Seeing that beautiful Steinway grand piano in Chester has made me want to have a go of one. I'm toying with the idea of hiring a practice room in London for a few hours, preferably with a similar piano. Does anyone know of any and the rates?

Are there any prerequisites for doing this? Also, I was thinking perhaps one or two other adult learners might fancy joining in for a bit of plonking around on a nice piano, and maybe lunch afterwards?

Yours fervently,

Sol

BOOKED!!
Grade 5 standard and under Grand Piano fun day!

We have the large room at Schott, 48 Great Marlborough Street.

Sat Oct 24th, 2pm-4pm

Confirmed attendees for a practice room hire session on a nice grand piano
Solari
MissyPiano
Mini Mo + 1
JoMook
Eldatom
barry-clari (clarinet/flute)


Confirmed for meal/drinks after:
Solari
Mini Mo + 1
MissyPiano
JoMook
barry-clari
Eldatom

I know Samuel Jacques hire practice rooms out on Edgware Road, I'd like to come along but it would take me a lot of courage to play.

http://www.jspianos.com/practice.php# The rates even if per person are cheaper than I expected.

I used the rooms at Jaques Samuel on Edgeware Road.

http://www.jspianos.com/practice.php

They have grands (and one room with two grands) but Steinways they 'aint

Edit: The rates are per room, not per person.

Maybe I'm being snobby, but I'd *really* like a go on a Steinway or Bosendorfer I have no idea how good Kawai grands are, however.

As for being nervous, everyone would be in pretty much the same boat, that's the idea of getting a few learners along, grade 1-5 ish? It would probably cost pennies between a small group of people. It'd be nice to get some experience with the feel of a grand as opposed to my clav and my teacher's upright acoustic, and I'm sure some others would appreciate it too!

I am REALLY bad on the nerves front, but hey I have got to confront it so its sounds like a good idea. Central London best I guess.

I think Steinway in Central London (Marylebone Street I think...) has got some practice rooms for around £10 per room per hour. Might be worth giving them a ring to confirm they still have practice rooms as their website doesn't seem to mention anything. They're no prerequisites for booking rooms. Just ring and if a room is available for the time you want then it's yours
I would come along if only I could play better but not too sure what I could play if I did come! Everything is in working progress!! By the time I'd manage to finish a piece everybody might be asleep!!!!

Schott, which is near Liberty, has Steinways... (The Kawais at Jacques Samuels are pretty good, actually.) CityLit also has a couple of gorgeous Steinways but I'm not sure whether they let you play on them - they do hire out practise rooms but probably the ones with uprights.

Edit: Also, Belsize Music Rooms (near Belsize Park, obviously) used to have a Fazioli grand - not sure about now

Cool, I will look into this. Missypiano, you should consider it... Even if you just play some flourishes or something simple, the idea is just to have a bit of fun, not to have a concert (although anyone playing pieces will be welcome!)

Thanks to Pathera for her input - I'll investigate these too!

http://www.schott-music.co.uk/shopnav/prac...practice_rooms/

Hrm, those rooms seem big enough for a small group I think?

Sol, what a chat up line! I've never heard it called that before.

ROFL!!!!! Trust you to turn this into a "Carry On" thread

Sounds good to me, so long as I was able to meet someone at Victoria or London Bridge as not very good at getting round London by myself.

Also it depends on when you were thinking of making this happen as I wont be able to do anything before this side of half term, got my exam for A214 on October 19th and at the moment every spare moment goes to that.

One of the tutors that I had met at Pro Corda was having workshops in a practise room at London, it was J Samuels in Edgeware Road, don't remember what make the piano was. However, including the tutor there was 8 of us and we fitted in there quite easily.

ET

I go in via London Bridge so that wouldn't be a problem, ET. Perhaps late next month would be good? I wouldn't actually mind doing a few of these kind of sessions Playing on a nice instrument is always motivating.

It seems that there's enough interest already (say between 3 and 6 people), so I'll look at booking up a practice room for a few hours and also a restaurant if people like? A Saturday in the early afternoon would probably be best I think (24th Oct, maybe?). Giving it a month or so would give participants a chance to polish anything they want to show off

Any objections to me looking for a 2 hour slot on the 24th Oct?

I'll take the liberty of assuming that these are potential attendees?

MissyPiano
Eldatom
Mini Mo


Not sure if JoMook was just offering advice or was interested?

Hi Solari

Can't promise for 24th I am afraid as hoping to go away half term - that is if I can persuade my husband to take us somewhere warm, at the moment he doesn't want to go. I just feel after the last few months I have had and my exam over it will be nice to just go and chill out for a while - well actually not chill but sun lol

If I find that I am not going away and you have gone ahead with it and there is still room for one then I could be up for it.

But I would definitely be up to joining in a session some time.

Yep, I'm up for it. Count me in.
The Steinway "shop" sounds good. I've been past and drooled all over the window. Corrrrrr.

One day... maybe!

I'll give them a call tomorrow and ask, otherwise, the Steinway Baby Grands at Schott look like a good bet!

sooo jealous I live so far away! have a great time and do tell how it goes. might be up for another time in the future if it means a trip up to the big city

Ahh, shame

I think it'll be nice to be able to play on a great instrument without the pressure of having ridiculously talented, higher grade players around.

Anyways, I'll call a few places tomorrow and hopefully book up the 24th, for around 1pm or so. I'll post here with my findings.

I'll pencil it into the diary... God what am I doing? Help!

I have never played on a grand before - I wonder how it feels?

Busy jotting down ideas for my repertoire... Mary had a little lamb and twinkle twinkle little star.

It will feel a bit lighter than an upright I'm guessing due to the hammers being assisted by gravity Whatever you play will sound immensely better than on a normal upright

Hrm, I'll try to get one of the new pieces I'm learning finished before then but no promises as it's quite long - I've memorised just over half but it will need polishing Otherwise I'll send you all to sleep with some Einaudi/Preisner

I wouldn't worry about nerves, I only lost my performing to an audience virginity last Friday

5 people over 2 hours = almost 25 mins each. plenty of time We could probably squeeze one more in.

Does anyone fancy doing a sort of split duet - Satie's Gymnopedie #1 or something similar - one person can do Left hand, the other can play the right? Not that challenging but could be fun and would sound nice!

I just mentioned to my other half and bless him he worries about me (being part of the vertically challenged club an'all), so he might come along. Is that ok?

P.s. Dont tell anyone but I like some of Einaudis stuff. Which ones do you play?

Yep that would be fine - he'd be welcome as long as he doesn't steal piano time

Er I sort of got halfway through learning Le Onde and need to finish it, I know Passagio from memory, and most of Questa Notte from memory (but I don't play the faster parts that evenly yet), and I can play most of Nefeli from memory. I'll bring the book along with me in case you want to have a look through

You can play half of Le Onde for me then!

I'll make an effort to get it learnt by next month if you like it that much I might have finished learning "Castle on a Cloud" from Les Mis by then too.

Super I'll look forward to that!

Have you seen Missypiano's profile pic by the way? We wont miss her!

This is such a brilliant idea, I wish there were somewhere around here we could do this,

While you're there take full advantage of playing a decent grand piano:

play with the lid both open and closed so you really get a good feel for the difference, the room may be a little small to keep the lid open as you might blast each other's ears off.

Then if you play from memory, try with the music stand up and down, again the difference is quite remarkable.

Also you must have a go using the una corde pedal (the left hand one) on an upright piano this pedal moves the hammers forward so there is less force behind it, on a grand the keys move by about 1/4 inch to hit a single string (hence una corde, one string) and uses a less hammered section of the hammer. Believe me the first time it happens it's not enough movement to interrupt the flow of your playing but it's enough to unsettle you a bit.

Have a really fab time.

Thanks, Digby, if it goes well, I might even make it a regular thing

Used this venue for bohemian's recital back in June. Didn't use a piano, but there is a glorious Steinway in the premises! Oxford Circus tube, numerous buses nearby

Might I also add : really lovely idea Solari : well done!

Just had a thought.

You wouldn't want me to abuse a piano with my rudimentary 'skills' , but what I can do is bring a clari/flute/both, and the lower end ABRSM grade books (grade 1, 2, maybe 3), and if anyone wants to have a go at accompanying, I'll come along and play?

What were you thinking of playing? Not sure I'd have time to get an accompaniment learned in time (and I've never accompanied before) unless it's quite a short/sight-readable/easy piece. I have quite a big backlog at the moment one of the others may be up for it though in which case I'll stand aside

24th October sounds good!!!!



I learnt Gymnopedie #1 a few months ago and really enjoyed it. Would have to relearn it but would be ok. Do you by any chance have the score for a duet Sol? I learnt it as a solo (only 2 hands!). It would be nice finding something for 4 hands as I'd feel more comfortable playing with 2 hands rather than one!!!


That picture was taken the last time I played the "moonlight sonata". As you can see on the picture I'm concentrating very hard!!


No wonder your OH is worried. He's probably seen our profile pictures!!! Have you seen JoMook's picture too??



Well, you haven't heard me play yet!!!


Sounds like fun!!
I'd love to have a go at accompanying but having only 2 1/2 years playing (or trying to!! ) behind me my sightreading is still quite bad and I'd find it really hard to just be able to play something at sight.
Having said that I did learn the accompaniment for "I dreamed a dream" and "On my own" from Les miserables a while back. It was from the: Les miserables "voice and piano" book. Do you think the voice part could be played by the clarinet or flute instead of being sang???
If that's possible, I could relearn the piano part before the 24th (I think...I hope!!! ) and we could try that maybe?
Or maybe you could send me the music for something else we could play so I can learn my part beforehand?
I'm not sure if I'd be able to follow you as I've never tried to accompany anyone before but would love to give it a go!!!

I'm used to playing it with both hands too - I've gone part way through it. I don't have duet sheets I think you may be able to accompany Barry though! Remember that the voice part will have to be transposed...

I'll ring up a few places this afternoon and report back, this could shape up to be great fun

Maybe we could sort out a simple duet for the "next piano plonking" I think I've got some at home. I'll report back!!!


The voice part shouldn't have to be transposed as it's in the treble clef and the clarinet and flute both use this clef (I think... ).


Yes, should be great fun!!!
Looking forward to it!!!

BOOKED!!

We have the large room at Schott, 48 Great Marlborough Street.

Sat Oct 24th, 2pm-4pm

I think we should probably keep the numbers down to 5 or 6 as the room isn't *that* big

Can you please confirm if that's ok, I'll PM you all my phone # closer to the day in case we have any nightmares on the day getting everyone together

Also, who would fancy something to eat/drink afterwards?

I'm planning on playing:

1) Beethoven - Piano Sonata Op.13 2nd Mvt
2) Einaudi - Le Onde (or as much of it as I can learn for Mini Mo)
3) Einaudi - Passagio OR Questa Notte
4) Zbigniew Preisner - Winter Light

I will also make lots of noise just having some fun, too

I'd like to play "Norweigian Wood" or "Castle On A Cloud" but not sure if they will be up to standard by then.

That takes up about 20 mins or so

Great!!!
and yes for the after play food/drink...I'll probably need a large drink after my attempts at trying to play something!!!

P.S. I haven't got a clue yet what I'm going to play!!!

Have a think!

I might chop and change yet, it depends what I get done!

EDIT: Oh dear, I seem to be turning into Barry-Clari mkII with all this arranging stuff!

Looking forward to it (in a fearful kind of way).

I think I'll just see what I am able to play on the day (I am only grade 1 level!). Even 20 mins will be enough believe you me.

There will be me and the other half.

Meeting up will be problem free... all we have to do is look for a: waterfall, a cow, a real stunner, a witch, an invisible being oh and one normal person!

Food after would be great. Me and the other half eat most things (apart from anything extreme like guineau pigs which I was offered in mexico, yuk!).

The thing to remember is that we're all learners and no one will bat an eyelid at any mistakes The worst part is sitting there, waiting for your turn! Whether we should take our chunks up in one go, or split it, I'm not sure. I think perhaps we should work out a programme of sorts.



Maybe you could have a look at something like Haydn's Little Serenade? I can send you the sheet if you like. It should be doable within a month and is a lovely piece of music around Grade1/2 standard



Hahaha! I will change my profile picture back to normal at some point so I won't be hard to recognise



Baaaaaarryyyyyyy..... got any ideas, you man about town, you?

Yeah, I'd better a) Plan what I am going to play and b) Get practising.

Yup to the eating and drinking afterwards.

Oh, and I would imagine that I'll be pushed to fill the 20 mins too!

Don't worry! I feel exactly like you!!! but let's not treat it like a concert but a bit of fun (or I won't come!!! )!!! I'll probably also decide on the day what I'm going to try to play (apart from the accompaniment that might require a bit more preparation so I don't let Barry down!!! ) I might make loads of mistakes, might have to stop, restart...but hey at least we'll have fun and we'll be able to say we've played on a Steinway!!!!

By the way, someone *has* to have a go at playing Bach's Prelude in C on that piano... It will sound beautiful!

Any volunteers?

You could always try playing the pieces you're learning with your teacher at the moment! I might end up doing just that!
Let's not put too much pressure on ourselves. This is supposed to be a bit of fun not a concert!!!!

Yep, if people just want to hold down the pedal and do runs up and down the keyboard to see how it sounds (I know I will), then that's great too It's about experience, but anyone who wants to play anything is welcome to. I spent a fair bit of time learning stuff for a pupil's concert so figure I may as well put it to good use again

I would do it but I might be a bit pushed for time as I've decided to play the Rach 2!!!

Bleh, the Bach is sight-readable I'm looking forward to hearing you play, missypiano

don't forget to bring some ear plugs!!!!

Believe you me, you will not be the only one stopping and starting. I tend to just go blank through the middle of a piece!!!!

Solari, yes if you do have Haydn's little serenade. I did download it after you recommended it a while back to me, but the only copy I could find was really bad. I'll pm you with my e-mail address.

By the way: Can I just confirm the sexes of everyone?

Solari - Male
Missypiano - Femail
Eldatom - User name Sounds male
Barry-Clari - Male? (Only kidding)
Mini_mo - Female (I should know my own ### by now )
JoMook - Female ?

How did I do? Its annoying, in the profile it should state the ###

EDIT: Oops I didnt realise it would block out certain words!

When I phone up schott, the guy seemed a bit bemused as to why we wanted 5 or 6 people in there, he thought we had a string quartet going on or something. I'm guessing that perhaps this isn't such a common occurence He was very helpful, though!

Also - Eldatom, if you could confirm closer to the time, it'd be great. If you can't make it, we'll coerce someone else into attending

couldn't you tell mine from my profile picture??!!!

I'm male, by the way. So is Barry (funny, that!)

Missypiano has met us both already so she'll confirm that we're not scary neanderthals!

Sorry I can't confirm this until I get the £5 you promised me I'd get for saying you're ok!!