During a concert, the Brazilian singer Lysia Condé recounted an anecdote about Chiquinha Gonzaga’s ‘Corta-Jaca’. The song was performed at a reception hosted by the Brazilian First Lady, Nair de Teffé, as a defiant gesture against the conventions of her time. The provocation was threefold: the song had folk origins, and was distinctly Brazilian. The…Continue reading‘Corta-Jaca’, the song by Chiquinha Gonzaga that scandalised Brazil
In this article, I want to talk about jazz singers and their improvisations. While it is common for a jazz instrumentalist to perform improvised solos, not all singers do so. This naturally raises the question: does a jazz singer have to improvise?Continue readingDoes a jazz singer have to improvise?
Jazz music gives musicians a great deal of freedom; everyone can play in their own style and in a way that reflects their personality, interacting with others freely and in ever-changing ways. However, the absence of strict rules presents a major obstacle for those wishing to study jazz piano, who often find themselves somewhat disoriented.Continue readingHow to learn jazz piano: a structured and effective study plan
Transposing instruments can be difficult to understand, as they may seem like an unnecessary and inexplicable complication. In fact, such an instrument assigns a name to notes that does not correspond to the note they actually produce. This paradox can be explained by historical as well as practical reasons; there are good reasons why transposing…Continue readingTransposing instruments: I play one note, and another comes out
In this article, I’d like to introduce you to my project “Blindpiano”, an educational website designed to help blind students learn to play the piano. The idea came about following a conversation with a blind student who had purchased some of my courses. Talking to him helped me understand how best to structure my teaching…Continue readingPiano lessons for the blind: the BlindPiano project
Fifty years after its release, Dark Side Of The Moon by Pink Floyd retains all its beauty and remains one of the most successful conceptalbums of all time. An unrivalled pinnacle in the use of the musical technologies of the time, the musical journey is enriched by sophisticated techniques, meta-textual elements and multiple narrative layers.…Continue readingThe Dark Side of the Moon, a plot with four narrative layers
[Monday Notes No. 184] Didn’t We is a song composed in 1968 by Jimmy Webb, a highly refined songwriter who composes both the lyrics and music for his songs. Many singers and musicians have performed this song, so I chose my three favourite versions and tried to compare them. To begin with, let’s listen to…Continue readingDidn’t We by Jimmy Webb, listen to Dionne Warwick, Sinatra and Art Farmer
Masha and the Bear is a popular animated series that began in 2009, recounting the adventures of a little girl named Masha and her faithful companion Bear. It is an entertaining and original series. Bear often acts like Masha’s father, but sometimes the roles are reversed and it is Masha who takes care of him.Continue readingPiano lessons for kids: let’s learn with Masha and the Bear
Is it possible to start playing the piano as an adult? I am often asked this question by adults who would like to start playing the piano but fear that it is too difficult, or even impossible. Watch the video and find out if it really is that difficult for an adult to start playing…Continue readingIs it possible to start playing the piano as an adult?
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Alfred Brendel, A Pianist’s A–Z
A Pianist’s A–Z is a book published in 2013 by the great Czech pianist Alfred Brendel. It is a collection of thoughts and reflections on music and the piano, organized in alphabetical order. For each letter, Brendel focuses on just a few terms, offering personal and often surprising observations. Below is a brief account of…Continue readingAlfred Brendel, A Pianist’s A–Z