My name is Dotan Negrin and this is my space. Read stories from my travels across the World. Listen to my music. Look at photos of my beautiful dog, Brando. Lets have a discussion about the piano and music! Message me!
Recent posts
Brought the Street piano to the middle of Royal Street in the French Quarters.
Played in the middle of Royal street between Toulouse and St. Louis streets. Today was another amazing day. I jammed with this klezmer band for a little called the G string Orchestra. Good times in New Orleans.
May 5, 2:36 PM
(Source: pianoxamerica)
Played in the middle of Royal street between Toulouse and St. Louis streets. Today was another amazing day. I jammed with this klezmer band for a little called the G string Orchestra. Good times in New Orleans.
May 5, 2:36 PM
Brought the Street piano to the middle of Royal Street in the French Quarters.
Played in the middle of Royal street between Toulouse and St. Louis streets. Today was another amazing day. I jammed with this klezmer band for a little called the G string Orchestra. Good times in New Orleans.
May 5, 2:36 PM
(Source: pianoxamerica)
I’m sure most of you wonder what I do when I sit in front of the piano.
I play some classical, a few Jazz standards, and usually at the end of my practice sessions I do an improvisation. The way I approach it is different though. I like to go in with a blank canvas and just fly with whatever comes, even if it sounds strange. Mistakes are blessings that can lead to miracles in this case!
Here is an improv that I did without any knowledge beforehand of what I was going to do. I just sat and started anywhere. I think I started on F# in this one. It ended up turning into a piece that uses only the Black keys. Enjoy! (You can hear my dog at 1:14)
What do you think?
I’m sure most of you wonder what I do when I sit in front of the piano.
I play some classical, a few Jazz standards, and usually at the end of my practice sessions I do an improvisation. The way I approach it is different though. I like to go in with a blank canvas and just fly with whatever comes, even if it sounds strange. Mistakes are blessings that can lead to miracles in this case!
Here is an improv that I did without any knowledge beforehand of what I was going to do. I just sat and started anywhere. I think I started on F# in this one. It ended up turning into a piece that uses only the Black keys. Enjoy! (You can hear my dog at 1:14)
What do you think?
My Adventures Playing Piano on NYC Streets: 2010
Many of you dont know where that picture of me with my piano in NYC came from. Here is the story:
I wanted to do something really big and adventurous with my Piano. Inspired by a friend of mine, Colin Huggins, I decided to take my piano onto the streets of NYC this past summer…What an unbelievable experience! I met many people, I played at multiple locations in NYC, and I even made a few dollars here and there. I also had a terrible accident where my piano fell on my hand and I broke 2 fingers!
Day 1: Was a bit embarassing and scary. I wasnt sure what to expect. Made $25. Location was Broadway / Walker st. in Tribeca.
Day 2: I decided to check out City Hall Park which was 8 blocks south of where I stored my Piano.
Day 3: Piano in the Street August 29th, 2010.
Day 4: My most lucrative day: $90.00
Day 6: Video of me Playing Bach in City Hall Park: August 31, 2010
Photo taken by a photographer in City Hall Park: September 1, 2010
Day 8: Jamming with random strangers on Broadway September 8, 2010
Day 9: The Day I broke 2 fingers in my left hand. September 9, 2010
Day 10: Playing in Wash. Sq Park with my Melodica September 28, 2010
A few of you asked me where my name comes from…This is me:
My name is Dotan (Dou-tahn) Negrin and I’m from New York City. I live in Huntington, Long Island right now. My father was born in Greece and my mother, Israel. This makes me a first generation American.
My name is Hebrew, from the Old Testament and is a mountain in the West Bank.
If you want to know more about me and my music tastes…click here.
Of if you have any questions, just ask me.
If you like my blog…Recommend me. If you recommend me, I will do the same to you.
The Broken Finger Blues
I was messing around on my piano when I came up with an interesting lick. I decided to incorporate it into a blues piece. I call it “The Broken Finger Blues” because I can only use 8 fingers. I broke my index and middle finger on my left hand about a month ago while busking in NYC. Here is the story.
I did this in 1 take and improvised everything on the spot. I like doing things like that. Mistakes are blessings!
The Broken Finger Blues
I was messing around on my piano when I came up with an interesting lick. I decided to incorporate it into a blues piece. I call it “The Broken Finger Blues” because I can only use 8 fingers. I broke my index and middle finger on my left hand about a month ago while busking in NYC. Here is the story.
I did this in 1 take and improvised everything on the spot. I like doing things like that. Mistakes are blessings!
Flight of the bumblebee
Flight of the bumblebee
Healing Update: It’s been almost 1 month since I broke my fingers.
…And my fingers are still damaged. It looks as if my bones have almost completely healed, but there is still a lot of healing to do in terms of my nail and the open wounds. I actually was able to bend my index finger for the first time today, but it was still a bit soar and stiff. Here is the original post, when I broke my fingers.
Last week I’ve started to play piano again since the pain has drastically decreased. This has been an interesting lesson for me. I’ve been improvising on the piano and playing things that are much simpler than I’m used to. Before, I struggled with the piano because I would always want to over-complicate things and use more notes. But since I only have 8 fingers, my playing has changed and its actually teaching me to look at the piano in a different way.
Many people have tried to tell me to find the good out of this situation and I’m beginning to see it that way. I’m hoping to be fully healed by the end of October. I hope its not too cold to play on the streets of New York City one more time.
