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.

Right. I've had enough of work. I'm going to go try out that Gavotte.

How did you get along with Gavotte, Never? Did the ornaments drive you up the wall?

Is anyone here a complete beginner on an instrument? I'm planning on learning the Cello. Have got teacher lined up and know which Cello I'm going to be renting. Just waiting for my boys to go back to school (tomorrow) so I can crack in with sorting it out. Very excited.

That is lovely disorganised. DH is a complete beginner on the flute, he loves it (at 51).

Ooh I would have loved to learn the cello but our Conservatory doesn't take adult students who are beginners at their chosen instrument.

I would like to take up either the violin or the cello but there's only barely enough time for the piano at the moment. Perhaps when I retire.

cote I've had a go at the Gavotte and the 6th variation. I've played after working out on paper what the ornaments should be and then listened to the two videos many times with the score and I think I'm not too far out. Hopefully. The 6th hasn't got that many ornaments. I'm doing that slowly. It is a question of fingering, I think. Almost everything is a question of fingering.

I did performance as the major part of my French/Music degree. 1st instrument is piano. I now teach French and play when I get the chance. It's been 14yrs since I graduated and I'm not as good as I was, but still happy enough.
I also did grade 8 violin, but my teacher never let me build up a bigger repertoire. I couldn't afford to continue lessons at university, so consequently I'm very rusty now. I'd love to have the time to be in a chamber orchestra.

Matchsticks I'm sure there are chamber groups round your way. I googled mine and just grew thick skin and turned up.

cote Do you think the 5th double is the high point? It's the most complex and a bit magical, since the theme is so hidden and yet comes through so clearly. The 6th is just recap (but I love it).

I haven't time unfortunately as I'm often marking in the evenings and also childcare is an issue as I'm a single parent.

Swiss Back to rehearsal on Monday, expecting a load of new music for summer playing out. What about you?

cough new here

Started playing drums (kit) and reading music this year, taking grade 2 in the summer. I was a marching snare drummer in my youth (and now having a mid-life crisis 🤘)

I use an electronic kit so my neighbours still speak to me! Love using the acoustic kit for my lessons though!!

Mrsmadcatlady Hello! Welcome! A percussionist! (Ulterior motive for being nice: how big an area do you need for an accoustic drum kit?)

Cote Yikes - had a look at other editions - they are all different!

Welcome Mrsmad Arguably we are all having a midlife crisis

Never - 5th and 6th Doubles sound pretty much the same to me, except that the hands are reversed. I haven't even attempted them yet, though, so can't be sure. They are gorgeous.

Re editions: My teacher always makes me play the Urtext or original versions, although (or because) they have the most ornaments. Piano players have continuously adapted Baroque hardichord music to make it easier to play on the harder keys of the piano, but stick to the original, I say

Hmm. The one I printed off says "Les Editions Outremontaises" and looks most like your photo and sounds most like the performance. But there are wildly different ones on IMSLP... I would prefer the urtext edition too but the question is figuring out which one it is!

But I must do my day job now!!!

neverever

Sorry been at Work all day. I don't need a huge space, about 1.5m sq but it goes slightly smaller when I've finished practicing. I wish I had started years ago!!

Never - re Rameau sheet music: I have this sheet music book of ALL his keyboard works. It's great, if you would consider buying it.

Thanks Mrsmadcat! There's been some clamouring for an electronic drum kit but we are really tight on space. Will muse upon it...

Cote I'm not sure I should be buying more books. See above comment on space ...

Aha! I forgot about the library! I'll check it out!

Mrsmadcatlady I am seriously impressed that you're learning drums and that you were in a marching band. DS1 plays bass drum in his and loves it. I'm afraid he has to cope with an electric kit, too!
Haven't played piano for about a week and a half but lessons start again on Monday and I am looking forward to starting something new.

Meant to say Alexandra, that sounds pretty challenging but I'm sure you'll triumph!

I've got the Trout quintet score from the library ... Not sure why ... It's free, I guess.

Cote I've found a copy of Rameau's complete keyboard works in the library and it's edited by Saint-saens. It looks COMPLETELY DIFFERENT. Harrumph.

Got spring concerts next week. We're doing a sax-centred programme. Then summer stuff after that. Do you have many concerts? Has your band got a good trombone section?