I am thinking of taking up a new instrument. I understand that it is possible to reach grade eight in a few weeks on the recorder ( ) so I thought of getting an organ installed into our house, getting a "Teach Yourself the Organ" book and working on grade eight stuff for a few days. It should be VERY simple as I play the piano a little already! Then perhaps I will try out some of the more advanced repertoire. What concerto should I try first? If I order the organ and the music now I should have it ready for a performance at the next forum event.

I wouldn't bother to order the music now. Just pick it up on your way to the forum event and sight read.

May I propose a new Forums Club?

To be called RANT

Which stands for Recorders Are Not Trivial.

Anyone interested?

Never mind grade 8. Straight to FRSM level. Would your FLCM recorder be a prerequisite, given recorder is a great head start for the organ.



Then I must be REALLY slow, and yes, I have two grade 8 distinctions on other woodwind.

Perhaps I should try the violin as I used to have an LTCL for cello playing in another life!

Oh, petrat what a gorgeous idea that one about installing an organ in your house! you definitely MUST!!!! I did it last autumn (concretely mid-October) but in the bathroom -the little one-, so it sounds and sounds and sounds and sounds just perfectly like in a church or chatedral. And, why FRSM? that's for weak people! I inscribed myself in a Doctorate-three-months-program and I'm finishing it with a very very honest and-proud-of-it Pass.

If you need anything, just say!

Forgot to ask Petrat, is this so you can teach the organ for a few more quid, despite never having a lesson or taking an exam for it Or the violin for that matter?

I don't fancy teaching the organ, but I might give the occasional master class in a month or so.

You sound familiar

Is that for real?

I'm sure I could learn something from your organ masterclasses petrat- can I come tomorrow?

No one knows... lol

I had worked that out!

Actually to save the vast waste of money that it would take to install an organ into our place I think that I will just use the harmonium. It has quite a few stops and I could put either a paper cut out of a pedal board or one of those roll out pianos on the floor to practise my pedalling technique. I could drop in to play the organ in Bangor Cathedral before my first master classes just to brush up a little.

*signs up for a good RANT*

I'd like to form a sister organisation: Gr8 RINAP (pronounced Grater in a pea). This stands for Grade 8 recorder is not a pushover. Applications on a postcard please.

I'll join!

How about SCRAM?

Scales on that crazy recorder are monstrous

edit, oh and:

RACH

Recorder arpeggios create headaches

And me!

Me, too, please.

UPDATE:

The organ was rather too easy so i have now got an alphorn and a tutor on how to yodel. I am hoping that the Swiss branch of the ABRSM will let me take a dip on the alphorn very soon as I can play it superbly already. At least grade nine standard. I know this because a German friend heard my play the other day and called, "Nine, Nine". to me.

Petrat - this is fantastic news. I have just got a copy of "Teach Yourself Books: Compose Music", so I think I could write some music for you to play - a Fudge (sorry Fugue) or two perhaps?

PS: Perhaps the Fudge would be a better idea?

That's copyright!!!!

I am now a member of PANTS (Pianos Are Not Terribly Simple)

I accept my Professorship at 12 noon on Wednesday.

Tears up Fugue and starts to compose music for alphorn (NB: practice the music using the horn on my car - grade 10 standard)





Can I join PANTS as well please?

I would love some new music for it. Don't give up on the fugue though. You could knock off one in each key, just for praciice and fun.

Of course!! Welcome! No one below Grade 17 is allowed though...

I'll be there by the end of next week - no problems!





Sticks back together masterworks

Excellent!

How many fugues now Piano63?

I'm finding them just too easy to compose, so I'm also working on a few Toccatas for you to really show off your alphorn. I hope you don't mind, but I've taken the liberty of entering you to play my pieces in the next Eisteddfod. They tried to argue that the Alphorn was not a Welsh instrument, but I think that I convinced them otherwise.

Give me 2 days and I'm bound to be at least Grade 17

I'll add you to the membership list!

They know nothing!!! We'll tell them that it is just a big pibcorn, and that on Snowdon in the winter months we play little else!!!