Back to Basics

"I'm sad that he wants to quit," Andy said to me, speaking of his teenage son who had been learning to play the guitar. Strangers and friends often express feelings like Andy's after they hear me play a song on the piano. They ask me what I think abou… more »

The last entry in my "What I've Learned from Playing the Piano" series is simply a recap.  The end of the series does not indicate the end of learning because as long as I continue to play, I will continue to learn.Here's what was written over the l… more »

When a performer sits down to play, it's likely that he is concerned he'll make a mistake. In Part II, we talked about the crippling power of vanity and how nervousness can ruin a performance.  In addition to controlling one's attitude, a seasoned p… more »

The recent gift-buying season proved just how difficult it is to select a present for someone who has no hobbies. It's easy to find a new project for a model-building enthusiast, a book for the avid reader, or warm clothes for the skier, but when it come… more »

The other day I walked past my piano and thought, "There's no time to play now, I've got important things to do." When I was in my 20s, I'd play at least four times a week. It was a great way to unwind after a stressful day or gear up for an exciting da… more »