Note-worthy Experiences Music Studio
F E A T U R E
Interview with Connor Vance
F E A T U R E
Interview with Connor Vance
How old were you when you first got into music?
I was in Kindergarten, so 5 or 6 years-old, when I got in trouble at school because I kept banging on the music teacher's piano. She stopped my parents when I was getting picked up and told them that I might be interested in the piano and that I should get lessons. I took to it like a fish to water and have loved playing the piano ever since I was small.
Do you play any other instruments?
When I was a rebellious adolescent I got into rock and roll music. I started teaching myself the guitar and took some drum set lessons. I studied rock, pop, hip-hop, and folk music with the seriousness that I had previously applied to classical piano. I also learned the band percussion instruments so I could play in school ensembles in high school and college. I picked up a little bit of the fiddle somewhere along the way. I really love being a multi-instrumentalist and think that every musician should pick up new instruments from time to time.
Who were some of your most inspiring teachers?
All of them left a big mark. My childhood piano teacher, Mrs. Lovette, set me up with a strong foundation that helped me succeed along my musical journey. Russ Maddox taught me how to approach rock and pop music with both seriousness and enthusiasm. My piano professor from college, Dr. Noel Engebretson, was a world class performer and taught me how to think critically and artistically about music. Beth Gottlieb, my percussion professor, taught me how to think and act like a professional, and how to succeed as a working musician.
What do you like most about teaching young students?
I like watching my students grow as artists and find their own musical voices. When you're starting out as a student, your teacher is there guiding you along the path, showing you exactly where to go. Then as you grow as a student, you start to blaze your own trail as a musician, and the teacher who was once guiding you is now just there cheering you on, watching as you explore and find your own path. For me, that's the most exciting thing to watch and why I do what I do.
What is your best advice for students who want to learn a new instrument or improve their playing?
Practice smarter, not harder. Get good at naming your problems. The more specific the issue you are having, the easier it is to solve. A good example is, "The run in measure 17 sounds uneven and choppy. How do I make it more smooth?" Maybe the answer is technique, or fingering, or repetition, but you won't know where to start and what to try until you know what the problem is.
Learn to love your metronome. Try out different kinds of metronome work. If you're learning a pop, rock, hip-hop, jazz, country, etc. song, try playing with a drum loop. There's lots of great free drum loops out there. Play along with the recording! Slow it down. Speed it up.
Record yourself. It doesn't have to be professional quality. Just get a simple phone tripod and video yourself. Watch it back and make notes. Name your problems, come up with a practice plan.
Learn more about Connor on his Teacher Page.
I was in Kindergarten, so 5 or 6 years-old, when I got in trouble at school because I kept banging on the music teacher's piano. She stopped my parents when I was getting picked up and told them that I might be interested in the piano and that I should get lessons. I took to it like a fish to water and have loved playing the piano ever since I was small.
Do you play any other instruments?
When I was a rebellious adolescent I got into rock and roll music. I started teaching myself the guitar and took some drum set lessons. I studied rock, pop, hip-hop, and folk music with the seriousness that I had previously applied to classical piano. I also learned the band percussion instruments so I could play in school ensembles in high school and college. I picked up a little bit of the fiddle somewhere along the way. I really love being a multi-instrumentalist and think that every musician should pick up new instruments from time to time.
Who were some of your most inspiring teachers?
All of them left a big mark. My childhood piano teacher, Mrs. Lovette, set me up with a strong foundation that helped me succeed along my musical journey. Russ Maddox taught me how to approach rock and pop music with both seriousness and enthusiasm. My piano professor from college, Dr. Noel Engebretson, was a world class performer and taught me how to think critically and artistically about music. Beth Gottlieb, my percussion professor, taught me how to think and act like a professional, and how to succeed as a working musician.
What do you like most about teaching young students?
I like watching my students grow as artists and find their own musical voices. When you're starting out as a student, your teacher is there guiding you along the path, showing you exactly where to go. Then as you grow as a student, you start to blaze your own trail as a musician, and the teacher who was once guiding you is now just there cheering you on, watching as you explore and find your own path. For me, that's the most exciting thing to watch and why I do what I do.
What is your best advice for students who want to learn a new instrument or improve their playing?
Practice smarter, not harder. Get good at naming your problems. The more specific the issue you are having, the easier it is to solve. A good example is, "The run in measure 17 sounds uneven and choppy. How do I make it more smooth?" Maybe the answer is technique, or fingering, or repetition, but you won't know where to start and what to try until you know what the problem is.
Learn to love your metronome. Try out different kinds of metronome work. If you're learning a pop, rock, hip-hop, jazz, country, etc. song, try playing with a drum loop. There's lots of great free drum loops out there. Play along with the recording! Slow it down. Speed it up.
Record yourself. It doesn't have to be professional quality. Just get a simple phone tripod and video yourself. Watch it back and make notes. Name your problems, come up with a practice plan.
Learn more about Connor on his Teacher Page.