Weekly Studio Update + Brainstorming Problem-Creating

Over the past couple of weeks I've been doing a lot of brainstorming with my students during their lessons. Often we'll use brainstorming as part of our methods for trying to solve problems, but lately I've been using it more as a way to intentionally create problems. Now, why would I ever be so mean as to make life more difficult for you? Lets find out.

---

There's a certain life-cycle that most of you go through when learning a song:
1. Learn the song
​2. Finish learning the song
3. Promptly forget the song
Your experience is the same as everyone else's - Step 1 takes up the most time, and it's usually the part you want to get over and done with quickly. A lot of you have expressed that you most enjoy playing piano when you've finished learning a song, so why not extend that part of the process and build some extra skills at the same time?
Here's where the brainstorming comes in. Suppose your task was to come up with a list of possible ways to make playing the song you just learned harder. What would be on that list? Here are some ideas for your next practise session to potentially make that hard-earned song more difficult again!

• Play faster or slower
• Play louder or quieter
• Play in a different area of the piano
• Use a different sound (if you use a digital piano)
• Play with your eyes closed
• Play with someone watching you
• Play to a metronome or drum beat
• Play with a different feel (swing, for example)
• Accent a specific beat in each bar
• Play the whole piece staccato
• Use the sustain pedal (if you're not already)
• Transpose the song to a new key

Remember that the point of these exercises is to deliberately make playing the song more challenging - it might make you giggle or groan or even give up! The important thing is by changing the conditions of your playing, you'll be working harder again at your coordination, ultimately making it easier to play other songs in the future.
Are there any others that I've missed on the list above?

Things I've been watching/listening to this week:

1. Bruno Mars, Anderson .Paak, Silk Sonic - Leave the Door Open [Official Video] - It's been a while between releases for Bruno Mars, and this one has some slinky late-60s soul vibes going on.
2. The Story of "Thong Song" by Sisqó - this song features heavily in my memories of high school discos, so if you're old enough to remember this strangely popular song, here's a fascinating look as to how it was made.
3. A.I. Generates 3D Virtual Concerts from Sound - FREAKY.
4. Albums beginning with the letter W: JAY Z & Kanye West (Watch the Throne), Handsome Boy Modelling School (White People), Nelly Furtardo (Whoa Nelly), The Beatles (With The Beatles)

Be sure to let me know what you've been enjoying lately and if there's anything you think I should check out!