Instrument players - come and chat!

[NeverEverAnythingEver]

I thought we could have a thread to chat about playing! I play the piano (not as badly as I fear but not as well as I hope) and have recently tried my hand at chamber music. Would love to hear what other people are doing.

CoteDAzur Here's a picture of the instruments they used in Rameau's Dardanus.

What a lovely instrument! Is it yours?

I wish! It is the pride & joy of the Conservatory I go to. It has a lovely deep sound (unlike some tinny harpsichords), two manuals (upper one can be set to sound like the Lute), and "8 pieds" (not sure how to translate this - it's the rich, 'double' sound at the end of the Gavotte).

Really enjoyed that performance!

Can I ask why the keys are coloured that way? I've often wondered......

That's really nicely done cote!

I'll try to record the piano version soon.

Well, it does fall apart a bit in the end I wish I had time for another go at it, as I really play the last 2 Doubles better than this. I'm very happy that I managed to learn this difficult and hugely satisfying piece, though!

I'll try to do a piano video, too, before we go on our long summer holiday and I forget it all.

I think you're very brave posting it! Looking forward to the piano version.

Well done Cote, very nice. The harpsichord is gorgeous too.

So I'm in tears. My headphones broke off in the jack when I tried to remove them, so my piano is unusable 5 days before my exam. I tried to remove the bit/s but can't. Panicking.

Oh no Broken!!

Broken Bad luck, for sure, but I'm sure you'll be OK for the exam as you have been practicing beforehand. Can you get it quickly fixed?

Thank you for your kind words on my efforts with the harpsichord I wanted to show how the different parts of the piece could be played on a double-manual instrument of the period that can be set to various sounds, coupling keyboards, etc.

Here is another video I made the other day which I had forgotten to post. It's the piece I played in the last concert: Rameau's . I played it a bit slower in the concert but was a bit rushed during this recording.

Again, lovely Cote, very expressive - was surprised the harpsichord could be so expressive.

I have continued my whinings and ramblings here: www.mumsnet.com/Talk/music/2975504-Brokens-Grade-4-Piano-Thread

I posted on your other thread, Broken, although you could have easily continued on here. That's what we're here for I love to talk about instruments & playing music but RL people have had it won't let me anymore

Yes, harpsichord can be very expressive. Since keys make the same sound whether they are touched gently or hit forcefully, this expression is achieved by "phrasing" (pausing slightly longer on an important note such as at 'cadence') and holding down keys you would normally let go of on the piano. It's also the perfect instrument for Baroque music which is very often contrapuntal (i.e. different but equally important melodies in each hand), because it's not possible to play the right hand louder than the left one.

Cote that's lovely - a real treat! Broken have also posted on your thread but agree you must stay here too! At the very least I'm curious to see what pieces you choose for grade 5!
After a disastrous couple of weeks in terms of practice I am trying to get back on track. My scales are actually improving anyway. I have set myself the goal of playing at least one piece decently-ish by the end of Summer and will maybe record it at some point so you can watch my chubby little fingers struggling away!

Good luck broken*. I'm sure you'll be fine. Good luck! Is Abrsm the Board you're being examined by?

I tried to record something yesterday but my phone is full up and refuses to record. And I played really badly. Need more practice!

Something funny happens when I record my playing, too - I start playing really badly, without feeling, too fast, & make mistakes. It's the same thing that happens on stage

My phone has discerning taste and refused to record me.

I fall apart in front of the phone too. Weird!

I have a digital instrument now, and recording is soooooo much easier.

Mind listening to yourself is a bit of a shock sometimes. A bit like listening to your voice on a recording for the first time.

Never

Bugger, yes it's weird to listen ultimate yourself play. I often find that my teacher was right and that I should have lingered more on certain notes to give it more feeling.

I don't think we critique our own performance enough, really. I think the trouble is that, when learning or performing a piece, we concentrate so much on the little black blobs and the pedal, and just getting the bloody piece right that we forget to listen..

I admire your public performances, cote because the playing is what other people hear.

My playing has improved no end since I've listened to myself more not by much, but definitely a slight improvement.

I fall apart too, and hate watching or listening to myself!

I can also record on my piano. For how good it sounds, from good to bad: what I hear when I play on the piano - recorded on phone - recorded using the silent piano function - played on my teacher's piano.