Hi All
I am off to my piano workshop today in London and feeling very excited. Downside I still haven't decided what piece I will be using for my study. Should it be my Scarlati piece, Schuman piece or one of my alternative exam pieces.
My slot is at 1.30pm so I think I will see what the others do and just go with the flow. I am armed with loads of piano music to take up with me.
This is the first time I have done one of these workshops so not quite sure what it will be like, but first of many I hope. It is one of the tutors that was at Procorda in October that was running it and there will be a few known faces.
Oh well, best get a move on, need to get a train just after 9.00am.
Will let you know how it goes.
ET
Full Version: Off To Piano Workshop Today
Exciting! You'll have finished by now (4pm), so I hope all went well - do let us know 
Yes - hope you enjoyed the day, eldatom. What did you play ?
Hi All
Well now in from my workshop, and I have to say that I had a great time.
In the end I chose Dance by Kabelevsky, I had arrived there and still not made up my mind but in the end I chose Dance as it is a piece that I haven't really studied with my piano teacher and also it is played in 3rds and staccato and I am working on about 3 other pieces with similar patterns.
The teacher showed me ways to practise which during my half hour I had already improved, I haven't tried out this technique yet at home but I am looking forward to trying. Also I was concerned that I had to play quite fast and she told me that I didn't need to, and in fact slowed me right down where it was manageable playing in both hands . She told me that I should work at a phrase at a time and not move on until I had got it correct at least 3 times so that my brain would then recognise it. She said that if I played it wrong once and then played it correct then my brain would only recognise getting it right next time 50%, it all made sense.
Also there was a pattern in the right hand that then the same pattern moved in the left hand, this particular pattern I hadn't picked up and was quite invaluable to learn.
The teacher is going to run further workshops throughout the year and one particularly draws me to it as it is for combating nerves and gaining confidence.
What I liked about today was although most of the others were Grade 8 plus pianists no-one made me feel inferior because I was only Grade 4 and the teacher managed to pull out teaching techniques from my piece that benefited everyone and not just the lower grade.
ET
Well now in from my workshop, and I have to say that I had a great time.
In the end I chose Dance by Kabelevsky, I had arrived there and still not made up my mind but in the end I chose Dance as it is a piece that I haven't really studied with my piano teacher and also it is played in 3rds and staccato and I am working on about 3 other pieces with similar patterns.
The teacher showed me ways to practise which during my half hour I had already improved, I haven't tried out this technique yet at home but I am looking forward to trying. Also I was concerned that I had to play quite fast and she told me that I didn't need to, and in fact slowed me right down where it was manageable playing in both hands . She told me that I should work at a phrase at a time and not move on until I had got it correct at least 3 times so that my brain would then recognise it. She said that if I played it wrong once and then played it correct then my brain would only recognise getting it right next time 50%, it all made sense.
Also there was a pattern in the right hand that then the same pattern moved in the left hand, this particular pattern I hadn't picked up and was quite invaluable to learn.
The teacher is going to run further workshops throughout the year and one particularly draws me to it as it is for combating nerves and gaining confidence.
What I liked about today was although most of the others were Grade 8 plus pianists no-one made me feel inferior because I was only Grade 4 and the teacher managed to pull out teaching techniques from my piece that benefited everyone and not just the lower grade.
ET
Well done for having a go. It sounds like a really interesting and useful day.
I'm glad that it went so well - you've obviously got a lot out of it
The workshop sounded really very useful, and I bet it's given you a lot more confidence. I think you'll be more than ready for Grade 4 by the time you do it.
The idea about playing a phrase correctly 3 times before moving on seems a good one. I'll have to try it.
The idea about playing a phrase correctly 3 times before moving on seems a good one. I'll have to try it.
Ooh London workshops! Glad you enjoyed it. I'd be highly interested. Please do tell more ET. Can anyone attend? (You mentioned you already knew the teacher and participants so I'm not quite sure whether these workshops are private 
) When and what topics are the next ones? Thanks!
) When and what topics are the next ones? Thanks!
QUOTE(Panthera @ Jan 4 2009, 03:38 PM) 
Ooh London workshops! Glad you enjoyed it. I'd be highly interested. Please do tell more ET. Can anyone attend? (You mentioned you already knew the teacher and participants so I'm not quite sure whether these workshops are private
) When and what topics are the next ones? Thanks!Hi Panthera
What I will do is pm you as I would hate to be accused of advertising on this tutors behalf! But first I will contact the tutor and ask her what details she wants me to give out as these workshops are for very small groups maximum 7 people.
ET
Jog me if I don't get round to Pm'ing you.
Glad to hear it went well, ET - it sounds as if you got a lot out of it
QUOTE
Hi Panthera
What I will do is pm you as I would hate to be accused of advertising on this tutors behalf! But first I will contact the tutor and ask her what details she wants me to give out as these workshops are for very small groups maximum 7 people.
ET
Jog me if I don't get round to Pm'ing you.
Thank you, ET! Looking forward to your PM
Fingers crossed the tutor will allow you to pass on the details.
QUOTE(skylark @ Jan 5 2009, 04:12 PM)
Glad to hear it went well, ET - it sounds as if you got a lot out of it
Hi Skylark
Yes I did, who knows maybe once you get a bit further down on the line on the piano I may see you at one of the workshops.
I now have a voice recorder so aim to do some recordings and will send you some. Promise to email you soon.
ET
QUOTE(Chris H @ Jan 4 2009, 03:05 PM)
The workshop sounded really very useful, and I bet it's given you a lot more confidence. I think you'll be more than ready for Grade 4 by the time you do it.
The idea about playing a phrase correctly 3 times before moving on seems a good one. I'll have to try it.
Hi Chris, you are too kind! However, I got a voice recorder for Christmas so will get recording and you can then give me a genuine assessment of what you think. My son, bless him, said Mum, you are going to do so well! Hmm maybe if I can keep the nerves at bay.
Confidence is definitely getting better though, the more I play in front of people the less I am thinking about it. On Friday evening we had visitors around and they asked me to play, and I just ok and did! I did go a bit wrong though but then I did have my son who was a bit hyped up by then from excitement and too much seven up I think was bobbing a balloon around me whilst I was trying to play!
Can't wait to get together sometime and do a duet!
Will email soon.
ET
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