because of labels.

Edward Weiss is a pianist/composer and webmaster of Quiescence Music's online piano lessons. He has been helping students learn how to play piano in the New Age style for over 14 years and works with students in private, in groups, and now over the internet. Visit http://www.quiescencemusic.com now and get a FREE piano lesson!

Michael Gettel - Gentle Earth and Sky - by Sparkster

Michael Gettel recorded for the Narada label back in the mid 80's when New Age piano hit it's peak. Notice the sound here. It's very "New Agey." Notice what the left hand is doing. It's playing a very nice arpeggio pattern.

This kind of pattern was used a lot back then. But what you should take away from this is the kind of "sound" you hear.

The first thing I do (if I'm analyzing a piece of music) is listen for the form or structure. After a nice introduction here, we hear the main theme being played - and that great left hand comes in.

We get a little contrast later on, but as always in most music, it's back to the main theme again. Nice piece!

Loops. Solo piano music

Thought this was interesting. I like how he starts the piece with the left. Then the right comes in with a very interesting textural approach.

So, what's he actually doing here? He's using chords and playing around with them to create the sound you here. This is a textural composition or improv ... I don't know if he composed this or just improvised.

Contrast is introuduced around the two minute mark where he plays a softer passage. Then back to the original idea only with some differenences. Composers and arranges like to call this the A' section or A prime where the same idea is used but the composer changes it a little.

So what do you think of this piece? Like it? Don't like it? Leave your comments below.

Recommended Site - Makingmusic.com

Who knew? A site devoted to amateurs who just like to make music. Seems like everyone into music should have heard about this site, but it's still a mystery to many.

Making Music is a magazine written for the adult who just wants to make music without all the hyperbole that sometimes accompanies this act.

And why not? If more of us got involved with music just because it's fun, who knows where that might lead us. I know for myself it's a great joy to be able to sit down at the piano and play.

And if you're one of my online piano students you know that my philosphy is to put enjoyment of the process before creation of the product.

Which is to say, those who focus on the process enjoy the act of music making a lot more AND ususally come up with a much better "product."

Actually, it may be more accurate to call it a "by-product" because while we innocently play what our hearts feel, the music that is created is genuine and full of what I like to call the "X" factor - that elusive quality that the "best" music has.

Anyway, take a look at http://www.makingmusicmag.com/ and tell me what you think.

Progress on New CD - Slow but Steady!

I've been working on material for a new CD. My strategy? To faithfully "show up" at the piano and stay in the present when composing.

This strategy has worked very well for me as it takes pressure off to create a product.

No need to rush here. It must come at it's own pace and I must remain true to my own philosophy of letting the music tell me where it wants to go.

But I've been frustrated lately. I want it done already. Good thing I have a working strategy that gets me through these ego driven periods. The periods where the "I want" rears it's ugly head.

My initial goal date for the completed CD is Jan 2010. I'm not sure I wil make that date. No matter. The main concern is the music and my attitude when creating it.

Sure, I could rush to put out a product and satisfy my desire for completion. But I know better.

Learn How to "Speed Listen" in a Few Easy Steps!

Most of you have heard of speed reading That's where people skip and skim through the written word to get to the "gist" of the material. But did you know you can also learn how to speed listen? That's right!

You see, the key to speed reading is reading "for something." That's it. That's the entire key and once you understand this, you'll understand how people can literally flip pages of a book and seem like they're covering vast territories. Yet all they are doing is searching for information they want.

For example, let's say you have a non-fiction title you want to speed read. How to do it? First, before anything, you ask yourself "what information am I looking for?" By asking yourself this, you bypass "read mode" and instead go into "search mode." Of course, it helps to skim the table of contents first, but after that, you can find the info you need fast because you know what you're looking for.

We can also apply this concept to listening to music. For example, let's say you're listening to a Mozart piano sonata and want to know what's going on. How do you do this? Easy. You listen "for" something. In this case it might be he harmony, form, how he uses dynamics, etc. Do you see how this can help you? By deciding what to listen for before hand, you become a search engine ... literally listening and waiting to hear what you've decided to learn.

Let's take a concrete example. In my YouTube video "Piano Therapy" we have a short piece of music lasting a few minutes or so. Now, suppose you want to know what the form of this piece of music is. How can you quickly determine this? Easy. By listening for the form.

To do this, you must pay attention to how the composer uses the tools of repetition and contrast to construct his music. In this case, the form of the music is a simple ABA. You can go further. You can listen for the arrangement of the piece or how many times the composer repeats certain sections. If you want, you can take pen and paper and write it out as you listen. I used to do this to discover how music I liked was constructed.

You can listen for introductions, transitions, modulations ... pretty much anything you want to learn. The key here is to determine what it is you're listening for and then do it.

Edward Weiss is a pianist/composer and webmaster of Quiescence Music's online piano lessons. He has been helping students learn how to play piano in the New Age style for over 14 years and works with students in private, in groups, and now over the internet. Visit http://www.quiescencemusic.com now and get a FREE piano lesson!

Sonic Soup for the Soul - Music by Wayne Gratz

Many thanks go to Gary for turning me on to this clip. It features New Age artist Wayne Gratz. Wayne used to record for the Narada record label and helped make that label the #2 resource for New Age piano music in the world.

But what I like about this clip is how "personal" Wayne gets here as he shares his journey in music.

Showing Up at the Piano

I have a unique philosophy when it comes to piano playing. I don't believe in regular practice. Now, don't get me wrong. If your goal is to become a concert pianist, then regular practice is a must.

But if you're like me and are interested in the experience you get when you sit down and play, then all that is required for you is to "show up" at the piano.

I'm currently working on a new CD project. I set a date for it's completion. Now, the problem is, how do I work to complete this project?

Some would set a rigorous agenda to accomplish this. I've tried to do this but it doesn't work for me. I found a better strategy and that is to set time goals.

For example, my minimum goal is to spend at least 15 minutes a day at the piano. My job is to "show up." This approach works very well for me! And it fits in with my philosophy of not forcing anything into being.

I work on a couple of pieces at a time. Sometimes the piece does not want to "go anywhere." It's frustrating sometimes when you have something you want done but it's not going the way you want.

Ideally, I'd love to have the CD finished within a week, but by showing up at my piano every day for the minimum time, I stay true to my philosophy of not forcing a product into creation.

This strategy will not work for everyone of course. But if you're the kind of person who is more interested in the process, you can use this approach to your advantage if and when you decide to create a CD or some other project.

Edward Weiss is a pianist/composer and webmaster of Quiescence Music's online piano lessons. He has been helping students learn how to play piano in the New Age style for over 14 years and works with students in private, in groups, and now over the internet. Visit http://www.quiescencemusic.com now and get a FREE piano lesson

Edward Weiss Joins Roster of Steinway Piano Teachers!

It’s one thing to teach piano – it’s quite another being among those talented enough listed on the prestigious Steinway & Sons compilation of professional teachers.

Edward Weiss is proud to have achieved this benchmark in his career.

Steinway & Son’s has been known or over a century and a half for creating the finest pianos available. When a teacher is accepted on their site, you know they are a cut above the rest.

For over 15 years, Edward has been in the forefront of the style called New Age Music, hauntingly mystical melodies combining the free form strains of the 60’s “Age of Aquarius” movement with underlying tones of classical cadence.

Endorsed by one of the pioneers of New Age piano, David Lanz – Edward Weiss has devoted his energies to bringing this wonderful musical style into the mainstream.

Not only does he compose his own scores, he actually shows how even beginners can start to master this style themselves – even if they’ve never wrote a note of music in their lives.

What’s more – he does it all over the internet. As Edward explains:

“My students never have to leave the comfort of their home in order to play their own personal New Age creations. With my method, if you can use a piano keyboard, I can teach you how to improvise and compose. It’s really that straightforward – and fun!”

In fact, Edward’s methods are so unique and easy to master, rank beginners who’ve never even played a piano will soon be composing their very own New Age Music.

Edward reveals: “There really is no secret - playing piano comes from the heart and the spirit. I merely show my students how to unleash that inner creativity, easily and effortlessly, with my step by step approach.”

His detailed online video instructions provides everything needed – except of course the keyboard. It’s basically “Look, Listen and Learn.”

You can view Edwards profile on Steinway & Son’s at: http://www.steinway.com/teachers/eweiss

For more information please contact Edward at quiescencemusic@yahoo.com or visit his personal website at: http://www.quiescencemusic.com