Instrument Players - Come and chat (Part II)

[CoteDAzur]

Previous thread is here.

We filled one thread, so here’s another

Grade 6 has the Schubert Scherzo, doesn't it? That one sounds harder to play than the prelude. (Famous last word, probably. )

Oooo thanks - I just downloaded the score and it looks ok. I'll report back in due course... 😊

Hmmm, need my hand stretching to get those final chords...

In terms of notes on the page it's loads easier than the Bach I'm playing. I'm lacking a bit in the expressive/subtle control department! So this will do me good. Not many notes to focus on, lots of expression required.

What I'm finding a bit challenge at the moment is bringing out the melody in the Chopin prelude in B minor - playing one line more loudly than the other notes on the chords, if that makes sense. In bars 7 and 8 for example, where the top note in the right hand carries the melody, but the right hand is playing the notes at a time. Hard to play notes with different dynamics with the same hand at the same time. Probably shouldn't be comparing myself to Evgeny Kissin... I've listened to one of his recordings over and over again, it is so beautiful.

Top notes generally come through whether you do anything about them or not.

One thing I sometimes do is to play the top notes and only pretend to play the other notes, with your fingers doing the right motions at the right places but not pressing the keys down.

Another thing I sometimes do is to play the top notes with my right hand and the other right hand notes with my left, IYKWIM. Once you can hear what it should sound like you can play it.

I'm getting there with my grade 6 C piece now, and I rather like it... Tulega Rail.

I set myself the goal of getting to grade 8 before I'm 40. I'll be 38 in a few weeks... Did G3,4 and 5 last year as I was restarting after 20 years. Anyone else got medium term musical goals?

My goal is to pick a piece that I can actually play. The last two pieces I picked were really much too hard. :(

I do that too Never. I've just bought Debussy's two arabesques, which are really a bit hard for me - despite the fact I should be concentrating on piano Evan pieces and flute orchestra stuff. I do love them though - hopefully give them a go after my exam. If my teacher doesn't snort with laughter at the prospect!

Exam pieces, not Evan...

Never - "One thing I sometimes do is to play the top notes and only pretend to play the other notes, with your fingers doing the right motions at the right places but not pressing the keys down."

I hope to get to this level one day, where I can just follow sheet music with my eyes as I pick and choose the notes I want to play in the spot!

I love the first arabesque.

When I was young I used to love this one too:

Just the prelude! SHorter link:

Have you tried the Children's Corner? I love the first piece.

I haven't, I must listen to it. I love Debussy's piano music. I had to play some Debussy for my flute g8 and didn't think much of it at the time, although I think I'd like it now. Funny how tastes change isn't it. Or rather, broaden as we get older.

I like that prelude Never

Hi everyone, been away on holidays for a bit - at least the good thing about being home is the instruments are here!

I've started working on jazz piano voicings - it's like a whole different way to play, but is fun. I feel like I'm beginning to understand the difference between pop and jazz piano now (taken me a while!).

Also getting my basic guitar chords up to speed. It's great to be able to know which chords to play based on the piano knowledge...just need to put a lot of work in to get my fingers to get there quick enough...

Anyone tried any new instruments lately?

Hello, lost this thread for a bit! Piano lessons have started up again after the summer. I've decided to take a look at some Trinity grade 5 pieces for piano. Need to get the book and have a bit of a play!

Book has arrived - really like some of the pieces (based on my attempts at sight-reading)!

Loose Are they these ones?

They sound very different from the ABRSM ones. I like that circus one - so sad!

Yes, those are the ones! Very different to ABRSM. I've started working on two of them - my teacher says it's all new to her but she likes the pieces!

I played a piano duet (one of Dvorak's Slavonic dances) with a friend over the weekend. It is SO MUCH FUN.

Sounds good Never.

I'm officially entered for grade 6 piano in November... I feel like the pieces are coming together now, and I'm getting better at all the scales etc. Looking forward to choosing some new repertoire after the exam - I feel like I've learned a huge amount in terms of expression and voicing with the Chopin prelude (I had a lot to learn!), and I'd really like to build on that with some more Chopin or possibly Debussy (I LOVE Debussy).

Just started to teach myself a bit of clarinet - interesting to play an instrument that isn't in C. All good fun!

Hi everyone. Here is the new thread 😊