OK : what I'll do is dig out something from the early grade clari/flute syllabus. I can scan you the part if you like if you give me an email address.

Perhaps next time, cambiata I do plan on making this a regular thing! It will alternate between beginners and "open piano".

Yes, I would have liked to have come to this too...maybe next time. I hope the day goes well for everyone.

I think it might be worth looking into the bigger venue in Waterloo that Panthera mentioned for future events, you'll get a few more people in then.

Might even do a piano duet with someone next time. Not a solo. No, no, no, no, no...

Just tried to upload a new photo of me for identification purposes, but it won't let me! I am stuck as a witch forever. Husband may not disagree there.

Hahaha! you might have to resize it, I don't think it lets you upload anything bigger than 300x200 or something?

Good idea, just done mine, haven't got my glasses on though and my hair is curly now, but hopefully I will be recognisable.

ET

Like the new pic



*makes note*

There's already a pic of me on my profile

I think you should have just made yourself up as a witch for the fun of it!

Ah! it has updated after all!

Jo Mook, I have just seen your updated profile pic... a vast improvement on the cow (or was that Eldatom, cant remember now!) Suddenly I feel the need to ban my other half from coming along....

Just thought that I would mention, I got a confirmation phone call from them today to ensure it was still going ahead. All sorted
Only a week to go!

Rofl. Yeah, it was me that had the crazy grinning cow. I was having a "good" hair day that day ;-) Also, I'm not "in a meadow" as one of my friends suggested....



Aye, sooooo not ready. I think my stint will be brief

Tell me about it! I'll stumble through stuff I've not quite got up to scratch anyway!

"It's not a concert" is the mantra

Are we going to rotate or do people want to do a 25 minute stint in one block? (seems excessive to me).

I'll go with the flow...but yes, I agree, one big stint does seem excessive (and scary).

I'll probably play 1 or two pieces then hide in the corner for a bit until it's my turn again!

Do we pull straws to see who goes first?

I know for me, it will be far better to break it up, as each time will then hopefully be less nerve racking. I could then do the easiest song first and progress to trickier pieces as my confidence grows (or rapidly sinks!). Actually I could end up doing Mary had a little lamb!!!!



Ha ha!


Straws are a good idea. I am wondering whether I should go first because I am the most inexperienced and it may be better for me not to hear what other people can play (might make me more nervous). Also if I go first then everyone can only improve on my performance. I think the longer I sit there and wait the more nervous I will become. Talk about throwing myself in at the deep end! Aggghhhh

We're all in the same boat - I am always nervous about playing in front of people, even family!

You will be fine!

They are excellent like that : this is what they did when I hired the venue for bohemian's recital



I think it's very sensible to break it up into small sections. For most of the forum concerts/adult learner concerts, the time limit for each 'act' is about 5 minutes : might be good to have, say, 2 or 3 small sections each.

By the way, I'd like to have a go at a piano duet in the future at one of these events, any volunteers?

Feeling brave now, are we?

Less apprehensive. This does not in any way equal brave though

If I manage to get through this playday I might consider trying a duet at some point...BUT right now I'm hoping I'll be able to play more than one note on Saturday!!!

You'll be fine missypiano : it'd be good sometime to try a duet...

Now that sounds like a chance to get my own back fun idea when you visit.

I'm still trying to research the music of Peppa Pig at the moment!...

LOL

I am on the verge of memorising something I'd really like to play, so !!!

I keep getting a few notes wrong but it sounds OK so I fail to pick it up and commit the corrections to memory

I'll have my fingers crossed!

If you decide you want the music in front of you on the day, it won't matter though.

Would love to have joined you all but can't make that date. If any of you want to improve your sight-reading and play duets you might be interested in this course at Benslow;

http://www.benslow.org/residential-music-c...&keyword=25

Aw, that's a shame - there'll be loads of events in 2010 of varying descriptions though : hopefully you'll be able to make some of them

Nah I'll be ok

Hotair - great link, I might sign up for that!

Maybe not necessarily that course, but I think it'd be nice one day for a load of forum people to go along to some sort of Benslow or similar course for a musical holiday. Or hire a cottage and make our own music

Barry, out of interest, do you have access to a piano or keyboard to practice anything?

I have a very tired keyboard that works from time to time, and has an excellent facility where I can make it sound like a telephone.

I have access to proper pianos at the various schools I work at.

I have no clue what duet reportoire there is in the early grades so I'll have to wait for someone else's suggestions

I could split hands with you on something though if you wanted!

Neither do I, but I can always research. Perhaps there's some free stuff online : I've found a load of worthwhile woodwind stuff via this route.



Thanks : I shall bear that in mind

I am booked on this course already.

Top Cat. Barry left hand, Sol right hand. Everyone else can sing, like cats. I'll bring a bin.

Scarily enough, I was going to suggest this but thought it might scare him, what with it being Grade 3 and all!

Bit short notice really unless Barry wants to spend the next couple of evenings with me practicing!

Stick a scan of it in my email inbox and I'll let you know...

That's great! I will PM you in due course.

Hrm I might book up this week actually... Need to check dates as it might clash with my trip to Vegas...

sorry, ooh, you going to Vegas, where? when?

Supposed to be going in May! Hopefully I won't end up drunkenly getting married to some random person while dressed as Elvis!

Lovely lovely place but you need to get the Papillion flight right down into the Grand Canyon while you're there. they're the only company with the rights to land in the canyon

We're planning on doing the Canyon but thanks for the tip!

Only one more tip. Never get a drink at the bar in a casino. play the one cent machine and waitresses will bring your drinks for free. we found most would pay a quarter tip between them, we gave them a quarter tip each! still a cheap beer but it meant they would keep a beady eye on us and as soon as we were down to a quarter left they'd be round with another

I'm also booked on this now! Hopefully I might come out of it being able to read more than 1 or 2 notes ahead..

Bit nervous about the prospect of having to keep up with someone in a duet but oh well!

Oh excellent! Who ever ends up going can experience the delights of Hitchin, which is not too bad. Loads of places to eat and drink. Are you booked as a resident? I only live down the road so will end up in my own comfy bed.

One of my workmates lives around there funnily enough. I'll be resident... Decided to go for the new ensuite thingamajig. I just can't be bothered to drive from and to Kent every day!

That's the way to do musical weekends : I don't think you'll get the atmosphere if you commute.

Still happy to have a look at Top Cat, in case it's do-able by Saturday... Would need it in advance though...