31 Days to Better Practicing: A New Location and Why It Will Always Be Free

In the summer of 2011, I published 31 Days to Better Practicing, a free ebook about how to practice. Since the ebook went live, I'm glad to say that it has received over 7600 downloads to date, has been read and shared by students and teachers alike, and has become standard reading for numerous piano pedagogy classes across North America.

Nevertheless, the internet is a changing place, and Posterous, the platform on which 31 Days was originally published, will be shutting down at the end of April. The move has been made and I'm now glad to announce its new location on the Scribd platform:

31 Days to Better Practicing by Dr. Chris Foley

Many of you have asked why I never opted to publish the book through a traditional publisher, or why I don't sell it on the Amazon store, even for a small amount. If you read closely, you'll see that the book is peppered with clever links both to the Collaborative Piano Blog and my home studio. Of the thousands of people who read the book, a certain percentage will be readers with access to my Oakville or Toronto studios. From that group, a certain percentage will opt to study with me.

Quite simply, I'm making more money by giving away the book for free and recruiting students than if I were to make money selling the book. I'm sure I could sell a couple of dozen copies a month in music stores or perhaps a couple hundred copies a month on Amazon. But the amount of income I can make by giving away the book to thousands of readers and recruiting students as a result of it is considerably greater.

Since the book's publication, my studio has ballooned to nearly 60 students from beginner to professional. I have a waiting list that extends into the summer.

In other words, I gave away something for free in order to generate income elsewhere.

Below is an embedded copy of the ebook in case you haven't read it yet. Enjoy!

Meme of the Day: Rep Worth Avoiding

Take a C. Bechstein Piano Quiz and Win a Free Hoffman Upright Piano

The venerable piano company C. Bechstein has just announced a sweepstakes on their Facebook Page: complete a short quiz and enter to win one of several prizes, including a Hoffman upright piano. To enter, all you have to do is go to the quiz's page and answer six skill-testing questions about Bechstein pianos. Yes, you'll need to be a Facebook member in order to enter. Entries will be accepted until May 20. Good luck and I hope a CPB reader wins this one!

In case you had forgotten what Bechstein pianos can sound like, here's a video of Lucas Blondeel playing a model D concert grand with clarinettist Annelien Van Wauwe:



(Thanks Isabella W!)

Meme of the Day: Austin Powers on Repeated Notes

This slipped out the other day...

Jorel Rocks his Bar Mitzvah....with his Piano Teacher

Although it's not the usual practice on the Collaborative Piano Blog to show Bar Mitzvah videos, this one by Jorel is notable not just for his ingenious lyrics, various singing and rapping styles, nor for the awesome piano shots. Nor is the video merely notable for its mention by various major media outlets in the last few days on its way to becoming one of the most viewed Bar Mitzvah videos of all time.

No, Jorel's video is most notable for the special cameo at 2:45 of longtime CPB reader, advisor, and friend Liz Parker, who as Jorel's piano teacher, makes an unforgettable appearance as dancing partner in the Gangman style segment. My goodness, Liz can dance.

Beatriz Boizán Plays the Lecuona Malagueña

This October 2012 performance of Ernesto Lecuona's Malagueña is by Beatriz Boizán, who is quickly becoming a noted interpreter of Spanish music. If you want to take a look at more of Beatriz's work, check out her debut CD Pasión.

Student Performs New York State of Mind....with Billy Joel

In a Q&A session at Vanderbilt University, an audacious question leads to a magnificent impromptu performance - Michael Pollack gets the awesome privilege of accompanying Billy Joel in New York State of Mind. At 3:30, listen for the bridge passage sung in the style of Frank Sinatra.




Unfortunately, Michael reportedly flunked his calculus exam the next day.

Gregg Kallor Improvises His Way To Espresso Nirvana

Pianists are long-time friends of the caffeinated beverage. Improvisational pianist Gregg Kallor's video Espresso Nirvana looks at what happens when you drink too much of the stuff. Best of luck to Gregg on the release of his new album A Single Noon, scheduled for early April. Gregg's bio lists him as a composer well-versed both in classical and jazz traditions, and (classical musicians take note!) I like the way he weaves the concept of the video into what might otherwise seem a dense composition.

Far From the Home I Love: An Analysis

Peter Hilliard analyzes Far From the Home I Love from Fiddler on the Roof. Some great insights here that both singers and coaches can utilize.




Peter's blog Music Directing the School Musical has a lot of info about what you need to know when taking the reins as music director.

Meme of the Day: Boromir on Practicing Scales

This one slipped out in a lesson yesterday...

3000 Likes and Counting

The Collaborative Piano Blog Facebook Page experienced another milestone yesterday, with its 3000th like. For those of you not yet on Facebook, you're missing out, as a lot of the action these days is happening on the CPB Facebook page, including links, commentary, and funny pictures with hidden pedagogical value. I can already think of at least 4 people who have had an inestimable value in helping me with the direction of this blog who have so far refused to participate in Facebook - you know who you are. And I understand that many people in the profession would prefer not to be perceived as participating in social media for professional reasons.

However, a conversation that I had with a professor of collaborative piano earlier this year humbled me, and reminded me of the responsibility that I have with the direction of this blog and its social media outposts. This well-known teacher said that when undergraduate pianists show up for her freshman collaborative piano class, nearly everything that they know about the field is gleaned from the Collaborative Piano Blog. Although I've spent countless lonely hours on this project over the last 7 years (and not as much as I should have with this season's busy teaching load), I'm still surprised when I discover its reach in the musical community.

Thanks everyone!

Blogging the Collaborative Piano Scene...from Malta

One of the cool things about collaborative piano is the fact that you can make a living in all sorts of interesting places. Jazzullka is a pianist doing the Malta scene, and her recent stories and observations make for some interesting reading. This time of year, the weather in Malta must be so much nicer than the miserable lack of sunlight and warmth here in Toronto.

Incidentally, Jazzulka will be attending the Music Theater Bavaria program this summer, which she heard about via a previous CPB post.

Friday Links - 8 March 2013

The latest fascinating links from press and blogosphere:

1. Yundi Li vs. Lang Lang. The rivalry isn't going away, even though it might be manufactured.
2. Meri Dolevski-Lewis writes about why cheap music lessons aren't good for anybody.
3. Those who have escaped from the gentle embrace of academia might find 52Tiger's links to a freelancing podcast series quite useful.
4. Color in my Piano looks at the studio management iPad app Moosic Studio, which may eventually give Music Teacher's Helper a run for its money.
5. Columbian harpsichordist Rafael Puyana has passed away.
6. Billie Whittaker digs up three collaborative piano job postings.
7. The final 30 pianists for the 14th Van Cliburn Competition have been chosen.
8. Holly Mulcahy writes about Imaginary Program Notes: What We Can Learn from Children.
9. Erik Joseph Campano's new blog about music theater piano playing looks to be a great resource in the blogosphere. I especially like his article on how to fake it if you're unprepared for rehearsal.
10. Emily Ann Peterson on practicing: don't break the chain.
11. The Sybaritic Singer looks at how to find a collaborative partner.

Finally, here are Tim Fain and Philip Glass playing Glass' Pendulum at the Temple of Dendur in the Metropolitan Museum of Art:

Call for Singers, Pianists, and Chamber Groups: Mountain View International Festival of Song and Chamber Music

This summer in Calgary, Alberta, the Mountain View Festival of International Festival of Song and Chamber Music will be running from August 4-11, including master class, chamber music, and professional development programs. Artists this summer include Christa Pfeiler, Rudolf Jansen, Kathleen van Mourik, Charles Foreman, and Anton Kuerti. If you're interested in applying, the deadline is May 1. Here are some links:

Mountain View website
Student brochure and application form

(Thanks Kathleen!)

Recitals in Rosedale: A New Series in Toronto

One of the genuine gaps in Toronto musical life has been the lack of voice and piano recitals at the professional level (especially after the recent winding down of the Aldeburgh Connection). A chance meeting yesterday in the Royal Conservatory atrium led me to find out about a new series with lofty aspirations indeed: Recitals in Rosedale, the brainchild of Rachel Andrist and John Greer. Their 2013-14 season includes a four-concert lineup kicked off by a June 1 launch concert. Below is the season poster, which features a lineup of some of Canada's finest singers. More information to come.

Heads Up: Daylight Savings Time Starts This Weekend

A big heads-up for all of you with performing engagements this Sunday - Daylight Savings Time starts on March 10 this year for most parts of Canada and the United States. Be sure to put your clock an hour ahead on Saturday evening before you pack it in for the night, lest you find yourself strolling into your Sunday church gig midway through the Agnus Dei.

However, if you live in Saskatchewan, you can completely disregard this post, since you observe Central Standard Time year-round.

Friday Links - 1 March 2013

Here are some links from around the blogosphere that might be of interest to musical folks. I would like to make a regular feature of these weekly links, so if you have any blog posts or other interesting articles to share, email me and I'll see if I can include them in the next instalment.

1. Matthew Guerrieri's remembrance of Van Cliburn.

2. Great article for home studio teachers: Dave Caolo on being productive and organized from home. 

3. Bryan Townsend on musicians and self-criticism.

4. Going to the Met next season? Some ticket prices are going down.

5. Yiyi Ku writes about the role of parents in music lessons.

6. Snowed in on a teaching day? Use Skype to teach lessons instead. 

7. Make your own whiteboard for music teaching. 

8. Want to enjoy music more when listening?. Work at it. 

9. Lynn Harrell writes about a 50-year relationship with his cello, soon coming to an end. 

10. Record keeping on Music Teacher's Helper - here are some ways to do it. 

11. Tips for surviving as a musician in New York City from Mark Morgan. 

12. Hanne Blank on being and unbeing a singer. 

13. Jason Yang and ensemble playing selections from Game of Thrones Season 2: