Blast my keyboard!!

[.COM]

I don't know if whoever reads this knows, but I'am 16 and have been playing for two years.

Just like I said in an earlier post, I have completed learned and played Fur Elise, Moonlight sonata 1st mvt, Pathetique 2nd mvt, Waltz Op. 64 No. 1 "Minute Waltz", Nocturne Op. 9 No. 2, and the "Raindrop Prelude". I think I started of pretty good.

I've played all these songs in a 61 keyed keyboard and didn't really worry much about leaving out or playing notes an octave higher or lower for very high or low notes.

That was until I decided to tackle Pathetique 3rd mvt. Bass notes such as the ones found in bar 107, 108, 109, and 115 would make the piece sound weird if I didn't played them or played them an octave higher.

I'am unable to get a bigger keyboard because my parents are not able to lend me some money due to the fact that my brother is going the college and that they are also paying for my two sisters who are in college as well.

I'am a bit upset about having to wait for a long time so that I can play my favorite piece such as the "Revolutionary Etude" and Liebestraume No. 3.

Should I continue disregarding notes and learn the whole Pathetique 3rd mvt?
                                    OR.....
Should I stop and play a new piece that won't lead me to the same situation? If this one, could anyone suggest any for my level of playing?

I thank whoever reads this for their patience and replies.

[goalevan]

16 years old I think you're past due for a job =p. I don't know what else you want us to say other than deal with the keyboard or find a piano somewhere that you can practice on. But you may find that playing more advanced pieces is less and less easy on a lower quality keyboard  anyways plus it can hurt your technique so I suggest you look into other ways to get a new keyboard or find a piano. My parents didn't help me with the digital piano I have, I earned that myself. Do you have any relatives that live nearby with a piano? Can you drive somewhere theres a piano available ie college campus?

[bernhard]

Yes, there is something you can do (of course getting a piano would be much better).

Concentrate (for the moment) on the Baroque/early classical repertory. The pianos at that time were much smaller (they started with only 55 keys), so the range of keyboard they used was comparable to your keyboard.

Scarlatti sonatas are exceptional pieces not only musically but as exercises to develop your technique as well

Couperin works for harpsichord are stunning (listen to the recent CD of Angela Hewitt playing them on the piano)

Handel Suites are beautiful.

J. S. Bach keyboard works are excellent for technique and superior pieces of music.

Haydn Sonatas, in my opinion are superior to Mozart’s and most use a very limited range.

Mozart sonatas also keep mostly to the middle of the keyboard.

There are of course many more worthwhile composers that will fit the bill (I have posted endless lists of this kind of repertory in the forum, have a look), but these should get you started.

If you work through these diligently you may find that when your piano arrives, your technique will be more than enough to tackle the pieces you want but can’t right now.

Best wishes,
Bernhard.

[.COM]

goalevan said: 16 years old I think you're past due for a job =p. I don't know what else you want us to say other than deal with the keyboard or find a piano somewhere that you can practice on.

I'am strictly not allowed by my parents to get a job until I have finished with college or something like that.

Also, I have been saving for a new keyboard, but I still don't have a enough to get one.  

Thanks for the reply though.  

Whoa I do like your advice bernhard. I guess I should try it.

I wouldn't mind receiving more replies.

[Nana_Ama]

Maybe you could a church nearby and ask if you could practice on their piano I did that when I before I got one... :-/ That's all I can think of right now. Good Luck

[goalevan]

Your parents strictly forbid you to get a job? That sounds a little hard to believe but ... some good advice from Bernhard here if you have no choice. What kind of keyboard do you have btw?

[Tash]

i have almost exaclty the same problem!i'm missing the top 2 notes (i'm sure half the forum knows my sad story and the conclusion is that i'm not getting anew piano anytime soon due to the fact that the money is going towards my sister probably going to ballet school in england so that's a pretty good reason though) and so have issues with one piece. lucky for me though i also own a digital piano so can practice on that as well so i'm dealing with it.

i think if you have to deal with your piano, practice most of it on your piano, and then find another piano that you can practice the higher parts on- like i have a good friend who's happy to lend me her piano when i need it, or can practice on the pianos at uni. i know it's frustratin but sometimes we sadly just have to deal with these silly things

[xvimbi]

I'am strictly not allowed by my parents to get a job until I have finished with college or something like that.

I don't think that's what goalevan meant. You just need to get a small job, say, an hour in the evenings or mornings, or during summer, just to make enough money to get you a decent keyboard. Assuming your parents realize that you really want the keyboard, they will probably be more than willing to help you find such a job.

[.COM]

Not even a small job of any kind xvimbi.

Though the church reply does sound good. Thanks Nana_ Ama.

Thanks everyone for your replies. I guess I would have to deal with it for just a while longer. Hope not to long.

[johnjwong]

My parents will be very happy if i will be willing to work to earn money....

Anyways, where do you live? If you live close by, you can come over to my house anytime and ill lend u the piano!!

[.COM]

By piano you mean keyboard right?

Anyway I seriously doubt that I live close to you, but I live in USA/ Texas/ Brownsville/ Alton Gloor.

-Dot out