A Rock in My Roll – Videos, Sheet Music and Recordings A Four-Piano Ensemble

This was written a few years back and several student ensembles have played it over the years at Creative Music Adventures. Since many of you who follow these posts/emails are piano teachers, I thought I would share it for you and your students. We’re all looking for fun summer projects and this may fit the bill. Or if you play, it’s always fun to read through ensembles with friends.

Here are PDF’s of the music:

Here is a video version I recorded so you can hear/see the parts (think of this as Jacob Collier Lite):

Here is the audio version:

Here are a couple of different classes of kids playing it (if you have students learn this please post a link to a video in the comments section of the post so we can enjoy their performances!):

A-Rock-in-my-Roll-Score

Beginning Improvisation: Phrasing Video tutorial on phrasing concepts while improvising

Improv Tutorial Phrasing PicPhrasing often gets overlooked when we learn to improvise. This video covers the basics of phrasing on Twinkle, Twinkle and the opening passage of a Mozart Sonata. There are a few splices in the video as the camera kept shutting off – I’m still learning to use the new gear! I hope you enjoy it.

Developing a Unique Voice from the Start How to build your story and sound in music lessons

In the beginning, my whole teaching studio at Creative Music Adventures was built on this phone call from teacher friends around the community:

“I have a student who has some potential but they are driving me crazy. They are supremely talented but won’t do anything I ask. Can I send them to you to see if there is any hope?”

Unique Voice » Read more

Rethinking How We Teach Theory Teaching and learning theory in real-time

While in college I started teaching piano lessons regularly. I could play piano, compose and improvise on a standard college level – but teaching was a whole different animal. Thankfully, I had great teachers growing up and could call upon my experiences with them to help the lessons become productive as quickly as possible. The methods were helpful to a new teacher because they had written out instructions for teachers and students. They also isolated concepts into lesson books, theory books and performance books.

Theory » Read more

Circle Song – Video, Sheet Music and Recording

Here is a piece that was originally written for an electronic project of mine. Then it was recorded and appeared on the jazz trio recording “The Fantastic Adventures of an Amphibian Named Jamal”. Now it has a solo piano version with sheet music if you want to give it a spin.

Download a free pdf of the score here: Circle Song

Solo Piano Version:

Jazz Trio Version:

Circle Song

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