January, 1988. The strong winds made the snow fall sideways. 18 wheelers whizzing by me. My wiper blades frozen, clearing only about a 12×12 inch portion of the middle of my windshield. Interstate 70 in Pennsylvania was not a good place to be that day. But I had to be in Bloomington Indiana the next day to check into my dorm room, and begin my graduate studies in Jazz.
After paying around 5 cents per mile for a few hours of near death experiences ( I 70 is a toll road), the snow and wind ceased, and the skies cleared. “Welcome to West Virginia Wild and Wonderful!” read the sign on the side of the highway, and within the hour, I was in Ohio, the last state to cross before entering Indiana.
After stopping for gas and food, I was back on the interstate. The next sign really caught my attention:
“I 70 West
Columbus, Indianapolis
St Louis, The Rocky Mountains
” The Rocky Mountains! ” I thought. “I LOVE the Rockies!” A few years back I spent a week in Rocky Mountain National Park. And when I was a kid, I always drew pictures of snow capped mountains…the mountains in Massachusetts, where I grew up, and in the surrounding states were beautiful, but the highest were only four to six thousand feet above sea level, and most had trees on the summits. As I continued to drive I thought how crazy it would be if, instead of heading south on route 37 when I hit Indianapolis, I stayed on I 70 and drove to Colorado. I was driving my parents Chevy Caprice Classic, which they had graciously allowed me to use for the semester. It was a big four door sedan, with a trunk that would make the mafia envious. I had everything I needed to start my new life in the Rockies: clothes, my keyboard and an amplifier, some records and a turntable, and my 13 inch black and white TV. But, I decided to do the responsible thing, and go get my Masters degree, as planned. Feeling depressed about my decision, I turned on the radio.
I often hear people say “Things happen for a reason.” I, on the other hand, usually say “There’s a reason things happen.” Coincidence and chaotic theory are how I explain the strange things that occasionally occur. But what happened next had me believing the other people. The FM band was not picking up any radio stations, so I switched to the AM band. I turned the dial, and got nothing but static. As I kept turning, a station finally came in. Being AM, I figured I would most likely get a news or talk radio station. But this station was playing music. And wouldn’t you know, the song that was playing was… “Rocky Mountain High,” by John Denver.
Despite the universe telling me to go straight to Colorado, I learned a lot in grad school, and I ended up here anyway. But thank you, John Denver, for convincing me to settle here.
Piano Planter!
/in News /by Paul CotugnoAbout 10 years ago a former student made this piano out of sheet metal for me. I put it in the backyard and let nature do it’s thing. I recently put some plants in it and moved it near my studio door to welcome students.
Digital Piano
/in News /by Paul CotugnoI recently purchased a Roland FP-90X digital piano for my home studio. I use it when teaching, while my students use the Kawai RX-6 grand piano. The Roland has great action, the best of any digital piano I’ve ever owned…and I’ve owned quite a few. The keys, just like an accoustic piano, are made of wood, so the resistance is very close to that of a good grand piano. The 4 built in speakers sound really good. I have 2 other speakers hooked up. One is about 15 feet away, so somewhat similiar to my grand piano, the sound fills my studio. I highly recommend the FP-90X.
A piano…in the laundry room??
/in News /by Paul CotugnoMy wife and I were recently camping at an RV Park in Westcliff, CO. We usually camp at smaller more remote campgrounds, but stayed there because of the amazing view of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. As we walked by the laundry room, I looked in, and to my amazement, saw a piano! It was an old Kimball spinet…the brand that used to be given away as a prize on game shows from the 70’s and 80’s. Of course, I had to try it out, and it wasn’t bad. The piano was given to one of the workers there, and having no where else to put it, the Kimball ended up in the laundry room. She told me that she hears it being played every few weeks by campers. Awesome place for a piano!
Live music
/in News /by Paul CotugnoWent to hear Bill Charlap the other night, one of the best jazz pianists today. It was an amazing show! I’ve been practicing a lot more than usual the past few days! I encourage you all to experience live music!
Future Piano Student
/in News /by Paul CotugnoMy first Grandchild, and future piano student! Look at those fingers!!!
Beethoven Piano Sonata No 8
/in Videos /by Paul CotugnoMy favorite version of Beethoven’s Piano Sonata No 8, Op 13 Pathetique, Adagio Cantabile, was recorded by Vladimir Horowitz. Beethoven’s life began in the Classical era, and ended in the Romantic. He is thought to have been the musical bridge between the two. Horowitz plays the movement in a more romantic way. I love how, at the beginning of many of the measures, he creates a feeling of angst by not playing all the notes on the downbeat, as the music is written.
Chaotic Music Theory
/in Musings /by Paul CotugnoSometimes, if you are at a certain place, at a certain time, and are aware of your surroundings, you may notice something quite amazing. In this case, a composer noticed where some birds were sitting. Click on this link https://www.facebook.com/KarimFanPage/videos/10152077077726135/?fref=nf
Rocky Mountain High
/in Musings /by Paul CotugnoAfter paying around 5 cents per mile for a few hours of near death experiences ( I 70 is a toll road), the snow and wind ceased, and the skies cleared. “Welcome to West Virginia Wild and Wonderful!” read the sign on the side of the highway, and within the hour, I was in Ohio, the last state to cross before entering Indiana.
After stopping for gas and food, I was back on the interstate. The next sign really caught my attention:
“I 70 West
Columbus, Indianapolis
St Louis, The Rocky Mountains
” The Rocky Mountains! ” I thought. “I LOVE the Rockies!” A few years back I spent a week in Rocky Mountain National Park. And when I was a kid, I always drew pictures of snow capped mountains…the mountains in Massachusetts, where I grew up, and in the surrounding states were beautiful, but the highest were only four to six thousand feet above sea level, and most had trees on the summits. As I continued to drive I thought how crazy it would be if, instead of heading south on route 37 when I hit Indianapolis, I stayed on I 70 and drove to Colorado. I was driving my parents Chevy Caprice Classic, which they had graciously allowed me to use for the semester. It was a big four door sedan, with a trunk that would make the mafia envious. I had everything I needed to start my new life in the Rockies: clothes, my keyboard and an amplifier, some records and a turntable, and my 13 inch black and white TV. But, I decided to do the responsible thing, and go get my Masters degree, as planned. Feeling depressed about my decision, I turned on the radio.
I often hear people say “Things happen for a reason.” I, on the other hand, usually say “There’s a reason things happen.” Coincidence and chaotic theory are how I explain the strange things that occasionally occur. But what happened next had me believing the other people. The FM band was not picking up any radio stations, so I switched to the AM band. I turned the dial, and got nothing but static. As I kept turning, a station finally came in. Being AM, I figured I would most likely get a news or talk radio station. But this station was playing music. And wouldn’t you know, the song that was playing was… “Rocky Mountain High,” by John Denver.
Despite the universe telling me to go straight to Colorado, I learned a lot in grad school, and I ended up here anyway. But thank you, John Denver, for convincing me to settle here.
What a friend we have in Jesus
/in Hymnprovisations /by maloneadminI came up with this version of What A Friend We Have In Jesus recently. It seemed to work well in a jazz style.
The Amazing Vinnie!
/in Musings /by Paul CotugnoVinnie the musician
My son was recording himself while practicing cello a few years ago, and our dog, Vinnie, was in the room with him. I’ve always thought Vinnie was very smart, and he proves it here as he barks in perfect time at the end of the piece!