David Nathan Sudnow

I just stumbled on this web site. Seems that I should leave a note. I have lots of stories (David asked me to look after his Method and web site before he passed - I'm "Markham" on the site.) The simplest thing to say is that he profoundly changed my life. The title of the story is "I'm a Piano Player - Really!" but the book itself is more "Ways of the Hand"-like. But that was David. Hang on as long as you can, rest a bit, repeat. I miss that.

I just learned of David's passing after sending a "thank you" email to his web site. Like so many others, David's approach to "learning", and particularly the ability to make improvisational music, was a gift that has a lasting impact on my life.

I've played the piano for 70 years, but it wasn't until I went to a Sudnow seminar at Steinway Hall in NYC in the 1990s that I had the ephiphany you know what I am talking about.

David Sudnow is blessed. How many of us can leave...

Goodbye David,
My teacher-my friend-and fellow Bronxite. Thank you for making jazz piano doable and thanks for being my friend. You will always be in my heart.

I am thankful for having met David and taken his piano course. He was an inspiration. David was the one who turned me into a real musician from a girl who had years of lessons but couldn't actually play anything. I will miss him greatly, and will always be grateful for having had the benefit of being taught by a truly wonderful musician.

I still remember the lunch we had at the U.N. while I was still ambassador. I'll miss you, David.

David was 'milemarker 5/07' in my life. A debt of gratitude goes to Noah Adams for his book "Piano Lessons" that brought David into our lives.

David did not teach me how to play the piano. He did something better. He affirmed that my path of learning was legitimate. He was a beacon and he pointed out other beacons who would help me in my learning.

David lives on in our minds, hearts and hands. I celebrate his life and contribution to mine every time I play.

Although I didn't get to meet David, I feel like I did get to know him through email, his web site and bulletin board and Ways of the Hand.
My thoughts and prayers go out to David's family and friends, and to all of David's students who, like I, are hurtin' too. Keep playing misty.
Thank you David for your wisdom.
God bless the memory of David Sudnow.
Musician and piano student,
"also David"

For so many of us David ended years of frustration. Intuitively we felt there must be a way to produce at least some of those wonderful sounds coming from the pianos of the jazz greats without spending years doing tedious exercises. David proved our instincts correct. Simply, beautifully, he showed us the way.

Above all, this was a very decent man of great integrity. We miss him now. We will miss him for a long time to come.

Always original. Always insightful. Always a model for his fellows...even in grad school.