Author Archives: keyofone

The Art of Becoming a Musician: Listening Beyond Your Comfort Zone

“If I had my life to live over again, I would have made a rule to read some poetry and listen to some music at least once every week.” – Charles Darwin, The Autobiography of Charles Darwin, 1809–82 While I imagine … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

The Latest Key of One video at Keyboard Magazine

Keyboard Magazine has graciously hosted my latest Key of One educational video “Five Things You Need To Know Before You Take Piano Lessons” ~ if you or anyone you know is thinking about taking piano lessons (or has already started) check this … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

On Not Reading Sheet Music

Below I’ve linked a great article that supports notation-free musicianship and education on a variety of levels. Learning to develop your own voice and vision is primary to your musical evolution. Sight-reading is not as paramount as an intrinsic ability to think and hear … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Einstein on Being a Musician

“If I were not a physicist, I would probably be a musician. I often think in music. I live my daydreams in music. I see my life in terms of music.” – Albert Einstein How do you see your life … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

The Necessary Pointlessness of Art

“Art is so wonderfully irrational, exuberantly pointless, but necessary all the same. Pointless and yet necessary, that’s hard for a puritan to understand.” ― Gunther Grass From a New Statesman and Society interview, 1990 Ah, pointlessness. So underrated and so … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Game of Thrones theme piano improvisation

Since I’m a big fan of Game of Thrones and watched every episode, the theme had been haunting me~ I just had to play around with it on the piano and take a little trip to Westeros. If you’re a … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Five Things to Know Before You Take Piano Lessons

Hi there! If you are thinking about taking piano lessons or are already underway, here are a few important thoughts to make sure you are on a straight course to success. With a proper foundation and understanding, you can achieve … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

The Ten Commandments of Jam

Sage advice from Derek Trucks, a modern master of his craft. Do you want to be able to improvise and create music? Once you understand music simply as a language (and without the burden of notation) you can apply yourself … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Music Education is not Just for Making your Brain Function Better

Just came across this article on music education and wanted to comment. This writer rightly rejects the idea of music education being sold only for it’s merits of helping you in other subjects rather than its true benefit of learning music … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

The Making of “A Day in the Life”

Great piece on the making of “A Day in the Life” by The Beatles. Here’s a telling quote on the limits of sheet music, even among some of the highest caliber players (from the Royal Philharmonic & the London Symphony orchestras): George … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment