Autumn is Coming!

Autumn's coming! Can you feel it? Cooler temperatures and subtle changes in the atmosphere signal its approach. And boy am I glad of it! I hate the summer and find it oppresive. In honor of the coming season, may I present Lesson 6: "Autumn" for your listening pleasure! From Quiescence Music's online piano lessons. (Mp3 file - 1.6 MB)

The Benefits of Improvisation Exercises

Many of my piano lessons are really improvisaton exercises. I want students to stop thinking and start playing. Once they can do this, they begin to feel the joy of improvisation and then nothing can stop them.

But they must feel this joy first before any real progress is made. Why? Because joy is the impetus for continuing on with creative work.

Children know this intuitively. Adults forget this and spend hours torturing themselves trying to "create" something worthy for others to admire.

Which would you rather have, an amazing day full of joy and creative expression, or a piece of music with your name on it for others to admire?

P.S. It is possible to have both. Enjoy the process and the product that comes out of you will be 100 times better than any contrived piece of music you thought up.

My Cat Has a Problem

It's hot out here in San Diego. When I turn my ceiling fan on, my cat Snowy darts under the bed and hisses!

He may think it's a deadly bird or something. I don't know. But now I have to choose between his loyalty and my comfort.

How I Compose a Piece of Music

A number of people have asked about my own methodology for creating a complete piece of music at the piano. At the risk of oversimplification, the steps are as follows:

1. I sit down at the piano without any thought of creating something and tune in to my feelings.

2. I start to play the first thing that comes to mind. In other words, my fingers come before my brain. I let it all hang out and... read the rest of this article.

A Piano Teachers Wrath!

Not too long ago, I wrote an article titled "Piano Teachers- What's Wrong With Them?"

Recently, somone commented on the article. (You'll be able to read the full comment when you click on the article itself above). Just click on comments.

Anyway, he closes his comment with this statement; "I sense that Mr. Weiss's "Quiescence" website is to be avoided by any serious music student."

Which proves my point. Yes, if you are a serious music student, then you should avoid my site by all means. But if you want to have fun and actually enjoy yourself at the piano you are welcome here.

Hot Summer? Blah!

I don't know why people love the summer so much. I hate it. It's oppresive. There's something about the air pressure change that really presses on the body. I don't feel like playing the piano and nothing much is happening. Oh well.

I guess being 42 doesn't help either. Can't wait for fall!