tag:www.joeheinemann.com,2005:/blogs/every-morning-cup-of-joe?p=3Every Morning Cup of Joe2018-04-20T09:54:41-04:00Joe Heinemannfalsetag:www.joeheinemann.com,2005:Post/48690402017-09-28T13:47:41-04:002024-01-17T14:41:56-05:00Back To My Roots<p>My wife Sheryl and I have been living back in San Francisco for about a month now. We move into our home in a few weeks to start a new chapter back in the city where we met and lived together for over a decade. It feels really nice to be back. It was a fantastic five and a half years in Manhattan, and as my wife likes to say - we haven't lost a city, we've actually added one that will always be one of our homes. San Francisco, Portland, New York, Amsterdam, Paris, and Barcelona have all been homes to us, and it's an impressive list if I say so myself!</p>
<p>For me, coming back to the Bay Area, and spending more time in Portland Oregon is a double whammy homecoming. It's been great reconnecting with longtime friends and bandmates. As noted in my last post, I did some performances with Al-Andalus. I've also done a number of shows with the Curtis Salgado Band. Curtis and I go way back, and I'm so impressed with the amount of energy and raw soul this guy puts out every night, I had to get back in that mix and be a part of it again. More to come for sure.</p>
<p>I want to say a big Thank You to all who have downloaded, streamed, and purchased the physical CD "Gratitude". Along with three of the pieces on the recording currently in regular rotation on SiriusXM Spa radio, I'm getting some great validation and some payback for almost three years of hard work on this challenging album project.</p>
<p>Actually, this is more like it: <span style="color:#d35400;"><span class="font_xl">Thank You!</span></span></p>
<p>I have a brand new project starting in a few days. I'll have more to say about that in the next blog entry. Until then, everyone take care and LOVE to you all.</p>Joe Heinemanntag:www.joeheinemann.com,2005:Post/46979062017-05-05T11:28:22-04:002017-05-05T11:28:22-04:00Upcoming Performances<p>My dear friends and very talented musicians, Tarik and Julia Banzi have invited me to join them on a couple performances with their wonderful ensemble "Al-Andalus".<br><br>The first one is <a contents="here" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.sonicbids.com/band/andalus/calendar/58fa43488d941f5dd500d691/" target="_blank">here</a><br><br>The second one is <a contents="here" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.sonicbids.com/band/andalus/calendar/58fa50148d941f694aff3b6f/" target="_blank">here</a><br><br>I've known, recorded and played with them for about 25 years and I'm excited to be adding performances other than solo piano to my schedule.<br><br>I will be joining forces with another most talented friend (TBA soon) and bandmates coming up in the summer, starting with a huge 4th of July Festival in Portland, Oregon.<br><br>I'm so pumped to be sharing the stage and interacting with other musicians after spending 99% of my time focusing on just my solo career. For the last 15 years now.<br><br>Time to Break-out!</p>Joe Heinemanntag:www.joeheinemann.com,2005:Post/46017682017-02-22T11:36:18-05:002017-02-22T11:41:11-05:00A New YearAfter the holidays, and a pretty successful run for my holiday CD "The Holiday Spirit" I decided to take some time to design a path forward with my music. Last year I released two CD's and that was intense at times. Releasing albums is a bunch of work and costs a good amount of money and time.<br><br>I decided to do something recently that I've always wanted to do. So far I've made string quartet arrangements for three of my songs. The software mock-ups I made sound gorgeous. Very satisfying. This is prompting me to record these arrangements and/or work them in to a performance set. I have some other instrumental arrangements/collaborations that could be added to make for a much more rich musical experience than solo piano.<br><br>I don't know where all this is going yet. There's also a considerable cost of time and funds to put a performance like this on. What's transpiring here though, is a vision that has been dear to my heart for almost ever. That's one of performing my music solo and with other talented musicians on stage, and moving from contemporary classical to jazz, americana, blues, and other styles that take the audience to a diverse array of genres and sonic colors.<br><br>Something else happened to me right after the holidays. I got pretty discouraged about the music business and the general cultural side of selling and performing original music. It takes a very strong ability to persist, and any independent musician will tell you not everybody is cut out for it. It feels that way for me sometimes. I've been through episodes where my "musical spirit" feels broken. The flame of creativity has dwindled to a mere pilot-light at times, but that is the time to persevere. I'm glad to be back with a new post on my blog here, and expressing some creative ideas again.<br><br>Yeah, I'm Back!Joe Heinemanntag:www.joeheinemann.com,2005:Post/44539722016-11-05T19:43:41-04:002016-11-05T19:43:41-04:00The Holiday Spirit Is Here!Please check it out on my <a contents="Music Page here" data-link-label="Music" data-link-type="page" href="/music">Music Page here</a>.Joe Heinemanntag:www.joeheinemann.com,2005:Post/44004222016-10-02T15:16:02-04:002017-01-12T20:45:12-05:00It's Just About That Time Of Year!<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="font_small"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/23580/a11f5c4812607330e27196100216d0812cd53f53/medium/the-holiday-spirit-front.jpg?1475433673" class="size_m justify_left border_" /></span><span class="font_xl">Coming Soon (10/28/16)</span>
</div>Joe Heinemanntag:www.joeheinemann.com,2005:Post/39922972016-01-16T16:52:45-05:002022-03-26T04:25:20-04:00Rate The Tracks FeatureKeith "MuzicMan" Hannaleck has a website called Rate The Tracks. It's a novel idea, and I'm proud to have one of my new CD's tracks featured. Check out the link to see what he had to say about the first track on the CD "Gratitude", Lenape.<p><a contents="Rate The Tracks Featured Stream: Joe Heinemann - Lenape" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.ratethetracks.com/2016/01/joeheinemannlenapetrack.html" target="_blank">Rate The Tracks Featured Stream: Joe Heinemann - Lenape</a></p>Joe Heinemanntag:www.joeheinemann.com,2005:Post/39904012016-01-15T11:26:12-05:002017-01-12T20:45:12-05:00Record Release Day<br><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://amzn.to/1n0FtLg" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/23580/1714a440d0f5f149563a1cff5fcbdccb7458aff7/original/gratitude-front-pic-c-bold-1.jpg?1452873247" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></a><br><br><br>Here it is - the release of my long awaited Contemporary Instrumental Piano Music CD, Gratitude.<br><br>It feels great to be here after two years of putting this together. Now it's time to see how it is received.<br><br>Click the album cover image above to be taken to a site to listen and buy it. I hope to stir up some curiosity!<br> Joe Heinemanntag:www.joeheinemann.com,2005:Post/39516432015-12-05T17:54:52-05:002015-12-05T17:54:52-05:00Richard Devine And I AgainSo here I go again!<br><br>I love his grooves and I just found another one today. Randale.<br><br>Everything here is of Richard's making. I add just the piano. There's no other piano in the track so you can separate me from the rest.<br><br>The first time I did this I gave some disclaimer about "collaboration without consent". You might refer to that in an earlier post if you care.<br><br>This cut is just me wanting to add piano over the top of this established artist's already finished piece of music.<br><br>For the person that expressed the desire to hear piano over this piece on YouTube, this is partly for you. I got the idea before though, and reading the comment might have expedited the process! So, just a few hours after discovering this piece, here's me adding piano.<br><br>Again, thank you Richard. I hope if you find this it's of no offense.<br><br>Everyone, please enjoy.5:47Joe Heinemanntag:www.joeheinemann.com,2005:Post/38984082015-10-15T09:18:09-04:002016-01-03T16:10:51-05:00"Gratitude" CD ReleaseMy new CD "Gratitude" will be released January 15th, 2016. It's set to show up for pre-release on iTunes, Amazon, and other retail music sites on Christmas Day.<br><br>Of course I'm very excited. I'm looking forward to getting my new music out to the public with this recording, and do some performances.<br> Joe Heinemanntag:www.joeheinemann.com,2005:Post/37015152015-05-10T11:09:15-04:002017-01-12T20:45:12-05:00They're HereThe shipment of my new CD "Gratitude" has arrived.<br><br><span class="font_small"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/23580/1714a440d0f5f149563a1cff5fcbdccb7458aff7/original/gratitude-front-pic-c-bold-1.jpg?1431209024" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></span><br><br>This is such a milestone for me and I'm very excited. The release date isn't set yet as it will likely be November or so. The delay is due to a marketing campaign that will kick in around the end of the year. My work will be centered around pre-release strategies and building up interest in this CD the next few months.<br><br>Although virtually all aspects of my solo career are new for me to be handling alone, none (to this point) seem as unexpected as this stage of it I'm in now. Four months of figuring out ways to promote the coming of a product before it's available! I do have some ideas and it will be fun. The time will roll by quickly too.<br><br>All my activities will of course be channeled through my website, here, first. Presently, this is my only podium.<br> Joe Heinemanntag:www.joeheinemann.com,2005:Post/36750572015-04-24T11:50:39-04:002015-04-24T11:50:39-04:00Point Of No ReturnI can't turn back now - my new CD "Gratitude" is off to the presses.<br><br>In a few weeks I'll have a thousand little digi-packs hanging out here in our apartment.<br><br>I'm really looking forward to seeing it in hand.<br><br>I will update when they arrive.Joe Heinemanntag:www.joeheinemann.com,2005:Post/35597582015-02-26T11:54:09-05:002018-04-20T09:54:41-04:00Grateful MasteredThe name for my upcoming CD is "Grateful". And it has been mixed and mastered by Tom Eaton. It Sounds Great!<br><br>And grateful I am for everyone and everything involved with: the project, my life at this time, and the path my career has taken while here in New York City.<br><br>A special amount of gratitude goes out to my wife (Sheryl) and my parents (Mitch and Elaine) for continuous support, of which this journey would not have been possible.<br><br>Learning to enjoy "the process" so much more in life is like a gift, one I gave myself permission to receive. It's really gratifying to enjoy "the now". Even though there's probably more to get excited about with this stage of my career as a pianist, I'm patiently enjoying the ride as it's moving me along, whether I worry about what's way up ahead or not.<br><br>I have a vision, and a team forming around me, to help facilitate this dream I've had for a LONG time. It's so easy to get too excited! Must take a deep breath.....ahh....<br><br>Grateful. I think it sums it up in one word.<br> Joe Heinemanntag:www.joeheinemann.com,2005:Post/35078712015-02-05T11:43:23-05:002015-02-05T11:43:23-05:00Richard And IRichard Devine is a very successful electronic musician, sound designer, producer and much more. He's part of a genre of music that's instrumental, grooving, electronic, with constantly changing rhythms, etcetera.<br><br>Two things really strike me about the music: 1) the ever-changing drums and percussion produce a quality that sounds like jazz to me because it's evolving relentlessly, moving forward; 2) As an improviser this music is really appealing to want to play over. Accompanying the grooving beat is mostly a pad of sounds that can be very minimal at times, so it's inviting to want to super-impose a layer above with solo or melodic material. The trick is adding to it but not too much!<br><br>Well, I stumbled on this smooth jazz kind of tune of Richard's the other day, and it really had the room to add piano. So much so, I created an intro and outro of solo piano, and had lot's of space to solo and riff over his groove throughout the body of the tune.<br><br>This kind of digital "collaboration" and many other possibilities for such "consensual or not" collaboration raise issues with permissions to expose these materials. Richard doesn't know I've done this (I'm curious to know what he thinks and may pursue that) so I won't "put this out there on the web" and just have it here for now.<br><br><strong>Disclaimer:</strong> This is a fun little side project and there may be more as it was a blast to have such a great track to play with here - Thank You Richard Devine5:50Joe Heinemanntag:www.joeheinemann.com,2005:Post/34890122015-01-27T12:22:57-05:002015-01-27T12:22:57-05:00The New CD Has Been MixedI had a really nice time up in Newburyport, Mass. last week being present for the mixing of my upcoming CD. Tom Eaton was stellar at adding light percussion and getting a gorgeous blend and overall sound. It was a great experience.<br><br>I'm very excited to have Tom do the mastering, and we get the CD's manufactured, and get ready for the release.<br><br>Will Ackerman, Tom, the instrumentalists and all the people involved in the Imaginary Road Studios production family have all been very supportive in this process, and I am very grateful.Joe Heinemanntag:www.joeheinemann.com,2005:Post/34625882015-01-12T14:32:45-05:002015-01-12T14:32:45-05:00Winter UpdateMy contemporary classical/new age piano record is moving along slowly but surely.<br><br>I just deleted my last blog entry, made just days ago. I haven't done that before but I thought it appropriate in this case as I posted a new piano piece also. I've decided the piece needs work, and it now has a chance to be on the new CD so I need to protect it until I'm ready to pre-release songs at the right time. I'm really hoping to move things along but my ability to be really, really patient will pay off in the end. (Sigh).<br><br>So if you caught the piece while it was up here, good for you and I hope you liked it!<br><br>At the end of next week I'll be back from the Boston area, where I will do most of the mixing for this project with Tom Eaton, esteemed recording engineer for Will Ackerman. I'm looking forward to the work we will do, that should get us close to completing this album, yay!<br><br>Thanks for tuning in and I'll keep you posted as to the progress being made.<br> Joe Heinemanntag:www.joeheinemann.com,2005:Post/32168592014-10-03T19:43:49-04:002020-09-18T01:36:25-04:00Chamber TrioAn actual chamber music trio (real instruments) of piano, cello, and english horn has been recorded on two of the songs on my up and coming CD.<br><br>What a great sound! I've been waiting to hear something like this on my original compositions forever!<br><br>Thanks to Jill Haley who played gorgeous phrases and with beautiful tone and intonation on these tunes the other day. Also a continued nod to the incredible team of Will Ackerman and Tom Eaton at Imaginary Road Studios in Vermont adding yet more magical tracks to my CD project.<br><br>As you can tell I'm getting pretty excited, and with good reason. I'm so looking forward to finishing this recording and releasing it to the world, and performing again to bring it to the people live - oh yeah!<br><br>'Til next post - peace my friends - and thank you.Joe Heinemanntag:www.joeheinemann.com,2005:Post/31447432014-08-19T16:29:56-04:002022-04-04T15:25:12-04:00Album / Business<p>Now that my writing, arranging, and performing of the music for the album is done, it's time to take care of business.<br><br>Right now, I'm looking over so many technical and legal items it's mind boggling. Books, random chapters printed out, check lists, etc..<br><br>Wow! But, I do know that when this process is completed I will have learned a lot. I will also be starting work on the marketing and promotion of the album, followed by the pursuit of performances.<br><br>Musicians that have gone through this process many times can probably do all the stages for multiple albums simultaneously.<br><br>I think it will be a while before I can step back into the world of creating and playing the music. That's the place I live and thrive in.</p>Joe Heinemanntag:www.joeheinemann.com,2005:Post/30911912014-07-22T12:07:15-04:002014-07-22T12:07:15-04:00Album Takes ShapeA week ago today (and pretty much around this time of day) I was finishing up the piano tracks for my upcoming CD. It felt great to have created enough original songs to complete the project. I was able to let out a sigh of relief and go to the next phase.<br><br>Then a stroke of great luck came. Will Ackerman was able to get his long time collaborator, and supreme cellist Eugene Friesen to come in last minute for the afternoon! This was perfect as I wanted cello to be the predominant complimentary instrument to the piano on this CD. He did three songs, and while Will, Tom and I directed him through the pieces, the sound of a really expressive cellist in my music for the first time ever made me well up with tears of joy.<br><br>What a satisfying trip up to Vermont last week. There are some English horn and probably percussion tracks to be added and it will be time for mixing and mastering. I'm hoping to have the CD ready to go in a few months.<br><br>Everything is moving nicely with this project and I'm looking forward to filling you in on it as it unfolds.Joe Heinemanntag:www.joeheinemann.com,2005:Post/30194672014-06-16T16:26:29-04:002014-06-16T16:31:53-04:00Last Turn to the HomestretchJust over a week ago I finished another day of recording for my next CD. It went well, and yes, it provided me with the perspective to see the straightaway to the finish line.<br><br>Four weeks from today I will be in the studio again. I'm hoping to finish all the piano tracks then. I've been relentlessly working out tunes and arrangements that might be worthy of making the cut. I will most likely come up with a new tune or two to throw into the ring also.<br><br>This process continues to be a great learning experience for me. I feel Will Ackerman is teaching me so much about playing heartfelt music without the unnecessary stuff (mainly notes), clearing the clutter to get to just what's essential. Yet, when I listen to the music (about two thirds done) it sounds very much like me - my identity isn't lost. It doesn't sound like I'm conforming to a genre or whatever.<br><br>It really feels great after more than two years here in New York to have chosen this path to pursue. Of course, after crossing this finish line, more laps, turns and finish lines are cued up! Releasing this CD, promoting it, and looking to perform again for the first time in about 15 years, and doing solo piano tours and concerts (a career-long dream) will be extremely gratifying.<br><br>I'll keep you posted.Joe Heinemanntag:www.joeheinemann.com,2005:Post/29747672014-05-27T17:06:57-04:002014-05-27T17:25:34-04:00Recording Piano TracksThe last six months has been really great. I've embarked on a whole new project that is exciting, and has the possibility to take me above and beyond any place I've ever been with my solo piano music, and music career altogether. I've been intensely writing new music and in a new style for me.<br><br>I'm getting ready to go back to Imaginary Road Studios to record my second day of piano tracks with Will Ackerman producing.<br><br>The first session took place three months ago. It was great to take the trip to Vermont and see Will's studio, the very live Steinway B, meet Tom Eaton the engineer, and put in a day of solo recording not to forget soon! It was a blast, and Will and Tom are great to work with.<br><br>I think I'm better prepared to get some composed ideas turned into pieces this time. It's a new and unusual process for all of us and I think we're flexing to accommodate the situation well.<br><br>This project, so far, has taken me away from updating my website and especially this blog. I have yet to develop a way to put an intense process like this into words as it unfolds, so the modest number of regular viewers here have been left out the most. For this I'm sorry, and know from my research that this is the opposite approach to reward the people most interested in what I'm doing.<br><br>I think this recording session next week will be pivotal in defining this projects shape and structure. I will be able to open up more to the process after next week also. This will get me showing up here more often to share info! Stay tuned.<br><br>Thanks for listening,<br><br>JoeJoe Heinemanntag:www.joeheinemann.com,2005:Post/25607162014-02-11T13:37:47-05:002021-03-02T02:10:11-05:00From NothingMy entries here have dwindled to a very slow trickle.<br><br>I'm preparing for the most meaningful solo piano recording session I've ever done.<br><br>In the past I would put so much effort into what I thought I needed to do. I would rack my brain, stress, drive myself nuts hoping I was doing the right thing. This behavior caused me to come up short (basically over-preparing for what's not needed, and not letting myself just be me) with a few of the biggest side-man jobs ever offered me. Okay, now it's my songs, my direction, my gig!... No, it's still a bunch of noise that won't help. Over-preparing the right stuff doesn't work either.<br><br>This time will be different. It just has to be. I want to create completely new music - from nothing.<br><br>I'll spend one day in a rural area I've never been to, with a producer and engineer I've never worked with, and a piano I've never seen. There's one goal - let's make some magic. How do you prepare for that? What will they want from me, suggest to me, blah blah blah...... All noise in my head.<br><br>I'll bring my fingers, ears, awareness, curiosity, openness, and gratitude that I have this day,...... to create magic..... from nothing.Joe Heinemanntag:www.joeheinemann.com,2005:Post/23880392014-01-13T09:40:17-05:002015-01-26T17:21:02-05:00Twenty Five Days Ago"Twenty five days ago" is what I just saw re-reading my last blog entry. I had to revisit the last five entries to remind myself what I said.<br><br>I'm struck at how receptive I was to an impending major change coming, and being able to articulate it. I was absolutely right.<br><br>Not only has a conceptual shift been made by me to make my piano music more accessible, I'm making a dramatic shift in how it gets marketed and delivered.<br><br>It's in the very beginning stages of development so there's not much to share yet, but this next recording of mine (to be recorded 7 weeks from today) will be at the highest industry standards for recording and production. I will hand over niche targeting and marketing to the pro's, so I can really make the music I want to share.<br><br>This is a big deal and a huge opportunity for me to "breakout" in a big way. Now I must go, to work on the music you want to hear.Joe Heinemanntag:www.joeheinemann.com,2005:Post/22581542013-12-19T08:59:41-05:002015-01-26T17:23:00-05:00Coming HomeI'm coming home in two ways right now. Flying to my home town to be with my family for a few days is one.<br><br>I'm so glad, and really satisfied with my decision to let myself go totally free in the last year and a half - a very important step in an artists development, and a blessing to have the support to make it possible.<br><br>The second way I'm coming home is artistically - with my music. Like everything else in life, change is inevitable. So, I enjoyed flying out to Pluto [figuratively] (why not? Because I can and I'm curious), but watch out for what you ask for! Indulging in my personal brand of freedom turned lonely, and why shouldn't it? I wasn't connecting with listeners, I wasn't even trying. After all, I wanted to create for ME, and surely there are some people that can relate to it and want it, right? (I grow weary trying to find them). I realised recently that I wanted to swing around Pluto and shoot back in the direction of earth where there are more people to interact with.<br><br>It's funny how I have thought of so many things in life as either / or. A creative musician can get so hung-up on NOT wanting to "go commercial". Recently I've found a place with my piano playing where I can create what I want (real challenging music for me at this point) and appeal to more people.<br><br>I do want to reach an audience, touch them, connect my art with many people. I can confidently say my next project will be more accessible, to more listeners, than I have ever composed before.Joe Heinemanntag:www.joeheinemann.com,2005:Post/22161952013-12-12T09:35:45-05:002020-06-27T07:26:45-04:00New SageWhat does the title of this blog post mean? I'm trying to think up a term for the next phase of my career. I love playing with words, making word games, and completely throwing different words or phrases around, usually to brand something as concisely as I can.<br><br>Between now and January I'm going to work on what it takes to hit the ground running to start the new year. There's a new focus emerging that will bring my music to a more accessible listening place. After many years of creating "art music" for my self-indulgent pleasure, and realizing how difficult it is to connect it with people who don't share my specific message, I want to make music that is intended to reach out to a larger group of listeners.<br><br>There's a very established category of music that has a contriversial name, especially by some of it's own artists. If I do decide to throw my hat into this marketers' named "genre", I too will want a better name for the fruits of my labor.<br><br>I like the title of this blog post. At least it's a start.Joe Heinemanntag:www.joeheinemann.com,2005:Post/22016872013-12-10T08:38:19-05:002013-12-10T08:38:19-05:00Almost TimeThe almost two years of exploring is leading me somewhere. It's almost time.<br><br>Musically (really what all this pertains to), I've been looking for a place to hang my hat, and get into that world. There's been a lot of browsing so some targeted planning is in order. Of course it will also just be part of a bigger journey that will take me somewhere else, and move me on again.<br><br>All the while I've been enjoying the process more than any other time in my career. Being in "the now" while difficult for me, is the antidote to depression about the past, and anxiety of the future.<br><br>I'm so ready to take on a plan that includes all my musical energy - playing, composing, and performing - (and here comes the hard part) in a particular niche or category that is already established, and I can find my place in.<br><br>A calmness has come (aging helps!). It's Almost Time.Joe Heinemanntag:www.joeheinemann.com,2005:Post/21952002013-12-09T09:07:15-05:002023-12-10T13:08:31-05:00SpaceThis is Space Time.<br><br>The space between creative ideas forming.<br><br>A vacuum devoid of inspired notes, words, or images.<br><br>Not to be scared or worried. It needs to happen - to leave room for what's next.<br><br>If I think about what's next, or especially talk about it, it will change things, and might backfire.<br><br>Best to let the time take. Be patient and ready. I don't want to disrupt what is about to emerge. Time to trust.Joe Heinemanntag:www.joeheinemann.com,2005:Post/21216622013-11-27T08:16:44-05:002023-12-10T13:09:47-05:00Time To EatDang. I couldn't get the video of "cool cat" done today. Now it's time to shut down for a few days and eat!<br><br>I've got to get busy with domestic stuff so I can relax and (yes, again) eat.<br><br>Have a nice holiday.Joe Heinemanntag:www.joeheinemann.com,2005:Post/21150332013-11-26T08:35:03-05:002023-12-10T13:09:23-05:00Stuff - ing AroundI'm doing "stuff" today. Stuff-ing around I'll call it as it's TG eve - eve.<br><br>Grocery shopping, go to the gym, do some cleaning, just shot video of my "cool cat" - hope to have the video for tomorrow, tune-smithing, phone calling, etc.....<br><br>Stuff-ing gotta be done. Gravy on stuffing - my favorite!Joe Heinemanntag:www.joeheinemann.com,2005:Post/20885952013-11-21T07:24:15-05:002013-11-21T07:24:15-05:00Pan InAs intimated yesterday, a new video is up here again today. Pan In.<br><br>I really wanted to get in to the video making process as a springboard for my piano pieces. I also wanted to get two or three made each week to keep this blog moving. The biggest challenge I wanted to meet was making all this compelling, or at least interesting. I am doing all these things as well as expected - I think.<br><br><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="WGB17kz4d6w" data-video-thumb-url="http://img.youtube.com/vi/WGB17kz4d6w/0.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WGB17kz4d6w?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="315" width="560" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe>Joe Heinemanntag:www.joeheinemann.com,2005:Post/20816472013-11-20T09:02:18-05:002013-11-20T09:02:18-05:00Close KeyI've got a new video ready today. The idea comes from a new macro lens I bought for my iPhone camera. I can do some pretty cool close-ups now.<br><br>The concept for the video and the piano music really came together for this. It has a look like a commercial to me, except it wouldn't be selling anything but me!<br><br>I'm rushed to get this out because I just created another macro lens video this morning and it's loading to YouTube right now. You'll most likely have it tomorrow.<br><br><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="LpTnVYKSSj8" data-video-thumb-url="http://img.youtube.com/vi/LpTnVYKSSj8/0.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/LpTnVYKSSj8?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="315" width="560" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe>Joe Heinemanntag:www.joeheinemann.com,2005:Post/20740492013-11-19T08:36:23-05:002013-11-19T08:36:23-05:00AloneI was craving "alone" time again. No, not yesterday, when I pulled a no-show on this blog (I was out doing things and shooting video that I can't use). The alone time was a few minutes ago, when I wanted to record another minute long impromtu piano piece, so I can share it here.<br><br>It's been a while and it felt nice. I might do another one soon.0:59Joe Heinemanntag:www.joeheinemann.com,2005:Post/20599072013-11-16T08:19:46-05:002013-11-16T08:19:46-05:00Fall WalkThe title looks like an oxymoron. I could have named it Autumn Walk. Now you know what it is.<br><br>In my quest to get better at making videos, this one illustrates a need to to shoot my still photos while really standing still. My compositional technique needs improvement too.<br><br>I'm going to stop criticising it as it turned out well at this point of the game. The piano part, really the most important component to me, is very nice. I am improving my ability to match the timing of the two media better.<br><br><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="-x5lgH0ZVMQ" data-video-thumb-url="http://img.youtube.com/vi/-x5lgH0ZVMQ/0.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-x5lgH0ZVMQ?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="315" width="560" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe>Joe Heinemanntag:www.joeheinemann.com,2005:Post/20544652013-11-15T09:21:07-05:002023-12-10T13:09:35-05:00Grand Central CeilingAlright, the video juices are flowing a bit here. I took this footage last week and finally figured out what I could do with it.<br><br>It's easy for me to think "church" with an image like this. The blue/green color really drew me in. I seem to be taking my suggestion and adding the accompinament of other instruments/sounds to these videos. I think of it as a cameo or guest appearance to bring in a particular sound to compliment the piano to fit the imagery.<br><br><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="mSW2_RBgQVY" data-video-thumb-url="http://img.youtube.com/vi/mSW2_RBgQVY/0.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/mSW2_RBgQVY?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="315" width="560" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe>Joe Heinemanntag:www.joeheinemann.com,2005:Post/20225092013-11-10T14:27:46-05:002013-11-11T08:23:12-05:00Slow RipplesSorry for being absent yesterday. I spent most of the day shooting and editing video, and getting the right sound for my first self-made video with piano soundtrack.<br><br>I spoke before in a previous post of the steep learning curve to get videos going here, and yesterday and earlier today I was engulfed in that process. This first one turned out to be an interesting assignment - a water scene from The Pond in Central Park, using a fair amount of special effects in my video program to get a slow, wavy image. Then it took some time to get the sound of the piano and the piece itself the way I imagined it. I got close enough.<br><br>I'm going to work very hard to get a real symbiotic relationship between the visuals and the soundtrack. I'm especially keen to syncronizing the timing of the two in even subtle ways to achieve an integrated whole. This can get tedious, so I'll have to balance that with getting the videos out in a timely manner. At this point I'm hoping to make and post two to three of these a week, and make text entries on the days inbetween.<br><br>My description of this video on YouTube is basically "water and piano". I like that - it sort of says it all. Here it is.<br><br><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="ya2gtuhdM1o" data-video-thumb-url="http://img.youtube.com/vi/ya2gtuhdM1o/0.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ya2gtuhdM1o?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="315" width="560" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe>Joe Heinemanntag:www.joeheinemann.com,2005:Post/20130172013-11-08T09:16:08-05:002013-11-08T09:16:08-05:00Prayer / PromoThe new chapter starts here. Everything is working out well so far. Because I haven't shot video yet, I used some promo pictures that Nan Melville took of me at Juilliard that turned out really nice, and made a slide show. They're available on my <a contents="photos page" data-link-label="Photos" data-link-type="page" href="/photos">photos page</a>.<br><br>For the soundtrack I used a version of my original piece Prayer that I recorded yesterday with my new piano sound. The idea to put these two things together came to me fortunately with time running out to present something. It's like an introduction and I think this is a fitting way to start the mvblog (music video web log).<br><br><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="mnCRIc36YIg" data-video-thumb-url="http://img.youtube.com/vi/mnCRIc36YIg/0.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/mnCRIc36YIg?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="240" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe>Joe Heinemanntag:www.joeheinemann.com,2005:Post/172402009-09-07T08:10:00-04:002009-09-07T08:10:00-04:00Capriol Suite #V This is a sublime piece written for strings (the Capriol Suite #V. Pied-en-L'air by Peter Worlock). Ever since I first heard it I wanted to play it on the piano. I carefully transcribed it to work with piano, but to make it come alive the voice leadings and inner melodies have to be there or it will simply sound like an average coral. I approach it like an étude and it's a study in a number of things not the least of which are some big stretches for my hands. I could see this being a great concert encore to send audiences off with a moving yet sweet moment.3:15Joe Heinemanntag:www.joeheinemann.com,2005:Post/172372009-09-04T09:58:19-04:002009-09-04T09:58:19-04:00Improv on Bach Here I go again! This is a really special piece - the second movement (Andante) from the Italian Concerto. Wait a minute! - only the left hand part. I've been improvising with this for a while and finally got one that makes the cut. It's about ten minutes long so hang in there and enjoy.9:52Joe Heinemanntag:www.joeheinemann.com,2005:Post/172362009-05-29T18:46:08-04:002009-05-29T18:46:08-04:00Traumerei This is such a powerful classical piece. Thank You Robert Schumann. It's so simple to play, (which means it's all in the interpretation) so it's extremely difficult to play and have meaning! Thank You YouTube for being such a great source of inspiration as I got great ideas for my version of this - and I know, I've added a few notes - it just felt right, that's all.3:53Joe Heinemanntag:www.joeheinemann.com,2005:Post/172342009-02-21T06:31:22-05:002009-02-21T06:31:22-05:00Scenes from the Rain Forest This is a 20+ year old recording of a piano and bass improvisation that I pulled deep out of the archives and with newer technology, able to enhance the sound to better than the original. It has a relaxed vibe that's unique from just about anything I've done in the past. There was a string track in the original that is omitted here, and without it the track has a more austere and minimal sound to it.6:30Joe Heinemanntag:www.joeheinemann.com,2005:Post/172282008-11-30T17:48:46-05:002008-11-30T17:48:46-05:00Chopin Prelude in C minor This is a very well known Chopin piece. A student of mine has an arrangement that takes it to a modern place and it's really nice. But, I wanted to learn it ( I probably played it when I was young) and add a little something of my own. I've been hearing it in my head constantly, partly because of the passing of four beings close to me in the last month or so. It's a bit of a sad tune and I love that anyway as lamenting, introspective minor songs are so moving to me. I'm hoping even a "purist" would like what I did to this piece.3:08Joe Heinemanntag:www.joeheinemann.com,2005:Post/172262008-11-06T06:25:49-05:002008-11-06T06:25:49-05:00Song Without Words This is one of Rachmaninov's early pieces my friend Kerry sent me and I just love it. I play this song every day. It is so short and sweet it really makes me want more. Sometimes I'll just play it over and over. It's fun to play it at different tempos and bring different voices out and experiment a bit. I have recorded improvised variations and extensions and will post here when I get one that's worthy. So, here's one of the many ways I play this.1:20Joe Heinemanntag:www.joeheinemann.com,2005:Post/172252008-11-03T00:00:00-05:002015-01-25T20:52:18-05:00Original GreenfieldThis is probably the most beautiful version I could come up with for this song. Please enjoy.2:38Joe Heinemanntag:www.joeheinemann.com,2005:Post/172162008-11-02T12:10:20-05:002008-11-02T12:10:20-05:00Chopin Nocturne I think this is my favorite Chopin piece. It’s the Nocturne in B Major Op.9 #3. I’ve really enjoyed learning, memorizing and working the sections of this song over the last few months. I will perform it at the annual piano recital I have for my students this coming January. It will be videotaped and if the performance is very good I will post it here on my blog. I really want to get some video up on this site but the logistics of finding the right venue, piano and equipment is a task to say the least. I will find a way eventually as I love quick, accessible free video on demand and want to get into the game. Anyway, so far with this piece, I’ve accomplished to get a home-studio audio version I feel like posting so here it is.6:46Joe Heinemanntag:www.joeheinemann.com,2005:Post/172232008-10-24T00:00:00-04:002015-01-25T20:55:13-05:00Nice This is a song from a solo piano recording session I did at OTR in Belmont, Ca. around 1996 with Cookie Marenco engineering.3:40Joe Heinemanntag:www.joeheinemann.com,2005:Post/172222008-10-17T07:57:21-04:002022-06-20T17:08:01-04:00Jarrett Vamp This is the last song of a house concert performed at my dear friends Robert and Susan Tate's residence in Birmingham, Alabama in 2003. True fans of Keith Jarrett's piano music have heard him do a version or two of this song built on a repeating left hand vamp. I have the upmost respect for Mr. Jarrett and his music and decided to carefully transcribe this piece in 1986. I've learned to play it as he did in the Bremen/Lausanne concerts but have had a lot of fun playing the familiar melody and improvising my own solos within the piece. This is the only time I've recorded this song and I was warmed up and it flowed pretty well so I thought I'd share it with you. Hope you like it.<br><br>
A little disclaimer: This recording was done on an old cassette walkman and the quality isn't great. My apologies for the scratchy noises and such.4:11Joe Heinemanntag:www.joeheinemann.com,2005:Post/172192008-10-05T17:25:00-04:002008-10-05T17:25:00-04:00Welcome This is the beginning of regular posts of comments and audio (maybe video to come) from me. I have many recordings and am producing new ones all the time and want to share this with you. Check back with me often or subscribe. You won't be disappointed.<br><br>
Thanks.<br><br>
JoeJoe Heinemann