Hi again,

I've got an other two questions, if I may. The first is regarding the pieces I seem to have naturally picked out from the ABRSM's Grade 1 syllabus. The second is regarding the first two right hand notes of "Das Echo".

Question 1. I've decided on "Giga" for my A piece. "Das Echo" for my B piece, and "In The Pink" for my C piece. I'm not sure if that says anything about me as a student, trying to teach himself the piano, but from other students and teachers perspectives, do those choices seem like a good mix? Sorry to sound unsure of myself, but the basic truth is that I am. I suppose all students are, and perhaps that's a good indication that I need a teacher. But in general, for those that are learning, or have passed these pieces ... why did you pick them?

Question 2, once again, is the easier. For the first two notes in "Das Echo", why does the book suggest fingering note 1 and note 2 of the first bar, with the 3rd finger. In my first post, one of the responses I had hinted along lines of ... "pick what works best for you", but why IS it suggested that the second note be played with the same finger, when the whole bar is far more easily played with 5 fingers already placed on G, A, B, C, E. Is it to do with the stutter from note 1 to note 2 that this will naturally cause?

Once again thankyou for your time.

Mart

Hi Mart!

I can't answer your second question as I don't have a grade 1 book to hand, but I would be surprised if both notes are played with the same finger. Of the top of my head, I would have thought the B was played with finger 3 and the A with 2 and then the G with 1. The 3 above the A might be a triplet, but I'll have a look at it and get back to you.

Most of my students have selected the same combination of pieces for grade 1 as you. As long as you chose one from each group - you have a completely free choice. It might be an idea to have some lessons to keep you on the right track. Problems/bad habits are better prevented than cured.

I think you may be right about the triplet. The second "3" does seem to be a little more slanted, or italicised. I thought it was a printing error!

It's just adult thinking, and knowing how life works, that's probably led me to think that the pieces I have chosen will be a slight detriment to the exam. There is supposedly no penalty for missing mordents, or octaved notes, or whatever it might be, but we both know that life, and examiners aren't all equal. Oh well, I must be naturally sceptical

Regarding hiring a teacher, I was giving it serious thought yesterday. Until now it's been one of those "I can do it on my own" things, in the back of my mind, but the more I think about it, the better an option it seems.

See, I'm thinking about it again

A lot of my pupils are doing these same three pieces too. The number 3 in "Das Echo" is indeed the triplet figure rather than the finger number as suggested. It's moments of confusion like this that illustrate how important having a teacher is for a beginner and music novice. As well as being there to teach, inspire and support, we are also there to facilitate those moments when the student gets stuck or misinterprets something incorrectly. A teacher can help with those common problems and hurdles that instrumentalists frequently come across, things that if learnt incorrectly, can have detrimental effects on progress in the long run.

Gae

Those three pieces have been the most popular combination for my Grade 1 students using the current book, although I always let them choose whatever they like. They're not my personal favourites, although I do like Giga - if I was doing it, I'd go for Tedesca (with added ornamentation in the second half), Arabian Air and Sleeping Cat!

And yes, as others have said, the '3' is a triplet sign.

Hi
I'm doing Giga, Das Echo and Sleeping cat. (I decided against In the Pink because when I started learning the pieces I was more bothered about keeping things even than trying to swing)

Ypu do realize if you hadn't noticed that there are triplet groups throughout the piece then you will have been mistiming it ?

If you say "fiddle-di-dee!" with a long "dee' at the end you should get the triplet timing OK. Or "pineapple tea" (I always use drinks for rhythms with my pupils!) Or if you're a Winnie-the-Pooh fan "tiddle-y pom!"

I have to say I think Arabian Air is a lot more interesting than Das Echo - but it's down to personal choice!

Despite listening to both tunes before chosing, nearly all of them chose Das Echo (I suspect they thought it looked much easier!) but they soon bored of it and moved over the Arabian Air which they have much preferred and haven't found as hard as they previously thought.

I have chosen the A list for most of them, as they tend to be young and don't always appreciate what's best for them So, most end up doing Tedesca, Arabian Air and In the Pink, though we have had a couple of Gigas and Sleeping Cat.

I've had a really good mix of grade 1 pieces this year. The only one that no-one has tackled so far (from the book that is) is Andante A2.

Lesson in F (B4, alternative) is pleasant despite the prosaic title - I too got bored with Echo very quickly!

My two who took grade one this morning played:

1) Giga, Lesson and Sleeping Cat,

and

2) Tedesca, March and Eeyore's March.

I do quite like Arabian Air too, and the first pupil did choose to learn it but also did Lesson from the same group and ended up preferring that.