What I learned during practice today :

[outin]

Can I give you a sticker for being a patient person at least?

Thank You! 

I don't think I have been called patient often 

[ranniks]

Why are there so many bloody versions of the minuet in g major? Where is the original?

[hfmadopter]

Why are there so many bloody versions of the minuet in g major? Where is the original?

It's been used to death, even a pop song written following it loosely at one point in time. Music study books take it and use it with a twist to fit their program. Anna Magdealenas first version is fairly true if not true, the others are her variations. Her third is quite beautiful and the second has that minor scale influence in it.. I've never done that third version of hers and am thinking of doing it just because it's very pretty.

Then you have other composers who did minuets that happen to be in G as well, though no relationship otherwise.

[ranniks]

It's been used to death, even a pop song written following it loosely at one point in time. Music study books take it and use it with a twist to fit their program. Anna Magdealenas first version is fairly true if not true, the others are her variations. Her third is quite beautiful and the second has that minor scale influence in it.. I've never done that third version of hers and am thinking of doing it just because it's very pretty.

Then you have other composers who did minuets that happen to be in G as well, though no relationship otherwise.

I see. It's so weird to see same titles with different minuets.

Also, I'm promising myself I'll learn Bach's 15th invention in B minor. It's really cool.

[m1469]

Well, last year around this time, I opened up a can of whoop-a** upon myself regarding some concepts and I explored, explored, explored but had to set them down and grow, grow, grow.  

I'm finding it's time to open that all back up and explore, explore, explore some more, more, more.  Hey!  I must be a poet  .  So finally I'm looking at these pages and pages of notes that madly I scribed down from a year ago, and it's tricky!  I'm a tricky character, even to myself ... am I tricky to you, too, Teachers?    Sorry about it!

[hfmadopter]

Well, last year around this time, I opened up a can of whoop-a** upon myself regarding some concepts and I explored, explored, explored but had to set them down and grow, grow, grow.  

I'm finding it's time to open that all back up and explore, explore, explore some more, more, more.  Hey!  I must be a poet  .  So finally I'm looking at these pages and pages of notes that madly I scribed down from a year ago, and it's tricky!  I'm a tricky character, even to myself ... am I tricky to you, too, Teachers?    Sorry about it!

Seems to me what ever it is you are trying to say you ought to just spit it out !! But I get your drift non the less.

[m1469]

Seems to me what ever it is you are trying to say you ought to just spit it out !! But I get your drift non the less.

This place, this place!    Like no other place, no other place, no other place!  It's filled with music and light ... this place, this place!  

*Deeply summons the Earth*

[ranniks]

GREAT FANTASTIC NEWS!

i can play 60% of the minuet now! I got the hand movements down up until there. I can finally play the minuet more smoothly. Tomorrow will be interesting.

Hope all your practises go wel as well everyone!

[ranniks]

Messed around with a piece yesterday. Got the right hand movements down. It's easier than the minuet I would say, or at least the first part. What say you beloved fellow aspiring pianists?



More difficult than the minuet?

In any case, my teacher told me to repeat a part of the minuet a hundred times, speaking figuratively of course, but I am going to do it. He also told me that my weakest aspect is the fact that I lack the rithm thing. He was impressed that we were working on a bach piece already after just a few lessons.

So I'm going to dedicate this week to rithme and such. Also got the legato-stucatto part down sort of. It's just smoothly doing the pieces. Difficult though, but definitely doable. Not sure why it is called 'light-mozart' (he even said that) though. Does mozart play in legato-stucatto all the time? I mean the switches.

[outin]

Messed around with a piece yesterday. Got the right hand movements down. It's easier than the minuet I would say, or at least the first part. What say you beloved fellow aspiring pianists?



More difficult than the minuet?

I’d say easier than the minuet…

In any case, my teacher told me to repeat a part of the minuet a hundred times, speaking figuratively of course, but I am going to do it. He also told me that my weakest aspect is the fact that I lack the rithm thing. He was impressed that we were working on a bach piece already after just a few lessons.

Did he say which rhythm thing you lack, sense of pulse or counting correctly? Maybe we can work on them a bit 

So I'm going to dedicate this week to rithme and such. Also got the legato-stucatto part down sort of. It's just smoothly doing the pieces. Difficult though, but definitely doable. Not sure why it is called 'light-mozart' (he even said that) though. Does mozart play in legato-stucatto all the time? I mean the switches.

I am not sure what he meant either (after all this piece was composed long before Mozart was born…)  Maybe just his way of describing a certain touch… Don’t bother your head with it too much…

[hfmadopter]

Messed around with a piece yesterday. Got the right hand movements down. It's easier than the minuet I would say, or at least the first part. What say you beloved fellow aspiring pianists?


More difficult than the minuet?

In any case, my teacher told me to repeat a part of the minuet a hundred times, speaking figuratively of course, but I am going to do it. He also told me that my weakest aspect is the fact that I lack the rithm thing. He was impressed that we were working on a bach piece already after just a few lessons.

The new piece will show it's level when you get the two parts together. Playing the right hand alone doesn't tell you much.

I'll let your teacher teach you, ask him what he meant because we just be guessing. But I personally think you jumped on the Minuet a bit early too, there is prep work you could have done in advance and you would slide right through that. You ar into it now so you will get through it too. I'm thinking weeks ago we mentioned working on counting and rythym, you're going to need a lot of that to do jazz, old country, more intense Bach.

[ranniks]

I’d say easier than the minuet…
Did he say which rhythm thing you lack, sense of pulse or counting correctly? Maybe we can work on them a bit 

I am not sure what he meant either (after all this piece was composed long before Mozart was born…)  Maybe just his way of describing a certain touch… Don’t bother your head with it too much…

Counting and sense of pulse. I play too fast. My teacher thought me a method how to count properly though. Basically lets say the duration is 3/4 and in the box we have 5 notes, 1 1/4 note and 4 1/8s. I'll count like this: een (1/4), twee (1/8)e(1/8), drie(1/8)e(1/8). Something like that. een=one, twee=two, drie=three (dutch to english).

When I can't do something I tend to think the worst already >.<.....I mean thoughts like 'I'm never going to be good if I can't get this right'. And that's just who I am, but I'm slowly learning to change that thinking patern.

Also, basically he played a beat mp3 file (blues) and he would count in 4/4 time. I just couldn't count to the beats. Either counted too fast or too slow. That's the rithme I also lack.

Can you think of a way to progress in that? Ty Btw Outin.

The new piece will show it's level when you get the two parts together. Playing the right hand alone doesn't tell you much.

That's true David. But it sounds really beautiful though; I appreciate it very much.

I'll let your teacher teach you, ask him what he meant because we just be guessing. But I personally think you jumped on the Minuet a bit early too, there is prep work you could have done in advance and you would slide right through that. You ar into it now so you will get through it too. I'm thinking weeks ago we mentioned working on counting and rythym, you're going to need a lot of that to do jazz, old country, more intense Bach.

Yes exactly, my teacher also said the piece was above my level, but he was surprised at how fast I got the hang of it. I immediately told my teacher this: 'I don't have any talent, I just practise an hour or more every day'. To which he said: 'That's exactly how one gets better, practising and I know you practised hard for this.'

Or something along those lines.

The main thing I'm frustrated about is the lack of musical rhitme in me. A classmate (a year ago) told me I bang my head wrong to the music (wel not banging, more like nodding your head to the beat). He said that I nodded too fast and should relax more. I just aren't able to recognize the paterns at this stage. It's like I know what beat is coming next, but I already bang to it.

Does that make sense to you David/Outin?

[outin]

I play too fast.

Well, I think we covered that already 
 

My teacher thought me a method how to count properly though. Basically lets say the duration is 3/4 and in the box we have 5 notes, 1 1/4 note and 4 1/8s. I'll count like this: een (1/4), twee (1/8)e(1/8), drie(1/8)e(1/8). Something like that. een=one, twee=two, drie=three (dutch to english).

If you struggle with rhythm I think at this point it might be easier for you to keep the pulse (and play slower) if you counted 2 times on the first note and then once on each of the other notes, either count to 3 twice or count to 6. This is what I sometimes did in the beginning. Did you try that?

When I can't do something I tend to think the worst already >.<.....I mean thoughts like 'I'm never going to be good if I can't get this right'. And that's just who I am, but I'm slowly learning to change that thinking patern.

That happens to me too 

Also, basically he played a beat mp3 file (blues) and he would count in 4/4 time. I just couldn't count to the beats. Either counted too fast or too slow. That's the rithme I also lack.
Can you think of a way to progress in that? Ty Btw Outin.
The main thing I'm frustrated about is the lack of musical rhitme in me. A classmate (a year ago) told me I bang my head wrong to the music (wel not banging, more like nodding your head to the beat). He said that I nodded too fast and should relax more. I just aren't able to recognize the paterns at this stage. It's like I know what beat is coming next, but I already bang to it.
 

VERY few people lack sense of rhythm completely, I am pretty sure you are not one of them. You just haven’t practiced enough or not the right way.
Do you have a metronome? You could just try counting or clapping very slowly to the metronome to practice feeling the pulse if you cannot get it straight from the music. First count/clap to every beat, then try to do every other beat. If you don’t have a metronome try to do the same with some simple slow music. I think you just lack concentration and are not used to listen to the rhythms. Maybe you are also a bit too hasty like me

[hfmadopter]

Counting and sense of pulse. I play too fast. My teacher thought me a method how to count properly though. Basically lets say the duration is 3/4 and in the box we have 5 notes, 1 1/4 note and 4 1/8s. I'll count like this: een (1/4), twee (1/8)e(1/8), drie(1/8)e(1/8). Something like that. een=one, twee=two, drie=three (dutch to english).

In your example of 3/4 time, the first note is a quarter the other two are eigths ? I'd have you count 1- 2 and -3 and. Very simple to remember.

4/4 time the first and second note are quarter notes the last all eigths. Same thing, 1-2-3 and-4 and. Or you could be still in rythym if you counted all of them that way, coun the quater notes as 1 and 2 and, holding them for that count, which will put you automatically into the eigth note rythym where you play each note on the count.

And that's the name of that tune !

David

[ranniks]

Thanks David and Outin.

Outin, that metronome idea is brilliant. I'm definitely gonna try that.

David, do you mean 1 and then pronounce MINUS 2 MINUS 3?

Practised about 2-3 hours today. Got the Minuet down pretty well for 60%. The stucatto left and legato left parts are still difficult because my teacher hasn't assigned me such exercises yet. That is normal since the minuet is still above my level in terms of experience.

The hand exercises my teacher has given me are pretty darn good.

For example:

- Lead with 2 (after the 1 skip a note): 125434 and contineu it.
- Lead with 4 (after the 1 skip a note): 14543423 (this one is in the stucato-legato style)

That last one took me a bit to master it is really hard because you have to lead with the 4 and backwards with the 2. I have to do these exercises one handed with right and left, backwards left and right, unisono and unisono backwards. It really is giving me control of my left hand.

My teacher usually writes above the notes which number it is, but next time I'm gonna ask him to let me guess them first. Actually, I could do most of the exercises of the sheath right now in terms of pressing the right key.

Also, the exercise sheet is called Grundubungen (it's a german sheet). Anyone ever heard of that?

The piano seems still in tune for all it's worth.

How are your practisies going btw? Any new pieces or enjoying old ones?

[hfmadopter]

Hi Ranniks, in the example of 4/4 time, count out loud or on your lips at least: one and two and three and four and. That covers the whole measure in the last example I suggested I believe. All you need to do is try it slowly and see if that works for you, it should fall right in place. Remember the quarter notes in this case get a one and, or two and, etc. where the eights note get one, the next eight the and and so on. Hard to describe it typing it out, easy to show you or for you to do it.

[ranniks]

Hi Ranniks, in the example of 4/4 time, count out loud or on your lips at least: one and two and three and four and. That covers the whole measure in the last example I suggested I believe. All you need to do is try it slowly and see if that works for you, it should fall right in place. Remember the quarter notes in this case get a one and, or two and, etc. where the eights note get one, the next eight the and and so on. Hard to describe it typing it out, easy to show you or for you to do it.

I understand what you mean David.

The example was 1 quarter note followed by 4 one eights notes. So basically the first right hand measure of the minuet. The minuet is in 3/4 time.

5 1234

5= 1/4   = 1 and
1= 1/8 = 2
2= 1/8 = and
3= 1/8 = 3
4= 1/8 = and

This should be what you mean right? I hope this becomes so programmed into me that I will do it without actually counting it in my mind.

So far this method has helped and is similar to my teachers but the 'and' in dutch means 'en', same principal.

David, how many students have you taught? You seem very capable.

[outin]

How are your practisies going btw? Any new pieces or enjoying old ones?

Today I have done a lot of work. Quite a lot of scales and arpeggios, now that I finally have the fingerings stuck in my stubborn slow brain

I actually managed to do quite a lot of work on all of my pieces and after next week I should be finished with the waltz and the sonatina.

And I decided to bring back the sweet little berceuse by Lyapunov because it is so relaxing to play, really fits my hands. I never really memorized it, but it was surprisingly easy to sight read it after 2 months break.

But that means I have been at the piano at least 5 hours altogether...I wish the weekends were longer, I would definitely advance faster...

[hfmadopter]

I understand what you mean David.

The example was 1 quarter note followed by 4 one eights notes. So basically the first right hand measure of the minuet. The minuet is in 3/4 time.

5 1234

5= 1/4   = 1 and
1= 1/8 = 2
2= 1/8 = and
3= 1/8 = 3
4= 1/8 = and

This should be what you mean right? I hope this becomes so programmed into me that I will do it without actually counting it in my mind.

So far this method has helped and is similar to my teachers but the 'and' in dutch means 'en', same principal.

David, how many students have you taught? You seem very capable.

Not many and I've moved them on in the past to more knowledgeable people than myself if I see they are very capable.

I see you got what I was gettin g at , that's great !

[ranniks]

I have a profound urge to learn Clementi one day.

[j_menz]

I have a profound urge to learn Clementi one day.

Well, get started on his Sonatinas ASAP; there's a LOT of Clementi to get through!

[outin]

Well, get started on his Sonatinas ASAP; there's a LOT of Clementi to get through!

Maybe not quite yet...He's has had about 5 (?) lessons...We don't want him to get frustrated and tired about the piano yet 

[j_menz]

Maybe not quite yet...He's has had about 5 (?) lessons...We don't want him to get frustrated and tired about the piano yet 

Ahh... oops.  Perhaps his Gradus ad Parnassum then, Debussy notwithstanding.

Incidentally, when Beethoven was having his nephew Karl taught the piano, he wouldn't allow him to play anything but Clementi for quite some years. Not that that ended happily, of course. 

[ranniks]

What Outin says is true, I have but a few lessons under my belt, counting 8 this wensday (and making it 8 weeks since I've ever touched a piano). The only 'real' classical piece I am working on is the Minuet in G Major by Bach. And even that is above my level=/.

Good news though, I got it down to a good percentage, so I'm hoping my teacher can help me finalize it this wensday. Also, and don't hate me for this, I've tried to do the 1% of the Fur Elize sheet. It sounds pretty wonderfull. And with 1% I mean just the first 10 notes of the right hand movement. I tried puzzling out the rest but my brain hurt a bit because the sounds coming out of the piano did not sound well.

I heard some clementi yesterday and I thought it was really magnificent in the sense of it being of 'class', something 'sharp' if that makes any sense.

Could someone explain to me what it means when there is a 'b' drawn near some notes even when the corresponding note is not in fact a B? The 'b' doesn't even look like a normal b, just like some other sort of, more edgy.

I'll ask my teacher about the 'Gradus ad Parnassum' sheet.

[unholeee]

a ♭ in front of the note means for the rest of that bar, that note only (not any octaves of the note, just that particular one),  is flat - opposite of the sharp.

[ranniks]

How can a note be flat though? Doesn't flat mean going to the left while sharp means going to the right? Or does flat mean it doesn't get the # but stays normal?

Thanks anyhow!

I'm learning myself stacatto one handed and legato right handed. So far it's going good. I need the independance for the Minuet. I feel a lot of strain on my hands during the movement thought. I'm going like this:

Right hand: CDEFG legato
Left hand: GFEDC  stacatto

And switch it around and then randomize it. Is this a good way to learn finger independance? Obviously I'm learning from my teacher, but I don't want to be limited by just that because usually I finish my 'homework' before the lesson, although that was a different story a few weeks ago when I had a lot to practise with. Basically what I'm trying to say: show some innovation and have my teacher rate/perfect it so I can learn it better.

I got the rhythm for the blues song my teacher gave me down. It's a drum piece but I know how it goes now, which is neat. I just hope it's correct though. The 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and has really helped me - ty David! -, but it's hard to implement in some parts of the minuet.

Regardless, finger exercises are going awesome. I got the whole finger exercise sheet down and now it's only working with what I've got. I can now lead with my 1's, 2's, 3's and 4's and somewhat with my 5's. I hope I can post a video showing you guys what I actually mean.

I had a look at the Debussy piece which J_menz suggested, it looks doable. I'll have to ask my teacher on wensday though.

[outin]

How can a note be flat though? Doesn't flat mean going to the left while sharp means going to the right? Or does flat mean it doesn't get the # but stays normal?

Why couldn't a note be flat? If it's flat you play half step down (the next black or white key to the left), if it's sharp you play half step up (the next black or white key to the right).

For example G sharp is exactly the same note (black key) as A flat. It depends on the key of the composition which one is used.

[ranniks]

Why couldn't a note be flat? If it's flat you play half step down (the next black or white key to the left), if it's sharp you play half step up (the next black or white key to the right).

For example G sharp is exactly the same note (black key) as A flat. It depends on the key of the composition which one is used.

Thanks Outin! I got it.

[hfmadopter]

I got the rhythm for the blues song my teacher gave me down. It's a drum piece but I know how it goes now, which is neat. I just hope it's correct though. The 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and has really helped me - ty David! -, but it's hard to implement in some parts of the minuet.

There are other ways of counting other rhythms. Sometimes there are steps in the rhythm and you need a da in there:  one and two and 3 da and four and da for instance. The da gets a quick reference between numbers and ands. Although at this stage of the game I tend to just play the da in step and count the main rhythm till I get a piece going if I'm having a hard time feeling the rhythm.. I remember clearly my teacher writing lines in my sheet music to help line up notes to rhythm and counting that out to me as I learned a new section and then sending me home to count it myself. She was a not a fan of The metronome. She did use one just to show the speed of the piece though initially. The metronome was a two minute segment on a new piece if that.FWIW

[ranniks]

David, you and my teacher are both bloody geniuses!

The counting has helped TREMENDOUSLY with the Minuet!

He's satisfied with the minuet and is systematically correcting my timing with it. He played some Bach for me today and a piece of mozart. When I showed him what I practised, the light-mozart style so to say, he played a piece I never expected. It was a piece I was itching to ask him a few weeks earlier. He played the K545 and it was truly amazing to see it live in action.

Then I asked him if he could play Bach's Toccata to which he answered 'which one' he then explained what the fugue was and all. He played a Toccata for me and it sounded really, really good.

We worked on 'swing' style playing and more exercises for the fingers.

Also got a piece of the sheet for Michael Jackson's Billie Jean.

The legato right and staccato left and switched have really helped for the Minuet.

Also learned some history of Mozart, how he played on a spinet model and some other older versions of the piano. Not sure, might have misunderstood. When I asked him how much of Bach he could play, he replied with 'a lot', to which I said he was a bloody genius and to which he said 'no, most pianists can' but I still was very, very impressed since I want to learn Bach the most.

Don't get me wrong, Beethoven, Mozart, Clementi, Scarlatti are nice, but none of them come close to the heart drenching feeling I get from Bach and Tchaikovsky.

[hfmadopter]

David, you and my teacher are both bloody geniuses!

The counting has helped TREMENDOUSLY with the Minuet!

He's satisfied with the minuet and is systematically correcting my timing with it. He played some Bach for me today and a piece of mozart. When I showed him what I practised, the light-mozart style so to say, he played a piece I never expected. It was a piece I was itching to ask him a few weeks earlier. He played the K545 and it was truly amazing to see it live in action.


Don't get me wrong, Beethoven, Mozart, Clementi, Scarlatti are nice, but none of them come close to the heart drenching feeling I get from Bach and Tchaikovsky.

Your teacher may be a genius but believe me, I'm not. However, of course the counting helped !!!

I'm glad you are getting on well though ! Bach will be your best friend for some time, if you like Bach it can only help all other composers works. I wished I could stand more Bach myself but I can only take so much it seems.

[outin]

Don't get me wrong, Beethoven, Mozart, Clementi, Scarlatti are nice, but none of them come close to the heart drenching feeling I get from Bach and Tchaikovsky.

Good to hear things are progressing so well!

You are lucky to have such a taste in music. My problem is that I don't like much of the music that would be beneficial for my learning  

I don't do well with things I am not interested in. I can force myself to practice but I cannot force myself to concentrate in a way that I would learn efficiently. I tend to separate the higher thinking from what I am doing. I think it's a survival strategy learned in school because I was always bored there.

With few exceptions I don't like the style and music of the classical era really, so I am always struggling with these pieces. With some pieces I can actually sense that I am purposely holding back and playing badly because I don't like the music when it's played the way it should be. The same thing with waltzes, I just don't like the "feel" of them so I hold back. Weird, huh  

[ranniks]

Struggling with learning how to 'swing' play piano. It's a jazz excercise I think. I really want to get this because I like the boogie woogie and all. It's tedious, but I'm going to practise hard!

[ranniks]

Good to hear things are progressing so well!

You are lucky to have such a taste in music. My problem is that I don't like much of the music that would be beneficial for my learning  

I don't do well with things I am not interested in. I can force myself to practice but I cannot force myself to concentrate in a way that I would learn efficiently. I tend to separate the higher thinking from what I am doing. I think it's a survival strategy learned in school because I was always bored there.

With few exceptions I don't like the style and music of the classical era really, so I am always struggling with these pieces. With some pieces I can actually sense that I am purposely holding back and playing badly because I don't like the music when it's played the way it should be. The same thing with waltzes, I just don't like the "feel" of them so I hold back. Weird, huh  

So what kind of music do you like piano wise?

[outin]

So what kind of music do you like piano wise?

I like a lot of piano music, just often things that are too difficult for me to play... From the baroque era in addition to Scarlatti I like some stuff by Telemann and Purcell, from the classical era I seem to like very little, only Hummel comes to mind, from the romantic era there's a long list of pieces and composers that I like, many shorter works like etudes, preludes, nocturnes, but also a lot of sonatas and fantasies. Loads of concertos and some chamber music too. I don't know much about more modern piano music, but I like many pieces by Shostakovich and also Kabalevsky. I don't care much for Finnish composers, but there are some pieces by Palmgren that I would like to learn some day...

[ranniks]

Training goes well here^^.

I got full play control of 60% of the Minuet. There is just 1 part which is still tedious, but needs to be worked away with finger independance exercises. Other than that; I feel the piece in my total control. My teacher however wants me to get the timing right. I seriously don't want to end up like one of 'those' people on youtube that play way, way too fast.

The gentleman above plays it very well in my opinion. I really want to get my hands on the inventions but I lack experience. Like David said - I have a lot of years ahead of me to learn these pieces.

My teacher gave me a new finger exercise sheet and man, the first piece is just beautiful a simple, but elegant. It goes like this (Right hand): C(1), E(2), G(3) C(5). That is the C 1 octave higher. Then you go back but put 1 on D and contineu the movement: 1 skip a note 2 skip a note 3 skip 2 notes 5 and back.

I don't know what it is, but it's soooo beautiful! Really appreciate this simple exercises.

I SERIOUSLY WANT TO FRIGGING LEARN THE K545 RIGHT THE FRIGGG NOAWWW! Oke, rant mode off. This 20 - to be 21- year old needs to chill.

[ranniks]

Hi everyone,

Today my teacher taught me 'chromatic scales'. He taught me the 'E scale', but with black keys. It went: E, FIES, GIES, A, B, CIES, DIES, E and backwards as well. What scale is that in English?

He taught me the pedaling for the prelude as well; tedius!

Gotta love my teacher for saying 'that minuet is something you should be proud of'. ^^

Also, and don't kill me, I might take 2 violin lessons a month in the near future. Bach could play the violin and organ/harpisichord I read, so why shouldn't I give it a try if I love his music so much?

What have you gentlement/ladies learned/played this day?

[mikeowski]

Hi everyone,

Today my teacher taught me 'chromatic scales'. He taught me the 'E scale', but with black keys. It went: E, FIES, GIES, A, B, CIES, DIES, E and backwards as well. What scale is that in English?

He taught me the pedaling for the prelude as well; tedious!

Gotta love my teacher for saying 'that minuet is something you should be proud of'. ^^

Also, and don't kill me, I might take 2 violin lessons a month in the near future. Bach could play the violin and organ/harpisichord I read, so why shouldn't I give it a try if I love his music so much?

What have you gentlement/ladies learned/played this day?

It's the normal E major scale. Interesting the way accidentals are called in dutch (at least I guess that's what you speak) because it's almost the same in german with the accidentals: fis, gis, cis, dis stand for f sharp, g sharp, c sharp, d sharp. On the other hand ges, ces,.. would be g flat, c flat,... and b is called h and b flat is instead called b for anyone who cares and/or doesn't yet know about it. Is b called h in dutch too?

I myself got taught a bit more on Allegro Barbaro which today worked out surprisingly well in some parts that I found tricky a week ago and I finally think I figured out how to do one very annoying spot without too much trouble.
And we also worked a bit on rach 23/5, which I still have some troubles with, but if I dedicate the coming week to rach 23/5, it should become very smooth again (I stopped practicing it for a bit and now have to regain a few things I lost).
And after these are done I can finally start on other pieces. I can't tell you how much I'm looking forward to doing the Bach Partita 1 and Beethoven Sonata 1.

[ranniks]

It's the normal E major scale. Interesting the way accidentals are called in dutch (at least I guess that's what you speak) because it's almost the same in german with the accidentals: fis, gis, cis, dis stand for f sharp, g sharp, c sharp, d sharp. On the other hand ges, ces,.. would be g flat, c flat,... and b is called h and b flat is instead called b for anyone who cares and/or doesn't yet know about it. Is b called h in dutch too?

I myself got taught a bit more on Allegro Barbaro which today worked out surprisingly well in some parts that I found tricky a week ago and I finally think I figured out how to do one very annoying spot without too much trouble.
And we also worked a bit on rach 23/5, which I still have some troubles with, but if I dedicate the coming week to rach 23/5, it should become very smooth again (I stopped practicing it for a bit and now have to regain a few things I lost).
And after these are done I can finally start on other pieces. I can't tell you how much I'm looking forward to doing the Bach Partita 1 and Beethoven Sonata 1.

Das ist so. Deutsch und Niederlands ist manchmal meinerseits. Nicht so viel das du kanst horen, aber es hat viel ahnlich.

Forgive my Deutsch, I'm still trying to learn the language. Es ist manchmal schwierig, aber es ist ein schone sprache.

Regarding the ges and ces; my teacher showed me des. When I asked him why it is called des when you start at the Cies or C, he said something about skipping the white d. Little bit confused about that, but I'll learn.

Do you like Rach very much? Do you like beethoven/bach more or Rach? I've heard a decent amount of classical music, but some sound so weird that it almost seems there is no correlation between the notes. Must be me listening too much to Bach.

[outin]

Also, and don't kill me, I might take 2 violin lessons a month in the near future. Bach could play the violin and organ/harpisichord I read, so why shouldn't I give it a try if I love his music so much?

What have you gentlement/ladies learned/played this day?

Nothing really, been far too busy to practice for the past few days
Hopefully it gets better this weekend.

Violin? You sure like to keep yourself busy

[outin]

Interesting the way accidentals are called in dutch (at least I guess that's what you speak) because it's almost the same in german with the accidentals: fis, gis, cis, dis stand for f sharp, g sharp, c sharp, d sharp. On the other hand ges, ces,.. would be g flat, c flat,... and b is called h and b flat is instead called b for anyone who cares and/or doesn't yet know about it. Is b called h in dutch too?

We have borrowed all this from German as well and I really hate it...I would much prefer c sharp than cis... I am always confused when my teacher uses these, since I tend to think in the English terms... Same with intervals and other stuff... When I learned to play guitar in my teens everything was in English, so those have stuck into my head.

[hfmadopter]

Hi everyone,

Today my teacher taught me 'chromatic scales'. He taught me the 'E scale', but with black keys. It went: E, FIES, GIES, A, B, CIES, DIES, E and backwards as well. What scale is that in English?

He taught me the pedaling for the prelude as well; tedious!

Gotta love my teacher for saying 'that minuet is something you should be proud of'. ^^

Also, and don't kill me, I might take 2 violin lessons a month in the near future. Bach could play the violin and organ/harpsichord I read, so why shouldn't I give it a try if I love his music so much?

What have you gentlemen/ladies learned/played this day?

What I learned yesterday is that one of my pieces I am including in my christmas performance ( it's a hymn) is sung a lot slower than most people play it on the piano. And while the arrangement I'm doing is lovely I'd like to give it a bit more voice. For the time being I'll just back off the bass a little bit and increase the voice volume. In the future I'd like to add some notes into the voicing . I like the arrangement overall, so I don't want to wreck it.

I can't say much about violin, except  it's a great instrument with infinitely more variables surrounding it than you are into already !

[ranniks]

What I learned yesterday is that one of my pieces I am including in my christmas performance ( it's a hymm) is sung a lot slower than most people play it on the piano. And while the arrangement I'm doing is lovely I'd like to give it a bit more voice. For the time being I'll just back off the bass a little bit and inclease the voice volume. In the future I'd like to add some notes into the voicing . I like the arrangement overall, so I don't want to wreck it.

I can't say much about violin, except  it's a great instrument with infinately more variables surrounding it than you are into already !

Slower does seem better with anything piano to be honest, it lets you appreciate the piece with each and every note.

To be honest I'm not interested in the fact that learning violin is hard....Piano is an instrument just as complex. And who knows? Maybe with my hard working attitude I can master both instruments without losing focus on the pieces.

Just the other day my friend was 'are you sure you've only had 10 weeks of lessons'? That was nice to hear lol; what you can't accomplish with love for your instrument and a good teacher that doesn't hinder you.

Besides, I wanted to learn a second instrument either way and the violin seems ideal for that.

[mikeowski]

We have borrowed all this from German as well and I really hate it...I would much prefer c sharp than cis... I am always confused when my teacher uses these, since I tend to think in the English terms... Same with intervals and other stuff... When I learned to play guitar in my teens everything was in English, so those have stuck into my head.

Haha well believe it or not but it was the same with me. Before I started lessons I watched youtube tutorials and such, got used to sharp/flat system and became completely confused when my teacher used cis and ges and b and all those. But it's gotten pretty good recently and I'm using only those anymore. The only thing that goofs me up is b and h. It just seems so strange and impractical.

Das ist so. Deutsch und Niederlands ist manchmal meinerseits. Nicht so viel das du kanst horen, aber es hat viel ahnlich.

Forgive my Deutsch, I'm still trying to learn the language. Es ist manchmal schwierig, aber es ist ein schone sprache.

Regarding the ges and ces; my teacher showed me des. When I asked him why it is called des when you start at the Cies or C, he said something about skipping the white d. Little bit confused about that, but I'll learn.

Do you like Rach very much? Do you like beethoven/bach more or Rach? I've heard a decent amount of classical music, but some sound so weird that it almost seems there is no correlation between the notes. Must be me listening too much to Bach.

I like Beethoven/Bach better definitely. But I havent been exposed to much of Rachs music so my opinion of rach is probably not fair. I do like him though.
Also for learning german, you definitely have an advantage with dutch as your native language, ik denk dat u kunt het zeer snel leren. My attempt at dutch.. learned it for a week when I was in amsterdam so forgive my nederlaands lol.

[hfmadopter]

To be honest I'm not interested in the fact that learning violin is hard....Piano is an instrument just as complex. And who knows? Maybe with my hard working attitude I can master both instruments without losing focus on the pieces.

Besides, I wanted to learn a second instrument either way and the violin seems ideal for that.

You seem to be a very bright individual who is full of enthusiasm, I'm sure you will do well with two instruments. Your house hold though may take to heavy drinking !!!! Maybe bag pipes next, you might as well really rake your fingernails down the chalk board for them .

Seriously though, hope it goes well !

[perprocrastinate]

I SERIOUSLY WANT TO FRIGGING LEARN THE K545 RIGHT THE FRIGGG NOAWWW! Oke, rant mode off. This 20 - to be 21- year old needs to chill.

Then do it. What are you afraid of?

It's not as if this is going to happen to you.

Then again, I'm really not the best person to take advice from, seeing that I learn pieces by impulse, whether I can handle them or not.

Seriously though, if you feel that fundamentally, the piece doesn't contain anything too crazy, then go for it. You may not master it in a month or two, but it's a continual effort.

[ranniks]

You seem to be a very bright individual who is full of enthusiasm, I'm sure you will do well with two instruments. Your house hold though may take to heavy drinking !!!! Maybe bag pipes next, you might as well really rake your fingernails down the chalk board for them .

Seriously though, hope it goes well !

Mayyybeeee. Well, playing the violin for 15-30 minutes a day won't harm someone I hope, lol.

Who is your favourite composer David?

Then do it. What are you afraid of?

It's not as if this is going to happen to you.

Then again, I'm really not the best person to take advice from, seeing that I learn pieces by impulse, whether I can handle them or not.

Seriously though, if you feel that fundamentally, the piece doesn't contain anything too crazy, then go for it. You may not master it in a month or two, but it's a continual effort.

Probably the fact that I've only played piano for all but 11 weeks I suppose. I want to master at the very least 3-5 Bach pieces before I move on to another composer. My teacher is a Bach specialist to his saying, so I think I'm in the right hands.

Goal: 5 Bach pieces
Progress: 1.25/5

In the meantime I'll play anime pieces in conjuction with my classical pieces. This one for example: https://ichigos.com/res/getfile.php?id=995&type=pdf&token=b3b4d2dbedc99fe843fd3dedb02f086f

Left hand long reaches, but it makes sense.

[ranniks]

So this is a bit more polished version. I can do the piece now. Please listen to it and give me feedback!

[outin]

You really are learning fast. Apart from the little mistakes and some unwanted accents it was pretty good!  And obviously your problems with rhythm were nothing to worry about, just a little practice.

[hfmadopter]

Maybeeee. Well, playing the violin for 15-30 minutes a day won't harm someone I hope, lol.

Who is your favourite composer David?

Never thought about it that way, guess you could say I don't have a favorite. I like works from  most of the usual names that get bantered around. I will say that of those, working on Debussy never lit any fires for me.