The answer may be slightly complex but there are a few things that must be in place before you can begin.  If you follow these considerations before you begin playing live music it will go much more smoothly and the experience for your audience will be more gratifying.

You should have your instrument tuned up and sound checked before you start playing.

This means that anyone that you will be playing with including all of your instruments or voice should be warmed up, in key with the other musicians as well as their separate instruments, and sound checked through any amplification you will be using at the level you will be performing at.  This will insure fewer problems with sound once the live music begins.  Be sure that your seating, music stands if needed, and any other staging requirements are also set up when you are preparing to play.

Ensure your venue is stable.

To ensure that your live performance will go smoothly find out from the local authorities if your live music is permitted at the venue you are playing at.  Sometimes there are local restrictions as to the hours that live music can be played or the volume it can be performed at.  In many cases all acoustic music can be performed during normal hours outdoors.  Sometimes special permits are required and you will want to make sure your venue has these permits.  Also, if the venue is planning on paying you for the performance be sure this is worked out before you start playing live music.  So many new musicians do not mind waiting until the end of their performance to be paid but this causes extra stress and I have seen a few venues that have had problems paying even with a signed contract after a packed house has enjoyed a live performance.

Plan for audience interaction.

When performing live music, people tend to hear it from many locations, come near to the source of the music, and many times dance or move about.  They may want to eat, drink, or do a variety of other activities so be sure to plan for this.  If you want the audience to play your instruments with you then be on the same level as them with little barriers.  In just a few moments they will come right over and want to play with you.  If you want to perform live with your own group, it is best to separate the group in some way from the audience that is appropriate for the setting.

When you are ready, perform.

It is important to start playing when you are ready to play, the sound is where you want it, and the other parts of the environment are in place.  Do not be concerned if the audience is ready because they are always ready for your performance and will start listening as soon as you start playing.  Also do not be too concerned if the other musicians in your band are ready or available to start when you are.  In many cases a Jazz band will begin performing live before the leader is even on stage.  You can start a gig as a drummer, bass, or any instrument but be sure you are ready.

I hope you are enjoying performing live this year in 2011 like I have.  There are many opportunities to share your music and if you are looking for more, please contact me by leaving your comment or by calling (802)HILLMAN

• Soothing
• Calmness
• Contentment
• Good nature
• Agreeable
• Joyful
• Grateful
• Peaceful
• Pleasant
• Soothing
• Gratifying
• Satisfying
• Pacifying

Of course we would need to create a very detailed organized report but sometimes it may help to think of words, feelings, or even colors when trying to describe Jazz.  A normal heavy, firm, stable, and steadfast way does not describe all types of music so be sure to consider other ways of explanation.

From Silent To Confident

Sometimes when I play piano it is for an audience that has not heard any live music that day or evening.  Some of the people in the audience may not have heard live music for years and frankly, at times, people seem to disassociate themselves from each other before the music begins if there is no opening tune.  Once the music begins I am able to see faces brighten up and start to look at the people close to them.  After a tune and maybe some applause the audience is suddenly talking to their neighbors and smiling.  About what?  Sometimes the music but it seems like the live music is almost more of a demonstration of communication which leads the example for the listener.

Real Life Communication

Last week I enjoyed playing at a private venue in Los Angeles for a large group of total strangers all looking towards the ground and not talking to each other at all.  No one at the location knew I play a little piano.  I almost saw it as low hanging fruit.  They were all waiting near the reception and there just happened to be a grand piano close.  I asked the security guard if I would be permitted to play one tune and after one tune the group all started talking!  No just to me but to each other.  The song was only a few minutes long but it helped everyone relate to their neighbors.  I only played one song that day but even the security guard asked if I would please continue playing for rest of the day.

All music is not meant to be like this.  Some music may not help with communication but, in general, I would say that my father was correct in the way that years of piano lessons can help people communicate but I don’t believe it will always help you find a date.  I did not meet my partner playing piano but she seems to enjoy it.

Gregory Hillman Live

Educational Tip:

One example a free piano lesson from a USC Phd Doctoral Degree in a piano performance related field granted me was to really focus on preparation just before playing the piano to ensure your complete ability and full range of motion to perform and communicate with your audience.

To an untrained ear you may believe Jazz has accents on 2 / 4 and uses tied triplets in each measure. You may have heard Jazz is performed by small groups with trumpets, saxophones, guitars, drums, bass players, maybe some vocals, and piano. It is true that there is Jazz that has characteristics like this but just because it has these components does not make it Jazz.

Greg Hillman

When you find music in categories Jazz comes from a tradition of many artists. You may find DJs performing on a Jazz albums or even spoken word artists but to be called Jazz the music must come from the tradition of Jazz.

Please leave your comments and I will help you understand more about the tradition of Jazz.

Most of this understanding comes from University of Washington Music professor Marc Seales and Olympic College Professor Kent Curris.

-Gregory Hillman
Life Long Student Of Music

Piano Lessons in Marina del Rey

The lessons will focus on Tonal Music Theory, Jazz analysis, dictation, transcription, and improvisation. Please send your educational goals and contact information or contact me for your first trial month of lessons. Your first month is $300 which includes 4 one hour lessons. Lessons are great for youth or adults.

Piano Educator Background

My background is in piano performance, recording, and live performance tours with independent and signed bands since 1985. I also took piano as a child and at the University of Washington Jazz studies program under Marc Seales from 1996-2000. I frequently play in Jazz combos at venues and on cruise boats including Roy Hargrove Monterey Jazz cruises and Kent Curris from Olympic College in 1995. I have been teaching music education since 1993 for High School students (Tadd Morris and Multi Dementional Educational Resource Center), private adult and youth lessons, college students, and professional adults. I also take lessons and believe that education is part of being a professional. Please contact me today to reserve your lesson or to find out more details. Thank you.

Are you interested in leaning about how music is created?

Would you like to create music yourself?

Would you like to understand music theory and how why notes are put together?

Don’t have a keyboard, piano, or organ?

I can help.

Many Studio Locations Internationally

B.A. University of Washington – Jazz Studies – History and Analysis – Transcription – Dictation – Sight Reading – Music Promotion – Live Performance

Boardwalk

- $300 Per Month. Includes: 1 lesson new lesson CD and up to 4 one hour lessons once a week.

Check out 2 Free music education books a week from our library.

Sidewalk

- $500 Per Month. Includes: 1 new custom lesson CD or Email of your choice and up to 4 one hour lessons once a week.

Check out 2 Free music education books a week from our library.

Freeway

- $1000 Per Month Includes: 1 new custom lesson CD or Email of your choice and up to 4 one hour lessons once a week.

1 private performance per month at any venue.

1 exclusive performance or lesson related DVD each month.

1 possible live performance and up to 2 group lessons per month.

1 unit worth of music promotion each month ($100 value).

1 hour of studio recording time each month.

Check out 4 Free music education books a week from our library.

http://www.gregoryhillman.com email:contact@gregoryhillman.com

History of K250

June 1984 K250 released to the public.
February 1985 Version 2.0 released.
May 1985 Daughter Board released.
October 1985 Version 2.2 available.
March 1986 Version 3.1 available.
August 186 Version 3.2 available.
March Version 4.1 available.

The Kurzweil K250 is a tool that is used for the creation of music. It includes a keyboard editor, instrument voicing editor, sound modeling program, MIDI, sequencer, and software utilities. Players will find a large instrument list along with various keyboard setups. It has a 12 voice polyphonic digital synthesizer.

Artists that have used the K250 Keyboard

Many notable artists have used the K250 in live performance and studio sessions. Artists that use the K250:

Herbie Hancock
Prince
Stevie Wonder