Ballade Pour Adeline(Richard Clayderman) and River Flows in You(Yiruma)

[stylerpiano]

Hi all!

I got my new instrument(Yamaha CLP 565 GP), so I have decided, that I will record all of my song again with the new piano  

Here is my first 2 music:

Ballade Pour Adeline(Richard Clayderman)

River Flows in You(Yiruma):

I have been playing piano for 6 months now, but I love it.
I would be happy to read your comments and criticise.

[bronnestam]

Very nice!    I like your piano too, but you already know that ...

I get a bit worried, though, when I see your posture. You keep your forearms and wrists too low, so it looks like you are "scratching" the keys. This comes from, I think, that your chair is too low. I strongly suggest that you adjust this, because there is a risk that you will get injured and you will also get unnecessary difficulties later on - for example, it is hard to play with strong force when you work from this position.

A friend of mine, who is a true world class pianist, recently published some videos about right posture and hand position. (It is a great thing when a concert pianist of this level gives teachings to beginners and amateurs.) Here they are, start with "Instruction video 1". He has played the piano for 40 years and practiced and performed tremendously lot, so this is a real expert:

https://vimeopro.com/user29797356/piano-videos

[ranniks]

Both the pieces that you played sound very nice.

And I'm surprised that you've only played for 6 months. That's amazing.

[iancollett6]

 Amazing considering you have only being playing for 6 months. Also, take it as a compliment that you are getting responses after posting pieces that aren't classical!

[stylerpiano]

Big thank you All for the replies! I'm happy to hear, that you like my videos.

bronnestam-> I'll check your friend's videos.
"You keep your forearms and wrists too low" - True, I'll raise my chair's level.

ranniks -> Thank you! I have started to learn in a conservatoire, but I'm 26 years old, so it's too late to become a pianist I think, so it will be a hobby for me. I have already composed 3 own music, and people like it too. My teacher said, that this is my way, to compose own pieces. But I must learn a lot first    You can find my own pieces on this forum:

Lovely June: https://www.pianostreet.com/smf/index.php?topic=55537.0
Light in the forest,May-fly: https://www.pianostreet.com/smf/index.php?topic=55342.0

iancollett6 -> Are only classical music fans recommended to post on this forum? I see classical pieces everywhere, you're right, and I'm happy that you check my topic  


It would be good if they will separate the audition room one time to classical and non-classical part.

[bronnestam]

I think I will post the link to the instruction videos on the Student's Corner as well, because the material is rather unique. My own teacher is very interested in ergonomics, but truth is that it is rather often neglected. You learn the basics in your first lesson and then you play on and on for years, until you start to get hurt. When you start to work with real demanding pieces, maybe for hours every day, you will be in deep trouble if you are doing it wrong. (I'm talking from own sad experience here.) 

Of course you can play contemporary music here. But let's look from this perspective: Most modern pieces/arrangements are easier than the classics, on intermediate level and up. Both your featured pieces here are in fact quite easy - technically. BUT - you play them beautifully and, most of all, who said that simple pieces are not good music? Today I played a little walz by Merikanto, and it is very easy and simple, but my husband immediately commented that it was wonderful. So I'm far more delighted by a real good interpretation of "Ballade Pour Adeline" than  a limping version of Waldstein Sonata, that's for sure!


I don't think you should think too much about your age and your "chances" to become a professional pianist. Who knows? In order to be a real good musician, you have to have some life experience as well, that's my opinion, and that will compensate for what-you-did-not-do-when-you-were-younger. Just go on playing and be happy, go with the flow just as you already do, and you will see what happens. 

[gyzzzmo]

iancollett6 -> Are only classical music fans recommended to post on this forum? I see classical pieces everywhere, you're right, and I'm happy that you check my topic  

It would be good if they will separate the audition room one time to classical and non-classical part.

Actually, this is not true.
This forum is for both classical and non-classical pianomusic, and both are being posted in the audition room if you look better. Also, both type of posts get replies and sometimes dont

[ranniks]

ranniks -> Thank you! I have started to learn in a conservatoire, but I'm 26 years old, so it's too late to become a pianist I think, so it will be a hobby for me. I have already composed 3 own music, and people like it too. My teacher said, that this is my way, to compose own pieces. But I must learn a lot first    You can find my own pieces on this forum:

Lovely June: https://www.pianostreet.com/smf/index.php?topic=55537.0
Light in the forest,May-fly: https://www.pianostreet.com/smf/index.php?topic=55342.0

All three pieces that you composed sounded very soothing and beautiful. And for only 6 months playing/composing that's very impressive.

[stylerpiano]

All three pieces that you composed sounded very soothing and beautiful. And for only 6 months playing/composing that's very impressive.

Thank you!
One time, when I will be better in chords I'll update the songs in bass clef staff

[stylerpiano]

I think I will post the link to the instruction videos on the Student's Corner as well, because the material is rather unique. My own teacher is very interested in ergonomics, but truth is that it is rather often neglected. You learn the basics in your first lesson and then you play on and on for years, until you start to get hurt. When you start to work with real demanding pieces, maybe for hours every day, you will be in deep trouble if you are doing it wrong. (I'm talking from own sad experience here.) 

Of course you can play contemporary music here. But let's look from this perspective: Most modern pieces/arrangements are easier than the classics, on intermediate level and up. Both your featured pieces here are in fact quite easy - technically. BUT - you play them beautifully and, most of all, who said that simple pieces are not good music? Today I played a little walz by Merikanto, and it is very easy and simple, but my husband immediately commented that it was wonderful. So I'm far more delighted by a real good interpretation of "Ballade Pour Adeline" than  a limping version of Waldstein Sonata, that's for sure!


I don't think you should think too much about your age and your "chances" to become a professional pianist. Who knows? In order to be a real good musician, you have to have some life experience as well, that's my opinion, and that will compensate for what-you-did-not-do-when-you-were-younger. Just go on playing and be happy, go with the flow just as you already do, and you will see what happens. 

Ok. Thank you. I have already watched 1-2 movie from your friend. His videos are really helpful.

[stylerpiano]

Actually, this is not true.
This forum is for both classical and non-classical pianomusic, and both are being posted in the audition room if you look better. Also, both type of posts get replies and sometimes dont

Good to hear it 

It was only a suggestion, to separate the classical and non-classical, but it is not necessary.

[thalbergmad]

Great playing for only 6 months. I enjoyed the "River flows in you" and you are showing signs of expression which will be important later.

Clayderman should be hung drawn and quartered.

Thal

[stylerpiano]

Great playing for only 6 months. I enjoyed the "River flows in you" and you are showing signs of expression which will be important later.

Clayderman should be hung drawn and quartered.

Thal

Thank you Thal! 

I will improve my expression in the future, when I play this pieces easily  

"Clayderman should be hung drawn and quartered." - Can you explain me this?  

[j_menz]

"Clayderman should be hung drawn and quartered." - Can you explain me this?  

It's a particularly brutal form of execution favoured by the English in days past for people convicted of treason. It seems they were the only ones to practice it, though no doubt equally gruesome methods were employed elsewhere.

Thal is no doubt nostalgic for the practice, and, one suspects, has a (very) long list of composers deemed suitable.

You can read the gory details here.

[stylerpiano]

Ok. I just wanted to know, why he says it, not, that what the method mean.

[gyzzzmo]

Ok. I just wanted to know, why he says it, not, that what the method mean.

Because many people (me included) start to dislike his music more and more, the longer something from Clayderman has been in your repetoire.
When i used to play piano to earn some extra money during my study in a bar/restaurant, it started to become pretty hard to make up more excuses why i 'couldnt' play Ballade pour Adeline, or keep myself from yelling at the customer about how despicable i find his music

Thats the magic of Richard Clayderman!

[stylerpiano]

Ok. I understand 

[stylerpiano]

Great playing for only 6 months. I enjoyed the "River flows in you" and you are showing signs of expression which will be important later.

Clayderman should be hung drawn and quartered.

Thal

River flows in You is my personal favorite at the moment, but all the songs from Yiruma sounds very nice. I will learn lots of them.

[stylerpiano]

Anybody can tell, that what is the level of 'Ballade pour Adeline' from Richard Clayderman? I think it's harder(this is my personal opinion because I must practice it day by day to don'nt make mistakes during playing) than River flows in you but I don't know it's difficulty level. River flows in you is level 4 as I found it in google. Many people says that normally the piano students can learn it after years of piano practicing.  I played it after 6 months piano learning. I was a complete beginner 6 months ago, so don't know.

Currently I'm learning 'He is a pirate' from Kyle Landry, I'm interested in it's difficulty level too, if anybody can write it down.


I know that only the classical pieces can be categorized in levels, but please try to estimate this two pieces pls.

Thank you so much!