Next piece for me to learn?

[goalevan]

I have been playing piano seriously for about 5 months, here are the last 3 pieces I have studied:

Moonlight Sonata - first movement
Pathetique Sonata - second movement

these two pieces helped me greatly with maintaining multiple voices and learning some general technique from the fingerings

Mozart Sonata Facile - first movement

it has really made a noticeable difference in the evenness of my right and left hand scales, and working out some of the rhythms helped me too.

I really love Beethoven and Mozart sonatas, as well as Chopin nocturnes, waltzes, mazurkas. I was thinking of moving on to the second movement of Sonata Facile, but I would like to open up my options and see if any of you have any suggestions that would be in my skill range. Preferably something that could be printed from online with fingering included. I would love any input, thanks!

[sharon_f]

Why don't you finish the Mozart by adding the other two movements. That way you will have an entire sonata in your repertoire.

[goalevan]

I may end up doing that, but at this point my main concern is technique acquisition rather than building a repertoire. It's hard for me to gauge difficulty just by listening to a piece though, so maybe I can do both. Has anybody played the second and third movements of Facile, and how would you compare them difficulty-wise with the first movement?

Also I may start something different but continue working on the rest of Facile over time.

[janice]

Unfortunately, I am not familiar with Facile, but I do have some ideas.  I think that it might be best to put those Chopin ideas on hold for the time being, and try to focus on Chopin's other works.  He wrote some nice Preludes.  His Prelude in C minor (op 28 no 20) is very well known.  I chose this because it is extremely short(3 lines!), and I know you will love it!  It is a much loved piece!  The tempo is "Largo".  I chose a slow one because Moonlight and Pathetique (2nd mvmt) are slow, and you may like slow (since the others are slow, just my guess) pieces.  However, I DO feel that you could benefit from VARIETY.  So I was thinking of something fast of from a different style or era.  Bach Inventions are nice.  You can really learn phrasing in each voice, which is important.  Can someone else help me out here with finding printable music?  Also, you could benefit from working on some 20th century music.  Bela Bartok wrote several volumes of "Mikrokosmos".  These are each only about 15 measures in length.  Warning--if you aren't familiar with Bartok you will think that it is very strange or ugly!

Let's dialogue about this over AIM.

[bernhard]

There are a lot of really nice pieces within this difficulty level. If I were you, I would definitely give a thought to acquiring repertory, because this is what really takes time. In practice I am advising you to play only pieces that you want to add to your repertory and not waste time learning pieces that you will never play just for the sake of acquiring technique.

You probably can tackle any piece within grades 4 – 6 (ABRSM). So here are a few suggestions (there are much more):

Baroque:

Scarlatti sonatas: All of them are excellent technique acquisition exercises, and all of them are excellent repertory. See this thread for suggestions:

https://www.pianoforum.net/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi?board=repo;action=display;num=1077145772

J. S. Bach: Two voice inventions. Also have a look at the French suites, some of the movements are very easy. The Little preludes are also wonderful.

Classical:

Haydn: I love the Haydn sonatas, far more than the Mozart ones. He wrote around 60 sonatas, all of great musical quality, all underplayed. Almost all of them are around grade 7. Here are some of my favourites amongst the easier ones:

Hob. XVI/8 in G
XVI/9 in F
XVI/10 in C
XVI/4 in D
XVI/12 in A
XVI/27 in G

Mozart: I agree with Sharon. Go for the whole sonata. The first movement is the most difficult (and longest). The second movement is very beautiful and very easy. The third movement is very short and easier than the first, but more difficult then the second. If you want to tackle another sonata, the next ones in difficulty are:

K 282
K 283
K331 (the one with the “Turkish March”)
K 570.

Beethoven: Op. 49 no.1 (it is a wonderful sonata – the rondo is one of my favourites), Op. 49 no. 2 (I do not like this one so much – I find it a bit dull), and op. 79 are well within the realm of possibility (op. 49 no. 2 in the easiest, op. 79 is the hardest).

Romantic:

Mendelssohn – Try the “Songs without words” some are more difficult than others, but with 48 to choose from, you should find something. Also his “Christmas pieces” Op. 72 are easier.

Chopin: There is a lot of Chopin that is possible for you. Here are the easiest :

Mazurkas (grade 5):

No. 9 in C major (op. 7 no. 5)
No. 48 in F major (op. posth. 68 no. 3)
No. 49 in F minor (op. posth. 68 no. 4)

The easiest preludes (again grade 5)

No. 4 in E minor
No. 7 in A major
No. 20 in C minor (that one will really cheer total beginners  with its catchy tune and dancing rhythm! By the way I’m being sarcastic)

Apart from that you have (all grade 5)

Waltz no. 17 in A minor
Waltz no. 18 in Eb major
Cantabile in B flat major
Feuille d’album

The easiest nocturne (grade 6) is no. 21 in C minor.

Schumann – He is (at the moment) my favourite romantic composer. Try his Album for the Young (Op. 68 ). All 43 pieces are superior. I also like his Bunte Blatter op. 99 (a collection of 14 pieces) and the Albumblatter op. 124 (a collection of 20 pieces). And naturally, Children Scenes op. 13. You can find most Schumann scores here:

https://ibiblio.org/pub/multimedia/music-scores/freemusic/pianschm/

Grieg – Grieg’s Lyric pieces are all excellent. Have a look here for a complete graded list (you should be able to tackle anything up to grade 6):

https://www.pianoforum.net/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi?board=teac;action=display;num=1061212155


Modern/Contemporary

Debussy – Album Leaf is probably his easiest piece, then Le Petit Negre.

Sibelius – His ten pieces for piano op. 76 are within your capacity.

Prokofiev – Have a look here for a lot of easy Prokofiev (reply # 15)

https://www.pianoforum.net/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi?board=stud;action=display;num=1077907916

Shostakovich – There are some wonderful pieces Shostakovitch wrote for children, which although very easy, do not sound childish at all and sound much more difficult than they really are. Schirmer has published a collection of them ("Easy pieces for the piano" - vol. 1887 ). Also, have a look at his preludes op. 34, all very modern and yet tonal. This thread has some suggestions:

https://www.pianoforum.net/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi?board=repo;action=display;num=1073648526

Einaudi – Einaudi is a minimalist composer who is quite popular at the moment in the UK. His pieces are on the boundary of popular/classical/new age. They sound difficult and yet they are ridiculously easy.

This is just the tip of the iceberg, I am sure people will add to it.

Best wishes,
Bernhard.

[goalevan]

Janice and Bernhard thank you for the lengthy replies, I'll definately be spending time looking into all of your suggestions. You both mentioned Chopin's Op. 28 No. 20 which I actually have listened to for a while now and really like.  I've actually glanced at the sheet music for that and hit the first few chords but never took the time to learn the whole thing. I should be able to do that one simultaneous with whatever else I decide to pick up. Thanks again.

[f0bul0us]

I may end up doing that, but at this point my main concern is technique acquisition rather than building a repertoire.

Fobulous! Let me see what I can muster up

Beethoven
Bagatelle in G minor.
Minuet in G major, Wo0 10 No. 2

Chopin
Mazurka in A minor, Op. 68 No. 2
Mazurka No. 11 (Tchaikovsky)

Mozart
2nd movement of the K236/588b Sonata
Minuet in F major, K 5
Viennese Sonatina No. 6 in C major (K439, last movement)
Viennese Sonatina No. 2 in A major

This is probably the worst list I've ever compiled.

[janice]

Janice and Bernhard thank you for the lengthy replies, I'll definately be spending time looking into all of your suggestions. You both mentioned Chopin's Op. 28 No. 20 which I actually have listened to for a while now and really like.  I've actually glanced at the sheet music for that and hit the first few chords but never took the time to learn the whole thing. I should be able to do that one simultaneous with whatever else I decide to pick up. Thanks again.

Actually, the Chopin op 28 no 20 Prelude is even easier than it looks, because the 2nd line and 3rd line are the same.  The only difference is dynamic level.  Bernhard, you made a joke about the "catchy tune" but did you know that Barry Manilow used that as an introduction to one of his songs?!  Now, some of you younger folks will wonder "who on earth is Barry Manilow?"  An old pop singer who was very well known.  Bernhard, you probably listened to him in your youth, as did I!

[f0bul0us]

did you know that Barry Manilow used that as an introduction to one of his songs?!  Now, some of you younger folks will wonder "who on earth is Barry Manilow?"  An old pop singer who was very well known.  quote]
Yea...and I used to know a guy who could walk on water...

[dj]

Actually, the Chopin op 28 no 20 Prelude is even easier than it looks, because the 2nd line and 3rd line are the same.  The only difference is dynamic level.

sure the notes are easy but don't forget to really bring out the melody.....this proves a much bigger challenge than just playing the notes, especially in measures 5 and 9 with the melody in the middle of the chord. this sounds absolutely beautiful if done right. and do contrast those dynamics as much as possible! good luck

[janice]

did you know that Barry Manilow used that as an introduction to one of his songs?!  Now, some of you younger folks will wonder "who on earth is Barry Manilow?"  An old pop singer who was very well known.  quote]
Yea...and I used to know a guy who could walk on water...

Ummm.....are you saying that I'm wrong about Barry Manilow singing that?  I was just told that it was "It Could Be Magic".  or were you disagreeing with another aspect of my post?

[rlefebvr]

I actually love that rendition, although it can be hard to find.

The Piano is actually quite fun and not that easy, (well for me anyway).

I have the sheet music for it.


sh*t....did I say that out loud.....

[f0bul0us]

Ummm.....are you saying that I'm wrong about Barry Manilow singing that?  I was just told that it was "It Could Be Magic".  or were you disagreeing with another aspect of my post?

NoOooooOoooo00oooo00o, tt was a very cheap, sarcastic allusion to Jesus.  

[super55james]

Hi the next peice im going to learn are
SCHUBERT-imprountu no. 1
LISZT-La campallena
BEETHOVEN-appansonta

Ihave about 15 pieces to my repitore  they are

SCHUBERT-improntu no. 3
BEETHOVEN-moonlight sonata 1st and 2nd movements
BACH-two pat inveinton no.1,2,3
LISZT-liebstraume no.3
CHOPIN-nocutures no.1,2
CHOPIN-preludes in Cminor and Eminor
LIZST-funerailles
BEETHOVEN-5th syphoine

I have been studieing since i was 3yrs. old now im 15 ive been working on scales and arpeigos for 2 years now i hope to get in julliard in 3 years please repile
James

[f0bul0us]

Hi the next peice im going to learn are
SCHUBERT-imprountu no. 1
LISZT-La campallena
BEETHOVEN-appansonta

Ihave about 15 pieces to my repitore  they are

SCHUBERT-improntu no. 3
BEETHOVEN-moonlight sonata 1st and 2nd movements
BACH-two pat inveinton no.1,2,3
LISZT-liebstraume no.3
CHOPIN-nocutures no.1,2
CHOPIN-preludes in Cminor and Eminor
LIZST-funerailles
BEETHOVEN-5th syphoine

I have been studieing since i was 3yrs. old now im 15 ive been working on scales and arpeigos for 2 years now i hope to get in julliard in 3 years please repile
James

No one cares. But since you posted it I might aswell ask where the real good stuff is? Rachmaninoff, Brahms, Schumann, Debussy, Mendelssohn, Ravel, Prokofiev, and Scriabin? You're a long way from Julliard, buddy.

Good luck!

[janice]

NoOooooOoooo00oooo00o, tt was a very cheap, sarcastic allusion to Jesus.  

I don't get it.  What does that have to do with Barry Manilow?

[Stolzing]

I'm about where you are skillwise.  I am like you and dont know any full sonatas.  I'm not familiar with the other movements of those Beethoven sonatas and just learning something to be a completist doesnt motivate me enough to spend as much time as it would take for me to learn them.  But I figure in a couple years I'll have advanced enough where I can learn them in a much shorter time, so I will wait until then to learn the other movements.

I suggest learning the Minute Waltz.  I'm about 90% into learning it and it's not too hard, and will be good to play between your slower pieces.

[DarkWind]

Hi the next peice im going to learn are
SCHUBERT-imprountu no. 1
LISZT-La campallena
BEETHOVEN-appansonta

Ihave about 15 pieces to my repitore  they are

SCHUBERT-improntu no. 3
BEETHOVEN-moonlight sonata 1st and 2nd movements
BACH-two pat inveinton no.1,2,3
LISZT-liebstraume no.3
CHOPIN-nocutures no.1,2
CHOPIN-preludes in Cminor and Eminor
LIZST-funerailles
BEETHOVEN-5th syphoine

I have been studieing since i was 3yrs. old now im 15 ive been working on scales and arpeigos for 2 years now i hope to get in julliard in 3 years please repile
James

12 years, and you can only play that? I could play all of that, and much more, withing 3 years of piano playing...

[f0bul0us]

12 years, and you can only play that? I could play all of that, and much more, withing 3 years of piano playing...

And I wonder which person actually does justice to those pieces.

[goalevan]

hey all, I recorded myself playing the prelude Op. 28 No. 20, check it out here.

feel free to comment/criticize or whatever, I know it's far from perfect but I've still got some work to do with it

[donjuan]

hey all, I recorded myself playing the prelude Op. 28 No. 20, check it out here.

feel free to comment/criticize or whatever, I know it's far from perfect but I've still got some work to do with it

Its interesting how it has the exact same rhythm on every bar.  Technically, there are no problems, but then again, it's a pretty simple piece, technically.  I think you should follow the dynamics more closely- I barely noticed any crescendo in the final three bars, and no significant difference in volume, when we compare bars 5 and 9.  Also, the opening 4 bars could be more grandiose.  Notice the Crescendo in the 3rd and 4th bar, and ReALLY exaggerate it, and then, all of a sudden, on bar 5, it is peaceful- but only for a moment..we need to hear a demonic rumble within.
We need something special in pieces like this to keep the audience from falling asleep!

Also, the final chord didnt sound "Final" enough.  If I werent following along in the sheetmusic, I wouldnt have known you were finished.  Work on phrasing in the last line, so all harmonies logically end when expected.

Overall, however, Great work, Keep it up!
donjuan

[goalevan]

thanks for the comments donjuan, i appreciate them all. I find most of my concentration going on hitting the right notes, and in the end the dynamics, tempo and musicality may not be the way I ultimately want them, so i'll definately be working on this. But recently, I've found that ironically sometimes I can get rid of the "don't hit the wrong note" thoughts that sometimes clouds my head while i'm playing by simply concentrating more on putting exactly the kind of feel to the music that I want and let my muscle memory do most of the work. I'll give this some more work soon and see how it does.

[donjuan]

You are doing so well!! Once you learn the notes, you will be free to do whatever you want, interpretavely.  I think it is impressive you only took 4 days (jul12-16 if  I am not mistaken..) to learn and play this piece.  Honestly, I think it might have taken me a longer time to have it ready for performance. at least a week or two..
best wishes,
donjuan

ps.. my richman sightreading book came today!

[DarkWind]

And I wonder which person actually does justice to those pieces.

That will be for the public to decide. I'm a incredibly fast learner. I played more of the advanced pieces while people were still at bastien, people the same age playing for about the same amount of time. Plus nowadays I have little to do, except for playing the piano. Although I admit I still have some work to do on the Liebestraume, since I am terrible at cadenzas, I won't work on it since it is way too overplayed. To be honest, playing for 12 years you should have at least a little larger repertoire. You have to play a modern piece, if I remember, to get into Julliard. Oh, and for the answer to your question, it is of course him, as I don't care for these pieces at all, except for Funerailles.

[donjuan]

You have to play a modern piece, if I remember, to get into Julliard.

psh.. I cant afford to go to Julliard!  Robin Williams went to Julliard, and at times I cant stand the guy's voice!
donjuan

[DarkWind]

Here is the entire quote from their website.

Piano

Applications must be postmarked on or before Dec. 1, 2002. No late applications will be accepted.

All pieces must be performed from memory. An exception may be permitted in the case of some 20th-century pieces. Permission must be granted by the Juilliard piano faculty upon request. Applicants whose programs do not meet the following requirements will not be scheduled for an audition.

Any changes to the audition program made after submitting the application must be approved by the department chair.

Undergraduate: Bachelor of Music and Diploma

All undergraduate applicants must submit a standard CD or cassette tape with the application. Current pre-college students are exempt. The tape should include only Nos. 2 and 3 from the audition repertoire. Name and address should appear on both the tape and the tape cover. The entire audition program should reach a minimum of 45 minutes. Shorter programs may be subject to approval by the piano faculty.
A prelude and fugue from The Well-Tempered Clavier or another work of Bach containing a fugue. (No transcriptions are permitted.)
An entire sonata by Beethoven excluding Opp. 14, 49, and 79, or the Haydn Sonata in Eb Major, Hob. XVI:52, or the Mozart Sonata in D Major, K. 576, or one of the following Schubert sonatas: C Major, Op. 78; A Minor, Op. 143; A Minor, Op. 42; D Major, Op. 53, or one of the three posthumous sonatas, or the Wanderer Fantasie .
A substantial composition by Chopin, Schumann, Brahms, Liszt, or Mendelssohn. (Etudes, nocturnes, short dances or comparable pieces are not acceptable.)
A work by a representative 20th-century composer.
One virtuosic etude by Bartók, Chopin, Debussy, Liszt, Prokofiev, Rachmaninoff, Scriabin, or Stravinsky.

Graduate: Master of Music Degree or Graduate Diploma

All graduate applicants not currently enrolled at Juilliard must submit a standard CD or cassette tape with the application. The tape should include No. 2 and No. 3 from the audition repertoire. Name and address should appear on both the tape and the tape cover. The entire audition program should reach a minimum of 60 minutes. Shorter programs may be subject to approval by the piano faculty.
Any major work of Bach.
An entire sonata by Beethoven excluding Opp. 14, 49, and 79, or the Haydn Sonata in Eb Major, Hob. XVI:52, or the Mozart Sonata in D Major, K. 576, or one of the following Schubert sonatas: C Major, Op. 78; A Minor, Op. 143; A Minor, Op. 42; D Major, Op. 53, or one of the three posthumous sonatas, or the Wanderer Fantasie .
A substantial composition by Chopin, Schumann, Brahms, Liszt, or Mendelssohn. (Etudes, nocturnes, short dances, or comparable pieces are not acceptable).
A work by a representative 20th-century composer.
One virtuosic etude by Bartók, Chopin, Debussy, Liszt, Prokofiev, Rachmaninoff, Scriabin, or Stravinsky.

D.M.A. Program and Artist Diploma

All pianists auditioning for the D.M.A. or Artist Diploma who are not currently enrolled at Juilliard must submit a standard CD or cassette tape of No. 2 and No. 3 of the required audition repertoire for the faculty to pre-screen by the deadline.
A prelude and fugue from The Well-Tempered Clavier or another major work of Bach. (No transcriptions are permitted.)
Choose one of the following:
a. One sonata by Beethoven: Sonata Op. 2, Nos. 2 or 3; Op. 7; Op. 10, No. 3; Op. 22; any sonata later than Op. 28, excluding Opp. 49 and 79.

Or:

b. One sonata by Schubert: A Minor, Op. 42; G Major, Op. 78; D Major, Op. 53; A Minor, Op. 143; any of the three posthumous sonatas; or the Wanderer Fantasie.

Two substantial works by different composers, one of which must be chosen from composer-group A:

Group A:
Chopin
Schumann
Brahms
Liszt
Mendelssohn

The second piece may be by another composer from group A or one from group B.


Group B:
Composers who flourished during the late 19th or early 20th century. This group includes, but is not limited to , Tchaikovsky, Mussorgsky, Scriabin, Rachmaninoff, Busoni, Fauré, Debussy, Ravel, and Grieg.


A substantial 20th-century work by a composer post-dating Impressionism.

[super55james]

And I wonder which person actually does justice to those pieces.

I can play alot more that that i didint realy start those pieces up to five years ago i never took my playing seriously until now and i owe alot to a bad teacher now
my new teacher is pushing me. any way i just finished learing the peices that i placed. next ill be learing the appaisonta op. 57. i admit that i still have a long way to juilliard but im getting there and its not what you play its how you play it

[goalevan]

I really enjoyed that prelude and would like to work on another one. I can't get the next Prelude, No. 21 out of my head and would love to start learning this. At the moment I have almost finished memorizing the notes for the second movement of Mozart's K545 (Andante) and will probably also work on the third movement next.

My concern is that according to Bernhard this piece is ABRSM rated a Grade 7. I know this doesn't necessarily mean everything about the piece, when I first started playing piano I learned most of Raindrop Prelude, which is rated the same (of course I'm sure I didn't do the piece justice.. but ). Does anybody have any experience with this piece? Are there any commonly presented problems within, and what gave you problems? Do you think I could tackle this with some good patient hand separate work? Or would it be best to research suggestions from earlier in this post?
Thanks

[newsgroupeuan]

WTC is good for technique. (Grade depends,  roughly 6 -

If your accuracy is bad and you want to get to know the keyboard,  try Liszt "La Campanella". It may be too hard at the moment though. (grade

Greig's "Dance of the Elves" sounds more impressive than it is (Lyric Pieces,  Op.12 No.4) Grade 2-6

[donjuan]

Goalevan, I just found this site with a video of Tzvi Erez playing Prelude No.20.

https://www.nivmusic.com/Tzvi_Erez_plays_Chopin.html

Maybe you should have a look at it --> might give you some ideas...
donjuan

[Fhugo]

Ive been playing  piano for 7 months, kinda like you, maybe I can give you an agenda of what I did - hope it is of relevancy to you:

First 3 months - All piano music of Yann Tiersen, the teacher and I even joined ears and transcribed a lot that wasnt available for sale at the time, if anyone is interested at all I can share btw...

4th month - Villa-Lobos (god, this must be the first mentioning of his name in the forum right? hes really great and so underrated...), did Valse de la Douleur and Bachiana Brasileira number 4, Introduction

5th month - Bachiana Brasileira number 4, the Choral, started Debussy's Clair de Lune

6th month - Finished Clair de Lune, started Vallé d'Obermann by Liszt

Right now the vallée is finished, it is a great study piece in my opinion, I really cant begin to express how much I learned during the past month other than just having it  played for you.
The current one is Rach's Prelude in G minor, dark times ahead indeed.

Many people bash this study line, but it worked very well, I mean, I learned the do-re-mi, got a great palette, movements and velocity on my hands in the reasonable short time of seven months, with no lesions at all, on a 4 piano hours a day basis. Key-word is discipline tho, screw that mentality that people have to start piano at early ages or else theyre hopeless, just keep on...
Hope this helps ...

[donjuan]

Ive been playing  piano for 7 months............6th month - Finished Clair de Lune, started Vallé d'Obermann by Liszt

wow, that's impressive

[Nana_Ama]

Hi the next peice im going to learn are
SCHUBERT-imprountu no. 1
LISZT-La campallena
BEETHOVEN-appansonta

Ihave about 15 pieces to my repitore  they are

SCHUBERT-improntu no. 3
BEETHOVEN-moonlight sonata 1st and 2nd movements
BACH-two pat inveinton no.1,2,3
LISZT-liebstraume no.3
CHOPIN-nocutures no.1,2
CHOPIN-preludes in Cminor and Eminor
LIZST-funerailles
BEETHOVEN-5th syphoine

I have been studieing since i was 3yrs. old now im 15 ive been working on scales and arpeigos for 2 years now i hope to get in julliard in 3 years please repile
James

uh... why Julliard?  Why not the Manhattan School of Music?  

[bernhard]

4th month - Villa-Lobos (god, this must be the first mentioning of his name in the forum right? hes really great and so underrated...), did Valse de la Douleur and Bachiana Brasileira number 4, Introduction

Er…

Actually Villa Lobos got mentioned quite a few times. Here are some (there are more).

See replies 61 & 111on this thread:

https://www.pianoforum.net/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi?board=repo;action=display;num=1055250049;start=50

Replies 34, 37 & 38 on this thread:

https://www.pianoforum.net/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi?board=repo;action=display;num=1077317950

Reply 6 on this thread:

https://www.pianoforum.net/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi?board=repo;action=display;num=1077625353

Reply 48 on this thread:

https://www.pianoforum.net/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi?board=repo;action=display;num=1084846226;start=48

Replies 13, 14, 17, 19, 21 & 25 on this thread:

https://www.pianoforum.net/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi?board=perf;action=display;num=1081643241;start=26


By the way, congratulations on your quick progress.

What factors do you think contributed the most towards it?

Best wishes,
Bernhard.

[Motrax]

I thought MSM was only for pre-college students? I've a few friends who graduated from there this June, and they're all starting college next year.

Julliard is not all that it's cracked up to be. Many people go there for the name, and not for the love of music. It tends to turn out a motley bunch, some successful, some not. Curtis, although much harder to get into, would be a much greater goal to aspire towards if you're looking for a college to attend. Also, you might want to try some less well-known places where you'll get much greater attention, and much less competition for practice rooms.  

[Fhugo]

heh thanks donjuan, and Bernhard thanks for clearing that up. Thing is I get a bit nationalist from time to time, and it seems that the only professional piano players that do actually play villa-lobos are the ones from Brazil alone - well, guess that makes it special. Anyway, I especially love the way Cristina Ortiz always does La Valse de la Douleur as her "encore".


Answering your question Bernhard, I did have a small advantage when beggining probably because I can write with both hands - I really dont know how you call it in english, its called ambidestro in portuguese. I can even write two different things at the same time (well, actually only my full name, Felix with the left and Hugo with the right, haha). I dont know if youve heard of Tom Jobim, but he also could write with both hands. Maybe you even heard of the brazilian soccer player Zico, he was also ambidestro. Hes really old school tho, kinda like Pele, not like Ronaldo tho ;/. On my second week of playing I already did HS, and both my hands reflexes are very sharp. k Ive deffo exceeded the brazil word quota for one post


felix

[Nana_Ama]

heh thanks donjuan, and Bernhard thanks for clearing that up. Thing is I get a bit nationalist from time to time, and it seems that the only professional piano players that do actually play villa-lobos are the ones from Brazil alone - well, guess that makes it special. Anyway, I especially love the way Cristina Ortiz always does La Valse de la Douleur as her "encore".


Answering your question Bernhard, I did have a small advantage when beggining probably because I can write with both hands - I really dont know how you call it in english, its called ambidestro in portuguese. I can even write two different things at the same time (well, actually only my full name, Felix with the left and Hugo with the right, haha). I dont know if youve heard of Tom Jobim, but he also could write with both hands. Maybe you even heard of the brazilian soccer player Zico, he was also ambidestro. Hes really old school tho, kinda like Pele, not like Ronaldo tho ;/. On my second week of playing I already did HS, and both my hands reflexes are very sharp. k Ive deffo exceeded the brazil word quota for one post


felix

Wow that's cool  
I think the english word is ambidexterous... I think Thomas Jefferson could write two things at the same time with both hands also although I am not quite sure...  

[xvimbi]

I think the english word is ambidexterous... I think Thomas Jefferson could write two things at the same time with both hands also although I am not quite sure...  

Apparently, Jefferson could write in Latin with one hand while writing in Greek with the other. Good drummers can play four different rythms at the same time.

[goalevan]

well I've finished first and second movements of K545, I decided to hold off on the third movement and do it later because I don't like it as much and it's hard for me to learn because of that. Also I think I'm gonna start on Beethoven's Op. 49 No. 2.