Music & Movement

Workshops, Gigs, Lots of Stuff

Hello again. Once again, I’ve been awol. School is in full swing, and I have a full roster of students. This week, some of my students did a performance at the Woodlands, a retirement community located on the Furman University campus. Their regular pianist, another of my students, couldn’t make it. We performed for a Mardi Gras party, and it was well received. The facility has a beautiful Steinway, so it’s a real pleasure to play there. It was also fun playing with my students.

Back in September, Ron Brendle and I did a duo concert there. A recording of the concert is available for download on my Bandcamp page. Keith & Ron Duo.

Last week, my trio played a concert at the CAM Museum of Modern Art in Wilmington, NC. This was also with Ron, and with Justin Watt on drums. We mostly played my own compositions. We had a blast and the folks really dug it. The facility is great, and we were very well treated by September and Helen, who took care of us. I hope we get to perform there again. I editing some recordings that I hope to share soon.

I’m offering a six week course called Piano Improvisation Workshop, which will begin on March 16. We will talk about beginning to improvise at the piano, presenting information on how to get started, or how to improve your skills, if you’re already an improviser. We’ll talk about harmony, chords and scales, rhythmic ideas, creating melodies. It will be informative and a lot of fun. You can find more information on the registration page, here: Piano Improvisation Workshop.

I put the book that I’m working aside to get this workshop set up. Now, I’m ready to get back to it. I’m still psyched about it, but it seemed important to prioritize the workshop. I’ll be sharing some bits here as I proceed. The premise is that improvisation and composition are intricately linked. They feed each other. Composing your own material is a great way to improve your improv, and vice versa. I’ll also share some personal anecdotes about the process of learning and playing. Also, I might share some insights from other disciplines, like martial arts and swimming, and more philosophical stuff from the non-duality perspective. It could prove to be interesting.

As you may know, I spent a week with my Taiji teacher at the end of December. I’m still trying to incorporate all of the new information he shared with me, and I will be for quite a while. I do notice improvements, though, which is encouraging. In August, I’m planning to go with him and Henry, my Taiji brother, to China. Every summer, Laoshi presents a week long workshop there. I’ve wanted to attend, but haven’t made it yet. This time, I’m planning on it. Laoshi wants me to earn my International Teaching Certificate. This is a very cool opportunity! I’m working hard on improving my skills before the workshop happens. I love teaching martial arts, and hope to increase my opportunities to share what I have learned.

I have lots more to share with you all, and will have more music and movement news very soon.

Remember, I’m available to teach online!

All the best, and keep swinging!