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

[madbassoonist]

I love the Scarlatti Sonata, it's lovely (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wub.gif) I'm not planning on doing any piano exams any time soon-I can't do aural or sight-read to save my life, so no chance of any of that just yet! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rofl.gif)

Being unable to do the aurals hasn't stopped me... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)

What I do is try to sing the tonic note when the examiner plays it and then keep that in my head while the examiner plays the modulation and then sing up the notes at the end. The annoying part is that I think the examiner only plays it once, so you don't get another chance to check. If that doesn't work, I was taught that if it modulates to the dominant it is a much brighter sound than to the subdominant. It'll probably help to listen to lots of modulations until you pick up what a modulation to the dominant and the subdominant generally sound like. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

You've reminded me, I need to remember how to do grade 7 aural too this term! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

I tried to sing the tonic all the way through, but it didn't work because I couldn't keep the note in tune (and I can't hold it in my head) - it always turned into the new tonic! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wacko.gif) I now just try to listen out for the 'tell-tale note' which has been flattened or sharpened. It's hard though, especially if in the inner parts, but I'm getting better! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

At least I can do cadences, except sometimes working out whether it's V or V7, but that's only a tiny part.
As for sight-singing, it's getting better, and playing back (I don't sing (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)) is... OKish. I'll be happy with 14 or 15 for aurals.

Grade 7 tenor sax... and you've been playing for how long?! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wacko.gif)


Oh this is a bit off topic so I will just say that I am learning the Chopin Raindrop Prelude (so I can show off when we come to study it for GCSE)

[kingsley13]

Oh this is a bit off topic so I will just say that I am learning the Chopin Raindrop Prelude (so I can show off when we come to study it for GCSE)

It really is useful to learn it. I started learning and gave up before I realised it was a set piece, and then relearned it. It helped when we came to study it because I knew a bit about it, and the chords etc already.

[1993allende]

not to mention it being a great piece of repertoire (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) . Just out of interest, what are the performing requirements for gcse and a level music? Being a scot i dont know but please relieve my curiosity (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Solari]

Burgmuller - La Chevalresque (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) It's for fun, but when I bought the book, it was way beyond me - it's nice to see some progress (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[saxophile]

Still on the last bits of the Beethoven Pathetique 2nd movt - but almost there, I hope. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)
Slow practice on the middle section of Granados' Spanish Dance no.2. I need to lift my wrist to achieve the ornaments cleanly.
Chopin Prelude no.3 is on hold - possibly permanently....

I also need to adjust my posture (my teacher described me as looking if I was sitting waiting for a bus (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif) ) to try to counter some ongoing tension in wrists and forearms.

I have been threatened with Hanon (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ph34r.gif) and have to practise dominant seventh arpeggios to start building up speed.

On the plus side, some "easy"(ish) Debussy has been promised for next time. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Solari]

Still on the last bits of the Beethoven Pathetique 2nd movt - but almost there, I hope. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Brilliant! The last page is home & dry, not very hard at all once you see what your hands are doing! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

Chopin Prelude no.3 is on hold - possibly permanently....

I was supposed to be learning it but I can't get my LH to work quickly enough (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wacko.gif) I'll go back to it in a few months, I think!

On the plus side, some "easy"(ish) Debussy has been promised for next time. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Did he write anything easy? I got hold of a copy of Clair De Lune at the Leeds playday thanks to oldnotes and had a look through some of it last night. Despite the 5 flats, the first page doesn't seem that bad note-wise as long as I keep counting... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[clavicembalo]

I got hold of a copy of Clair De Lune at the Leeds playday thanks to oldnotes and had a look through some of it last night. Despite the 5 flats, the first page doesn't seem that bad note-wise as long as I keep counting... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

.... and don't forget that it starts on the second beat of a triplet! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ph34r.gif)

You know, it's the only movement from his Suite Bergamasque that I haven't played*! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ohmy.gif)



*Possibly due to the fact that my younger sister was learning it when I was a teenager!

[Mad Tom]

Did he write anything easy? I got hold of a copy of Clair De Lune at the Leeds playday thanks to oldnotes and had a look through some of it last night. Despite the 5 flats, the first page doesn't seem that bad note-wise as long as I keep counting... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

So far as making the notes goes Clair de Lune is one of Debussy's easiest. Accurate timing and tonal balance are another matter.

If you want something easier then "The Little Shepherd" from Children's Corner, and "The Girl with Flaxen Hair" from the first book of Preludes are about as "easy" as he gets.

[Solari]

If you want something easier then "The Little Shepherd" from Children's Corner, and "The Gïrl with FLaxen Hair" from the first book of Preludes are about as "easy" as he gets.

Cool, I've bought the Children's Corner and Preludes 1 books now (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) I'm sure I'll want to tackle a few of these at some point!

[eldatom]

Did he write anything easy? I got hold of a copy of Clair De Lune at the Leeds playday thanks to oldnotes and had a look through some of it last night. Despite the 5 flats, the first page doesn't seem that bad note-wise as long as I keep counting... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)
[/quote]

Hmm, yep I can manage the first page - but then decided to leave it lol

Still on the last bits of the Beethoven Pathetique 2nd movt - but almost there, I hope. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)
Slow practice on the middle section of Granados' Spanish Dance no.2. I need to lift my wrist to achieve the ornaments cleanly.
Chopin Prelude no.3 is on hold - possibly permanently....

I also need to adjust my posture (my teacher described me as looking if I was sitting waiting for a bus (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif) ) to try to counter some ongoing tension in wrists and forearms.

I have been threatened with Hanon (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ph34r.gif) and have to practise dominant seventh arpeggios to start building up speed.

On the plus side, some "easy"(ish) Debussy has been promised for next time. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

I am doing Le Petit Negre, that isn't too bad once you get into the rhythm. What is quite nice about is that rather doing the usual counting you just have to go with the swing.

Well after being really ill for the past few days and not even being able to contemplate the piano, I am quite pleased with the practice that I have just spent for the last hour.

Stilll working on Mozart K545, Mozarts Fantasy in D Minor and Errinererung. There are a few others in the pipeline but this is what I spent my time on today. I spent a lot of time working out difficult phrases and in particular with the Fantasy the presto runs.


As I say I am quite happy as I tried to play on Saturday and it was a big mistake, I was just too poorly and couldn't play anything right, I just ended up feeling depressed and inadequate.

So a bit of a lift today, still not well but certainly a lot improved.

ET

[stetenorve]

3 pieces for the Autumn grade 2 exam. I've finally decided to have a go! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/piano.gif)

[clavicembalo]

I have asked our Head of Music to listen to my Liszt and Debussy tomorrow morning, just before I go to my piano lesson - a different pair of ears, first time performing the pieces outside the environment of my lesson. This should supply the run-up I need to perform the complete Recital in front of my invited audience, very soon! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ohmy.gif)

[wurlitzer]

Just out of interest, what are the performing requirements for gcse and a level music? Being a scot i dont know but please relieve my curiosity (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

GCSE performance requirements are really quite easy. The candidate needs to submit two performances (a solo and an ensemble) and each performance is marked out of 25 - thats to say 10 marks for accuracy and 15 marks for interpretation.
The performance standard for GCSE is about grade 2-4.

A level is a little more complicated.
For the first year of A level a short performance program needs to be submitted (I think about 10 minutes - cant remember off hand) containing pieces of approximately grade 5-6 difficulty. The pieces should be, but don't have to be, in a variety of styles such as one Baroque, one Classical, one Romantic etc.
For the second year of A level, the same applies except the program must be slightly longer (12-15 minutes I think) and the level of difficulty is about grade 7.

Hope this has been of some help. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

I look forward to starting A level music myself next year. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[1993allende]

Just out of interest, what are the performing requirements for gcse and a level music? Being a scot i dont know but please relieve my curiosity (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

GCSE performance requirements are really quite easy. The candidate needs to submit two performances (a solo and an ensemble) and each performance is marked out of 25 - thats to say 10 marks for accuracy and 15 marks for interpretation.
The performance standard for GCSE is about grade 2-4.

A level is a little more complicated.
For the first year of A level a short performance program needs to be submitted (I think about 10 minutes - cant remember off hand) containing pieces of approximately grade 5-6 difficulty. The pieces should be, but don't have to be, in a variety of styles such as one Baroque, one Classical, one Romantic etc.
For the second year of A level, the same applies except the program must be slightly longer (12-15 minutes I think) and the level of difficulty is about grade 7.

Hope this has been of some help. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

I look forward to starting A level music myself next year. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Scottish qualifications are weird.

Standard grade 3 on two instruments. First instrument four minutes of material, one for second instruments.Arrangement/composition internally assesed.

Higher- grade 5, 2 instruments, 10 mins on first, 6 on second. 2 composisions of contrasting style and to last more than 1 min each.

Advanced higher - grade 5, 2 instruments. Dont quote me on this but 15 mins first intsrument, 10 for instrument. Same composition requirements but for double the time. Also an essay of some sort.

All levels contains listening exams that test different levels of concepts. As you can tell from my vagueness about AH, im doing higher. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) otherwise i am learning the second movement of beethoven op2-1. It is my goal to be able to play the whole sonata aptly by this time next year (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif). That is if i can understand the concept of dividing stuff into demisemi triplets and get the flexibility and technique for the final movement.

[saxophile]

Did he write anything easy? I got hold of a copy of Clair De Lune at the Leeds playday thanks to oldnotes and had a look through some of it last night. Despite the 5 flats, the first page doesn't seem that bad note-wise as long as I keep counting... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

So far as making the notes goes Clair de Lune is one of Debussy's easiest. Accurate timing and tonal balance are another matter.

If you want something easier then "The Little Shepherd" from Children's Corner, and "The Girl with Flaxen Hair" from the first book of Preludes are about as "easy" as he gets.

I think my teacher was talking about something from Children's Corner, but he didn't have it with him (slight confusion, since he was expecting to give me a sax lesson ahead of my exam this Friday, but I was fed up of exam prep and asked to have my piano lesson as scheduled (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) )