Artist Portrait: Martin Listabarth
(Photo: Theresa Pewal) Meet pianist and composer Martin Listabarth. Martin is a jazz pianist and composer based in Vienna. His music is a true marriage of hand, heart, and head.…
Playing With Wolfgang: Becoming Vulnerable
“But what does it mean?,” I asked. I used to ask that a lot when I was little. I remember that time clearly though. My Dad and I were in…
Playing With Wolfgang: Gershwin, Lecuona, & Messiaen Meet Artistic Process
"I don’t see why you chose that artwork," she said. "There is plenty of 20th Century art that would match these pieces and the time they were written much better."…
Finding Inspiration: Redux
It is human nature to have a gut belief that everyone finds musical inspiration just as you do. The way we operate is just so intrinsic to who we are…
PA Shorts: Soulful Stuff
A young student and I have been practicing and improvising with 5 finger and chord patterns in all keys. This week we began to explore the minor keys and delighting in how…
I Just Like It
Why music and piano? The question has come up many times over the years, asked by relatives, teachers and mentors, and people in business who clearly thought I needed a…
Building Habits Or Correcting Mistakes?
Teacher: How did your practicing go this week? Student: Good. Teacher: How did you practice __________________? Student: I played it over and over for an hour everyday and always went…
Vintage PA: On Your Way To Wonderful (and a little family history)
Bill Withers, Singer, Songwriter, & Soul Icon, whose credits include the hits Ain’t No Sunshine, Lean On Me, Lovely Day, & Just the Two of Us, once gave the following…