What I’ve learned from writing a blog is that I love it. It’s hard to build an accurate picture of my life, though. In the next little bit, we’ll be talking about putting yourself out there and being able to perform your music, so what better way to start that off by putting myself on the spot? I get a lot of questions asking, “How…read more
It’s the time to celebrate the holidays! Even if you don’t celebrate Christmas, there’s no denying how modern music has been influenced by religious themes over the past few hundred years. … and there’s nothing wrong with spreading a little more holiday cheer, is there? (Though I must note that I am not religious) I’ve put together some of my favourite Christmas music and solos…read more
Hi Artiden friends! I ran the Alexander technique (mini) experiment last week, where I incorporated the principles into my daily life and my practice sessions. The Alexander technique is a way to release tension to improve posture, alignment, and movement. What did I do, and how did it go? Watch the video below to find out! To clarify, there were 500 patients in the study…read more
Nov 17th 2018 Update: Thanks to everyone who joined in. Please use the timestamps below to skip ahead. I started the streaming early so that people who joined in didn’t have to refresh. Start of the Hangout – 11:52 Improv tips / how I learned improv – 22:24 Mary’s Boychild – Jazz Piano Playing Demo (Get sheet music here) – 26:20 Christmas Song – Jazz…read more
Last week, I saw another specialist for the sound in my ear, my third consultation in two weeks. My back is hunched over in the soft cushy chair and my legs are crossed. The doctor hovers around my head to ask if I hear this sound or that vibration. “Relax,” he says for the fifth time. Before this room, I was subjected to a hearing test. Inside a…read more
I distinctly remember the year I visited the gym every day–gosh, I was fit. I was confident. I had strength and stamina. I wish my knee didn’t hurt as often. I’d be so in shape. Instead, I’m inspecting people’s postures in videos where they’re doing squatting exercises, in case my pain came from bad squatting posture. Pan, my first trainer, is strict enough that I…read more
Hello! I hosted the first Artiden community hangout / Q&A and we had a blast! We chatted, played music, and I shared some of my favourite tips for memorizing and practicing technique. Next month, I may try a different format so that we can get through everything we wanted to. Send me your questions, or use #artiden on twitter or instagram or facebook if you…read more
I saunter into a piano store feeling like I have all the time in the world. Jamming out on all those black and white keys, I realize I’ve fallen for a Petrof. It’s a white baby grand, and it charms me silly with its chipped golden rococo design. Normally indecisiveness is an understatement when it comes from me. What’s the difference this time? “I’m thinking of…read more
This question is from one of the Artiden readers: Dear Grace, I’d like to know how one gets from being a pretty advanced player to someone who can play at least at the level of a good conservatoire graduate. (I’m not even aspiring to be a “great” pianist like Zimmerman or Le Plante, say!) I apply nearly all of your practice hacks in my own…read more
I woke up on Sunday morning and my ear was ringing. This is not a small issue. I had sharp ears and I could play things on the piano that I heard once. It’s been over one week and I can’t turn it off and I’ve tried almost everything. I’ve already befriended a few doctors about this. They assure me that time will tell, that the…read more