After Saturday's resounding success, I thought I'd try to gauge interest for round II...

Update: Booked for Sat 5th December @ 12 midday


5th December 12 midday onwards

Grades 0 - 8

Cost = Cheap (sub-?10)

This is NOT a concert

It's an opportunity to gain experience playing a beautiful Steinway C grand in front of other people in a supportive environment. There is no fixed programme to be made, and you can play whatever you like! The idea is that this is low pressure, and that if it all goes wrong or you can't handle it, you can get up and walk away, with no judgement being passed!


I have provisionally booked the 1901 arts club with use of a Steinway C grand for 3 hours.

This obviously means that we can accomodate quite a lot of people so if we wanted to, we could open it up to players of other instruments who could find an accompanist in the attending players!

http://www.1901artsclub.com/about-us-01.html

Very central and easy to get to, plus we have the Salon

The chap on the other end of the phone was most helpful and they seem very happy to accomodate us!
I'm also toying with perhaps getting a teacher in to give a bit of a talk/demonstration on the grand piano for the benefit of us beginner types.

For those who weren't at Saturday's event, it was an informal gathering, targetted primarily at Grades 0-5 where we all had the opportunity to play in front of others and to play on a grand without the pressure of it being a concert. If you couldn't go on and finish the piece, it was fine to get up and walk away - excellent for those with performance nerves who want to tackle the problem head-on!

Bear in mind that we have 3 hours (180 mins) so with 10 players, that's 18 minutes each, maybe less. I don't think everyone will want that long a slot (15 should be enough for the brave) so perhaps we can accomodate up to 14 players.

Anyways, let me know/discuss

==========

Interested parties:

Me
Mini Mo
davidmackay
JoMook
Eldatom
OctaviaPiano
Barry Clari
MissyPiano
DaisyChain
Pianophrase
Panthera
Pianissimole
Tom Piano

3 hours hire (with some chatting), each person should expect 10-12 mins each on the piano.

============

Simply spectating:

One of my teacher's other students.

============

Yes I am up for it

Solari, If that open room were suitable at Schott, a great place to eat not too far away is Busaba Eathai near Selfridges. We ate there before meeting you on Saturday. http://www.busaba.com/

Mini_mo

I'm a bit nervous about the open room there because it's just that - open. A lot of people might find it unnerving seeing as people can peer down from the top part of the shop. I think an enclosed room would be a better bet

Since two of you (so far) appear to have survived Saturday, and are champing at the bit to do it again, I'll take that as a good sign. Pencil me in for the next session.

Great! You will enjoy it, it was a very relaxed, supportive environment on Saturday.

Count me in.

Done! ET and DC said they would be interested too in another event on Saturday so I'll make assumptions there! Will Barry want to come and do a duet or even a solo, I wonder?

Hi Solari

Definitely count me in.

ET

I'm interested too.

Anne

Another new face - great!

Sounds fun And maybe just the sort of thing I need. I've neglected the piano for the last few months feeling much happier on my clarinet. I think I need a bit of a confidence boost or some moral support from similar standard "pianist" (I use the term loosley ) But I can't make London.

Have fun all.

Yes you can. If you wanted to badly enough you'd find a way of making it possible - you're a determined enough person to do so.

No I really can't. (Though I appreciate the compliment ). Firtsly, Can't justify the train fare right now. Have owed my friend a visit for a few years now and haven't got there - so expensive!!. Also, would mean leaving the family (read kids) for a long full day and I'm loathe to do that as we get precious little time as a family as it is is and my littlest starts school very soon. We've also said we'd like to take the kids out for the day in London and it's not happened yet due to cost implications.

I know if it was a real priority I probably could do it. My husband is very accomodating but there's only so much I'm prepared to ask of him. My clarinet takes precedent right now, not piano. I have plenty of demands on my time and as it is , I've a few music events lined up over the next year. I really can't add any more just now.

Oldnotes is trying to persuade me to make a piano debut at headingley in January. Really not sure. See how brave I am on the day.

Oldnotes is right. It is very friendly and not at all scary. I played my violin there in May having only had the instrument two weeks, and nobody minded. You could always try accompanying if you don't fancy a solo.

Don't think so!! the timing has to be so spot on for that doesn't it? I may have something simple I could do - Prob around grade 2-4 is all I'd feel comfortable with at best. Although Drifting is G5 and with a bit (lot??) of practise could be achieveable....


See I'm thinking about it .... Must be mad

I'm interested in this...

Better luck this time I hope!!!! Surely I cannot get the flu again so soon after the one I've got now?!!
So count me in please....

Go for it, Dawn! At the January concert this year, mwl1 and Celeste very kindly agreed to sing whilst I accompanied, and I'd only been learning 6 months. It was only very short, about 40 secs I think!, but I really enjoyed doing it.

I think these piano playdays sound great, congratulations Solari!

1. Yes, Barry wants to come.
2. Yes, Barry would like to do a duet with a willing accomplice.
3. Sbhoa sent me three solo piano pieces. It'd be rude to just keep them to myself...



Fingers crossed missypiano. We could do the accompanied stuff we were going to try on Saturday (I'll bring the clari).



Top organiser, is Solari

Again, I'm happy to source pubs/bars/restaurants, to take one thing off your plate Sol

Great Barry! Let's go for it!!

You're on

I'm setting myself a target... I will play the Schubert Moments Musicaux Op 94-3 all the way through.

There, I've done it now. No getting out of it.

If I'm going to do a piano solo , you can do the Schubert.

Game on...

I may attempt the Beethoven piece DaisyChain played as well Might have another piece or two up my sleeve but it depends how I get on.

Looking forward to it, Saturday was an amazing confidence boost

Remind me, what did Daisy Chain play? was it Pathetique?

yep, it was

DaisyChain played the Moonlight Sonata 1st Mvt, I stumbled through the Pathetique 2nd ("The Monster!")

That Doom Bar must have scrambled your brain, Barry!

What scrambled mine? I didn't have the Doom Bar lol I want to play some Beethoven, my friend has recommended that I try :-

Beethoven Sonatina (in F minor

ET

The Pinot Grigio?

Beethoven rocks! Just don't try the Marcia Alla Turca - there is more ink than paper it seems (in the words of Mo's other half!). I think I will give up at the end of page 1.

Yes, it was, you're quite right...

Doom Bar...

Has anyone used the practice room facility at Bluthner's? I can't really make out how big the room with the grand is from the photo?

I've been there a few times during my lunchbreaks and I wouldn't recommend it for a playday as the practice room is quite small, definitely not suitable for a few of us. Also the room is not soundproof so you can hear everything that is going around the room, people talking, people making coffee, pianos being retuned...etc. It's ok for a quick practice but that's about all.

How about the venue Panthera had mentioned? Waterloo I think?

Not sure if I've mentioned already, but size-wise, Belsize has a big room and a Fazioli (which might magically transform you into Angela Hewitt for the day ). Not very central, though (near Swiss Cottage tube) but might be worth investigating

If only....

Do you think Belsize would accomodate us though? From their website I worry whether they may turn their noses up at a bunch of amateurs? Have you used them before, Panthera?

How would everyone feel about going to Belsize rather than Central London? I've looked at the place by Waterloo (1901 Arts Club) which has a Steinway C, but the way they word things on their website makes it seem as if they are catering for professionals.

I'll scope them out tomorrow to see if they will have us

Belsize is a lovely venue, and I've seriously considered using them for forum events before now. They also have a harpsichord.

It is quite possible they're booked up though (they are popular), so sooner rather than later is the way to go.

Re. Waterloo : there's no harm in asking, again, it's a nice place

Sat 5th or Sat 12th is the likely date. Can I get a general concensus as to how people feel about these dates?

I think the 5th looks like the better bet seeing as it's further from Christmas (I know a few people were uneasy about the 12th)

I'd like to book ASAP so can anyone with objections please post today

Definitely count me in for the 5th or 12th. I don't mind where the venue is as long as I have my lovely escorts to travel with me across London, lol

ET

Hi, The 5th is the only date I can do as the 12th I have my teachers learner concert....

AAAAAARRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

Obviously I would love to come but understand that the date cannot revolve around me!

both dates fine for me.

Yep, I've used Belsize before and they were very friendly. I was accompanying a group of friends so they did cater for amateurs I was last there quite a while ago, though, so no idea if they posh up recently (and too lazy to check the web site, sorry). If you're going to Belsize, I'd take into account the Jubilee line weekend closure as well when deciding on the date as it might be slightly difficult to get to Swiss Cottage without the tube.

Not sure about 1901 Arts Club as I was there for a party (but was dying to try out the piano and they pitied me and let me have a go ) But as Barry said, no harm in asking. I do know of an amateur music group which uses the venue regularly so I don't think they only takes professionals?

Hiya Solari,

Either date is good (5th or 12th), though if you book 5th, I won't be able to stay for any after event socialising, sadly (though I'm happy to book a place for you all to socialise in).

Jubilee line: 5th and the 12th - closed from West Hampstead to Stanmore (so Swiss Cottage is unaffected). So if Belsize is free we're sorted!

I will contact them both in the morning - 5th is looking preferable to be honest! I'll report back as soon as I know what's going on.

I would prefer Waterloo as it's so central and uncomplicated to get to but if they won't cater for amateurs then I'll try Belsize

You could give the Waterloo place a call first to see if they'll accommodate us.

Bear in mind Sol that Belsize closes at 4pm, so you might want to start a little earlier.

Will do.. expect a report tomorrow!

Something for you Sol (and indeed everyone) to look at... click here.

I'd already eyed up the large room

The large room is goooood

Hi Solari,

Couldn't make the last one which seemed such a great idea

Could make the 5th if you settle on that date

oooh!!! I would get a chance to meet you at last if you make it!!

ET