Blog Archives

EXCLUSIVE / 09.03.16

LIVE in THE SPOTLIGHT

The focus of this blog is to explore the practices, attitudes and motivations of successful artists and musicians in the autumn of life.

How to practice: exploring strategies and tactics in an aging body through book reviews, interviews, personal anecdotes, with the goal of staying happy, healthy and focused.
Attitude: what it is a good attitude, how does helps us to learn and persevere, which daily tactics help us to acquire or keep a good one, what to do if yours needs a tune up?
Metacognition: what it is, what it can teach us about learning, resources for study, conferences, and in practice.
Intrinsic motivation: what it is, how it helps us to learn and persevere as we age, how to help those we mentor with theirs.

Tweets by @davidstory1

How to adjust your attitude: go to camp

7/27/2017

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I'm back from another week at the Jamey Aebersold Jazz Workshop in Louisville Kentucky. My 5th visit.

For a music educator specialising in adult students, it is informative for the following reasons.

Observing and interacting with adult learners who are at various stages of development: beginner to professional.
Observing experienced instructors working with the participants is invaluable.
Being a adult learner oneself. Seeing things from the students perspective is eye opening.
Playing music with my new friends.
Finally, getting feedback on my playing. There is hope. Steve Barnes wrote up the following report at a faculty student jam. It goes like this. We drummers were called up on stage in front of our peers and given the immediate task of playing in a professional piano trio. The tune is announced, the tempo, and boom, you are off and playing. A samba was called, I baulked. So, a compromise was announced: Charlie Parker's Confirmation. 1-2-3-4 Zoom...

My attitude is now adjusted for another year.

best,

David Story

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Gratitude in the Autumn of Life

7/21/2017

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To be grateful for a career well played is one of the consolations of aging. A good project for a rainy day is to list all the memorable moments of your playing career. The good, bad, and ugly. Follow up by searching and contacting some of the survivors.

Possibilities include former musicians, band leaders, agents, club owners, and fans. Tell them you were thinking of them. Retell the stories together. If they live close share coffee and swap impressions. It's worth it. They'll love it, You'll love it too, I promise. Everyone loves to be remembered.

Your career may not have soared to the level of the Funk Brothers, but I bet they are just as colourful.

Cheers,

David

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David Story: Professional pianist, drummer, composer, and educator. Well into his 4th enthusiastic musical decade, David works with adults pursuing musical dreams in the autumn of life, while he maintains an active presence in the Toronto arts scene.

LIVE in THE SPOTLIGHT

How to adjust your attitude: go to camp

Gratitude in the Autumn of Life

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