I am very easily influenced, especially in the realm of drums and music. Teachers, mentors, bandleaders, friends, and colleagues all leave big impressions on me, and I carry those impressions with me forever. All that really means is that I continue to listen to their music and think about them. That fundamental act of music— listening— remains mysterious. For one thing, anyone listening to music is doing music theory. If you hear a song and think
I loved reading this. I only found out yesterday that Paul had died...I was devastated. I studied with Paul for a few years back in the 90s. Counterpoint, Harmony, and for only one or two visits, Analysis. We started with Bartok's 5th String Quartet. I regret not having been able to continue. Paul was one of the best teachers I ever had, and one of the most wonderful people I've ever known. I saw him twice a week for much of that time and looked forward to every moment. It's so hard to know where to start when talking about him and you wrote so much already. I might be able to add a few things...
I think I learned almost as much about literature as I did about music. Paul turned me on to MANY wonderful and obscure authors and spoke about all of them as if he had just read their books that morning. What an incredible addition to a counterpoint lesson.
And, finally - at least for now - one of the most important gifts I received from Paul just by virtue of taking to heart the way he did things: No matter what you're doing, strive for the best that you can do. And then apply that to everything in your life. Paul would travel all over the city, to whatever borough was necessary, to get what he considered to be the best pastry, the best cheese, the best coffee, the best bacon, the best whatever. Shortcuts to anything worthwhile were not to be found in his book of life and living. I think about this all the time. And for him to be, one top of all that has been said, one of the kindest, sweetest, caring people you'd ever want to meet...what a singular man. How fortunate we all are to have known him. This is such a big loss...
Thank you for this beautiful commemoration. I was also a student of Paul for several years. Magic is the right word. Just the other day I thought of a piece I wrote with Paul and dug through my closet to pull out the folders and notebooks filled with page after page of theory and counterpoint exercises, motets and string quartet fragments. I’m sure all his students have a similar trove of papers they’ve created with him sitting on his piano bench in lower Manhattan. It was always a joy to visit and work with him. He gave us all so much by simply doing what he loved and protecting and sharing that pure experience of honest, curious musical creation. No pretense or judgement. What a role model. I miss him but he really did make a mark with each of his students that carries on far and wide. I remember him always working on getting that harmony workbook published. I would love to have a copy. Do you know how to purchase one?
I loved reading this. I only found out yesterday that Paul had died...I was devastated. I studied with Paul for a few years back in the 90s. Counterpoint, Harmony, and for only one or two visits, Analysis. We started with Bartok's 5th String Quartet. I regret not having been able to continue. Paul was one of the best teachers I ever had, and one of the most wonderful people I've ever known. I saw him twice a week for much of that time and looked forward to every moment. It's so hard to know where to start when talking about him and you wrote so much already. I might be able to add a few things...
I think I learned almost as much about literature as I did about music. Paul turned me on to MANY wonderful and obscure authors and spoke about all of them as if he had just read their books that morning. What an incredible addition to a counterpoint lesson.
And, finally - at least for now - one of the most important gifts I received from Paul just by virtue of taking to heart the way he did things: No matter what you're doing, strive for the best that you can do. And then apply that to everything in your life. Paul would travel all over the city, to whatever borough was necessary, to get what he considered to be the best pastry, the best cheese, the best coffee, the best bacon, the best whatever. Shortcuts to anything worthwhile were not to be found in his book of life and living. I think about this all the time. And for him to be, one top of all that has been said, one of the kindest, sweetest, caring people you'd ever want to meet...what a singular man. How fortunate we all are to have known him. This is such a big loss...
Beautiful tribute, Vinnie!
"Maneri had told Paul that the best way to learn material was by teaching it."
Absolutely. I always tell my students that if they want to improve fast, start teaching!
Really inspiring read, Vinnie. Loved it.
a beautiful memento to one of your teachers vinnie... lovely in fact!
What a beautiful article. Thank you!
Beautifully written tribute, thank you!
Thank you for this beautiful commemoration. I was also a student of Paul for several years. Magic is the right word. Just the other day I thought of a piece I wrote with Paul and dug through my closet to pull out the folders and notebooks filled with page after page of theory and counterpoint exercises, motets and string quartet fragments. I’m sure all his students have a similar trove of papers they’ve created with him sitting on his piano bench in lower Manhattan. It was always a joy to visit and work with him. He gave us all so much by simply doing what he loved and protecting and sharing that pure experience of honest, curious musical creation. No pretense or judgement. What a role model. I miss him but he really did make a mark with each of his students that carries on far and wide. I remember him always working on getting that harmony workbook published. I would love to have a copy. Do you know how to purchase one?