An Introduction

[bigswifty]

Hello. I am Samuel, and have, over the past couple of years, developed a profuse interest in music (particularly in Varèse, Debussy, Xenakis, Zappa and John Shuttleworth). My interests in this scintillating field of physics has lead me to learn multiple instruments, but the one that aids me in composition the most is the piano (hence my decision to join up here). Sadly, having received no formal education, and having started nearly a decade later than a lot of musicians my age, I cannot read music very well, which proves a rather big inconvenience when I feel like experimenting with complicated musical devices. I have the resources to learn music, but I hope that my time spent here will also be an education, since I notice that a lot of you people seem to have quite a vivid idea about what you're on about.

I will warn you that whilst I often use the piano to work out my own compositions, I am not a fantastic player. Whilst all of you are off whizzing around with Bartok and the likes, I'm still struggling with Maple Leaf Rag and novelty arrangements of Frank Zappa music (as I said - I have come here for a sort of "informal education" as I try to secure formal lessons). I think in my case, a foray into the monosynth would be more appropriate, but at the moment, I'm willing to live under the delusion that there is still hope for me with the piano.

Anyway, just as long as I am not made to suffer total ostricization, I'll be satisfied with any time spent here. I will speak with you relatively soon.

[jimbo320]

Welcome Bigswifty.....

[becky8898]

HI Big Swifty . Im not exactly sure what  you said, but welcome. good luck with maple leaf. That is a fun piece.


Cheers, Becky

[bigswifty]

I will say one thing about Maple Leaf Rag - it is incredibly easy to make it sound sterile. I think that the little embellishments and the way the right hand of the C strain is played an octave up on the piano roll recordings give it much more spirit. In fact, I heard a J. Lawrence Cook modification of the Connorized roll which retained these traits, but the rhythm was swung, it actually sounded really good (listen to it hear:

). I think the rolls sounded much better than the Rifkin (and many other pianists) recordings where the piece was played exactly as written. I often feel that a lot of expression is lost if a person does not attempt to inject a bit of spirit into this music.

[bleicher]

Hello. It's good to hear from someone who likes modern music. Have you tried any of the music in the ABRSM Spectrum books? It's all contemporary but not too difficult to play. I'd recommend Book 4 to start with as that has the easiest pieces in, around grade 1-4 standard.