piano lessons adults

It’s Never Too Late

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To learn to play the piano! I sure hope this article link comes through for some if not all of adults considering lessons reading this blog post. Although it is about learning the cello, it applies to piano lessons, or studying any musical instrument.

Even I was so inspired by it. The number one question I get from folks calling, especially those who’ve retired, is “I’m ___, is it too late to start lessons?” Answer: No. To quote a commenter from this article, “It’s only too late when you’re dead.” I know. I just used that word in a supposedly upbeat blog post!

I also hear from adults calling, “I took lessons when I was a kid, but I don’t remember anything.” You may not, but your muscles do! Muscle memory is an amazing thing. Even including the muscle of sightreading!

But it is so true. With patience and practice, you will find the joy in learning no matter what your pace. Not only does it feel so wonderful, the accomplishment, of playing a song or piece you’ve learned, it also feels wonderful if not more so, to experience the process of learning.

How to Practice Anything (especially the piano)

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This blog post by a fellow piano teacher is wonderful, I can say that her advice here is invaluable. (Beta-tested it this summer.) 😉

This is wonderful reading for not only parents, but for older students, too. And piano teachers!

Here is the link. You can also download it here as a PDF to print it out to read it again and again.

How to Practice Anything
by Regina Ngo
http://rmslearning.me/how-to-practice-anything/

Regina Ngo
Regina’s Music Studio, S. Pasadena, CA
Website: http://rmslearning.me

Gordon College Piano Sale Next Weekend!

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Calling all parents, adult students, and anyone else who wants a great deal on basically a new piano!

(on loan to music dept for one year at Gordon, then they have the sale)

Gordon College is having their annual sale of Kawai pianos, which Kawai loans to music department for one year, then they have the sale. Two of my students have purchased a piano at these sales and they are very happy! They’re mainly Kawai pianos in brand-new condition, but there’s also other brands, new and used, incredible deals: read more about it here at the Gordon College Dept of Music site.

And be sure and tell them I sent you! 🙂

 

I’ll be performing this Saturday as part of Trident Gallery Live Art Series

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I’m excited to be doing a collaborative performing arts piece with dancer Carl Thomsen at the Trident Gallery in Gloucester this Saturday night, Jan. 31, at 7:30 pm. We’re calling it a “structured improvisational” work.   🙂

Details below—if you plan on coming, email or call now, seating is very limited!

Trident Gallery Live Art Series Present Stone Stairway Stories
Photo of Julie Cleveland: Sheila Roberts Orlando.

 

From the Trident Gallery website:
“Stone Stairway Stories” is a performance piece by Carl Thomsen (dance) and Julie Cleveland (digital piano/synthesizer). Continuing Thomsen’s decades-long exploration of the interface between dance, music, and storytelling. In this performance the storytelling will come from the audience. The dance and music will reflect and respond to the experiences and memories of the audience itself, elicited through a series of questions, answers, gestures, and movements offered by those in attendance.

The performance is free, with donations to the artists appreciated. Seating is limited, so please reserve early to ensure a seat by emailing events@tridentgallery.com or by visiting the Facebook event page.

The great pianists: Arthur Rubinstein

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Arthur Rubinstein (1887–1982) was one of the greatest concert pianists who ever lived, and we are very lucky to have so many clips of his playing and concerts on YouTube. He was considered one of, if not, the best interpreter of the music of Frederic Chopin. Fortunately for us, there are many YouTube clips of his playing, including concerts he gave.

This YouTube clip is from a live concert he performed in Moscow (in Russia) in 1964. This clip is not the whole concert but near the end of his concert, plus many encores. An encore is when a performer plays more pieces at the end of his or her concert that are not written in the program. That’s why people in the audience cheer “Encore! Encore!” at the ends of concerts, they want the performer to come out and play more music for them!

At 22:30 is a very famous waltz by Frederic Chopin, you may recognize the tune!

At 28:30 is a piece by Robert Schumann called Des Abends (which means “In the Evening” in German)

At 37:10 Ondine (from his Preludes, Book II) by Claude Debussy, a French composer.

At 41:40 O Polichinelo (“The Punch”) by Hector Villa-Lobos (a composer from Brazil)
You will not believe how fast his fingers go!

Kids, you know how I am always bugging you about your posture, playing with arm weight and loose, flexible wrists? Watch Arthur Rubinstein play and you will see all of these in action; when I watch him play I just cannot take my eyes off of his incredible technique (or my ears away from the sound!)

Complete list of pieces and where they occur in the video:
Chopin:
00:19  Polonaise, Opus 44.
11:18  Impromptu, Opus 51.
16:30  Nocturne, Opus 27 N.º 2.
22:55  Waltz, Opus 34 N.º 2.
Schumann: 28:35  Des Abends, Opus 12 N.º 1.
Chopin: 33:02  Waltz, Opus 34 N.º 1.
Debussy: 37:36  Ondine ( Preludes, Book II ).
Villa-Lobos: 41:50  O Polichinello.

Here is a photo of him when he was 19 years old.

Arthur Rubinstein in 1906.
Arthur Rubinstein in 1906.

 

Captain Broccoli Explains Music Theory!

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Ok, Monday morning music geek here…

Captain Broccoli explains music theory on YouTube!

A bit advanced for beginner students—the first video starts with diatonic triads. But check it out, fun!
(The playlist is actually a good review for those of us rusty, say, on figured bass and secondary dominants.)

I’ll be playing at the Rockport Town Reunion this Saturday

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Hey there!

I’ll be playing at the Rockport Town Reunion this Saturday, @ 12:30 pm. The event runs from noon to 9 pm, rain or shine, details are at their website. If you’re an ole Rockporter (like me), it’s at Evans Field, and I know for sure the beverage du jour will be Twin Lights. 😉

They’re also on Facebook, and there’s a very informative blog post on event over at GoodMorningGloucester.

Hope to see some of you there!

That's me playing the Rockport Acoustic Festival, back in 1991!
That’s me playing at the Rockport Acoustic Festival, back in 1991!

Cyber Monday Specials @ Cape Ann Piano Studio!

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Give the Gift of Music!

  • Gift Certificates available for any number of lessons, either for 45- or 60-minute lessons.

  • Kids Only! Sign up for Winter Quarter with Julie Cleveland anytime this month and receive two lessons free!*

  • Adult Learners! Try out a piano lesson (30 minutes) for free then sign up for five 45-minute lessons and get one lesson free! (That’s 20% off!)**

All offers good until December 24th, 2013.

All gift certificates expire 2 months from date of purchase. Gift certificate rates based on a la carte lesson rates; go here, scroll to bottom of page, and see under RATES, Lessons A La Carte.
*Students may begin after the winter holidays in January. All rates prorated to week begun in current quarter. Tuition discount applies to quarterly payment plan only. Other studio policy rules apply. Contact Julie Cleveland for details.
**All five lessons are paid for in one payment. Prices based on regular weekly timeslot lesson rates; go here, scroll to bottom of page, and see under RATES, Regular Weekly Timeslot.

Contact Julie Cleveland here for more info and details on the Cyber Monday Specials!

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Julie Plays Government Center! Street Pianos | Boston: 2013

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There’s an incredible event going in Boston—”Play Me, I’m Yours”—I got to 6 pianos, here’s me on the only baby grand in exhibit, there’s 75 all over the city and surrounding neighborhoods, for anyone to play! See info below.

Piano @ City Hall Plaza, Government Center:

(This poor piano, pedal needs some WD40, and keys were sticky and spongy—@ 0:18 you can see me pick that E key back up! I think it got rained on, several of the ivory keytops fell off while I played!)

And check out this girl playing Linus and Lucy!


And this boy playing Linus and Lucy too!

Love this boy in the fedora playing “Take Five” by Brubeck:

And this pianist’s playing takes my breath away, can you name the piece?

Link to all info, including map of where all the pianos are located:
http://streetpianos.com/boston2013/

Maybe I’ll see you in town this weekend!
—Julie

Street Pianos | Boston: 2013 will be in Boston from Sep 27 through Oct 14.