J.B. Vanhal, Sonatina in F Major

[littletune]

This is my first Sonatina ever  and I will be playing it in exaclty 1 month at my spring recital. So I thought I would ask if anyone had any suggestions and advice about my playing. I know it's not so great yet, but I thought I would ask now when I still have some time to change somethings about it... I saw a boy on youtube playing this sonatina (only the 1 movement) really really fast! A LOT faster than I play it... but I don't think it should be that fast,  it says Andantino. I don't know...
And sorry about my piano still being out of tune  ... I really can't wait to get it tuned finally!!! And sorry also about the sound of water running in the background

Well thanks for reading and listening and commenting! (if anyone feels like it)   
Oh... this Sonatina has 2 movements, they're both on the same recording.

[becky8898]

Hi Littletune.  I liked it. and heres why. You played it within yourself.  Your tempo remained constant.  I could clearly follow the melody. I would be glad to hear you play another piece.  Now here is what I didnt like. ( And I want to say this nicely if I can. ) Stop with the apologies . Who cares about the water or your piano being out of tune or some boy on the internet playing faster than you.  so what. You have as much right as anyone to post your song here.

The real truth is I liked this and look forward to your future posts.  Now go rock at your recital.

Cheers,  the other 12 year old, Becky

[pianowolfi]

I second Becky

I think you have everything perfectly nailed down regarding the notes and the constant tempo. Now I'd suggest to get more flow into it. I wouldn't interrupt the legato in the left hand at every bar line, just let it flow more, be more playful

[littletune]

Hi Becky! Thanks very much for listening and commenting! yes I guess I do apologize too much    I'll try not to apologize so much.  I'm really glad you liked it!! Thanks! 

Thank you too Wolfi! I will try what you said!   Thanks 

[rachfan]

Hi littletune,

I've never heard this piece before, but listening to your recording, I believe it's coming along well!  You have the notes and rhythms down and you play with good vitality and continuity too.  I don't have the score here, but look carefully at the indicators of touch--legato, non-legato and staccato to make sure that all those contrasts in touch are in place as you play.  

A couple of suggestions: The left hand is accompaniment while the right hand carries the melody.  So the right usually has to play at a higher dynamic than the left, which needs to be more subdued. (If the melody should switch into the left hand, then the reverse is true.) A tip: The way to do this is NOT to play the RH loud in an attempt to drown out the LH. Rather, the way that works better is to reduce the dynamic level in the LH.  That will automatically allow the melody to soar in the RH.

As pianists we often talk about "balancing the hands".  The word balancing can cause confusion to young pianists, because if two things are in balance, it suggests that they are equal--like two identical weights on each side of a scale.  But when playing the piano, we usually need to unbalance the hands.  The melody is in the foreground and must be dominant in sound.  The accompaniment is background, so it must be more subdued.  So in that sense, when the hands are properly balanced, we really mean that  they're properly unbalanced, one sounding louder, the other softer.  Now, if that doesn't confuse you, then nothing will.  

The other thing  is to be sure that you're observing all the dynamic markings, loud, soft and in-between.  Look closely and listen to be sure you're adjusting the volume of sound accordingly. Doing so adds a lot to the contrasts within the piece.  Contrasts provide interest, while sameness tends to be bland. Think ice cream.  Do you want plain vanilla?  Or maybe with hot chocolate sauce on it?  Perhaps strawberries?  That's the difference between sameness and contrasts, yes?  

Always look at every detail in a score--away from the piano.  Once you've done that and are practicing, exhaust the score.  Try not to leave out even one of the composer's indications. If you do that, contrasts will take care of themselves.  By the way, always have a little music terms dictionary near the piano.  Then if you don't know a term, you can look it up rather than guess at it.  I've been playing the piano for a very long time, and I still refer to the dictionary whenever I need to.

Again, you're doing very good work on this piece.  Keep practicing!      

[littletune]

Hi Rachfan! Thank you very much for listening and for taking the time to write about all those things and for describing everything so great! I will think about all that and try to make more contrasts And yes that "balancing the hands" thing is kinda funny and not so very easy... but I guess you get used to it after a while I hope!  Thank you again for all the great suggestions!     

[littletune]

Hmm well... Yesterday I had my recital  At first I wasn't even sure if I would go or not because I was sick all week and had a high fever and I'm still feeling very tired all the time... but I really wanted to go because it was a fun recital (we could dress up as something) and it was also important for me because I was playing my first ever Sonatina So I took some medication for the pain and fever and dressed as a fairy and went to my recital...
I kinda like the way I played the first movement, but I did mess up a lot the second movement  I mean the beginning and the end are kinda ok, but the middle part is just...          ... something like that  (a lot of mistakes and sounds nervous and confused). But I will post it anyway because I don't really feel bad about it.. I don't know why... I mean with all the great and perfect recordings here (not only by adults but also by kids!!) I should be really ashamed I guess but I am not... and I'm not sure why... but it's just that I mean I did my best and I'm really happy I went to the recital even though I was so sick all week and played my first Sonatina (even if I messed it up).
So I'll post it now... oh and a picture of me as a fairy (but it's not a good picture, my mum made some better ones with her mobile phone after the recital, so maybe sometime later I'll post those)
Oh and I start playing after about 30 seconds, and we were playing on a digital piano (I wish I could have tried playing the whole Sonatina before the recital on it, not just first few bars, cause the keys were kinda funny bouncy  and I wasn't used to that  )
I don't know I think It's kinda funny the way I messed up     so if anyone wants to laugh a little then have fun listening to the sick fairy fighting with her first Sonatina     

[thinkgreenlovepiano]

Congrats on your performance, and playing your first ever sonatina (: I've never heard this sonatina before, but I enjoyed listening to you play, both times.  I also think you improved a lot and followed everyone's suggestions nicely...
I think you shouldn't be too worried about mistakes... people pay attention to what went well in your performance, not what went wrong... Actually I bet most people don't notice mistakes at all.
Also, I think a dress up recital is a great idea. I should suggest it to my teacher
PS: Hope you get well soon!

[ladypianist]

Why that was wonderful littletune. Thank you so very much for sharing.  I truly loved your performance.  It was everything I could want.  Sincerity , emotion, caring, Clearness and articulation and at least to me a direct connection with your audience. 

I will tell you a little secret. I have attended so many conservatory recitals with truly fine pianists and many did not give me as much pleasure as you did just now. Your story on this piece came thru loud and clear, plus I so appreciate all that you wrote in preparing me to listen to this.  I truly wish some of the adult performers here would do the same. 

You inspire me to perhaps record something new not from my past and post it here and then you can comment on my playing. Does that sound fair.

It is my sincere hope that this is the beginning of a long life of you and the piano.

A very thankful member of your audience.  Lady Pianist.

[rachfan]

Hi littletune,

I loved your performance!  You played so very well.  Your rendition had a wonderful flow and lilt to it.   The balancing of the hands was far improved, and you brought out the contrasts in dynamics and touch really well too.  I wouldn't be too concerned about the error you spoke about in the second movement. At that very moment you found a musical solution and ensured continuity in your playing. Focusing on continuity was the right approach and it worked.  You put this piece across to the audience very effectively.  Congratulations in performing your first sonatina at your first recital!  
  

[littletune]

Thank you sooo much for you very very nice comments!!! 

@Thinkgreenlovepiano
Thank you! I'm glad you think I have improved and followed directions... I really tried! And yes I really liked this dress up recital! It was great! I wish we could have it next year again!  Thank you for your get well wishes... I am getting better every day now... thanks!   

@Ladypianist
I feel soooo honoured that you commented on my recording and that you said such nice things about it!!!      I can't stop smiling now! Thank you!! I know I'm sooo at the beginning of learning to play the piano and I'm still not very good at making my hands and fingers do what I want them to do  (and I started learning piano late) but I really LOVE playing piano!!! And I'm so glad if people can hear that! 
Oh, I can't wait to hear a recording from you and from now! And I'm sooo glad I inspired you to do that!!! That is so cool! 
Thank you for your very nice wishes about me and the piano!!     

@Rachfan
Thank you so much!  I really tried to balance the hands and to make more contrasts in dynamics like you suggested in your great post, so I'm really glad if you could hear the difference!    Thank you again! I'm sooo glad you liked my performance!  

Thanks everyone for listening and commenting! 

[birba]

You poor thing!  Having to play on that digital piano, I can imagine how nervous it must have made you.  But it certainly didn't interfere with the music you brought out of that sonatina!  You did miracles.  when I play, I start to get into the music after about 10 minutes!! 
Really great work, Littletune!

[birba]

P.S.  what were you wearing on your head?!  You looked like Glinda the good witch of the south from the wizard of oz! 

[birba]

Sorry, I just re-read your post and you WERE a fairy!   

[littletune]

Thank you Birba!!  Yes I was a fairy  but that picture is not good my mum has one on her mobile phone that's really cool!    Thank you sooo much for your very nice comment! It means a lot!     

[fleetfingers]

I just listened to your first recording, then read the replies, then listened to your second recording. What a remarkable difference! The first one was good, but you really improved upon it with the articulations, dynamics and balance that rachfan was talking about. It sounded great!

[littletune]

Hi Fleetfingers!  Thank you very much for listening to my recordings and commenting!  I am VERY happy that you could hear the difference!! Thank you soo much for your nice comment!!