Stanton Lanier

Scripture inspired piano to refresh your spirit

Two Levels for a Dynamic Life

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How healthy are your “two levels” in living a dynamic life?

It is amazing how music and life are so deeply related. An idea came to me, and I encourage you to join me in this experiment. Earlier this year I filmed some short videos with helpful composing tips, as part of building toward a new Master Class video course. The first 2:45 of the video below are about the importance of dynamics (louds and softs) in piano performance and composing. The experiment is for you to watch the video, and to think on the “dynamics” of your life in the following ways:

  1. How healthy is my “soft level” to empower dynamic living (i.e. solitude, silence, quiet time, prayer life, etc.)?
  2. How healthy is my “loud level” to enrich dynamic living (i.e. relationships, interaction with people, reaching out, etc.)?
  3. What am I practicing in my private life that will make my public life more dynamic – spirited, energetic, passionate, magnetic?
  4. Have you ever thought of your life as a movie script? Like you are living out a “master class” to make a difference in the world?

Now, watch the video, listening to importance of dynamics in the song Awaken the Dawn. Write down your thoughts on the above as you take in the video. Look for the parallels between music and life. Notice the similarity between music dynamics and living a dynamic life. After the video, identify one or two action steps to help you make progress in dynamic living.

What “dynamic life” level needs your focus right now – the “soft” or the “loud?”

Here is the short description from when I created the video. Think of “life” instead of “piano” when you read the text…

I use Awaken the Dawn to demonstrate how dynamics help elevate emotion in the listener. Using different levels of soft, medium and loud expression in our playing helps melodies “speak” to the heart. Be flexible, experiment, and have fun with your creativity!

If by chance you would like to browse Piano Books and PDF Sheet Music click here. For Master Class details click here.

Why I am Launching a New Piano Master Class

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What is something new you are working on?

I have been developing Creative Composing: A Master Class with Stanton Lanier. This new online video course is designed to help pianists (and other musicians) grow in their playing, and learn composing techniques. The first class will launch May 1st. Registration closes April 30th, and there is special discounted pricing I am extending through tomorrow, April 1st.

Why I am I launching a new piano master class? Most pianists are like me. They did not major in piano in college, they don’t have a PhD in piano, and piano is not their career (I majored in chemistry, have a master’s degree in business, and spent fifteen years working mostly as a financial advisor). I learned to read music growing up, but I have always composed by ear. Growing in music performance and composing is not as hard as most people think. Below is one of three free videos with some composing tips. But there is more the story…

This dream has evolved from 3,000 pianists in 40 countries purchasing 1,600 piano books and 1,400 individual sheet music songs. When I started piano lessons at age six, and composed my first song by ear at fourteen, I never imagined I would one day be a pianist and composer. Fifteen years ago I first had the idea to create Scripture inspired piano to refresh your spirit™. Music to Light the World was founded in 2004 to offer God’s peace and rest in a hurried world. Today there are ninety compositions, ninety-nine recordings, nine albums, eight piano books, ninety-four sheet music PDFs, and five million people have heard my music in 130 countries. This journey has been humbling, amazing, scary, mysterious and marvelous all mixed together.

My desire through composing, recording, and now teaching, has always been to make a positive difference in people’s lives — to inspire their faith, creativity and calling in their life journey. If you are pianist, please check out the Master Class and all the free bonuses by clicking here. If you know a pianist, please forward this to them to consider. Piano teachers can receive a student group discount.

If you are working on something new that is challenging you to be brave, and to stretch your creativity, I would love to hear about it. Just contact me and I will respond personally to encourage your dream.

In closing, here are two verses that help me keep dreaming and creating…

Isaiah 41:10 (MSG) — Don’t panic. I’m with you. There’s no need to fear for I’m your God. I’ll give you strength. I’ll help you. I’ll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you.

Psalm 37:4 (ESV) — Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Spring 2013 Recording Sessions

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A lot of exciting composing for the new album “Open Spaces” has been happening this year. I am excited to share this insider look into the creation of Music to Light the World’s eighth album, and to share behind the scenes video with you. Below is a 5-minute video collage from Monday and Tuesday, April 29-30, 2013 piano recordings and percussion overdubs, featuring samples of seven new pieces. I hope you enjoy!

First melody May 2000

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I began playing the piano at age 6 and writing songs at age 14, but it wasn’t until I was 35 that I composed my first instrumental melody called “Grace and Truth” in May 2000. With musical influences ranging from Bach to Windham Hill to Billy Joel, and inspiration coming from ancient scriptures, I began creating melodies to help me (and eventually others) slow down and experience a sense of God’s peace and rest in a hurried world.