Instrument Players - Come and chat (Part III)

[CoteDAzur]

We continue our musical journey on the 3rd thread for amateur adult instrument players

Here is our 1st thread and
here's the 2nd one.

[NeverEverAnythingEver]

Hello!

I'm thinking about going back to the Moonlight sonata 3rd movement...

[steppemum]

Oh how lovely, never seent his before.
I play the baritone in a brass band, and the guitar in church.
I used to play the clarinet, and if I had time, id get that out again.

[MoltoAgitato]

Ha! Was looking for this thread and lo!

Officially committed to piano diploma now. Fallen out with Chopin which just seems to bring me face to face with my own inadequacies. Brahms and Bach have made the cut but need another few pieces....

NeverEver good luck! Fab movement.

Who’s the harpsichordist on here - is it you, Cote?

[NeverEverAnythingEver]

Cote is the harpsichordist.

MoltoAgitato Just the right name for Moonlight 3rd movement.

I'm also trying to do a Chopin etude. I think it will take at least a year ... Which Chopin did you fall out with?

[CoteDAzur]

Yes, I'm the harpsichordist

I have news.....



I now have a harpsichord at home!

It was given to me by someone who doesn't want it anymore. It's modern, old, and not well maintained, so needs a complete revision but IT'S ALL MINE!

DH was catatonic when he came home and saw it

[NeverEverAnythingEver]

Congratulations cote!

[MoltoAgitato]

The Op 50 no 3 Mazurka in C# minor. There’s 4 or so fugal bars that I just can’t get sounding right. The rest of it is fine, I just die a little inside every time I fail to make those bars sound acceptable, let alone good!

Cote - pics??

[FlukeSkyeRunner]

Oooo Cote a harpsichord! How wonderful! I've never played one but I'd love to. My piano teacher yesterday said I'm getting a good harpsichord feeling into the Bach fugue I'm playing. He also said my Chopin prelude was very good - I can't remember him ever giving such unqualified praise before, I was so pleased!

[CoteDAzur]

Fluke - That is high praise, indeed! I've done lots of Bach Fugues and would be happy to give some playing tips if you care to send a quick video or even a photo of the sheet music.

[CoteDAzur]

Molto - What is troubling you re fugal bars? How many voices are there? Send a picture and we'll help.

[CoteDAzur]

Never - Thanks! I hope you've been well

[NeverEverAnythingEver]

Cote I am well, thank you! Just ploughing my way through pieces of music that are too hard for me.

And you?

[CoteDAzur]

That's what I always do I'm currently working on [[https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=C-xZ1QF3RMw&t=70s d'Anglebert's "Les Folies d'Espagne"]] and I just started working on a 4-hand transcription of Bach's "Passacaglia in C minor. It's incredibly difficult - an orgasmic torture My part is easy enough on in the lower notes, but I can't follow the sheet music when my right hand is in F key.

[LooseAtTheSeams]

Cote just saw your news about the harpsichord! That's amazing - though I imagine DH's face was a picture...
I am horribly behind with piano practice - thankfully this new thread will motivate me!

[FlukeSkyeRunner]

Got the date for my g6 exam - late November. Best crack on with those scales...

[Corneliawildthing]

I am currently on half term so thought I would dig out my cello which hasn't seen the light of day for 2 years (I did up to Grade 6 at school). I was pleasantly surprised that it didn't sound as bad as I thought!

I'm going back to earlier grade pieces to improve my technique and might treat myself to the red cello case on wheels that I've always wanted, if I'm good enough to play in public

[CoteDAzur]

If I could go back and pick another instrument as a child, I would choose the cello. It has such a beautiful sound! Enjoy getting reacquainted with yours

[Tintini]

Hi everyone! After many months of working on playing by ear and lead sheets my piano teacher has persuaded me that it probably would also be a good idea to get better at sight reading...!

Working through the Bach 2-part inventions (as recommended by this thread - thank you!) in terms of having something fully notated to work on and then just any random easy pieces for 'proper'/ not seen it before sight reading - mostly hymns and I have an Usbourne easy classics book which is a good level for me. I guess I do know all those tunes though - I suppose 'ultra-proper' sight reading (like in an exam) would be just reading the notation with no clue how it sounds beforehand? Man, it's hard!

[FlukeSkyeRunner]

Tintini I recommend the 'Improve your sight reading' series by Paul Harris, published by Faber Music. I've found it very useful

[Tintini]

Thanks Fluke, that sounds good. I think it might be helpful to be 'on a programme' like this for sightreading to keep the motivation up and have some good approaches, rather than 'just playing'...or rather not playing because I'd rather play something I know the tune of! Need to focus!

[amigababy]

Hello

Can I come and join in? As I have no one to talk about piano playing with.
I started playing piano again last year after getting rid of my ancient piano about 12 years ago. I found a teacher ( he's half my age!) And bought a new piano. First lessons in 35 years, and in July he got me to do my first grade (4). I was really nervous but I passed. Now I'm heading towards grade 5 theory in a week. It's all become a big part of my life again ( in retirement) it's my hobby when dh plays golf.
Just heading to my lesson now, and wanted to say hi to everyone 🎹

[Corneliawildthing]

Hello and welcome amigababy. I 'm glad you're enjoying your piano playing again - I don't fancy having to do theory again! I did up to Grade 7 piano and have always thought about going back to do Grade 8 but don't know if I have the application - my mother isn't around to nag me into practising either.

[GaraMedouar]

I’m another one who did up to Grade 7 piano at school - and never did Grade 8. I keep thinking about it but I can’t face the scales , and just can’t focus enough! I just play for fun, and sing along to all my fave musical numbers !

[Tintini]

The exams are just so scary though! Welcome amigababy and also steppemum.

Now I don't have to do exams I've found that I actually love theory and scales! My teenage self would never have thought that possible.

[amigababy]

Yes, I was very scared. Fear of the unknown, perfectionism etc etc. Poor teacher talking to me about it, it felt like I wanted a psychologist not a music teacher! But he was really understanding, and especially when I realised it only lasted 15 minutes, I decided I had to face my fears.

No such worries about the theory - I can cope with written exams where you're anonymous. It's the live performance that's stressful.
Still, I think I'll do grade 5 playing next year