Diogenes Drum

Cleaning up small odds and ends became more fun with the Diogenes Drum from our friends at Haba. The wood frame is encased in sturdy, colorful Cordura. Multiple, multi-colored exterior pockets are ideal for keeping small odds and ends safe. The roomy interior pocket is sized perfectly for blocks or small dolls. Completely remove the fabric cover for hand washing or spot clean with a damp cloth. We love the exterior shades of blue, green pocket linings and bright yellow seat. Designed in Germany. Fabric components from China. Wooden pieces from Germany.

Listen, you may want to create something beautiful on the piano, but it is exactly your desire that is creating blocks! How? Because the ego is never satisfied and wants a perfect music, a good music, or something that will satisfy it. The ego is insatiable and is never satisfied.

Many of us are obsessed with creating a product. Something we can be proud of and show off to friends and family. Look, there's nothing wrong with wanting to have something you can call your own, but when you are only concerned with creating the end result, your creative self (inspiration) will dry up and leave you feeling empty.

"I'm having problems staying with the music," wrote one student. "I can't seem to get it. What I mean is, I get stuck or blocked only after a few seconds of improvising. What can I do?"

You're not supposed to keep an improvisation going. No. That's the wrong approach to improvisation. The right approach is to let go of your need to control the outcome. Then and only then will your intuition come to your aid.

The above complaint is a very common problem among newbies at improvisation. They don't understand how to keep an improvisation going. Why? Because they have it backwards!

Piano Improvisation Tips - Enjoy the Process First!

To enjoy the act of making music, we must let up on ourselves and adapt an attitude of exploration. We must allow for mistakes and listen for where the music itself wants to go. This idea may be strange to some of you. I can understand that but once you really let go of trying to control the outcome, wonderful things begin to happen!

That's why when you focus on and enjoy the process of improvising, you free yourself from this trap.