Hello - new here

[cagal]

Thanks to my generous friend, I have a year subscription.  I wanted to introduce myself:

I am (almost) 45, am married and a mom, have a young German Shepherd and have my own business so all in all a fairly busy life.  In my spare time (LOL) I like to x-country ski and want to start running competively again.  I am trying to complete RCM GR 10 after an almost 25 year hiatus.  I have to admit I seem to be very unsure of myself as it is taking very long to get anywhere on my pieces, especially memorization.  I will be trying the exam either a year come January or, if I am lucky, earlier.

So far I am learning:
Bach - Fantasia in C Minor (I learned French Suite 5 Allemande and memorized but struggled with Gigue and we will continue with learning it but scrapping memorizing - not exam material for me).  The Fantasia is much easier for me but have only worked on it for about 2 weeks so we'll see.
Mozart - Sonata in B flat Major (mvmt 1 memorized, mvmt 2 partially memorized and mvmt 3 is work in progress)
Schubert Moment Musical - OP94/No. 2; has been quite easy so far

I also scrapped Debussy Arabesque #1.  I have mostly memorized but it is not going forward as it should - definitley not playing to my strengths with this piece.

I look forward to geeting input from other members and hopefully can share in my jouyrney to completing Grade 10 and perhaps even ARCT.

[sunshine_keys]

Welcome!!!

[jimbo320]

Welcome Cagal,
Don't forget to squeeze in some practice in your busy day, lol.
I don't get into the grade stuff much being self taught but I do appreciate it just the same. Your list of accomplishments is commendable. Keep up the good work...

[cagal]

Thanks!  BTW A happy and healthy New Year to everyone.  We are only about 1/2 hour away here - another nice, quiet New Year's Eve at home with some really nice wine, a fire and generally relaxed evening.  Lots to be grateful for the past year and lots to look forward to.   

[jjs238]

Cagal,

You are in the same boat as me. I took off from classical after high school in 1996 but still tinkered here and there. The past 15 or so years were spent playing pop music and beautiful 70's songs like Carly Simon and stuff. I love her music. Anyways, I've got a Wheaten terrier, I work a ton too. He barks for some reason every time I play Solfeggietto when I use the octaves in my left hand. Go figure. He does it every time and only on this song. I now play him Part of Your World or whatever it's called from Little Mermaid.

I did find something cool this year....I thought I forgot how to play a song from oh so long ago. Once I whipped out the music, played it for a few hours, I was back to my prime, almost. Try it. Isn't it so cool how our old brains can recall things like that from so long ago once you refresh it quick? Happy New Years!

[cagal]

jjs238,

My dog runs to the basement when I start plaing.    I like to think it's because he has really big ears and not because of my playing.  It sounds like you are back with the classical; are you playing with a goal in mind or "just because"?