Adam

Piano

About Adam

Adam has been playing piano all his life - performing professionally for over 20 years, and teaching professionally for over a decade. His early focus was primarily in classical, but then switched to rock and improv in high school, and jazz and jazz improv during his undergraduate years at The University of Vermont. He received his Bachelor's Degree in the Liberal Arts there in 2003, with a major in Philosophy, and minors in Music and Religion. It is within the overlaps of these studies that he became enamored with music’s ability to shape a person and their surroundings. He sincerely believes that having a personal connection and understanding of music is essential for fully grasping all that the world around you has to offer. His intense love of performing is equal to his desire for imparting that emotion unto others. Adam has toured the country several times over with a variety of projects – including groups based in indie-rock, world beat, jazz quartets, improvisational and progressive rock, cover bands, hip-hop, dance-pop, and his own singer-songwriter performances. His main goal in teaching is to instill each student with an independent desire to take their own music and abilities to wherever their heart leads them. He would love to help you find your own calling with the piano, and teach you how easy it is to bring a knowledgeable understanding of the instrument into your life.

Q&A with Adam

Which musician would you like to play with?

Stephen Malkmus of Pavement

Which musician has influenced you the most?

Herbie Hancock

What can you teach me better on your instrument than any other teacher?

I can teach you to let go of your mind and channel the music through your subconscious. The art of not overthinking.

How did you learn to play your instrument?

I studied classical piano from age 5-12, and studied Jazz Improv as a Minor in my undergraduate studies at the University of Vermont. But I learned the most about playing through playing with as many different kinds of players as possible.

What equipment do you play on today?

I always prefer just a piano - baby grand preferred. But on stage I use a Korg N1, a digital Hammond XK-2, and a Micro Korg.

Which personal trait helped you the most while practicing?

Patience, patience, patience.

What does your instrument have that others don't?

A picture of Chunk from The Goonies doing the truffle-shuffle.

How do you handle children?

In many ways, at age 41, I still haven't grown up, so I handle children like I'm one of their buddies. I don't go too deep, so they understand I'm still their teacher and it's not just a party. But I like to know what kids I teach are into - what music they listen to, what movies they watch, what they do for fun - because that helps me make a lesson plan designed specifically around each individual.

What has been your greatest experience as a musician so far?

Writing a song that a fan told me he played for his dying mother in the hospital, and how it gave them both great peace.

What was the biggest stage you played on?

Main stage at the Oregon Country Fair for 10,000+ people.

Which record would you take with you to the desert island?

Paul Simon - Graceland

Besides music, what else is important in your life?

My family, the mountains, and the ocean.

Music style(s)

Classical, Jazz, Pop, Rock

Level(s) Comfortable Teaching

Beginner to Advanced

What languages can you teach in?

English

What's your age?

Videos

Bands, Projects, Notable Performances, Collaborations

All bands I was in or am currently in. https://www.facebook.com/garciabirthdayband https://lesserbangs.com https://miceparade.bandcamp.com https://joytribemusic.com https://www.turkeymafia.com

Other Music-related work / goals

www.adamkingpiano.com

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