Piano Lessons in Tucson, AZ

Instruments: Piano Voice Music Keyboard

What advice do you have about practicing effectively?
Slow, Slow, and SLOWER! Slow it down to perfect those tricky rhythms, articulations or slight gradations for those crescendos and decrescendo. To me slow practice is the best way! I still use it all the time in my own practicing! Don't just play slow though but incorporate dynamic shadings at the same time. Anyone can play loud and fast, but to play slow and pianissimo will give you a much more commanding technique. For a tricky rhythmic section I have a set routine I use. 1. Play it slow and Mezzo Forte 2. Play it slow and Pianissimo 3. Play it slow and with full dynamic gradations. Practice these steps first without pedal then with pedal. Repeat this process on a daily basis slowly building up the tempo until you have perfected the passage!

What does a normal practice session look like for you?
Well I really don't practice my scales and exercises anymore, as I spent so much time with them in my earlier years. I use to practice 8 hours a day during my college years and had time for all the scales, arpeggios and technical exercises I wanted. With less hours to practice now I have to take a much more efficient approach. Besides, technique is found in the music. I usually only practice 3 or 4 different pieces each week. I do a lot of slow and mezzo forte work without pedal to master any tricky passages. I alternate that slow work with up to tempo work as well so I can check my progress. I also use my practice rhythms to work more technical passages. Finally, when things are very close I start using a metronome to perfect my rhythm and tempo.

What musical accomplishments are you most proud of?
I take most pride in my own compositions and arrangement for piano. I have gone through many styles from classical to new age to rock to avantgarde to western swing! I have most recently come full circle and returned back to a classical foundation. It has a strong classical base but at the same time uses experimental piano techniques and yet manages to stay accessible. I am currently working on a large multi-movement work for piano called "Project Genesis" which I hope to start recording soon. It's sort of a concerto for piano without orchestra where the piano provides the accompaniment. It will require many overdubs to achieve my vision. It will certainly be an epic accomplishment for me when finished! I also write my own piano arrangements of orchestral works. Among them and most recently is my arrangement of the Adagietto from Mahler's 5th symphony, which I will be uploading to youtube soon

Did you have a teacher that inspired you to go into music? How did they inspire you?
I have three main teachers who were the greatest influences upon my own piano studies. During my earliest college years at Mesa College I was studying with Ken Ard who really had me focus on the rudiments such as scales, arpeggios and progressions. He was always flexible in his approach with me and would basically help me with any style I wanted to work on. When I entered San Diego State University I began studying with Karen Follingstad. It was her who really opened up the passion in the music for me. She had focus first and foremost in my musical expression. My last and greatest influential teacher was George Katz. It is Mr. Katz who taught me about weight distribution but most importantly how to shape a phrase. He taught me all the finer things in interpretation which I use to this day!

Read More