http://www.isnare.com/?s=author&a=Daniel+E.+Friedman Entertainment Daniel E. Friedman Tue, 01 Sep 2009 00:00:00 +0800 http://www.isnare.com/?aid=405447&ca=Entertainment “As musicians, you’re so lucky that your profession is your hobby. You’re so lucky. I’m so jealous. I hate you because I’m jealous. Actually, I just hate you.” Many of my colleagues have heard that they are rather fortunate to have a profession that can double up as a hobby. There is definite truth... Education Daniel E. Friedman Sat, 07 Feb 2009 00:00:00 +0800 http://www.isnare.com/?aid=345033&ca=Education When is a piano keyboard lesson horrific? The answer is quite obvious. It’s horrific when a teacher is a total lunatic. How do we define total lunatic in terms of piano teaching technique? If the teacher cusses, hits, smashes anything or continually walks out of the room (and re-enters the room a fe... Entertainment Daniel E. Friedman Fri, 28 Nov 2008 00:00:00 +0800 http://www.isnare.com/?aid=323467&ca=Entertainment If you’re frustrated with your weight, use a piano scale! It never shocks you like a traditional weighing scale, and it actually tones the muscles while you’re engaged in it. Here are some other benefits: 1. A music scale doesn’t make you feel like screaming out the words: “I’ll never lose this weig... Entertainment Daniel E. Friedman Sat, 25 Oct 2008 00:00:00 +0800 http://www.isnare.com/?aid=309881&ca=Entertainment What a nightmare beginner piano lesson books can potentially be! It’s hard enough following the instructions of a second rate teacher that is attempting to communicate on a one to one basis with you. Now imagine a second rate manual or e-book, recently downloaded for piano assistance. Imagine the fo... Education Daniel E. Friedman Fri, 10 Oct 2008 00:00:00 +0800 http://www.isnare.com/?aid=304386&ca=Education The sheer terror of forgotten piano notes! Playing the piano had occupied the lad’s life during his entire childhood. Now, after a twenty year break, the lad, now full grown, ventured toward the piano to relive his childhood via some black dots on some manuscript paper. Then it happened. The dots di... Entertainment Daniel E. Friedman Tue, 02 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0800 http://www.isnare.com/?aid=290098&ca=Entertainment Clefs, notes, rests, scales, chords, rhythm… How long does it really take to learn how to play the piano? The answer depends on your definition of what your desired level of ‘piano playing’ should ultimately be. There are professionals, semi-professionals, amateurs and people with next to no trainin... Entertainment Daniel E. Friedman Tue, 29 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0800 http://www.isnare.com/?aid=276747&ca=Entertainment “Hey, while you’re here, here’s some old free piano music that I’ve had in my basement for the last few millennium. Take it. Have fun!” Oh boy, that’s certainly an offer that I’m more than used to accepting. I guess you never know if you’re going to come upon a rare score that you and the top musico... Education Daniel E. Friedman Fri, 04 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0800 http://www.isnare.com/?aid=269481&ca=Education “I want to make a lot of money composing piano songs.” I know what you’re thinking. This is either a very ambitious composer or a comedian. Let’s face it. If you have aspirations to compose for a living then money is probably not your number one priority. You are most likely a person who needs to co... Education Daniel E. Friedman Tue, 03 Jun 2008 00:00:00 +0800 http://www.isnare.com/?aid=259394&ca=Education Picture this scenario. You’ve just spent a full academic year training your elementary band for a final spring concert. The rehearsal goes well and all systems are GO. Then, ten minutes before the concert, three students lose there music, a bass clarinet breaks and three saxophone players show up wi... Education Daniel E. Friedman Wed, 23 Apr 2008 00:00:00 +0800 http://www.isnare.com/?aid=246486&ca=Education Do you interact well with others? Do you take responsibility for your actions? Whether you are taking part in a board meeting or playing piano in a chamber music group, here are some examples of how not to react in a group project. There are, of course, exceptions, but these types of attitudes are u...