What Are You Learning?

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

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sbhoa	Jul 12 2011, 09:08 PM Post #751
Maestro Group: Members Posts: 19001 Joined: 31-October 03 From: Tameside Member No.: 24	My teacher has decided she wants to hear the whole of the Schumann Arabeske op.18 on Monday. Trying to get all the bits together.

stetenorve	Jul 12 2011, 10:03 PM Post #752
Virtuoso Group: Members Posts: 2798 Joined: 25-March 09 From: Born and bred in Derby. Now living on the outskirts of Chesterfield. Member No.: 60099	I'm learning 3 new pieces from the grade 3 syllabus book, just in case I need to re-take the exam.

lilly763	Jul 13 2011, 03:06 AM Post #753
Unregistered	After trying to get out of playing the Bach partita and having my laziness denied by my teacher twice, I have decided it is time to conquer (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wacko.gif) The notes to the Sinfonia, Allemande, and Capriccio are there now, and the music is on its way... hoping to pick up the Rondeau over the next week so I will be almost 90% done with the partita (at least by the edition I am using (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)). I've had the notes to the Chopin Barcarolle down since last week, so for now that will take a back seat, but I am working a bit on the Valse op. 42 because I want to expand my Chopin repertoire and it's not at all similar to the Barcarolle, though as delightful in its own way (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) QUOTE(jod @ Jul 12 2011, 01:19 PM) Well it looks like I'm going to be learning these things for a while longer especially the Grade 8 pieces. Actually if I keep all 5 going and the scales they'll all benefit from one another. I'll also add rest of Pathetique Sonata to keep interest level up and focussed. Need to to a huge Self-esteem boost at Piano now. Sorry to hear that, jod... but hopefully you'll have better luck next time around (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) Before your retake, have you considered performing/playing for other musicians in order to get some advice? I don't know if you have already done this, but since you haven't mentioned it I thought I would bring it up. It might be easier to make improvements with the help of objective and educated listener(s), and could also serve as performance experience if you aren't used to performing as a pianist. It would also be useful to try practicing/performing on as many different pianos as you can access so that the quality of the instrument doesn't throw you off so much. QUOTE(1993allende @ Jul 12 2011, 04:59 PM) Chopin op. 40 no.2 polonaise in c minor. Not gonna lie, it's going to take a portion... No all of my cunning to bring out all the colour, cantabile voices etc (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif) Rethinking my approach to Beethoven op.90 after youtubing some Barenboim masterclasses. He is an extraordinarily intellegent musician. Ooh, that's an interesting polonaise... very different from and unfortunately overshadowed by op. 40 no. 1. And op. 90 is one of Beethoven's stranger sonatas... it's beautiful, but I don't really know how to make sense of it. My teacher and I decided it wasn't worth learning because I have smallish hands and it would take forever to get the obnoxiously wide alberti bass in place ;P But Barenboim is quite illuminating... he might not be the world's best pianist, but he is quite the musician!

jod	Jul 13 2011, 09:03 AM Post #754
Maestro Group: Banned Posts: 9899 Joined: 14-January 05 From: Burwell, Cambridgeshire Member No.: 2939	QUOTE(lilly763 @ Jul 13 2011, 04:06 AM) Sorry to hear that, jod... but hopefully you'll have better luck next time around (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) Before your retake, have you considered performing/playing for other musicians in order to get some advice? I don't know if you have already done this, but since you haven't mentioned it I thought I would bring it up. It might be easier to make improvements with the help of objective and educated listener(s), and could also serve as performance experience if you aren't used to performing as a pianist. It would also be useful to try practicing/performing on as many different pianos as you can access so that the quality of the instrument doesn't throw you off so much. QUOTE(1993allende @ Jul 12 2011, 04:59 PM) Rethinking my approach to Beethoven op.90 after youtubing some Barenboim masterclasses. He is an extraordinarily intellegent musician. Ooh, that's an interesting polonaise... very different from and unfortunately overshadowed by op. 40 no. 1. And op. 90 is one of Beethoven's stranger sonatas... it's beautiful, but I don't really know how to make sense of it. My teacher and I decided it wasn't worth learning because I have smallish hands and it would take forever to get the obnoxiously wide alberti bass in place ;P But Barenboim is quite illuminating... he might not be the world's best pianist, but he is quite the musician! Thank you for your kind reply. That is exactly what I need to do! Preferably ones that are sensitive to know how long-time dibilitating comments such as "you'll never be any good as a pianist" (said when I was 16) actually are. I have played many different pianos in my time... to the extent I have certain qualities I like and others I really can't stand. The piano did represent everything I couldn't stand about Japanese Pianos. ( I have a strong preference for German built Instruments or nice examples of Pianos by Challen, Chappell and Broadwood). Any forumites who can help in this respect will be welcomed with open arms. Just remember I'm the sort of girl who cries! I will go and youtube the Baremboim masterclasses. He may be less virtuosic than other pianists, but I often enjoy his performances more due to his musicality. I particularly enjoy his interpretation of Beethoven.

1993allende	Jul 13 2011, 11:20 AM Post #755
Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 288 Joined: 5-May 10 From: Aberdeenshire Member No.: 100929	QUOTE(lilly763 @ Jul 13 2011, 04:06 AM) QUOTE(1993allende @ Jul 12 2011, 04:59 PM) Chopin op. 40 no.2 polonaise in c minor. Not gonna lie, it's going to take a portion... No all of my cunning to bring out all the colour, cantabile voices etc (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif) Rethinking my approach to Beethoven op.90 after youtubing some Barenboim masterclasses. He is an extraordinarily intellegent musician. Ooh, that's an interesting polonaise... very different from and unfortunately overshadowed by op. 40 no. 1. And op. 90 is one of Beethoven's stranger sonatas... it's beautiful, but I don't really know how to make sense of it. My teacher and I decided it wasn't worth learning because I have smallish hands and it would take forever to get the obnoxiously wide alberti bass in place ;P But Barenboim is quite illuminating... he might not be the world's best pianist, but he is quite the musician! Ahh the joys of being able to reach a 10th (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif). The two alberti bass sections just fall nicely under my fingers! It's such a shame that that particular polonaise is overlooked. Unbelievably beautiful and expressive but so difficult to keep musical with those chunky r.h. chords. Barenboim would not be top of my list of favourite pianists either (behind Gulda, Gliels, Pletnev etc.) but he speaks sooo much sense and his thought processes behind his performances are second to none (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

AndyKHC	Jul 13 2011, 12:01 PM Post #756
Newbie Group: Members Posts: 8 Joined: 3-May 11 Member No.: 250497	QUOTE(jellybean @ May 26 2011, 10:53 PM) I'm re visiting Debussy's Clair de Lune ( again!!) and am absolutely determined to master the fast runs...this time (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif) I can play it all through now with all notes in place...just need alot of patience and practise I suppose now. This is one of the pieces I'm working through at the moment myself. Reasonably happy with it though there are a two places which I really have to nail down - the last two bars of the en animant section and the 3rd and 4th bars of the following calmato. I really just need a couple of solid hours over 2/3 days and I'm pretty sure I'll have it but finding the time with two young children and wife is not always possible! Also getting through Lanning's Pachelbel in D transcription and the Loveridge transcription of the 18th variation of Rach's Paganini Variations (Wife chirps up first time I work through this that she didn't know I could play one of the few classical pieces she likes to which I replied, "You won't love this by the time I've finished learning it" as she hates hearing me play the same thing over and over again! She doesn't really like the concept that you have to learn to play something but prefers me to just play!) On the back burner at the moment - Liszt's Liebestraume No 3 and Chopin's Nocturne in F Sharp Major Op 15 No 2 which along with the Opus 27 no 2 are my two favorite nocturnes. Time scale for learning these? Who knows! I just love having a piano to play again after 23 years without one in my home!

jod	Jul 13 2011, 12:10 PM Post #757
Maestro Group: Banned Posts: 9899 Joined: 14-January 05 From: Burwell, Cambridgeshire Member No.: 2939	QUOTE(stetenorve @ Jul 12 2011, 11:03 PM) I'm learning 3 new pieces from the grade 3 syllabus book, just in case I need to re-take the exam. Even if you do Stetenorve, is it the end of the world? I can say this as I did fail. Still onwards and upwards. I hope this doesn't happen, but if it does, it does.

corenfa	Jul 13 2011, 12:26 PM Post #758
Virtuoso Group: Members Posts: 4287 Joined: 28-March 10 From: Here Member No.: 95861	QUOTE(jod @ Jul 13 2011, 01:10 PM) QUOTE(stetenorve @ Jul 12 2011, 11:03 PM) I'm learning 3 new pieces from the grade 3 syllabus book, just in case I need to re-take the exam. Even if you do Stetenorve, is it the end of the world? I can say this as I did fail. Still onwards and upwards. I hope this doesn't happen, but if it does, it does. I agree entirely, I have not failed a music exam but failed plenty of other ones. In the long run, it all came out in the wash. Of course, that may not have been how I felt at the time (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wacko.gif) it's a disappointment undeniably.

carol*piano	Jul 13 2011, 12:28 PM Post #759
Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 327 Joined: 1-January 06 Member No.: 5699	I failed my grade 6 first time, but hey - I'm still a genius (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

jod	Jul 13 2011, 12:35 PM Post #760
Maestro Group: Banned Posts: 9899 Joined: 14-January 05 From: Burwell, Cambridgeshire Member No.: 2939	QUOTE(carol*piano @ Jul 13 2011, 01:28 PM) I failed my grade 6 first time, but hey - I'm still a genius (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) You say the nicest things. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) I failed that one too. I was about that time I was told I'd never be any good at playing the piano. I spent the first term shaking on the piano stool at Huddersfield and apologising for every wrong note I played. Thought I'd got over that... really did, then played like the late Les Dawson... you know really knows the piece but that isn't how it comes out. Still there is a next time (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) and hey, I'm a genius too at heart.

Mad Tom	Jul 13 2011, 12:44 PM Post #761
Unregistered	QUOTE(jod @ Jul 13 2011, 02:35 PM) QUOTE(carol*piano @ Jul 13 2011, 01:28 PM) I failed my grade 6 first time, but hey - I'm still a genius (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) You say the nicest things. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) I failed that one too. I also failed grade 6 first time round (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) . I think the marking becomes much tougher after Grade 5, and it takes a couple of attempts to adjust to the higher standard that is expected. QUOTE(jod @ Jul 13 2011, 02:35 PM) ... hey, I'm a genius too at heart. I am not (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif) . I just work hard (IMG:style_emoticons/default/whistling.gif) ! What am I learning? Something much more important than more facility at the piano ... How to be grown up, adult, strong, reserved, scrupulously honest ... a real man (IMG:style_emoticons/default/howDoYouDo.gif) . (IMG:style_emoticons/default/fingersCrossed.gif)

jod	Jul 13 2011, 12:48 PM Post #762
Maestro Group: Banned Posts: 9899 Joined: 14-January 05 From: Burwell, Cambridgeshire Member No.: 2939	QUOTE(Mad Tom @ Jul 13 2011, 01:44 PM) QUOTE(jod @ Jul 13 2011, 02:35 PM) QUOTE(carol*piano @ Jul 13 2011, 01:28 PM) I failed my grade 6 first time, but hey - I'm still a genius (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) You say the nicest things. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) I failed that one too. I also failed grade 6 first time round (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) QUOTE(jod @ Jul 13 2011, 02:35 PM) ... hey, I'm a genius too at heart. I am not (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif) . I just work hard (IMG:style_emoticons/default/whistling.gif) ! What am I learning? Something much more important than more facility at the piano ... How to be grown up, adult, strong, reserved, scrupulously honest ... a real man (IMG:style_emoticons/default/howDoYouDo.gif) . (IMG:style_emoticons/default/fingersCrossed.gif) Love it Tom... I work hard too, and was just being sarcastic before to try to cheer myself up. Thank you the two of you! (Tom and Carol)

carol*piano	Jul 13 2011, 12:48 PM Post #763
Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 327 Joined: 1-January 06 Member No.: 5699	QUOTE(Mad Tom @ Jul 13 2011, 01:44 PM) I also failed grade 6 first time round (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) All the best people do... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) QUOTE(Mad Tom @ Jul 13 2011, 01:44 PM) How to be grown up, adult, strong, reserved, scrupulously honest ... a real man. Being grown up is so overrated (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)

pianobbligato	Jul 13 2011, 01:01 PM Post #764
Member Group: Members Posts: 88 Joined: 30-June 11 Member No.: 279239	It is more a case of what have I learnt this week...and it is that when my teacher says to me she is in charge of the pedals for a duet, she means it! I forgot first time around and so she reminded me that for our second attempt SHE would be in charge. Unfortunely, even though I did not press the pedals I still had my left foot underneath the sustain pedal....ouch...well as she said I'll never forget now who is charge of these pedals and I'll remember to move my feet so she can use them! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blush.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

lilly763	Jul 13 2011, 02:47 PM Post #765
Unregistered	QUOTE(corenfa @ Jul 13 2011, 08:26 AM) QUOTE(jod @ Jul 13 2011, 01:10 PM) QUOTE(stetenorve @ Jul 12 2011, 11:03 PM) I'm learning 3 new pieces from the grade 3 syllabus book, just in case I need to re-take the exam. Even if you do Stetenorve, is it the end of the world? I can say this as I did fail. Still onwards and upwards. I hope this doesn't happen, but if it does, it does. I agree entirely, I have not failed a music exam but failed plenty of other ones. In the long run, it all came out in the wash. Of course, that may not have been how I felt at the time (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wacko.gif) it's a disappointment undeniably. I am a veritable expert in the field of failure - I have failed a music exam (rather sad as I have only sat 3 music exams (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)), a couple of academic exams (not failure literally, but abysmally low scores compared to my abilities), and a driving exam... the only one for which haven't I returned with a success the next time around is the driving exam, because I hate driving and haven't been forced into retaking yet (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ph34r.gif) So yes, I can say with authority that life goes on (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

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