My grade 4 exam pieces

[littletune]

I will start posting my exam pieces now! The exams are about 3 weeks away (or even a little less), but tomorrow I have a recital where I will be playing two of my exam pieces. So those are the first pieces I will post.
I recorded them today and I could only record each once because it was time for me to stop practicing piano (7pm, cause of my neighbours). So I'm not so very happy with them, but i'm sure it will be even a lot worse tomorrow at my recital...    

So I'm posting Bach BWV924 and Clementi Sonatina Op.36 no.1 (first movement and second movement).
If you have any comments and advice that would be great!  

[pianowolfi]

I think you have a very solid foundation for your recital tomorrow and for your exam too, and you don't need to be afraid at all! Good luck!  

[candlelightpiano]

They're really good, Littletune.  The Clementi brought back a lot of memories for me! You'll have no problems in your exam and your recital.  All the best in both of them! 

What is your third piece?  How did you record these audio files?  Directly from a digital piano or from an mp3 converter?

I'm sorry to hear about your awful neighbors.  That sucks!

Choo

[rachfan]

Hi littletune,

I listened to your recordings here--very nicely played!  The Clementi brought back memories, as I too played that sonatina many years ago.  You have these pieces well in hand now, so I'm sure you'll do fine at both the recital and in the exams later on.  Best of luck to you!

David

[emill]

hi Littletune!!

Your exam pieces are very well played as far as my ears tell me and I think your
juror will feel the same.  Really "cute" pieces which brings back memories of
my son when he was much younger, especially that Clementi )p.36 (1).
THANKS and best wishes to you!!

[costicina]

Brava Littletune!!!! You play these pieces with such  a nice and proper  musical intention!!!! And you master them technically. You have nothing to worry about, your exam will be a triumph  , however stressful any exam situation can be.
Good luck, we'll be ideally among the audience to applaude you.....

 

[littletune]

Thank you everyone for your nice comments!  I read them before I went to my recital, I just didn't have time to comment. I am back now...  well... I did make mistakes  especially with Bach's prelude I kind of got confused a little but I just kept playing...  and when I was playing the second movement of Sonatina I completely forgot one little part (for the left hand) but I also just kept playing  so my mum said it didn't sound like I was making a lot of mistakes it just seemed like sometimes I paused a little...  and my teacher seemed happy too, she even hugged me and said I play well for how much I'm scared and my hands are shaking  but my hands really weren't shaking THAT much... I mean compared to how bad it used to be! 
If I'll have a good recording I will post it... but my dad was recording with my mum's phone but it didn't record anything! (the phone just decided not to record anymore! it looks like it's recording but then there's no video) but.... my mum was also recording with her new camera, but she stopped recording right after I started playing but then she started recording again... so we'll have to see what she recorded. 

Thank you Wolfi! well everyone is telling me I don't need to be afraid and I'm not afraid at first but then I get nervous!  but well I think it's getting a little better... 

Thank you Choo!  You mean what is my third piece for my exam? Because I don't have only 3 pieces, we need to play 5 pieces! And the other three are Czerny's Etude, Tchaikovsky's Sweet dreams (or Sweet reveries) and a piece by Slovenian composer Emil Ulaga which in English would be called Little butterfly's adventure.  I will soon post all of them.
No I don't have a digital piano, I recorded them with a webcam (from my mum's computer) and then converted them on one internet site called Zamzar. I used to have a free converter on my computer but it stopped working so I uninstalled it just a few days ago.
Yes that with the neighbours is pretty bad, I'm afraid I won't be able to play as good as I could at my exam cause I don't have that much time to practice on my piano but... I hope it will get better. 

Thank you David!  I'm very glad you liked my recordings! Looks like a lot of people played that Sonatina!  that's cool!  Well I made some mistakes cause I was nervous, but it wasn't as bad as I was afraid it would be. And I will try to practice even more till the exam! 

Thank you Emill!  I'm glad you liked them! and I think they're "cute" too  i really like playing them all! I just wish I could enjoy playing them at recitals and exams as much as I do when I'm alone! 

Thank you Costicina! I'm really glad you liked my playing! I will try to get even better till the exam! I hope I can post the recording from today's recital!

Thank you again for listening and commenting everyone! and for all the good wishes!   

[starstruck5]

I really love your playing. It is so musical. Exams suck sometimes -but they keep you focused I guess.

You and I share a love of the piano and horrid neighbours!

[littletune]

Thank you very much Starstruck!  I'm so glad you like my playing!   I'm sorry you have such horrible neighbours too! You know that just now when i wrote this the crazy woman downstairs started banging on the wall. For no reason of course (except that she is crazy) 
Thank you for listening and commenting! 

I will soon post the video of my recital... even though I made quite a few mistakes  and even though my nose looks unnormally huge  but well whatever     

[49410enrique]

[littletune]

Thank you very much Enrique! sooooo cute!     

[littletune]

Ok well so I decided to post a video of my recital (that I had on Friday, May 25). It was a "pre-exam" recital and I played two of my exam pieces - Bach prelude BWV 924 and Clementi Sonatina op.36, no.1 -first and second movement. I did make mistakes and in the second movement of Sonatina I completely forgot in one place what the left hand was supposed to play, and the keys of the piano are very very easy to press and kinda soft compared to pianos that I usually play (at home and at my piano lessons) so some notes are really too loud.
(And ... besides all that I look pretty weird   I think my nose looks sooo huge (and I don't think it looks that huge in real life   ) and I'm wearing that thing (that probably makes me look kinda fat   ) over my T-shirt because I need pockets for my lucky toys       )

I know I still need to practice a lot and I really feel like I don't have enough time anymore   so i'm really nervous and besides I really need to start practicing without that silent (or damper or whatever) pedal because I noticed that it's really different at my piano lessons without it and I have some problems because of it... I thought if I don't get the best or second best grade at my exam I'll just do grade 4 one more time next year cause maybe i need to play a little easier pieces for awhile I don't know... maybe then I wouldn't get so nervous at recitals and exams   Oh well we'll see i guess... I write too much!  

Here's the video: (why doesn't it want to embed the video anymore?? ) if I figure it out I'll embed it later...

[costicina]

  Brava Littletune, you was able to cope very well with nerves and the 'recital panic' everybody knows too well!!!  You didn't 'stutter', and played many passages with expressione and musical intention....and your nose is absolutely ok 

[pianowolfi]

Yes of course your nose is okay, and everything else of you too, and you have made a lot of progress with your playing!! ! Just don't hide! Be yourself, try to accept yourself exactly like you are!   I think it's important that you perform a lot, and learn to deal better with the situation, and gather experience.

[tril]

eheh, I do exactly like you put my hands in my legs when I finish a piece!

[littletune]

Thank you Costicina! You are very nice! 

Thank you Wolfi you mean don't hide like behind my hair?    yes I know I would need to perform a lot but at my music school we only have four recitals (Christmas, spring, "pre-exam" and final recital)... I guess I should perform for familly and friends or something like that... or for our dear neighbours!  kidding!  or maybe I should have that youstream or something! 

eheh, I do exactly like you put my hands in my legs when I finish a piece!

Really? cool  I didn't even know I was doing that!  thanks for watching! 

I will add a recording of Czerny Etude, Op 599, no. 63... I am playing it too fast?  sometimes my fingers still don't do what i want them to do.

[candlelightpiano]

Littletune:  You did fine at your recital!  I didn't see any missing left hand part at all and you played with a lot of feeling, especially in the second movement of Clementi.   Nothing wrong with your nose.  It didn't look like Pinochio's, believe me! You didn't look big with the vest on, either.  As for nerves, you're not alone.  Lots of us are nervous playing before an audience.  You were very brave and you did very well.  Your Czerny was very good, too.  You'll do brilliantly in your exam. 

[littletune]

Thank you very much Choo!  I'm glad you think that!!  And thanks for the cute picture!!!   

I don't think i said it already but tomorrow I have the first "exams". they're the exams at our music school to prepare us for the real ones and also so they see if someone shouldn't go to the real exams. And today in the evening I also have my piano lesson.  And I would like to record the two other pieces and post them but I'm not sure if i'll have time.
Thank you everyone for reading my thread and listening and commenting!   

[costicina]

Good luck for your exams, you'll knock them out!!!!!

[littletune]

Good luck for your exams, you'll knock them out!!!!!

Thank you very much!!   Well... the pre-exams on Saturday were ok... but the whole day was VERY tiring! Our music theory teacher made a VEEEERYYYYY LOOOOOONG test because she wanted to put in it everything that might be in the real test, so we were writing that test for about two hours and at the end I just wanted to go to sleep!! but then we also had to have the aural part of the test which was about half an hour and then we had piano exams so... I was so tired by then that it was really difficult to concentrate. so first I made a few mistakes when I was playing the Bach piece but I kept playing but then when I was playing the second movement of Sonatina I got completely confused and I forgot how to go on after only a few bars and I got completely stuck and I started from the beginning 3 times and still didn't know how to continue and then my teacher said I should take sheet music and then it was ok. But I don't know what i will do if that happens on the real exam!!!  but well... the music theory test was ok! I only lost a few points and I would get the highest grade for it. 

Oh and before the exams we had to go to the vet  to see what's with that bird that we rescued, and the vet said that probably it will never be able to fly, so he said that we can take it and take care of it (or find someone who would) or they will "put it to sleep" that is kill it.  so me and my mum were there for like an hour talking about it and we just couldn't let them kill it so the vet said we can take it and then after awhile we'll see how the wing is healing and how the bird is doing... so we have it at home now, it's really cute!! So on Saturday I was tired from that too cause it was really horrible cause we didn't know what to do.

Now i will post the other two pieces that I haven't posted yet: Tchaikovsky: Sweet dreams, and Metuljčkova prigoda (Little butterfly's adventure) by E. Ulaga...

[pianist1976]

Well done!!! (I liked specially the Clementi) 

You are on the way. I'm impatient to listen what you will achieve in a few years from now. 

[littletune]

Well done!!! (I liked specially the Clementi) 

You are on the way. I'm impatient to listen what you will achieve in a few years from now. 

Thank you VERY much!!    Yes I wonder what I'll be posting in like 2 or 3 years from now too! 
I'm really glad to see you back on pianostreet again!!     

I found out on Thurseday that I have my piano exam on Tuesday already!  I really don't feel like I'm ready for the exam yet and besides we won't be playing in the big hall but in a small room so they'll be sitting right next to me and that usually doesn't work that well for me...  oh well...   

[p2u_]

@ littletune

Exams (and competitions) suck; if I were the President, I would abolish them and install other parameters to evaluate a student's development. But since they are part of the system, you have to make the best of it. I think you did a great job, but I do have one comment, not critics but gentle and sincere advice: when people clap, you should assume they really mean it. It's the echo of what you've just given them and you deserve it. Get up and accept it gratefully, even if they were not supposed to clap. This is part of the theater that should be trained during practicing and can help you get over your nerves. Also, between pieces, please, don't collapse your posture as if you want to say "Well that was so-so, but it's the best I can do". Instead, sit proudly, go to the next gift you have for them and deliver it as best you can. This will add positively to the overall effect of what you do. Good luck!

Paul

[costicina]

Very good advice, Paul!! I'll remember it to my daughter, whenever she gets the opportunity to play in public...

[candlelightpiano]

Littletune, I enjoyed both pieces very much.  You have a very nice touch.  It's expressive and quite delicate.  All the very best in your exam!  You'll do well!

[oxy60]

I put your sound on the speakers and my wife says your meter is perfect and if you ever take up the bass or drums you will be another woman holding the band together. (Just like she has done on so many occasions on the drums.)

[zoecalgary]

Littletune, very nice! You do have very expressive playing! All the best on Tuesday! You are ready!

[49410enrique]

really like all have said, fine job indeed! your playing here
makes me want to roll around on the floor like good happy puppy.

https://files.sharenator.com/3_Cartoon_Animated_Gifs-s480x349-214245-580.gif

[littletune]

Wow THANK YOU everyone sooooo much for all your nice comments!!! You are all really really nice!!      I just quickly wanted to say that, because i don't have so much time now because i'm writing music theory (and dictations!!!!) in about 3 hours!!  I'll comment more when I have time.
Thanks again!!!!   

[littletune]

Hi everyone (after a few days).    Now I'm done with my exams and with my final (end of the year) recital.    Tomorrow I get that thing with grades on it (report card?) and then holidays! 
Thank you again everyone who listened and commented!!! It really means a lot to me!   

@ littletune

Exams (and competitions) suck; if I were the President, I would abolish them and install other parameters to evaluate a student's development. But since they are part of the system, you have to make the best of it. I think you did a great job, but I do have one comment, not critics but gentle and sincere advice: when people clap, you should assume they really mean it. It's the echo of what you've just given them and you deserve it. Get up and accept it gratefully, even if they were not supposed to clap. This is part of the theater that should be trained during practicing and can help you get over your nerves. Also, between pieces, please, don't collapse your posture as if you want to say "Well that was so-so, but it's the best I can do". Instead, sit proudly, go to the next gift you have for them and deliver it as best you can. This will add positively to the overall effect of what you do. Good luck!

Paul

Thank you for your advice! I didn't really think of that! And yes these exams can be really scary!!! I mean it's like you only get one chance in a whole year and what if you have a bad day!? then that's really not fair! but fortunately I played pretty well even though they made me feel kinda bad.  Thanks! 

Littletune, I enjoyed both pieces very much.  You have a very nice touch.  It's expressive and quite delicate.  All the very best in your exam!  You'll do well!

Thank you!!!! I really did well and I got the best (highest) grade!      Thanks again!! 

I put your sound on the speakers and my wife says your meter is perfect and if you ever take up the bass or drums you will be another woman holding the band together. (Just like she has done on so many occasions on the drums.)

Wow really?? Thank you! (and your wife!!!)    You mean bass guitar? For now I haven't been thinking about guitar, but I was thinking a lot I would want to play double bass some day  thank you! 

Littletune, very nice! You do have very expressive playing! All the best on Tuesday! You are ready!

Thank you so much for your comment and for good wishes!!! i did well on Tuesday!  I got the best grade!!      thanks! 

really like all have said, fine job indeed! your playing here
makes me want to roll around on the floor like good happy puppy.

https://files.sharenator.com/3_Cartoon_Animated_Gifs-s480x349-214245-580.gif

Thank you Enrique!!      What a funny cute puppy!!  thanks   

Well and now I'm going to post a video from my "end of the year" recital... I played Tchaikovsky - Sweet Dreams. I think I played much better at my exam than at my recital, because at my exam I played on a grand piano of course and I think I got a little spoiled by that.  and at my recital we only had a digital piano and I didin't even have time to try playing on it at all before the recital so the keys felt a little funny, they were kinda bouncing back up and I felt like I couldn't hold my hands in the same way as I was used to so that confused me a little.  but well I wanted to post it anyway.  so here it is:

Thank you!!   

[oxy60]

Very nice. You have a good feeling for the piano. In addition to holding the meter you have put in some nice phrasing.

Of course, every instrument is different.  Adjusting to them is part of being a pianist. At least you haven't had to sit down at a real piece of junk and play the national anthem to accompany your classmates.

You don't need to rush your entrance and exit on the "stage." You can take a moment to acknowledge the applause. When you enter allow people time to absorb the new fact of your presence.

[littletune]

Thank you so much Oxy!!!    Thanks for watching and for the comment and advice!!! 
Yes I guess in a way it's a good thing that you can try playing on different pianos... I mean I think if you only play on grand pianos you can really get a little spoiled    thank you again!!   

[zoecalgary]

Congratulations!! I'm happy to hear that you did so well on your exam!! Way to go littletune! Your recital was very nice too!!

[oxy60]

Thank you so much Oxy!!!    Thanks for watching and for the comment and advice!!! 
Yes I guess in a way it's a good thing that you can try playing on different pianos... I mean I think if you only play on grand pianos you can really get a little spoiled    thank you again!!   

You're welcome!

Yes you will get spoiled only playing on well maintained grands. Then comes your choice of your first house and one of the big factors in the selection will be the music room. (Been there, done that.)