QUOTE (AnotherPianist @ Jan 21 2005, 12:06 PM)

[Which fugues are these that are simple? I've always thought, as you say, that they're notoriously hard to play! Are they some especially written to be easier or are you just feeling brave ?

Piano Lessons Book Two by Fanny Waterman and Marion Harewood has two Fugues which seem relatively simple - one by Pachebel and another a duet Beethoven - perhaps they have been edited to make them easier???

Perhaps, or maybe they were written with the intention of being easier in the first place by the composers (or maybe they're hard I haven't seen them!). The only fugues I've come across are those by Bach, Shostakovich and Mendelssohn which are rather tricky (I've not played them I hasten to add!). Sounds like they might be quite good pieces.

QUOTE (Gae @ Jan 21 2005, 01:34 AM)

Inspired by the multi-instrumentalists here on the board I've just recently started teaching myself the Harp and today, I refurbished an old violin I've always had but never bothered to learn properly. I've already put a couple of new pegs and strings on it and came away from the Music shop with 3 books....A Tune a Day,  Violin Scales and Arpeggios and the ABRSM current Grade 1 pieces.  I have no intention of sitting the Grades, but I will definately use the syllabus to teach myself.

I strongly recommend that if you can possibly afford it you get yourself at least an introductory lesson with the best local violin teacher. If they are also a qualified Alexander teacher so much the better. Violin and viola are even worse than flute for inducing posture-related strains, and these can be made much worse if you don't have chin and shoulder rests appropriate to your personal build, length of neck etc.

That said, you are just embarking on a musical adventure with an instrument that has a wonderful solo, chamber music and orchestral repertoire at all levels of technical difficulty. That's just in the "classical" field. Reading some of Violinia's previous messages will remind you of many other possibilities!

Best of luck,

DaCapo

QUOTE (dacapo @ Jan 21 2005, 03:15 PM)

QUOTE (Gae @ Jan 21 2005, 01:34 AM) Inspired by the multi-instrumentalists here on the board I've just recently started teaching myself the Harp and today, I refurbished an old violin I've always had but never bothered to learn properly. I've already put a couple of new pegs and strings on it and came away from the Music shop with 3 books....A Tune a Day,  Violin Scales and Arpeggios and the ABRSM current Grade 1 pieces.  I have no intention of sitting the Grades, but I will definately use the syllabus to teach myself.   I strongly recommend that if you can possibly afford it you get yourself at least an introductory lesson with the best local violin teacher. If they are also a qualified Alexander teacher so much the better. Violin and viola are even worse than flute for inducing posture-related strains, and these can be made much worse if you don't have chin and shoulder rests appropriate to your personal build, length of neck etc.

very much seconded! the violin is a great instrument, but it can be frustrating enough with the best of teachers, if you can have someone to give you some hints and tips, send you off the in right direction and make sure you are kitted out as appropriate then you will save yourself frustration and possibly pain later!

Thanks for the advice. I did mention in another post on the board that I went to a violin teacher I know and he told me everything you mentioned. Since the visit, I have bought a new chin rest, a shoulder rest, new strings, pegs and rosin. I have already noticed the difference. I can hold the violin under my chin with no support so my fingers have free movement. Also, I lowered the bridge by a millimetre on the E string side. Now, I dont catch the open E string with my bow, when I play the E with my 4th finger on the A string. I am also finding my hand postition is improving in just a week so hopefully, in a few months, I'll feel totally comfortable. I'm noticing a few technical things in playing, the main one being, when I try and play the A with my 4th finger on the D string, I have to put more pressure because more leverage is needed further up the fingerboard plus, the D string is thicker than the A and E strings. These little things, make all the difference in the tone produced. I'm enjoying doing all the excercises in the "A tune a Day" book and I'm almost near the end. I'll probably go back through it again.
I prefer to play on the A string and E string because I find them comfortable to reach plus I like the bright sound of the key of A and E majors. I am also memorising a lot of the excercises with ease. Being a Pianist and regularly having to memorize multiple parts in both Bass and Treble clefs, the memorising of a single line of music is very easy.

Gae

QUOTE (sarah-flute @ Jan 20 2005, 05:40 PM)

I was totally sad when I did theory, too, I really enjoyed it! I'd love to do grade 6 if i could find someone to teach me - and the time to study it....!

Going to start grade 6 theory too having come to the conclusion that grade 7 practical is going to be beyond me!

Cannot believe it is year ago that I started this thread just before doing my grade 6 which in turn started this whole adult learners forum. What a lot of adults we are, either beginners or restarters, and what a lot of fun it has been meeting you all electronically Of course some of you met each other properly at the katyjay concert that I could not attend...

noooooo silver pianist you must do grade 7!! if i can attempt it so can you!

Silver pianist - I agree with Nat about grade 7. If she & I can attempt it - in my case it's going to be a long time till i get there - then don't abandon the idea. Actually what does your teacher say? - if they reckon that you can aim for it then you should but I do also understand the feeling of there being some sort of limit on what realistically we're capable of.

QUOTE (Andy-piano-flute @ Mar 21 2005, 08:04 PM)

- in my case it's going to be a long time till i get there -

And mine! But you start from a distinction! LOL

QUOTE (Silver pianist @ Mar 21 2005, 10:58 PM)

QUOTE (Andy-piano-flute @ Mar 21 2005, 08:04 PM) - in my case it's going to be a long time till i get there - And mine! But you start from a distinction! LOL

but im doing it and im starting from a not so good 116

QUOTE (clarinetlover @ Mar 22 2005, 04:38 PM)

QUOTE (Silver pianist @ Mar 21 2005, 10:58 PM) QUOTE (Andy-piano-flute @ Mar 21 2005, 08:04 PM) - in my case it's going to be a long time till i get there - And mine! But you start from a distinction! LOL but im doing it and im starting from a not so good 116

Yes, Nat but in an ideal world you would not be doing them so quickly but you need them for Uni. Your case is totally different. And you are just fantastic doing all those exams in such a short space of time and still getting good marks. Just think what you would have got for grade 6 piano if that had been the only exam that you had had to work for and take in the past year and you had only those 3 pieces to practise!!

And starting from 116 is in any case a whole load more marks than I got for grade 6 and that was the only exam I was taking!!

So I did not mean you. You will do great because you have the musicianship and the dedication. I'm full of admiration!

OK silver pianist i'm going to let you into a secret - when I was much younger (29 years younger to be precise) i managed to pass grade 3 piano with the grand total of 103. Note grade 3 not grade 5 or 6. I stopped playing shortly afterwards ( not surprisingly) & didnt play again until 3 years ago.
My point - that a result in 1 grade is just one marker in a journey of learning & playing. Nothing stands still, your playing is always gradually changing no matter how old or young you are & I just think you need to find some motivation again. Does your teacher not give you some motivation & enthusiasm ? I usually come away from a lesson feeling really positive ( even if I've just crashed through my pieces).

I'll PM you once it is working again!

QUOTE (Andy-piano-flute @ Mar 22 2005, 08:45 PM)

I usually come away from a lesson feeling really positive ( even if I've just crashed through my pieces).

Now that is good teaching, isn't it? (When I've crashed through my pieces I come away thinking about whether I should give up )

Silver pianist - I too hope you will carry on working at the grades - I've so enjoyed reading your posts, full of enthusiam and commitment - a good example to me, as I've never been able to keep up with anything for very long...

Thanks Andy and Jen W for the words of encouragement. No, I have not lost the motivation. It is just that as age creeps up on me things seem to take even longer than before (if that can be possible!)

Hence the reference to grade 7 and the fact that I am nowhere near it and it will take me soooo long. But I will use it as my motivational carrot because like most of us I need one. Meantime I need to work on sightreading and scales and am going to force myself to go back to about grade 3 on sightreading and in a sense start again on that skill.

Dear Silverpianist

I can't remember how I found this forum last year but I do remember this thread and yours ( and other adult learners) comments really inspired me. I had a really terryfying experience doing my grade 2 exam last year ( having started to learn piano a year at age 43) and it was a great comfort to realise that I was not alone!
I hope you will at least have a go at grade 7. I have just done my grade 3 exam (less terrifying than grade 2 this time) and grade 4 now looks daunting !!! As I am only at this stage I obviously perhaps can't appreciate the gap from grade 6 to 7 but you sound like a really positive person and It sounds to me as though you will perhaps have a try - What have you got to lose? You've achieved so much already!! Well done for that ( big pat on the back!!) and thanks for starting this thread.

Love Annette

Gemini,

Well done!

Going back to an earlier comment from you about not being able to take your own piano into the exam - I have total empathy! I took my grade 4 last summer, and, like you was faced with a baby grand which, quite frankly had seen better days! I actually stopped playing one of my pieces when I hit the pedal and the whole keyboard nearly fell off!

I started playing piano as my Millenium Promise to myself (age 43) - something for me that I could lose myself in. I have never looked back - like others, it's opened up a whole new world for me.

Anne

Dear Annette

Thanks so much for your kind words It was really sweet of you and much appreciated. I think we all help each other.

Have you had the result of your grade 3 yet? I'm sure you have done well.

Happy playing!


SP

Silver pianist:
To echo Annette, thanks for starting this thread. I only found these forums shortly before my exams this time & I found it enormously helpful & encouraging to find that other people had hopes, fears & worries similar to my own. Before that I hadn't known of another adult trying to learn an instrument & felt very alone with all my worries.
(BTW Nat has my email address & if you have hers & wanted mine I expect she could give it to you)

I'm glad to have found this thread - as a 49 year old cello beginner I wondered how many other "mature" students there are doing ABRSM exams....

It's great to see that there are people taking the plunge and enjoying the challenge.

I've just passed Grade 3 after nearly 2 years of study - and considering I'm so bad at pratising I guess I'm doing pretty well.

I haven't read through the whole lot - are there any other 40+ starters on the cello??

Iain

Iain,
Don't miss the news of concerts being arranged by forum members.
Maybe you would like to take part in one of them?

Adult Learners North West

Forum users coancert

Welcome Iain, and congratulations on your grade 3.

I'm pretty sure there are 'cellists around ; (not me, I'm not even an adult beginner so don't really qualify to be posting here at all!!). Two 'cellists played in the recent adult students' concert, and I think there is at least one other, so you're likely to get replies from some of them in due course. I should add though that I'm not sure of their ages!

There are certainly plenty of adult students posting here, and lots of interesting topics. A good number doing exams too, including some of mine, and they generally find it a useful and positive experience. It can be a very nerve-wracking though, especially when you haven't done an exam since school-days!

Do read about the concerts - the first was in February, organised by Katyjay, and there are two more in the pipeline.

Maggie

Dear SP

Thanks. No I'm awaiting my results with fear and trepidation!!! although I've started to plough my way through the Grade 4 scales etc. and made some good progress ( I think!) over the Easter break.
Will let you know how I got on (if it's not too bad and embarrassing !!)

Love Annette

I started piano 18 months ago when I turned 40. I had always wanted to play but never took it any further until my daughter started learning at school. I started lessons with no intention of exams but my teacher persuaded my it's a great way to make sure you fill in all the learning gaps and I have to agree.

My daughter rarely practices once she has got the hang of a peice, yet she does OK in her exams. Although (to my shock) I have got high distinctions in all my Grades so far, I do find it frustrating that I put in at least 10 times more effort to get just 10 marks more that she does! I think that's one of the problems of being an adult learner - it is more difficult to learn, and also I think that many of us are more aware of the mistakes and tend to be more critical of our playing than children do.

I'm now studying for Grade 5 (which I hope to do in November) but am really enjoying playing Clementi Sonatas alongside exam pieces, and am just starting to have a play around at some Chopin (nocturnes). The Clementi requires fast fingerwork but it's beginning to sound like real music, although some days my fingers are all over the place except on the notes they should be! My piano is my new best friend. I try and practice for at least an hour a day, and often just sit and play for a couple of minutes, although one glass of wine in the evening and I lose it completely! My plan ultimately is to do the Diploma but I'm not setting any time scales for that. My main aim is just to enjoy it.

The only thing I find is that it's a bit isolating playing on your own. It would be so nice to get together with other adult learners on a regular basis. I live in Surrey- anyone else out there feel the same way??

QUOTE (rne @ Apr 18 2005, 12:38 PM)

The only thing I find is that it's a bit isolating playing on your own. It would be so nice to get together with other adult learners on a regular basis. I live in Surrey- anyone else out there feel the same way??

Yes I know exactly what you mean. Making music is something best done with others.

Unfortunately I'm up t'North so can't help you with a musical soiree from time to time, but I'm sure there will be takers

Good Luck

Jane

RNE

That's fantastic progress to be doing grade 5 in November after only 18 months or so and distinctions in previous grades.

How do you do it?

(crawls away into a corner !)

Thanks Silver Pianist!

To be totally honest, I am really quite astonished at my progress, considering I still find it amazing that both hands do different things!! When I had my first few lessons I thought I would give myself 2 years to get to grade 1, as I really struggled with the base clef. And there are still days when I feel as though my head is about to explode with concentration as I plod awkwardly and extremely unmusically through a new piece.

But it's an amazing feeling when I play well - do you get the same buzz? My family gets quite jealous sometimes as I can play for a couple of hours and not notice the time go, and they all want attention.

QUOTE (rne @ Apr 18 2005, 03:41 PM)

I can play for a couple of hours and not notice the time go

Hi rne - an impressive rate of learning - you sound particularly talented! I agree that learning piano is all-absorbing. I work 4 days a week and also paint, so learning piano & theory has now filled the rest of my free time and I'm afraid my (grown up) family takes a back seat (glad I brought them up to be independent )

I also feel rather isolated and wish I knew of some local adult learners - the town I live in in Sussex is stuffed full of professional musicians but I've yet to meet anyone at my level...

Jen

QUOTE (rne @ Apr 18 2005, 12:38 PM)

The only thing I find is that it's a bit isolating playing on your own. It would be so nice to get together with other adult learners on a regular basis. I live in Surrey- anyone else out there feel the same way??

If your teacher has other pupils at about your level, you might ask to be introduced to one with similar abilities and attitudes to music, so as to play duets together. Don't worry about age: music brings the generations together.

Are you anywhere near Churt? The Farnham Chamber Music Club meets there once a month on Sunday evenings. The performing groups are all based on members of the club and are nearly all amateurs, of a range of abilities and experience. I shall be playing there next Sunday.

QUOTE (kenm @ Apr 18 2005, 11:51 PM)

Are you anywhere near Churt? The Farnham Chamber Music Club meets there once a month on Sunday evenings. The performing groups are all based on members of the club and are nearly all amateurs, of a range of abilities and experience. I shall be playing there next Sunday.

Is there a website, kenm? I've been looking for something like this for a while without success, and I'm in easy reach of Churt. If no website, is there a contact number?

If it's not for publication on the forums, jo.clarinet has my email address.

I'm also in Surrey ....... but although I regard myself as an adult learner and always will, I'm also a teacher, so don't qualify in quite the same way !

However, that means I teach a few adult learners, so if any of you are nearer the other side of the county ......... just a thought. Amber has my e-mail if that is any help to anyone. I have one student who may be interested in playing duets (he took part in the recent concert organised by Katyjay so some of you have met him - he got a merit in his grade 5 at the end of last term btw).

Maggie

QUOTE (andante_in_c @ Apr 19 2005, 07:56 AM)

QUOTE (kenm @ Apr 18 2005, 11:51 PM) Are you anywhere near Churt?  The Farnham Chamber Music Club meets there once a month on Sunday evenings.  The performing groups are all based on members of the club and are nearly all amateurs, of a range of abilities and experience.  I shall be playing there next Sunday. Is there a website, kenm?

They don't have a web site, but Hampshire County Council has a page about them here.

Thanks very much for the information.

Starting piano in mid-life, is it a crisis?

I find this terribly encouraging. I recently found the paperwork from the Grade 2 violin exam I took in 1963 and the examiner's final comment, (it was a scrape through pass), was that I should "leave it some time before attempting the next grade." Unfortunately I left it 45 years and have had to begin again from the "twinkle twinkle" stage. I think am about up to Grade 1 again now after 2 months because some of it is coming back to me, but I don't expect this rate of progress to continue. I would like to get up to Grade 5 before arthritis sets in.

(apologies for this post - I can see from the "New Posts" page that there's been a recent post on this thread, but something's gone wrong and I can't actually see the recent post so I wondered if I'd be able to "kick-start" the view by posting myself)


Edit: No, it hasn't worked - the last post I can see is Andante's in 2005

I can see the posts