Fred Hersch | Thoughts and Experiments with Solo Piano

Important Tips TO Remember Fred Hersch

• ”Let’s See What Happens” • “When you don’t hear anything, leave a

• “Have Fun!” space”

• “Remember the Turtle” • “Chords are love, but rhythm is our

business”
• “Don’t Pop Out”
• “Just because a chord is on the lead
• “Let go – and don’t twist”
sheet, you don’t have to play it”
• “Learn from your mistakes”
• “Imaginative – not dutiful”
• “Learn the words”
• “Mistakes can be an opportunity”
• “Know your theme”
• “If a door opens, walk through it”
• "Anything Goes”
• "Smell the flowers along the way”
• “Get Stupid!”
• “If you feel it, it’s right”
• “Construct the sculpture in 3-D”
• “If you think it it’s perhaps not right?”
• “Remember Your Inner Singer”
• “Make spontaneous arrangements”
• “Learn to Glide”
• “Intros have many purposes”
• “Melody on 4 & 5”
• “Endings can be anything you want"
• “The piano is a drum set”
• “The tune ends when you say it does”
• “The piano is an orchestra”
• “Hands off and Pedal off”
• “The piano is a big band”
• “Shake hands with the piano”
• “Do what you are doing 100%”
• “Paint yourself into a corner and figure
• “Don’t think about what you are NOT out a way to get out”
playing”
• “Space is the place!”
• “Be patient – let the story unfold”

Copyright © Fred Hersch 2021

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