Snippits

[shortyshort]

Hi all,

Had a go at recording myself last night. I never realised how difficult it was to play when you know it's being recorded 

I only had an hour to play with, (including producing video on computer), so I never acheived any reasonable results.  So there's alot missing. 

I thought I'd shove it on here anyway for a laugh 

Please remember, (before you rip into me too much), that I am mostly self taught, (passed grade 1, 25 years ago), and have only been playing again for 1.5 years.

Anyway, here it is. Have a good laugh. (but not for too long please).

Shorty

P.S. I may have a proper go this weekend, if I get the time.

[pianistimo]

you remind me of my bro.  he used to have a good time at the piano too.  is that a beer on the right?  ps you even hold your hands like my bro.  the left one lagging slightly to the left and looking like a teenager in a baby buggy.  but, you know what!  you have a good sound.  solid.  just not as even as you'd probably like.  try playing with a flatter hand.  it really helps!  even on the mozart.  not totally flat on the mozart - but less curved. 

[shortyshort]

Dear Pianistimo,

Thanks for your comments. I will try them out tonight.

Not Beer, it's Cider  Much nicer.

After a few my playing sounds better to me, but worse to others, i'm sure. 

Perhaps that's why I was making so many mistakes. lol.

Shorty

[pianistimo]

Dear Shorty,

i think men, especially, benefit from this 'flatter hand' approach.  you have to get used to it for about 2-3 weeks and build up some different muscles/tendons/ligaments whatever! from what you have been using.  at first - it is much more difficult to control the dexterity - and then afterwards - it is easier.  dichotomy, i know!

i'm so glad that i believed my teacher on this one.  i started playing closer to the keys. basically touching them before attempting to create sound.  a sort of massage playing.  it is much more relaxed (and saves your wrist area from tension).

**really work on leveling out that left hand!  it's hard.  put a quarter on the back of your hand just for fun.  i know it's stupid - but it just reminds you to attempt to keep it level.  once you remember (after a day) you'll not forget.  it also keeps your playing more even - to hold the hand evenly.  that way - all those different fingers have the same chance of relaxed ligaments (entering through the wrist area to the fingers) to help them move.  when your hand turns sideways - it sort of cuts off the first three fingers from functioning properly.  that's my way of explaining this.  the alexander technique explains it in more detail.  i'm not sure which techniques my teacher was using.  probably a combo of several.  he liked to use flat hands, relaxation, and definately finding that balance in the hand (weighting it slightly toward thumb in lh).  some people do this with their rh as well.

[imbetter]

thats really good for somthing self taught and only 1.5 years of experience! I dont really think it would be right to go into great detail in that case and i could tell you were nervous but great job! My only advice is that it could be faster.

Best wishes.

Hope you post more videos \m/

[shortyshort]

pianistimo,
I tried your suggestions this weekend. Am still trying.
I also tried sitting on a higher stool, which I think has helped.
And thanks for your further comments.

imbetter,
Thanks for you comments too. I do play faster when practicing, but slowed down abit to avoid mistakes when recording, (it didn't work, lol)
I want to post more, but need to find some quiet time when there's no-one else in the house. When I do i'll try and do the same pieces, but in full, (excluding pathetique mvt3, as haven't learned it all yet.), and a couple of others.

Anyway, again thanks for your replies.

Cheers,

Shorty