Thursday, October 17, 2013

Blog 8: Research and Working EQ



1.  What is your working EQ?
Piano- How can learning to play jazz music improve piano technique?



2.  What is a possible answer to your working EQ? Please write the answer in thesis format.

  • Learning how to improvise melodies or play variations of a melody by simply understanding the key it is in can help when learning accompaniment pieces that are not available in sheet music format
  • Playing different kinds of jazz can help better improve understanding of timing and rhythm
  • Understanding the style of jazz can make one a valuable musician
  • Can improve execution of dynamics and precision


3.  What is the most important source you have used that has helped you come up with an answer to your working EQ?

The most important source I have used so far is The NPR Curious Listener's Guide to Jazz by Loren Schoenberg.

4.  Who is your mentor, or where are you volunteering, and how does what you are doing relate to your working EQ?

My mentor is Stacey Ulmer, my piano teacher, who works at San Dimas Music, and the methods of playing I am learning, including playing whole and broken chords in different keys helps me understand how jazz works, as sometimes it is not always written down, but rather played by ear, or by a variation.

Wednesday, October 2, 2013

Blog 7: Independent Component

1. I plan to learn a difficult piece from the 20th century, most likely a work by Sergei Prokofiev. Preferably a piano sonata, something that gives the piano enough emotion and also demonstrates advanced playing skills.

2. I will have some video footage of a few practice sessions, mostly showing the progression, a final recording of the full song preferably at a performance (most likely the Talent Show), along with photos of the work in progress.

3. I will do some reading on composers of the 20th century, and also be listening to their piano solos and other works to get a better understanding of that music period. I may listen to Stravinsky, Rachmaninoff, among others.

4.Post a log on the right hand side of your blog near your mentorship log and call it the independent component log.
(Finished)