Nathaniel Hawthorne's Piano--Salem, MA

In 1668, merchant and ship-owner John Turner built a house on Salem Harbor that was destined to become one of America’s most beloved historic homes. Designated a National Historic Landmark District in 2007, The House of the Seven Gables is best known today as the setting of world-renowned American author Nathaniel Hawthorne’s 1851 novel. 

There is a pianoforte in the parlor, where its rich rosewood and mahogany construction attracts comments and questions from visitors to The House of the Seven Gables.  Its forty ivory keys are fewer than those of a modern piano and, though the sound of the instrument is louder than that of the earlier harpsichords, it is not as loud as a modern piano.  In the 1820’s, Alphaeus Babcock, at the time working in Boston, made this particular pianoforte.


In the parlor of The House of the Seven Gables is a portrait of Susanna Ingersoll, former owner of the house and cousin to Nathaniel Hawthorne.  Contrary to her traditional reputation as a recluse, friends reported that she was lively and social. We know from Hawthorne’s letters that she met with him and others to play whist. She was also very musical. She loved to sing and play the pianoforte and to entertain friends and guests.  According to contemporary newspaper accounts, Susanna gave a “Garden Party” for naval heroes of the War of 1812.  --From the "House of the Seven Gables" website.

My piano student Dale sent me the picture below from Salem yesterday.  She is visiting family in New England, and was thrilled to see the piano from The House of the Seven Gables.  

Beautiful rosewood and mahogany case on this pianoforte

The Vulnerabiity of a Musician

I recently listened to Brene Brown's 2012 TED Talk, "Listening to Shame".  Ms. Brown is a research professor who spent 10 years researching vulnerability, courage, authenticity, and shame.  She poses the following questions:

1)  How do we embrace our vulnerabilities and imperfections so we can live an authentic life?

2)  How do we get the compassion and connection we need to realize that we are enough as we are?

As a teacher of musicians in all states of development, wouldn't YOU want to know the answers to these questions before you share your ideas with your students?

Most people think of musicians (especially famous ones) as invincible--after all, they engage in highly complex, technical and artistic activity that requires physical and mental agility and concentration!  Whew--think about it!  Doesn't your favorite musician make his/her craft look effortless, inspiring, and beautiful?  They offer their music to us as a gift.  I'll never forget seeing Elvis Presley in person in Seattle in 1970.  When he performed, he was giving everything he had for each word and note he sang.

Being a performer, we must realize that making ourselves vulnerable is part of our profession.  By performing for even one person, we choose to put ourselves "out there", and hold our music up for scrutiny, praise and criticism.

Vulnerability develops at an early age, even before we  are aware of our own identity.  The early years of musical training can be difficult, with strict and critical teachers, competition, hours of practice, and a sense of being isolated and alone.  Even admitting that we are emotionally vulnerable could be taken as a weakness or a lack of talent.

Surprisingly, though, vulnerability makes us better musicians.  Without our sensitivity, we would not be able to create and play music with meaning.  We could not play music that creates unspoken communication between you and the audience.  And finally, being vulnerable prevents our ego from getting in the way of our creativity.

NOTE:  If you'd like to seen an excellent example of the most passionate and vulnerable piano performer I know, watch a Keith Jarrett video and feel the emotion that he conveys with every note.  It's a moving experience.

Pianos In the Park--Seattle

2019 was a great year for the Pianos In the Park project in Seattle and outlying areas!  The event launched August 1, and ended on August 18.

Before our summer break, each of my students received a worksheet on which to record the pianos they checked out and played.  Each piano had been painted by teams of artists, and they had lovely colored murals on them.  This event is so much fun because it allows piano-lovers to try out many different pianos, build confidence for performing, and spread the joy of creating live music for others to enjoy!

My students come across pianos all over the country and the world during their vacations.  One of my students found a little piano bar in the Caribbean last year, and enjoyed playing a few of the pieces she had learned.  They invited her back this year during her November vacation, and she has been working SO hard this whole year to have a couple of pieces ready to dazzle her audience!  What a great incentive for an early intermediate pianist!

One of my newest students found a piano at the airport in Paris, France, and stopped briefly to play it.  It's the first of my piano pictures below.

Remember:  there can NEVER be too many pianos in the world, and they are all waiting for you to introduce yourselves to them.

Paris Airport--Thanks, Deborah!

Old Piano at Molbak's Nursery in Woodinville, WA

One of my piano associates from the Snohomish Music Teachers Association

Even the dogs enjoyed the event!

Summer Learning Opportunities

Did you know that your piano teacher is committed to keeping up with new tech and teaching trends?  Did you know that she is a "lifelong learner"?  I love new information, psychological studies, innovative ways of approaching music, and new ways I can make music a larger part of my life.

One of my favorite webinars taught us how to maintain and update our websites.  It's the single most effective way to reach new customers, and to keep current and former students in touch with music trends and their past cohort group members.

As a result of this webinar, I added my business to "Google My Business" as another way of highlight my unique offerings.  My website will continue to evolve over time, so check into it from time to time.

maltbypianostudio.com

The First Day of August 2019

Ah, August!  This seems to be the time that summer truly arrives here in the Pacific Northwest, and I'm ready to spend this month preparing myself and the studio for Semester One of the 2019-2020 academic year.  I've had the opportunity during the month of July to rest, read, take classes, and re-imagine the studio.  The piano and harpsichord tuner comes this month to get the instruments ready, and I'm already planning our Christmas Piano Party on December 7 and our Spring Recital on May 16, 2020.  Lots of things to be excited about!

In Seattle, August is the month for the Pianos In The Park event.  Many artists have spent weeks painting and decorating the pianos that have been donated for this event.  Watch your news sources for the piano near you, and give public performing a try this year!

My students are enjoying their two months off from piano studies, and are vacationing and taking the time to do the things they love (besides music!).  I can't wait to hear their stories when the studio opens on Tuesday, September 10!

Here's to an August full of live music, visiting with friends and family, and lots of sunshine!