Nah, don't be hard on yourself. You are doing fine. You probably just need more work on it. Since I haven't played this myself I can't give any specific criticism but I enjoyed listening and watching. Bravo!
OH come on! That was great! After all, it IS a work in progress, as you said, but you gave it that spirit and life that is essential in the beginning when you start studying a new music. Personally, I don't know how you do it on one of those Digital pianos(?). I'm sure the action is very good, the sound is alright, etc. But when you go to a regular piano, do you have any problems?
Hey, it sounds nice! You have the ability to play this piece well! There are 2 technical aspects that can be tweaked to make it even better, but whatever!
Is that one of those old photos of Liszt in the background?
PLEASE tell me what those tweaks are! I haven't seen a teacher for 18 years and I don't have friends that play at a decent level so everything is self-taught and I'm flying blind. Would totally appreciate any tips you have for playing better. I know what I need to do on the artistic/interpretative side .... but it's the technique itself that I really need to figure out first before I tackle those. Thanks in advance!
O.o a very interesting turn-around from your initial post Anyway, the first is, you like to randomly lift up your hands with your wrist (e.g. 0:29). It may be intentional, or it may be bad habit, or it may be something you're unconscious of, but if possible get rid of it. It doesn't help you produce any better sound and may only produce unnecessary tension.The second is something you need a teacher for instructions, but basically in the big sections you're using only the available apparatus from your forearms forward. On a digital piano the volume really depends on the, well, volume button, but on a real piano it depends on not just the velocity at which you press the keys, but also the kind of weight you put on the keys, and how you put it on.
Hi Rob,Rachmaninoff Concerto Nr.2 being my favorite piece of music, I can never get enough listening to it. Your technique is good, but please put in a little more of the composers romanticisme. Kind regards,Margot
Hey Rob - nice job - really. Except - of course there is an except. And remember I dont really know diddly about you. But - based on what you said about hitting the recording button. Play in public more. Record more, alot more. Get used to that camera being on you. I have seen lots of cool pianists, who where great in private and as soon as you put them in front of an audience or tried to record them - they just went all blewy. Keep up the great great work. Cheers, Becky
I'm ordering the sheet music for what you played and will spend the rest of my life trying to learn to play it. Haven't played since 1961.
Did you ever finish the concerto? I would love to hear the 3rd movement in it's entirety.
Hi philb, i've 'finished' the 3rd movement but there are still a few chunks that sound like ass (e.g., the closing flourish in the recording above). I'll be sure to post it when it sounds half-decent! I've started on Rach 3 and have very limited time to practice.... so your request (and my friends who are asking me to play in public) is making me consider dropping it so I can clean up #2 and take care of unfinished business.And pianoplayjl, thanks for the kind words.
thought I'd post it for laughs:
I wish you luck on the Rach 3, the 3rd movement is a giant.
Just looking at what you played, you look like you have the technical capacity to go all the way with this Rachmaninoff Concerto (at least with this movement).Looking forward to you posting videos of the other movements of Rach 2.
Are you kidding?
PS - ANYONE in this forum can play Rach 2 (or Rach 3) or any piece really.... I've realized it's just about putting in the requisite number of hours with some measure of practice efficiency/concentrative ability.