Category Archives: Piano

Very Busy

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We have been very busy since returning to Garden Bay. I had two weeks of gardening before Aimeé returned, after which we went to the cabin, attended the Vancouver marathon to support a Mexican runner daughter of a friend, and then just getting back into the routine here.

There is a lot going on in the garden in May, as I tried to illustrate in the photo. I find spring here thrilling but it comes with a lot of work. I don’t have lawn but grass does grow beteen the planting areas along with select weeds and self-sown flowering plants. I cut the grass twice a season, in May and in September. From experience I know that if I don’t cut back the grass around now then the yard quickly becomes a jungle. So that’s what I started after taking this photo.

In 2023 while in Guanajuato I developed the DGA TODO App to help manage my activities and it works really well. However, lately the app has made it obvious that there is too much to do and some activities are not getting done. Unfortunately, one of those activities is playing the piano.

In Guanajuato early this year I resolved to restart my piano studies. I did a lot of YouTube searching for instruction and motivation, and ended up buying a three month subscription to jazzskills.com. With lots of free time in Gto I practiced for hours every day and made a ton of progress. I am not going to renew the subscription because I can’t put in the practice time here in Garden Bay, but will rejoin when we return to Mexico. Until then I have lots ot practice (when I can) from what I have learned so far.

Aimeé will be employed again at John Henry’s this summer and starts tomorrow. She wants to take the driver’s road test soon and is working hard on that goal.

‘Round Midnight

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I’ve been working on ‘Round Midnight for weeks.  Playing from a lead sheet I had to learn many chords including 13th’s for the first time.  The chords are mostly played in a simple stride style but there is one place where the chords are played with open voicings in both hands, and the same sequence played later with chords in the right hand.  I also learned a colourful ending.

At my last lesson my teacher said that I should add dynamics to finish this piece off.  I went home and listened to all the recording that I have on this, came up with some ideas, and then practiced.  I like to record songs to finish them off.  The recording process is intense but eventually I end up with a best recording that I am proud of.

‘Round Midnight
– Thelonious Monk

Piano Preoccupation

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I am happily preoccupied with playing the piano better.  This activity ranks #2 on my discretionary priority list behind a daily run in Stanley Park.  I’m lucky to be working from home most days where the piano is only steps away from the computer.

There are couple of new recordings on the piano page and some great new pieces in the works. Live lessons with Shannon have resumed, pushing me forward with new challenges.

I’ve been back in Vancouver four months now.  I have bedroom furniture and will have living/dining room furniture next week.  Had my windows replaced last week.  We are having a perfect summer.