Liszt Consolation No. 3 Project

[dire_tonic]

Just a quick disclaimer, Choo.  Above, you describe me as a teacher but I’ve neither teaching qualifications nor extensively tried and tested methods so any ideas proffered here risk being a waste of your time if they fail to work.  At least you’ll come to no harm!  Generally I’m suggesting exactly what I would do to try and cope with a difficulty.  But I'm only a student myself.

That said…

It was pretty good!  Surprisingly, you were making a generally better job of the phrase as written  - with the ‘missing’ first note -  than with the first note played, which I would have thought easier.  So let’s start there (I  don’t know why you recorded the separate LH part twice, but no matter!)…

With the prerecorded LH (3:25), your first 2 were generally better than those which followed.   Where you do it HT, and this became more evident the more you played it, you were hanging on to the Db for too long which made the Bb late (4:29 onwards). The RH and LH Ab’s are  in sync– no problem there, but because the Bb is late it's squashed itself up against the properly played Ab after it *.  It just needs a little more work. In my own video, I messed up the end of the LH with the last note jumping in, so we all need to practice!

And now that you know to pivot round the the A flats which sync together, perhaps you could try the whole thing reverting to the single 3rd beat exercise only if it gets too out of kilter? Initially, continue to play the complete LH cycle (no rest) which will give you an additional anchor for the final high Ab which also syncs with the LH. As soon as you feel comfortable, continue with the loop while observing the rest.

Make a point of doing the exercise regularly on the DP, recording and playing it back to check for evenness of both hands.

* You should check the video and verify this problem for yourself too – we all of us make the biggest strides when we can listen to ourselves with a critical ear and figure out how to remedy a problem!

[candlelightpiano]

DT:    You sound like Birba!  He's always saying he's not a teacher, which is, of course true but he coaches, gives lessons and is incredibly encouraging so I and others he's coached think of him as an excellent  teacher even though he isn't one.  You're incredibly observant and knowledgeable (you may say you don't know that much but you know a lot more than I do and that's what counts) and you're excellent at explaining things in words, pictures and on video.  You're also super encouraging and all that makes you a fine "teacher" even though you're not one!  LOL!  

Thank you for watching my video and commenting and making suggestions for improvement. I watched my video at the times you indicated and notice what you were talking about.  I was holding on to the Db so that I would arrive in sync with the LH Ab!  I need to work on that again.  So I'll play the complete LH cycle with complete RH birdsong.  If it sounds good, I'll make a video and post it here today.  

Last night, I practiced the whole Consolation on the DP, recording it page by page to listen for the 3 in 2 polyrhythms.  Problem areas were bars 30 -33 and 39 - 42.  But using the DP to record, listen and correct was very helpful.  I think I'll stick to the DP for practicing Consolation.  It's the best of both worlds to have both a DP and an acoustic one.  

Have you memorized this piece?

[candlelightpiano]

DT, Zoe, Starstruck, Dan:

Even though we're all still working on Consolation and Fantasie Impromptu, I thought this might be a good time to ask if you're interested in starting another project after we complete Consolation.  I think now may be a good time to be looking into pieces we may be interested in, so that we'll have time to check them out, get the scores, etc.  

I thought another gentle piece would be a good fit for FI, with its vigorous running sections.

I only have one piece in mind at this time and it is Grieg's Morning Mood from Peer Gynt Suite 1 Op 46.  I couldn't find any really good videos for this with a pro pianist:

What do you think?  No polyrhythms in this one, thank goodness!  If you have any other suggestions for pieces, please post and we'll check them out.  Of course, I'm assuming and hoping that you guys still want to get together with me on another project?  I hope you're not all fed up with me!    And the more of us, the better.  Makes for a much more fun and interesting project.  

[ajspiano]

I could use some project style motivation to get me to push through the 1st mov. of beethovens op 28 - I've been meaning to learn it properly for years and somehow never get to it..

What kind of difficulty are we looking for?

[ajspiano]

In a continuing harmony rant - because I'm feeling like writing a bit...

I'm going to start explaining how to transfer some of the ideas to the piano, or at least beginning to familarise ourselves with harmonic transitions at the piano rather than just in theory.

Firstly, I want to briefly outline 'modes' because sooner or later I'm going to feel like using the terminology here and you'll need to know what I'm on about - I don't really think you need to memorise this right now, its just to avoid later confusion.

The major scale has 7 'modes' - they each have their own name. The standard major scale that we all first learn is the "ionian" mode of the scale. Below I have written them all out and highlighted the chord tones within each mode. - continuing to work in F major..

F  G  A  Bb  C  D  E  (F) - F major - Ionian mode.

The scale can also be built upon each degree, the same way we built the chords -

G  A  Bb  C  D  E  F  (G) - Dorian mode

A  Bb  C  D  E  F  G  (A) - Phrygian mode

Bb  C  D  E  F  G  A  (Bb) - Lydian mode

C  D  E  F  G  A  Bb  (C) - Mixolydian mode

D  E  F  G  A  Bb  C  (D) - Aeolian mode (natural minor scale)

E  F  G  A  Bb  C  D  (E) - Locrian mode



_________________________

After that crash course in major scale harmony - lets take it to the piano..

We might start my familiarising ourselves with the 3rds, through each mode/chord using the pattern we worked out earlier..

So the left hand will play the chord root, and the RH will play the thirds. The left hand will stay more or less within the octave range of middle C, to the C below. The RH from middle C, to the C above (this is rough, they can move outside, its just to keep you changing direction and not playing straight up the keyboard like a scale/arp). Additionally, to keep inline with the consolation/polyrhythms, I'm going to do 2 vs 3 between the hands. This way we learn harmony and our technical challenge.

To better explain what I mean I've attached a score, I've done it in F major, don't ask me why the bar lines are positioned the way they are, i have no idea.. the notation software had a fit it seems. - anyone trying this needs to transpose it and play it in multiple keys. The objective of practice here is not to learn/memorise each pattern here - so you wouldnt repeat a given key, rather, work through a key once, then move onto a new key. You are practicing the process of thinking through the harmony (and covertly practicing polyrhythms at the same time)

This is still fairly dull at the moment with all the repeated notes, but it should still be plenty to think through for those that haven't studied harmony at all.. we would soon start adding notes, such as using all the notes within each chord (1, 3 and 5 to begin with) to form the LH part, and talking about how to use other scale notes/chord notes to transition between chords in the RH.

[candlelightpiano]

That's the Pastoral Sonata?  I think that may be too much for me as I'm looking at a shorter piece to work on in conjunction with FI.  I see FI as a long term project for me so while working on it, I'm looking at shorter calmer pieces like Grieg's Morning Mood.  

Here's the score for Morning Mood:

https://www.virtualsheetmusic.com/cgi-bin/secure/subN/86116166/MorningMood.pdf#view=Fit

Could you take a look and let me know if you think I'll be able to play it.  By now, you know my level pretty well.

My Chord Wheel and Harmony & Theory book has arrived!  So in taking a brief look at my Chord Wheel, I can immediately see where I went wrong when giving you the chords the other night!!

[candlelightpiano]

AJ:  Thanks for the scale harmony lesson.  It was very educational.  I'll play out the FIRST STEPS and record for you to watch.  Should be able to do it shortly.  Please wait for that before you go further so that I won't get confused but now that I have my harmony/ theory workbook and my chord wheel, I feel better equipped to handle this. 

[ajspiano]

Here's the score for Morning Mood:

Could you take a look and let me know if you think I'll be able to play it.  By now, you know my level pretty well.

I'm not very big on being restricted by your perceived level -

The thing that did strike me though was the number of chords/rolled chords that are a 10th wide. Zoe would no doubt find this extremely challenging given her hand size - DT said he found some of my etudes octave wide chords difficult too for the same reason..

I like the piece from a sound perspective

...and I'm sure we could revoice some of those chords for smaller hands if its too difficult even to roll them.

[candlelightpiano]

Thanks, AJ, for looking at the piece.  Isn't it a gorgeous piece, though? I have fairly large hands but I'd have to roll the E B G#.  If it were just EBG, I can take the stretch but the # is a bigger stretch.  So we'll all have to roll it, except you. 

I like the fact that you're not big on being restricted by a perceived level! Of course, I have no clue what my level is but Zoe is always talking about pieces being way over her level since she is taking a graded course in piano. 

Were you looking for a piece as a breather for your Pastoral Sonata?

Here's my FIRST STEPS:

DT, Zoe, Starstruck, Dan:  Just in case you drop in and wonder what AJ and I are talking about, we were dicussing Grieg's Morning Mood, a piece I thought I would like to tackle after Consolation, if I can get you guys to join me.  I love the piece.  AJ was in the mood for harmony so he composed FIRST STEPS and I played it.

[candlelightpiano]

DT:  I wonder if the RH birdsong has to be strictly in time with the LH notes?  I PMed Megadodd and he said the birdsong could be a little free.  Since the LH is played softly, I was wondering if I could get away with a constant beat on the LH but allow the RH to be freeer, meaning that the Ist note of the 4th beat does not necessarily have to fall on the 1st note of the 4th beat of the LH. What do you think? 

[ajspiano]

Ok that's great choo - now play it with expression, like it's the consolation, make the RH sing more, use some pedal..

Then transpose through all 12 keys if you can. Just play it once in each key..

By the time you've done that, not only will you have learnt a heap about relationships between chords within a scale.. But also you'll have played the 3 vs 2 poly close to 400 times.

....

You'll also be well and truly ready to handle a new step in learning harmony/composition/improv in a given key.. No rush ofcourse, whenever you want to do it.. And don't give yourself a headache with the transposition by doing all keys in 1 sitting of it's too much for you.

AJ

[candlelightpiano]

Thanks, AJ!  I'll do that. I'll write it out, though.  Would you like to hear any of them or should I just do them for myself?  By the time I'm done, I should absolutely have no trouble with any 3 in 2 polyrhythms!!!!  This will be a great exercise for Zoe, too! 

[ajspiano]

Thanks, AJ!  I'll do that. I'll write it out, though.  Would you like to hear any of them or should I just do them for myself?  By the time I'm done, I should absolutely have no trouble with any 3 in 2 polyrhythms!!!!  This will be a great exercise for Zoe, too! 

I don't need to see them, but if you want me to check on a couple to ensure you understand I'm more than happy to do so

I think next we can look at 3 vs 4 combined with exploring melodic ideas.. ie.  the RH will play a series of notes to form a melody rather than just repeating things. Only a couple more steps and you'll suddenly realize you're composing your own pieces.

I'll add that its fine to write things out - infact I would say its good for you to draw associations between written score and the piano (rather than just the piano or just the score) - you'll end up better undestanding the concepts as they appear in pieces you study

[candlelightpiano]

That's so cool, AJ!  I can't wait to become a composer!!  But first, I must play with more expression.  I just don't play like you do. But I'll try.  When I start my 12 keys, I'll play the first two for you so you can be sure I'm doing them correctly before I play all 12 keys wrongly!  I know, for most students, you don't have to worry about such things but with me, that's just not the case.   

[candlelightpiano]

Here are my birdsong polyrhythms.  I played them back and they sounded quite okay to me.  Please let me know what you think. The one I have most problems with is the last one.

Also, in an earlier post (reply #352), I brought up a project proposal for a new piece after we complete Consolation.  There's a video there, too.  The piece is Grieg's Morning Mood.  I have the link to the score on reply #355.  AJ has taken a look at the score and watched the video so you'll see his comments on reply #357. What do you think of the piece?  Would you like to start another piece after Consolation?  If you do and you don't like the piece I've suggested, what would you like to learn?  

[dire_tonic]

From next week on I’m going to be very short on time, Choo, so I’ll have to pass on your next project though I’ve no doubt curiosity will get the better of me and I’ll pop into the thread occasionally!   I wish you the best with the piece. I’m intrigued by some of Grieg’s harmonic ideas – I like him a lot.

Your 4-3s are coming on! The weakest was bar 26 (should be F in the bass, not Db!). The Ab F C of the LH suddenly races into an almost exact rhythmic unison with the F Db C of the RH and this illustrates an important point about our objective with these polys.   Yes, of course, we need them to sound free.  We want the RH to be independent of the LH so that each voice flows across the other without constraint.  But it’s clear that in the attempt - and I think it applies to all of us to varying extents - each of our hands is somewhat the slave of the other.  It’s evidenced in the above, where the leisurely pace of your LH is dragged up to the tempo of the RH on those 3 notes.  In my case, my last LH note just prior to the rest in the 4-3s was pulled up short. I didn't want it but at the time I couldn't help it. I've since done my best to iron it out.

You ask above if the RH birdsong needs to be in strict time with the LH. In performance no, in fact better that it isn't, but when one is learning to do 4-3, as an exercise, I would aim for precision using sync points - where the HT coincide - as a learning aid. And here's the thing; achieving a precise 4-3 will, I believe, help to unshackle the hands’ mutual influence leading to a freer expressive faculty.


Then again, this all depends on how far you want to take it. Although your 4-3s are not yet accurate, I thought they sounded ok and I’d say they’re achieving the effect you want!  You can come back at any stage in the future and refine what you're doing.

By the way, if you ever want to immerse yourself in 2-3 polys again, I think this prelude by Liadov (aka Lyadov) is beautiful.  I prefer this slower version but you’ll find others on youtube…

[candlelightpiano]

I'm going to miss you very much, DT!  I feel so sad that you won't be with me/ us on the next project.  I definitely won't do one on my own.  Perhaps I'll just focus on completing FI and Consolation then.  So will you post your completed Consolation here?  I hope so.  You might consider posting it in the Audition Room, too.  Knowing you as I do, you will play it beautifully. If you post it there, please let us know, so that we can visit you there and give you our support. We are your fans!

Thanks for pointing out my problem areas.  I didn't even think of 26 as the weakest!  I listened several times to my recording and thought the worst was the last.  I'll focus on 26 then.  Working the way you suggested, recording the LH, helps keep my LH in tempo but I think I have spent more time on 22 than on the others.  

The Liadov Prelude is beautiful.  I think I'd like no polyrhythms, though, for my next piece.  

How long will you be busy?  When will you be able to join us again on another project?  

[dire_tonic]

Sorry Choo, but I'm going to be tied up with non-musical activities for the next couple of months.

I've become increasingly frustrated with the upright piano I'm using here.  We have a relative who happens to be a piano tuner (!) but for a list of reasons hasn't been able to come and do any maintenance and what with the tuning and general mechanical problems, I'm hating playing this instrument except for practise.

I've a few software pianos which I'm going to try and rig up with my DP and desktop but that might take a little while.  So, no videos from me for now, I'm afraid .

Anyway, it's not a "goodbye", it's à bientot!

[candlelightpiano]

I'm sorry to hear about your piano, DT.  I know how frustrating that can be for you playing on it when it needs tuning and other work.  You can always come and play on my baby! You'll always be welcome!    But I'm sure that when it's fixed, you'll be on it again and making beautiful music.  Well, whenever you're ready to wow us with your Consolation, we'd love to hear it.  And your FI, too! 

I will miss you. You've been a terrific coach to me and guided me through many difficult spots.  I thank you for your guidance and encouragement.  This thread and any future threads (if I do start another) won't be the same without you.

I'm glad, though, that this is just a bientot and not goodbye.  All the very best to you, my friend.

[costicina]

Hi Choo,
sadly I've had very little time for piano playing and my beloved forum lately, but I'0m following your progresses with Consolation (brava!!!!), and your intriguing plan to learn harmony/theory. I'd like to join you as soon as I have a break from work 

The Grieg's piece is very beautiful, if you decide to learn it, you can count on my support and my encouragement. I hope to be more active in the nex future, I miss the piano world and his woinderful inhabitants...

[zoecalgary]

Hello. Well Choo I like that Grieg piece but I just don't think it's within reach for me.'I tried to find it's level and that particular one was not in my book. I'm guessing that means it's a very advanced piece. I have my hands full with my tiny bit of consolation, polys, theory. But dont let that stop you! I'd probably follow the thread anyway because all the help you will likely receive will be valuable to read/see/hear.

AJ I know you feel we shouldn't worry about levels and I try to only use levels as a guide. But reality is I just wouldn't have the proper skills to tackle this. The heart is willing but the mind and hands don't seem to agree quite yet!!

I'm still going to ask my teacher for some challenges when this April exam is done. I'm thinking maybe around grade 7 would be my max. In the meantime I try to stay focused on the things for this exam. I wish I had more time so I could do all this other fun stuff!!

[starstruck5]

Choo-Your birdsong 16ths are coming on well!  It might be a good time to play the whole piece! Taking passages in isolation is a good idea -when you need feedback -but I think you are ready to play from start to end!  Even if it isn't perfect, it will reveal how much progress you have made -where you are in terms of tempo and expression and so on -

[ajspiano]

AJ I know you feel we shouldn't worry about levels and I try to only use levels as a guide. But reality is I just wouldn't have the proper skills to tackle this...  I'm thinking maybe around grade 7 would be my max.

I wouldnt have said it looked that hard, just has some big chords.. a search of Pianostreet says its Grade 6.

https://www.pianostreet.com/grieg-sheet-music/peer-gynt-suites/morning-mood-op-46-1-e-major.htm

[zoecalgary]

AJ - I never actually saw the score (I still haven't actually) as Choo's link didn't work. I'll look for it on IMSLP. I had thought since I couldn't find it in Jane Macgrath's guide to teaching repertoire that it was more advanced. But if it's a level 6 than that's a good thing! Actually a really good thing. I can join in and be more active! I'm going looking now.

[ajspiano]

AJ - I never actually saw the score (I still haven't actually) as Choo's link didn't work. I'll look for it on IMSLP. I had thought since I couldn't find it in Jane Macgrath's guide to teaching repertoire that it was more advanced. But if it's a level 6 than that's a good thing! Actually a really good thing. I can join in and be more active! I'm going looking now.

Choo's link fails the first time you click - gives you that "error please contact us" thing - click in the address bar and hit enter..  or presh refresh or something, it works the second time around.

[zoecalgary]

AJ - thanks it still didn't work but I just went to that site and found it. It doesn't look so bad except for those big chords. I have to run one of my boys to something but when I come back I'll take a closer look at the score and give it a run through at the piano.

[candlelightpiano]

Lots of activity since I went out.....I love it!   

MARG:  Thanks for stopping by!  We always enjoy having you here.  I don't know if I'll do the Grieg yet.  I haven't taken that close a look at the score.  But I love that piece.  It's so absolutely beautiful.  Thanks for your continued support and encouragement. 

AJ:  Thanks for the link to the Pianostreet score but I couldn't open it as I don't have a paid membership but I'm glad Zoe was able to open the one I posted.  I haven't started working on the 3 in 2 polyrhythm for the 12 keys yet.  I hope to get at least one key done tonight.

ZOE:  You don't have to play any project pieces so please don't worry about it being at your level or not.  Your participation in the thread is good enough, just the way you participated in this thread with your videos and questions about the pieces.  You're busy enough with the pieces you learn for your lessons and exams and you're fun to have on any project. 

STARSTRUCK:  I did play the whole piece a few days ago, remember?  I screwed up all the 3 in 2 polyrhythms!!  But I hope to record a video tonight.  I will only record it once and hope I dont' make too many mistakes but one thing I learned from my lesson today is that my teacher wants me to treat each recording and the beginning of practice as a performance which means that he wants me to play it through and if I make a mistake, to continue to the end without starting over again.

QUESTION FOR ALL OF YOU:

I went for my second lesson today and we spent the whole hour on FI.  My piece was a disaster, to say the least!  Tons of mistakes!   I wonder if I should post what I learned on the FI thread?  I'm not ready to post a video at this time since my piece is so messed up and the last page is such a struggle and I haven't memorized it well. So tell me what you think.  Should I revive the FI thread or should I just keep it to myself until I'm ready to post a video? (that may not happen for many weeks)  I welcome your thoughts on this.  Thanks, all of you.

[zoecalgary]

Choo - don't worry I don't feel pressured or anything to participate. I'd like to as much as I can of course. Being able to keep up is a different story! Haha. But I learn so much it's almost like I just have to participate. Haven't spent any time on the score for the new proposal so maybe I won't comment more until I do.

I'd love to hear more about your lessons! Wherever you post I will read it. Did you play Consolation for him at all this week? Just curious?

[candlelightpiano]

No, Zoe.  Spent the whole hour on FI!  There's never enough time!  I just did one recording of Consolation, messing up everything but I'm going to post it anyway.  I need to get into the performance "mode" like he wants me to do and concentrate, which is very hard for me to do.  I'm sure if DT is still watching tomorrow, he'll be talking about my 3 in 2 polyrhythms and 4 in 3 as I screwed them up on this recording too!  Sigh!  I need to practice his looping exercise again.  Screwed up the 3 in 2 polys on the middle section of FI, too, during my lesson.  Well, I wont' be able to practice much tonight. Got to be up at 5 AM so I'll be hitting the sack as soon as my video is on YouTube.  And I'll make another recording of Consolation tomorrow.  Might as well get used to giving "performances"! 

I started a new thread called "What I learned during my lesson."  Hope you'll join in.  AJ has already found it!   

[candlelightpiano]

Lots of mistakes in this recording!     My memory isn't that great yet and my concentration is even worse! But my teacher wants me to treat my recordings as performances so here it is!  I know that I screwed up on many 3 in 2 polyrhythms, especially when I played the thirds in the RH and also screwed up on the 4th and 5th 4 in 3 birdsong polys. I know I should sing the melody out loud but at this time, I am busy concentrating on getting the right notes.  Hopefully, I'll get there soon and then be able to concentrate on the musical aspect of this lovely piece.  I'll try and post one recording everyday and hopefully, show improvement in each performance.

[costicina]

I know I should sing the melody out loud but at this time
  I'll try and post one recording everyday and hopefully, show improvement in each performance.

Excellent ideas, both of them!!!! Singing the melody does wonders...
I'm experiencing this with the Aeolian harp, and it's amazing how your hands execute exactly your mental/aural image of a piece. Also,recording yourself as often as you can is very important to identify the spots you want to correct/improve.
And a good teacher like the one you had the luck to find will help sooo much!!!
Keep strong!!!
Marg

[candlelightpiano]

Thanks, Marg!  I think he is pretty good but he uses techniques I've never heard of and it's hard to learn them but I know they will help me in the long run.  He played part of your Aeolian Harp to demonstrate a touch to me.  I recognize that piece anywhere now.  He played it very beautifully.  I hope you're still working on that project?

[danhuyle]

I wouldn't mind playing Grieg's Peer Gynt Suite. I've got other projects to play with and I don't have the music too. The stuff I am practicing are all forcing me to memorize in order to go all the way, otherwise playing with the book the whole time is a waste of time.

Lots of mistakes in this recording!     My memory isn't that great yet and my concentration is even worse! But my teacher wants me to treat my recordings as performances so here it is! 

Why not go back to playing with the book? After I memorize something, and if I did it right. When I play with the book, I can memorize it anytime I want.

[starstruck5]

I have downloaded your video Choo -shall watch it later -after the soccer! Seems like my connection is quite slow again -

[candlelightpiano]

Dan, thanks for your feedback on my video.  It's wonderful that you might come on for Grieg's Morning Mood.  I'm only thinking of it as a breather piece after Consolation but I would want to learn it as I love the piece.  Here's the score:

https://www.virtualsheetmusic.com/score/MorningMood.html?tab=pdf&pdfloc=86116166/MorningMood&multiflag=&fromsel=&tk=&rt=&frds=

Here's someone playing it:

When I practice Consolation, I have the score in front of me. But when I record, I do it from memory.  I guess I should do one recording with the score.  I'm not sure but it's a good suggestion, Dan.

I'll make another recording of Consolation tonight after I've had some time to iron out the problems.  Another one take recording.  I need to get used to performance so I'll be trying to make a one take recording every evening and hopefully see some improvement.

Thanks, Starstruck.  You'll see a lot of mistakes on it.  Hopefully, I'll make another video tonight with fewer mistakes!

[starstruck5]

Yes it is a good idea to play from the score sometimes -because it takes away that added pressure of memorising -you could do both I suppose -one from memory and one with score and see how they compare -it should help you identify moments where you need to reinforce the memory more.

[candlelightpiano]

Brilliant idea, Starstruck!  I'll do that then.  I'll record a video with the score in a moment and tomorrow, I'll play from memory. I also plan to record a video for AJ for his First Step harmony project. I'll post sometime today. 

[candlelightpiano]

This first video is for AJ, as part of the First Steps Series.  This one is in D flat Major.  AJ, I hope I got it right:

Okay, I played Consolation with the music because my memory is still not dependable!  Even with the music, it wasn't flawless!  But I'm going to start singing the melody out loud now that I've completed the piece.  I welcome your feedback!

[costicina]

But it's virtually ready, Choo, it's just a matter of little refinishments now...You have a beautiful touch, and a deep feeling for the music: with RH  a bit more loud, and a  tempo a bit faster, it'll be perfect!!!! It's such a nice piece, and you are able to communicate its suave, lyrical and intense mood. BRAVA     

[candlelightpiano]

Thank you, Marg, for watching my video and making useful suggestions. This piece needs a lot of work, refinements - absolutely. I also have difficulty in some passages.  And I know I need to make it sing and be more consoling.  Well, I'm working on it and also working on being better at memorization.  Will try again without the score today or tomorrow. 

[starstruck5]

That was beautiful Choo -I agree with Marge.

The last few bars were excellent -I loved the tension you conjured up there -and while the last note needs to be a whisper -and you played it a bit too loudly -this will come with practise -

All that is needed now is refinement.

[zoecalgary]

Choo I just listened to your last 2 videos. Wow!

So the first was a tune you made up based on the scale of Db major? Neat. I think I've missedpart of Aj's Lessons I'll have to go back and double check! It was nicely done.

The second was the whole piece. You are amazing! I didn't realize you had gotten this far with this! Excellent work! You must be feeling very good about this. And like I said on the FI thread I think you need to find your next project pretty soon!

[flyinfingers]

I found this helpful:  Mega...does this fulfill your explaining of the technique?  I hope this posts, since I'm not real good at this.

[ Invalid YouTube link ]

[candlelightpiano]

Thanks, Zoe!  Yes, this piece is completed, just needs refinement.  I like the tempo as it is even though  Starstruck and Marg like it a bit faster. I just like it calm and peaceful. I did another recording tonight and played by memory.  My memory is getting much better now that I practice with and without the music.  Hope to post it tomorrow morning.  

Yes, I need a new project, maybe Grieg's Morning Mood.  I like peaceful pieces while I'm working on more agitated pieces like FI, which is still a work in progress.  I've got the whole piece at one slow tempo now and can work on bringing up the speed but not too quickly as I have several rough spots that always get messy with increased speed. The last page is so difficult!

[candlelightpiano]

I found this helpful:  Mega...does this fulfill your explaining of the technique?  I hope this posts, since I'm not real good at this.

[ Invalid YouTube link ]

That's a great video, flyinfingers!  I learned a lot watching it.  I'm not sure what technique you were referring Mega to, though.  I don't remember him mentioning this forward wrist rolling action for Consolation but I still learned a lot watching it.  Thanks.

[flyinfingers]

Choo, somehow I was on page 1 instead of the last page.  It's sad to say that I've learned more about technique from videos instead of from teachers.  I wish I would have just saved my money and worked on this for a few months.  I think it will help everyone and I'm glad you enjoyed it.  You are an inspiration with your piano playing projects!
She has a home page with a lot of other great stuff.
Oh, mega was talking about the finger technique and moving the writst up and down and then playing the next note halfway up or down -- I think I got that right, not sure.

[candlelightpiano]

Flyinfingers:  Mega was talking about a relaxation exercise, though, for moving the wrist up and down.  I don't think he meant it for playing a piece. He meant a real slow up and down movement of the wrist.  I should look into her home page.  She's got a lot of wonderful technic to share. Thanks for your compliments!

[candlelightpiano]

I'm playing Consolation from memory here.  My memorization has improved a lot since I began practicing with and without score.  On listening back to my playing, I spotted a lot of problems with the polyrhythms by listening to the LH.  So I'll keep working on them. 

All feedback welcome!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wIJpoaMz1o&feature=youtu.be

[costicina]

Wow, very very good!!!! You're getting used to the deeper, richer sound of a real piano, and now you are able to make it sing. The piece has dramatically improved, really. I listened  to the last part with my eyes closed, and your playing was really moving....

Your goal is almost reached!!!!

[ajspiano]

Agree with Marg, this latest video shows a significant imProvment over the previous one..  ..your "first steps" in Db was correct, do you feel that you are starting to understand some aspects of how notes can go together in a key yet? Let me know when you are ready to tackle something more on that front.