UNDERSTANDING MUSIC Seminars

HOW TO PRACTICE EFFECTIVELY:

Learn effective skills to personally assess and develop incremental breaks for effective learning. Time of day and the influence, setting realistic goals. Practice means.. Play what you don't know…The understanding of these techniques and more one can expect to achieve the maximum growth in the least amount of time. This applies to all levels. Demonstrations will be given on how to practice from Dan and live Seminar guests will come forth at all levels and as a group we will create the path for the most logical and successful success of the assigned task. Incredible to see the task be achieved as a result of practicing effectively.

IMPROVISATION:

An organized approach to this creative topic. Truly understand the mechanics of improvisational elements. Even the simplest skills are used by professional players. Learn how you too can improvise even with no knowledge of the piano. Become more aware as to what is involved behind applications as you hear them applied by Dan or on the radio. Scales, chord parts, timing, articulation and more all hold a place in every note that is played in the improvisational world. A topic that is often feared by many due to its open ended options will come forth now in a way you will want to see.

SCALES:

A basic fundamental tool will show how many hidden values it holds. From technique, harmony or improvisation, scales will now be viewed like never before. Observe how scales can be applied at all levels of playing. Learn the many types of scales and their function. A fundamental topic that takes on a creative twist. From modes, minor scales, symmetric diminished scales and more you will learn to hear these in actual playing and listen to the differences they each hold.

JAZZ INTERPRETATIONS:

How does the Jazz musician think? Learn to appreciate what it is that musicians are doing on the same piece of music they share. Same piece…different expressions and skills brought forth. Hear the melody come and go in an art form that is much more difficult than perceived my most. Melodic movement, phrasing, articulation, reharmonization and more contribute to the many elements applied by the Jazz musician. You are surely to leave this Seminar with a true understanding and respect of what all players put forth.

BLUES BASICS and MORE:

An improvisational vehicle that associates itself with Jazz Improvisational music as a common place. Understand the blues progression and variations. Learn how the blues scale fits over the standard blues progression. The articulation and dynamic control with their effect in the music play an important role. From Art Tatum to Nat King Cole and new artists of today, everyone has the blues to play. Bass lines, stride piano and more are essential in keeping the steady pulse in blues playing. Learn to identify the blues played by others. A fun topic that will have you leaving tapping your feet.

PLAYING PIANO FOR SINGERS:

Learn what singers are looking for underneath their voice. Listen to the piano movement filling the vocalist's long notes. This is part of the true sense of feeding the singers voice. Learn the importance of steady time keeping. Stay focused as the singer may tend to phrase riding over bar lines. Understand the (give and take), the listening that is involved to make music together as musical as possible. Learn when to give the melody to the singer as a leading tone or guide. Intros and endings singers love to hear. How to play chords so they don't get in the singers way. These tips and much more will have you listening to your favorite singer a different way next time that CD is played.

RHYTHMS in MUSIC:

Individual rhythms will be assigned to willing individuals to play through use of percussion instruments from Bongos, Bells, blocks etc. The effect of Rhythm in music will hold great value as each rhythmic part is contributed to the musical picture. A Fun experience for group interactivity or sit back and follow each rhythm carefully. A full understanding of the complexity that can be created within a group of musicians and non musicians. The (off beat effect) will be a dynamic contribution as to how to control it in the rhythm. Without the (on beat) part, no other part will hold value. From rhythm dynamics to note values. A must see show at the end.

REHARMONIZATION IN MUSIC:

To reharmonize means to change or alter the chord structure of a given piece of music. You will see how (simple tunes) can hold new listening pleasure with added chords. Music theory will hold its place here enabling one to understand chord substituting, chromatic leading and much more. Whether you can apply the given techniques that will be displayed or just now be able to understand them, this key element adds great excitement as we take control of the composer's chords and create a new experience.

SIGHT READING in MUSIC:

Learn the difference of sight reading or rote playing. Adjusting the viewing line will enable one to better achieve levels of success in this topic. For example: Try reading music playing the 1st beat only each bar. These tips and many others will help one achieve new heights in their sight reading ability. A (metronome).. The key element to success. These skills will hold great value for all instruments. Something here for everyone.

LIFE OF A JAZZ MUSICIAN:

A true life overlook of Dan's 30 years in the industry. The miss-conceptions of (the musician) that are viewed are not always true. Dan shares success stories and failure stories of name talent he has come to know. This claims to be one of Dan's most favorite seminars to give. Don't miss it.