The Tao of Piano

The Power of the Fifth

2011-09-29T10:29:00.000-02:30

Octaves, fourths and fifths are the most consonant of all the intervals in music. This is found to be true across cultures and around the world and may be somehow inextricably linked to our DNA and how humans process sound. (see This Is Your Brain on Music)

As a pianist and composer I'm acutely aware of these facts in both my writing and performance. Above all I have come to embrace the fifth, it's structure and alterations in building and enhancing chord progressions. I encourage all students of music to digest thoroughly the "Circle of Fifths" and all its implications early in their study of music theory. Know the look of it, the sound of it, the power of it.

Power? Well, yes. Once any chord assumes the function of the dominant (the V chord of any key centre) then the next chord in any particular progression is evident. Yes, uh-huh, I know not all progressions move in fifths but eventually fifths emerge to round out any progression. It is a rare thing if they don't.

For instance, consider: Beginning on a C chord move down a minor 3rd to Am then down a major 3rd to F, up a major 2nd to G and then, finally, down a fifth (up a fourth) to C. (I-vi-IV-V-I). But what if we consult our circle of fifths and instead of moving down a 3rd from Am to F we decide to go Am down a fifth to Dm, then down a fifth to G then down a fifth to C (I-vi-ii-V-I)? We would have an infinitely more satisfying progression with great strength of resolution from chord to chord. Thus the power of the fifth.

This is perhaps an oversimplification of the whole concept but know that this is but the tip of an enormous iceberg that once explored will change how you listen to, play and write music.

More on fifths in chord progressions

Six Days

2011-09-29T09:08:00.002-02:30

Remember dear students that it's the six days between lessons when the rubber meets the road. Practice well. Unleash your greatness.

Torbay Theatre

2011-08-08T11:50:00.000-02:30

Been having a very interesting month as MD for Torbay Theatre. A fun little play called Treasure Cove by playwright Ben Pittman. A ghost story with lots of local music dispersed throughout.

Opening night Wednesday, August 10 at 8pm in the Kinsmen Centre, 1 Bauline Line.

Wonderful energetic, talented cast. A joy to work with. Run ends on the 28th.

Pre-order our New CD and get free rewards!

2011-03-23T14:42:00.000-02:30

Busy Times

2010-05-22T12:41:00.000-02:30

Just a quick update.

Taking on a lot of new enterprises these days. Playing keys with Shawn Beresford and "The Soulution". Got a couple of great shows lined up for June 3 and 4, 2010 at the Bella Vista, Torbay Road, St. John's called "Hard Times: Ray Charles and the Fathers of Soul".

Busy with Traces Dance Band throughout the summer, dates to be announced here in a later blog.

Johnston and Lear to be playing the Wreckhouse International Jazz and Blues Festival July 15 at the Martini Bar on George.

Preparing some new music for the festival, writing some choral music for publication.

Stay tuned for details. Carpe Diem!

The times are getting to me

2009-06-22T13:55:00.000-02:30

I realize that I hate cell phones, blackberry's, smart cars (or the need for them), bicycles with more than 3-gears, polyphonic synths, midi anything, digital recording, silly fruity mixed drinks, the blandness of the digital camera, fast food, faster food, designer dogs, the need for speed, anything marketed as convenient, new or improved, people who don't understand the importance of history, Photoshop, CuBase, Pro-Tools, cars made of plastic devoid of chrome, accounting, accounting software, microwavable Indian food, puns in newspaper headlines, illteration in newspaper headlines, newspapers, cable TV, power mowers, fossil fuel, politics, anarchy, love as portrayed in art, role playing games (isn't life enough?), drunk people, angry drunk people, drunk people who think they're funny, corporate yoga, corporate martial arts, formal anything, money, news, TV news, the smugness of CBC, American TV, Canadian TV, what passes for humour, Celtic anything (what's wrong with my culture? Please, I am not Irish!!), music that stoops to please, art that fails to express, art that fails to impress, the need for more, the desire for bigger, movies that depend on CGI to get the point across, movies that try to get a point across, anti-aging products, life-prolonging products, foods and supplements (die, already) the smugness of youth, MADD, the Cancer Society and other finger-waggers, sometimes a cigar is just a smoke, classic rock (grow up already), current rock (grow up already),Elvis Costello (grow up already), Danny Williams on his bad days, socials and parties and mixers, watches that do more than telltime, world music, klesmer, books by Nora Roberts, buses with advertising all over the outside, rollerball pens, schools and lists.

Playing a supporting role

2009-03-21T12:42:00.000-02:30

This week I've had the privilege of playing "auxiliary keys" in the Ta Da Events production of the Rocky Horror Show. I have always played the primary piano/kbd role and have been conductor or MD. But this is great! It's refreshing to play "colour". A little organ here, some strings there.

With the multi-talented Bill Brennan as MD the pit feels safe. I can put all my energy into enhancing the solid rock output of the band. Thanks Bill.

Thanks to Terri as well for once again making me feel at home in her wonderful productions.

Looking forward to many such future collaborations.

Peace

Arts and Letters

2009-01-11T23:42:00.000-03:30

Today I stumbled upon the announcement for the Arts and Letters competition and decided to put all my creative energies for the next month into an entry. I mean to do this every year but fail to do so because of time constraints. This year will be different.

What to write? A piano piece, a string quartet or orchestral arrangement? Not sure. I do know they want a recording of the work so it cannot be too elaborate.

The only issue is that there are no limitations. Perhaps I should set myself some boundaries and work strictly within them.

For those interested visit: www.gov.nl.ca/artsandletters

Silence

2008-12-07T21:41:00.000-03:30

I have been silent from this blog for a couple of years now and feel it is time to break that silence. I have been "out of the loop" for a while, licking wounds that damaged me creatively and leaving me unable to write with confidence or clarity. But today I feel ready to write again with renewed confidence and vigour.

But I have been playing. Playing a lot. I feel a freshness come to my creativity and I long to compose again. And not just short works as on "In A Heartbeat" but more extensive and complex pieces.

I share a birthday with Stephen Sondheim and Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber. Perhaps an omen?

Jane Writes

2006-02-26T15:34:00.000-03:30

(Denise and I have released a CD titled "In A Heartbeat" a copy of which was given to Jane.)

dear gary and denise,
I was just listening to your music and it created a lovely feeling in the room.
thank you and all abundance to you.

jane siberry

Bound by the Beauty

2006-02-24T19:04:00.000-03:30

Last night I was blessed with the opportunity to perform with one of the world's great artists, Jane Siberry. Jane was here in St. John's with the traveling Bluebird North tour and stayed on a few extra days after the tour ended. She gave a show this past Wednesday at the LSPU Hall to an enraptured full house. Her diminutive frame belied the immensity of her spiritual energy. The audience, swaying, eyes-closed, transcendent. Denise and I went home. Sat silent. Moved. Confused. Enlightened. Liberated. Renewed.

Next day. Phone rings. Kirk Newhook. Would I please join Jane in a special In-House concert to accompany and improvise? I said "Yes, of course!" only because the night before I dreamt of Jane, Denise and I, together, sharing music and knew that Kirk's request was only the fulfillment of the dream. Never question a dream.

The House. Huge. 172 years-old. Owned by the dear Pam Hall, visual artist and designer. I once taught her daughter, film-maker Jordan Canning. Beautiful rugs. The adornment of artwork surrounding the guests. Warm. Old wood.

The music begins, Jenny Gear. Purity of heart. Purity of voice. I join her to play. She's perfect. She's Like the Swallow. A capella poetry. The people embrace her bared soul. Tears.

Janet Cull. Strong. Defiant. Fire. Red. Sometimes fragile. Eyes forward. Feet on Ground. Heart in Hand.

Then Jane. Sweet Jane. Hurt Jane. Hard Jane. Soft Jane. Bitter Jane? Lonely Jane. Vibrant. Vital. She removes all doubt from the human condition. We are here only to love and be loved. Funny Jane (Did you know that "Presbyterian" is an anagram for "Britney Spears"?) "Why is everyone here in Newfoundland so funny but no one gets my jokes?"

She invites me to the stage and I sit, play and share for a brief moment her audience's love. A love supreme. Enveloping. The piano, guitar, Jane. Simple D scale. Pentatonic and pure. Well -played. Well -heard. We split the silence and then retreat as the ragged edges mate and the silence resumes. More tears. Applause.

Unsure of what has just happened. I open my eyes. Jane smiles.

Art has occurred. I remember now why I do this.

To create

2005-10-06T18:15:00.000-02:30

To create is to bring your inner bliss to the surface for all to see.

Sit at your piano. Breathe 4 or 5 cleansing breaths, in through the nose, out through the mouth. Let your arms hang loosely by your sides from relaxed shoulders. Raise one hand, left or right, and let one finger come down to strike one note. Play it clean, play it clear. Hear it like you never have before. Listen for the harmonics. Feel the vibration.

All playing should be this pure.

Go create a great day.
Gary

Why this blog? Why now?

2005-10-05T20:54:00.000-02:30

I have of late been studying the metaphysics of creativity and how my discoveries made in this field may apply to my artistic indulgences. I have been exploring how my own existence relates to the universal spirit and how I can tap the universal spirit-energy in my creative endeavours.

This blog is to be a record of my journey. I invite you, the reader, to share your experiences so that I may better understand my own.

It also has practical purposes as relates to practicing the piano, exploring through improvisation and the teaching/sharing of music.

Join me and together discover our creative selves.

Gary