What Are You Learning?, ...and how's it going? Options

[Mad Tom]

Now, do I go in to school tomorrow for an extended, several hours' piano practice on the grand or do I attend Ashley Grote's Organ Recital at 11.00am in Gloucester Cathedral (Three Choirs Festival)? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)

What a no-brainer of a decision to have to make (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[clavicembalo]

Now, do I go in to school tomorrow for an extended, several hours' piano practice on the grand or do I attend Ashley Grote's Organ Recital at 11.00am in Gloucester Cathedral (Three Choirs Festival)? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)

What a no-brainer of a decision to have to make (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Why? Are you not a fan of organ music MT? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)

Or, since you live in a country with some very fine instruments, are you in fact oft found in an organ loft?

[Mad Tom]

Now, do I go in to school tomorrow for an extended, several hours' piano practice on the grand or do I attend Ashley Grote's Organ Recital at 11.00am in Gloucester Cathedral (Three Choirs Festival)? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)

What a no-brainer of a decision to have to make (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Why? Are you not a fan of organ music MT? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)

Or, since you live in a country with some very fine instruments, are you in fact oft found in an organ loft?

I like my fix of Mendelsohhn, Reubke, Widor or Messiaen as much as the next man, but given a choice of a few hours on a nice grand piano instead ...

[corenfa]

Still working on P&F I and II from Book 1 of WTC. Still sounding... blah. I think I may have to leave off them for a bit, I'm getting stuck ina rut.

On the other hand, Debussy Toccata - made it through all the way the first time. At half speed. Hey, gotta start somewhere..

Still learning the same stuff, but it's not "going" (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

Just too tired to do any serious study. Work, moving house, etc, all a bit full-on at the moment.

No matter... I am sure this will change at some point.

[clavicembalo]

Still working on P&F I and II from Book 1 of WTC. Still sounding... blah. I think I may have to leave off them for a bit, I'm getting stuck ina rut.

On the other hand, Debussy Toccata - made it through all the way the first time. At half speed. Hey, gotta start somewhere..

Still learning the same stuff, but it's not "going" (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

Just too tired to do any serious study. Work, moving house, etc, all a bit full-on at the moment.

No matter... I am sure this will change at some point.

Do you have your sights set on the whole of Pour le piano, ultimately?

I imagine that few folk who learn the Poulenc Toccata, go on the learn the preceding two movements. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)

[Fran*Piano]

I'm learning Winter by Tori Amos-it's absolutely gorgeous and it's very much always been one of my "play before I die" pieces-although definitely not as tricky as some I hope to learn someday! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[clavicembalo]

Now, do I go in to school tomorrow for an extended, several hours' piano practice on the grand or ....

Well, I did go for that practice.

Unfortunately, there was a lot going on around, regarding electricians, painters and builders, so the odd bang, drill and general toing-and-froing just outside the hall. Furthermore, that vestibule is also a dropping-off point for deliveries, so there was a good deal of activity during my 'stay'.

I closed all doors, drew the large curtain across the main entrance to the hall and did two hours' practice nevertheless. I made it count. I had arrived wondering whether the hall might not be free, due to workmen or cleaners, so signed in at 8.30am knowing that had a practice not been possible, I would still have had the rest of the day for alternative fruitful activities.

Now, leaving the piano 'in its corner' rather than pushing it out away from the wall, I hadn't thought about taking the trouble to sort out my seating, to any great degree. So, when I got up, after two hours sitting in a similar position, I realised that I'd been sitting slightly awkwardly. When I began to walk home, the muscles at the back of my legs felt as though I had been walking up a steep hill!

Anyway, it was worth the visit, bridging the gap between practising on a Clavinova and adapting to my teacher's Yamaha Grand in Wednesday's lesson. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[MadMatt]

I've finally got to the end of Debussy's Arabesque 1. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) Now it's time to practise it till it sounds decent. No idea how long that's going to take though. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)

Now the big question of what to try next. I've got an itch to try out the Maple Leaf Rag as I could do with an up tempo and bouncy tune. But I could be in waaay over my head with that, but then I was in a similar position with the Debussy.

Any recommendations?

P.S I would love to have the opportunity to play at a Grand, not actually having touched a real piano in years, so I am glad you made that choice (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

[Fran*Piano]

I've finally got to the end of Debussy's Arabesque 1. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) Now it's time to practise it till it sounds decent. No idea how long that's going to take though. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)

Now the big question of what to try next. I've got an itch to try out the Maple Leaf Rag as I could do with an up tempo and bouncy tune. But I could be in waaay over my head with that, but then I was in a similar position with the Debussy.

Any recommendations?

P.S I would love to have the opportunity to play at a Grand, not actually having touched a real piano in years, so I am glad you made that choice (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

I love the Arabesque No.1-it's still way beyond me though! Have fun with it (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[MadMatt]

I love the Arabesque No.1-it's still way beyond me though! Have fun with it (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

This is what I thought too, until I gave in to temptation and tried to learn it (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) It was a lot of hard work at the start, but it was worth the effort. What's wonderful about the piece is that most of it sits very nicely beneath your fingers, in the sense that it isn't tricky to play - you're hands aren't going all over the place. The only thing you have really have to get sorted is the 8 on 12 timing, but you shouldn't worry too much about that - the timing really starts to sort itself out once you can play both of the hands together comfortably. It's also advantageous to have a good mental picture about how the starting of the piece, lets say the first page, should sound as this can really help you get the timing sorted too.

But if you have any intention of learning this piece I do suggest you just try it out, even if it's just the first 5 bars (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Fran*Piano]

I love the Arabesque No.1-it's still way beyond me though! Have fun with it (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

This is what I thought too, until I gave in to temptation and tried to learn it (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) It was a lot of hard work at the start, but it was worth the effort. What's wonderful about the piece is that most of it sits very nicely beneath your fingers, in the sense that it isn't tricky to play - you're hands aren't going all over the place. The only thing you have really have to get sorted is the 8 on 12 timing, but you shouldn't worry too much about that - the timing really starts to sort itself out once you can play both of the hands together comfortably. It's also advantageous to have a good mental picture about how the starting of the piece, lets say the first page, should sound as this can really help you get the timing sorted too.

But if you have any intention of learning this piece I do suggest you just try it out, even if it's just the first 5 bars (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

I have tried it out-I found it remarkably easy (at least to what I thought it was going to be like!!)....until I hit the semiquavers vs. triplets, and then it all went to pot!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif) I'm a bit rhythmically challenged at the best of times, so lots more work is definitely needed! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[corenfa]

Still working on P&F I and II from Book 1 of WTC. Still sounding... blah. I think I may have to leave off them for a bit, I'm getting stuck ina rut.

On the other hand, Debussy Toccata - made it through all the way the first time. At half speed. Hey, gotta start somewhere..

Still learning the same stuff, but it's not "going" (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

Just too tired to do any serious study. Work, moving house, etc, all a bit full-on at the moment.

No matter... I am sure this will change at some point.

Do you have your sights set on the whole of Pour le piano, ultimately?

I imagine that few folk who learn the Poulenc Toccata, go on the learn the preceding two movements. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)

Not really... I just got obsessed with the Toccata and took it from there. It is possible that I might get obsessed with the Prelude and the Sarabande still, sometimes it takes a few years.

Oddly enough this has been a major factor in my musical improvement, getting obsessed with pieces - my entire effort playing French horn was to learn to play the Gliere concerto. I swear for those five years, it was never far from my mind - everything I practiced was with that ultimate aim in mind.

Come to think of it, obsession with stuff has been a major factor in my life. I've worked my way through concert band, art, chemistry, French horn, computer programming and now it's piano. When I'm in a "phase", I can't stop thinking about it and it intrudes into my consciousness at random times.

You would think that the amount of obsessed I am with this piece, I'd be playing it a lot better by now. Maybe it's that if I wasn't obsessed with it I would be able to play any of it at all.

Still got plenty of years and obsessions left.. wonder what's next.

I've finally got to the end of Debussy's Arabesque 1. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) Now it's time to practise it till it sounds decent. No idea how long that's going to take though. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)

Now the big question of what to try next. I've got an itch to try out the Maple Leaf Rag as I could do with an up tempo and bouncy tune. But I could be in waaay over my head with that, but then I was in a similar position with the Debussy.

Any recommendations?

P.S I would love to have the opportunity to play at a Grand, not actually having touched a real piano in years, so I am glad you made that choice (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

I can recommend being way over your head! If you really really really like the piece, you'll keep pushing through (obligatory disclaimer: so long as you practice constructively and don't wreck your technique) and this can open the door to great improvement. I have always found that my greatest musical progress has been when I'm trying something way over my head. It's because I like the piece so much that I'm willing to take the huge amount of time needed to learn it.

Erm, see my last post about being obsessed with pieces..........

[MadMatt]

I can recommend being way over your head! If you really really really like the piece, you'll keep pushing through (obligatory disclaimer: so long as you practice constructively and don't wreck your technique) and this can open the door to great improvement. I have always found that my greatest musical progress has been when I'm trying something way over my head. It's because I like the piece so much that I'm willing to take the huge amount of time needed to learn it.

Erm, see my last post about being obsessed with pieces..........

This is exactly it, I was at pre grade two standard 9 weeks ago and not having seriously played for 14 years. Then due to my determination to learn that piece I managed to work through it and my playing and my sight reading has sky rocketed as a result. The most impressive thing, at least for myself is how much easier I am finding sight reading now. Back when I was 10/11 I was utterly terrible at it, although my teacher didn't work in a way that would be constructive for me.

I suppose I didn't have any technique to wreak in the first place so the only thing it could do was improve (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

I have tried it out-I found it remarkably easy (at least to what I thought it was going to be like!!)....until I hit the semiquavers vs. triplets, and then it all went to pot!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif) I'm a bit rhythmically challenged at the best of times, so lots more work is definitely needed! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

This somehow managed to lost in some weird edit >.<

Try skipping that part. And I am serious when I say this - at least skip making it sound good - you still need to practise it so that you can commit the fingering into muscle/reflex memory. The first bit when you hit the awkward timing is one of the hardest bits in the entire piece to play. Not only do you have to play the awkward timing but the passage itself, timing ignored, is hard.

I've been learning this piece for about 6-7 weeks and only a couple of days ago did the first part really *click* where I can play it fluidly. Yes I knew how it was supposed to go, timing wise, but I couldn't play it properly. So maybe don't get too hung up about that part.

I could be jumping to conclusions and you might have tried other parts of the piece, but if I'd given up at the first part where 12 meets 8, well I'd not be able to play it biggrin.gif

[corenfa]

I can recommend being way over your head! If you really really really like the piece, you'll keep pushing through (obligatory disclaimer: so long as you practice constructively and don't wreck your technique) and this can open the door to great improvement. I have always found that my greatest musical progress has been when I'm trying something way over my head. It's because I like the piece so much that I'm willing to take the huge amount of time needed to learn it.

Erm, see my last post about being obsessed with pieces..........

This is exactly it, I was at pre grade two standard 9 weeks ago and not having seriously played for 14 years. Then due to my determination to learn that piece I managed to work through it and my playing and my sight reading has sky rocketed as a result. The most impressive thing, at least for myself is how much easier I am finding sight reading now. Back when I was 10/11 I was utterly terrible at it, although my teacher didn't work in a way that would be constructive for me.

I suppose I didn't have any technique to wreak in the first place so the only thing it could do was improve (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

I can completely identify with that! I stopped for a similar length of time but I've been re-learning for about 18 months now. My experience with sight reading is also as you describe. I think sight reading is just like any other reading and even though I may not have played the piano for a while, I have listened to a lot of music and that's got to have some effect.

[Sam-ChopinFan]

I've mainly been working on the Adagio of Beethoven's Pathetique (A LOT harder than it looks), aswell as Chopin's Etude in C# minor Op.25 No.7 (Coming along nicely, except for those nasty LH scales on the 2nd page). And of course, even after 4 months, the Trio of Joplin's Maple Leaf is still a little rusty. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)